The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

By: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Narrated by: Richard Burton

Length: 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Richard Burton and Ralph Richardson join together in this unqiue musical production of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner". The superb delivery of both these actors is augmented by an original soundtrack composed by David Moore.

©2011 Saland Publishing (P)2011 Saland Publishing

why is there techno music in this??

Any additional comments?

this is one of my favorite stories and the narrator was good but why was there music in it? It seriously ruined it for me

Should have believed other reviewers!

When I was in high school, my English teacher played us a record of Richard Burton reading the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. After over 40 years, I still remember it as one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard and was overjoyed to find this. I thought "What could a little music hurt?" I found out.
First of all, Richard Burton reading poetry is ALREADY pure music. Anything else is superfluous. Poetry also already has an inherent rhythm and the uncoordinated beating of drums in the background does not fit. They have also added long, boring passages of music interspersed with Burton saying "I shot the albatross."
The power of this poem is the vision of a man tormented by remorse, loneliness, silence and despair. The addition of fast-paced, loud music completely destroys this mood which had been beautifully interpreted by Burton.
I don't know what poetry hater had the bright idea of "improving" this masterpiece, but I sincerely beg Audible to re-issue it without the music!

Disappointing

The majesty of Burton's voice and acting is drowned out by a strange selection of "music."

poor sound quality

It's just so sad but the background sound effects overpower the voices. Seagulls and ocean waves are nice but I really wanted to hear Richard Burton, ya know?

Utterly ruined by idiotic music

What would have made The Rime of the Ancient Mariner better?

Why on earth this narration has been vandalized by overlaying it with electronic Muzak is a great mystery, but it is clear that it has been senselessly ruined.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?

The whole poem is memorable.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Richard Burton?

No narrator could overcome the terrible production

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?

Of course not a word.

Any additional comments?

What a shame.

awful sound effects

The audio is nearly in audible because of excessive and highly inappropriate sound effects that mask the naration by Richatd Burton. I am very disappointed not to have been able to hear the naration by this acclaimed orator.

Art transformed to kitsch

So bizarre: an obnoxious kickdrum all but drowns out the recital by great actors. Coleridge as beat poet? Go find ANY other version. This one is an abomination. Wish I could get my money back.

Intolerable background noise drowns performance

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Lose the background noise; it destroyed the experience!

What didn’t you like about Richard Burton’s performance?

I could barely make it out.

Any additional comments?

"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is awesome! Richard Burton was an extraordinary performer! This recording _ hideous!

Horrific acoustics

This is w/out question the poorest possible recording ever made. I concur 110% w/the other reviewers. The words are completely undecipherable because of the sound effects. Mr. Burton's voice and accent add charm but it sounds like it was made inside a Cambell soup can. There is no amount of treble/bass adjustment you can possible make to negate this production. By all means, save your money, look elsewhere, perhaps in the public domain. I personally think Audible.com should remove this item. It is worthless and not in keeping with their standards. If it was possible to give it a negative number, I would.

Do not buy. Worst production ever!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This poem is haunting and beautiful, but you cannot enjoy it here. Terrible music drowns out the narrator. The narrator's voice has so much echo you can't hear him. Simply awful.