Tales from the Perilous Realm

Four BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations

By: Brian Sibley - adaptation, J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated by: full cast

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Four BBC radio dramatisations starring Michael Hordern as Tolkien - plus a special archive compilation exploring Tolkien's life and work.

The tales in this collection all reflect an aspect of what Tolkien himself called 'the perilous realm of Faerie'. Adapted for radio by Brian Sibley, co-writer of the acclaimed BBC radio production of The Lord of the Rings, they are rich in myth, magic and adventure. Among the supporting cast are Brian Blessed, Nigel Planer, Sorcha Cusack, Paul Copley and James Grout.

In 'Farmer Giles of Ham', having accidentally shot a giant, Farmer Giles' brave reputation is tested by Chrysophylax the dragon. In 'Smith of Wootton Major', a young boy eats a piece of cake containing a silver star, and is granted access to the magical land of Fäerie. 'Leaf by Niggle' is a thought-provoking allegory of the creative process, and 'The Adventures of Tom Bombadil' features Tom and the Hobbits in scenes from The Lord of the Rings which were not included in the BBC Radio 4 dramatisation.

Also included is 'J R R Tolkien: An Audio Portrait', in which Brian Sibley draws together interviews from radio and television programmes featuring the author himself, his original publisher Rayner Unwin, his biographer Humphrey Carpenter and many others, to relate the story of both Tolkien the man and the worlds he created.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Cool LOTR extras, but not all stories

I am a pretty big nerd, so this was nerdy enough for me, but I wouldn't start here for any newer fan.

SO MUCH MORE THAN THE STORIES!

First, you should READ these wonderful stories. These dramatizations are all very well done, I particularly enjoyed Brian Blessed's stentorian performance in Farmer Giles of Ham. However,the documentary that makes up the last two hours is simply wonderful! Listen to Tolkien scholars, excerpts from the fantastic BBC dramatization from the 1980's and to Professor Tolkien himself!!
This is a MUST for Tolkien fans!!

an interesting little book. If you are a Tolkien

Tolkien fans will enjoy this little book. Give it a chance, and take an unexpected journey.

The Lord Of the Middle Earth

The BBC adaptations of J R R Tolkien's classic The Lord Of the Ring is simply brilliant. Middle Earth came alive as did the tale of the man himself.

Good?

Tales from the Perilous Realm is a good book, but this dramatization doesn’t really do it justice.

My chief complaint is the voice of Garm. Every “R” is turned into an “Rrruff”.

Bottom line———————————————-
If you want to listen to this story collection, don’t waste your money/credits; get the full one narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi.

That one is worth it.

I love Tolkien !

The stories were imaginative and performed really well! The portrait of Tolkien was so interesting and I loved the author's view of his stories and himself. This book also makes me want to read The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings again! And, maybe, try the Sylmarilian again!

I enjoyed this so much!

This book is perfect except for chapter 5 and 6

The recording quality of chapter 5 and 6 is lacking, there's a huge hiss noise coming from the recording mic that made these chapters unlistenable, I personally skipped them, the rest of the book 10/10

Needs work

Narrator has a strange warbling effect. It's not the recording because all other voices are fine and clear.

Terrible narrative

Sorry, but these voices are terribly annoying. Made it 20 minutes in and gave up. Disservice to Tolkien

No original cast for ‘The Adventures of Tom Bombadill’

Was disappointed that the Brian Sibley dramatization of the Adventures of Tom Bombadill, did not have the original cast from his Lord of the Rings audio adaptation, but that’s my only real complaint, there’s still plenty here for a Tolkien lover to enjoy.