The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

By: J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated by: Peter Woodthorpe, Ian Holm, Robert Stephens, Michael Hordern, Bill Nighy, John McAndrew, David Collings, Douglas Livingstone, Full Cast

With its first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on March 8, 1981, this dramatised tale of Middle Earth became an instant global classic. It boasts a truly outstanding cast including Ian Holm (as Frodo), Michael Hordern (as Gandalf), Robert Stephens (as Aragorn), Bill Nighy (as Sam Gamgee) and John Le Mesurier (as Bilbo).

Brian Sibley's famous adaptation has been divided into three corresponding parts, with newly-recorded beginning and end narration by Ian Holm, who now stars as Bilbo in the feature films based on The Lord of the Rings.

Part One, The Fellowship of the Ring, introduces us to Frodo Baggins. With his uncle Bilbo having mysteriously disappeared, Frodo finds himself in possession of a simple gold ring that has great and evil power. It is the Ruling Ring, taken long ago from the Dark Lord, Sauron, who now seeks to possess it again. Frodo must do everything he can to prevent this, and with the help of Gandalf the wizard and a band of loyal companions he begins a perilous journey across Middle-earth. Sauron's Black Riders are on their trail as they travel to Rivendell, attempt to cross the snow-swept Misty Mountains and, in desperation, enter the terrifying Mines of Moria.


©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

For those who find the books too long-winded and the films too noisy, this is the perfect way to assimilate the myth and magic of Middle-earth

Dramitization

For what it is, it is brilliantly done. I'm just too fond of this story (the whole story) to be fully content with an abridged rendition.

That said, I take less exception to what was cut/changed (text and content-wise) in this version than some of the things done in the 2001 film. One of my favourite moments is the Fords of Bruinen as it was written, and that spirit is kept in this dramatization.

Five stars for dramatization, but only four as 'The Fellowship of the Ring' since it is missing so very much. It seems 'Fellowship' is usually the part of the trilogy that is cut down the most for dramatization.

Very well done.

Any additional comments?

My only complaint about this series is that some of the voices were a little too close together in sound and it got a little confusing as to whom was speaking.

Prime example is the voices of Gandalf and Aragorn .

Ok Overall.

it's a good adaptation. However don't expect to hear the complete book in this. Several parts are missing. One glaring omission is Tom Bombadil.

Nicely Dramatised

I've read the triligy several times and love the unabridged work, however this dramatised version has very good voices and pace. I don't care for the singing, but I tend to fast forward through that and it's just part of the story.

Beyond words

I listened to this dramatization as a child, and loved it then. I still think the acting, the music and everything about it is beyond compare. The only objection I have, is in the way this was sold to us. I think I should liked the whole thing in one package, with the original episodes serving at chapters, and the original announcements retained. but the dramatization itself, as I said beyond compare. Brian Sibley, also dramatized the chronicles of Narnia and that was wonderful as well. there is a sense of wonder about both about both of these dramatizations, that I just cannot convey his words. Theyy convey the sense of wonder of the books, of the two series, better than any movie or any other dramatization.