by Full Cast
The second instalment of Tolkien's epic tale, adapted from the original BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation. Having fled the Shire in their escape from Sauron's Dark Riders, Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring have journeyed to Rivendell and beyond. Their mission is to reach the Mountain of Fire in Mordor, where the Ruling Ring can be destroyed, but already their campaign is in jeopardy. Gandalf has fallen into an abyss, and Boromir has fatally succumbed to the power of the Ring. The others are besieged by an army of orcs - save for Frodo and Sam, whose journey down the River Anduin is being watched by a dark and shadowy figure... Widely regarded as a broadcasting classic, the BBC Radio dramatisation of 'The Lord of the Rings' stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe.
©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
The second instalment of Tolkien's epic tale, adapted from the original BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation. Having fled the Shire in their escape from Sauron's Dark Riders, Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring have journeyed to Rivendell and beyond. Their mission is to reach the Mountain of Fire in Mordor, where the Ruling Ring can be destroyed, but already their campaign is in jeopardy. Gandalf has fallen into an abyss, and Boromir has fatally succumbed to the power of the Ring. The others are besieged by an army of orcs - save for Frodo and Sam, whose journey down the River Anduin is being watched by a dark and shadowy figure... Widely regarded as a broadcasting classic, the BBC Radio dramatisation of 'The Lord of the Rings' stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe.
©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Reviews-
-
[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with THE HOBBIT.]--These mythical tales of Middle-earth were bestsellers when they appeared in the 1950s and '60s and are now enjoying a revival of interest including the popular movie LORD OF THE RINGS. These recordings are not readings of Tolkien's novels, but are adaptations of both works for full-cast radio production. If you want all of Tolkien's words, this is not the choice. If you want a full-scale production with sound effects and music, this is a very good choice. While it's difficult to say what a dwarf, an orc, or a wizard should sound like, all of the voices in this production seem entirely appropriate to the characters being portrayed. Some of the sound effects, such as horses endlessly clomping, are repetitive, but in general the sounds add to the sense of atmosphere. R.E.K. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
-
If the first LORD OF THE RINGS movie left you wanting more, there's no need to wait until the next film hits theaters in December. Rob Inglis's gritty reading of the second part of Tolkien's epic trilogy neatly picks up where the first film and book left off, as our hobbit heroes, Frodo and Sam, seek to destroy the infamous Ring of Power. Those who experienced the first part of the trilogy via the movie will have to adjust to the more lyrical storytelling style and moderate pace of Tolkien's text (as well as many breaks for song). Inglis generally keeps things moving along nicely and, with his variety of well-conceived voices and characterizations, quite entertainingly. J.P.M. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
-
It's never inspiring when a publisher hauls out a fossilized recording to capitalize on the popularity of a film. But one can hardly make that accusation after listening to this 1981 BBC dramatization of Tolkien's THE TWO TOWERS, in which Frodo, Sam, and his allies continue their mission to bring the Ring of Power to Mordor. Even for those who are ambivalent about fantasy literature, this is first-class audio drama that starts with a smart adaptation of the text, adds an excellent British cast (albeit an anonymous one, given the absence of liner notes), and rounds it off with fine production quality. The role of Gollum is particularly well played, sounding appropriately vile and pitiful, and demonstrating that Tolkien can be dramatized without Hollywood special effects. D.B. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
-
[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with THE RETURN OF THE KING.]--There is something incongruous about American voices in ancient Britain (or to be precise, Middle-earth). Nonetheless, these American productions of the Tolkien classics--originally broadcast on NPR Playhouse--are well worth hearing. While not as elaborate as the BBC production (which featured Ian Holm), this adaptation is more accessible to a wider audience. Gail Chugg, who also plays the character of Gollum, narrates the story with an easy storyteller's style. James Arrington reads the part of Frodo Baggins, the Hobbit bearing the burden of a ring of great power. Bernard Mayes portrays the wizard Gandalf with a homespun flourish. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
