Microphones in Middle-earth...the BBC Lord of the Rings

[davem]

Originally Posted by Pervinca Took

Davem, I've very much enjoyed reading all your summaries, comments and thoughts on this thread. I hope I haven't trodden on your toes by summarising the final chapter.

Not at all- in fact I'm grateful that its been done. My plans for the thread fell apart due to having a toddler running around the place.

[Draugohtar]

As my first post, I wanted to comment on the BBC Radio Adaptation.

My Grandmother bought me the boxed set of audio cassettes back in the late 80s (I had already read the hobbit and the 3 books of the trilogy.)

I instantly found that the characterisations and voices were absolutely as I have imagined them prior, it was (and remains) uncanny.

The music is splendid, obviously Bill Nighy's lay of Gil-Galad is remarkable, however for me the musical interpretation of the battle for the Pelennor fields and Theoden's last ride to battle was, and is an utter highlight for me.

You always feel that everyone involved with the production 'gets' Tolkien and his masterwork. It's so thrilling to be part of as the listener.

Whilst it's all too easy to berate PJ, the way this audio adaptation embraced the poetic and implied musical content of the Lord of the Rings books truly demonstrates the blandness and mundanity of the movie work.

I wish to say that I actually enjoy the PJ Lord of the Rings films, but on their own terms, not as adaptations.

--

I read earlier in the thread, from years past, comments regarding the 'realism' that PJ had gone for in comparison to what is possible in an audio adaptation.

I actually feel that Tolkien created a totally coherent, 'real' world in which characters such as Tom Bombadil and an ancient but happy, friendly Elrond can exist. (I enjoyed the Tales from the Perilous realms adaptation of the stay with Tom Bombadil.)

I think the BBC Audio adaptation truly expresses this.

Rather than being limited by an acted realisation of the books, this adaptation shows that it can compliment and add without redaction.

No adaptation with any ambition to show rather than tell the story can convey every word of Tolkien's genius, but then neither can the book sing to us.

The BBC Radio adaptation only loses what it must and gives everything it can. If only PJ could have done the same in 'celluloid.'

I await Hobbit Hyenas with fear, but always have this splendid work to reassure me and fall back upon when in need!

P.S. Robert Stephens is Aragorn to me, and always shall be. I actually think Viggo Mortensen could have been a great Aragorn and is still very good in spite of the strange, and entirely optional changes made to him in that adaptation.

'All that is gold does not glitter ...' rings totally true of Robert Stephens and is wonderful interpretation.

Apologies if I rambled or went off topic at all in my first post!

[Mithalwen]

Welcome and don't apologise. I agree with you save with the caveat that while Stephens does Aragorn well, I am not to sure about Strider!! But that is a minor quibble. I also thought Vigo did a good job despite not being physically the obvious choice A lot of the film casting was good, the costumes and sets were gorgeous.. it was what they did with them that caused the problems for me. I feel your post deserves a better reply butit will have to be later alas!

[Olwe]

This has been quite an interesting read while researching some material on Michael Hordern Unfortunately, tolkienradio.com is no longer online and some of the other links have gone, too.

I happen to have met Brian Sibley last year at RotR for the first time and I thanked him for the adaptation (and other things besides) - a most marvellous writer and human being. And he did talk about the radio adaptation

[Mithalwen]

I didn't get to actually speak to him as there we too many with the same wish at the British Library hobbit event last year but myvfriend who went to RoTR got his autograph for me which I treasure.

Hordern was remarkable. A great Shakespearean and the voice of Gandalf...and Paddington Bear. Welcome to the Downs.

[Olwe]

I have been reading at the Downs for years (on and off) but haven't actually gotten around to becoming a member. I thought it was high time

My article on Michael Hordern is now online via my page; I won't spam it here (this being my second post only *g*) but if you take an interest in this I'll link to my blog in my profile in a second.

[Mithalwen]

Well done for taking the plunge. I would certainly be interested in reading it.

[Pervinca Took]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Actually that isn't a particular loss. I have no visual memory of it save Bernard Cribbens sitting crouched forward, but very strong memory of his voice.

I remember the opening credits. They were quite special/celebratory. I think it was a special anniversary - maybe the 100th Jackanory story, or something like that?

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Fantastic. The Jackanory recording was my introduction to Tolkien and missing the final episode for Brownies meant I bought the book.

Mine too, but I think I only saw/heard the Giant Spiders episode. So not significantly "spoilered."

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I didn't get to actually speak to him as there we too many with the same wish at the British Library hobbit event last year but myvfriend who went to RoTR got his autograph for me which I treasure.

Hordern was remarkable. A great Shakespearean and the voice of Gandalf...and Paddington Bear. Welcome to the Downs.

Also the narrator of the Watership Down film (which also featured Richard O'Callaghan, as Blackberrry, I think, and I've an idea Michael Graham Cox was Bigwig, too).

Michel Hordern was also Baptista in The Taming Of The Shrew (Zeffirelli film).

And of course he was Badger in the Cosgrove Hall "The Wind In The Willows" too (both the film and the six TV series) - he's very like Gandalf in that, but a little more rustic in his speech.

Welcome to the Downs from me too.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Pervinca Took

I remember the opening credits. They were quite special/celebratory. I think it was a special anniversary - maybe the 100th Jackanory story, or something like that?

It was the 3000th. The opening, and a little bit from the third episode, are in that You Tube clip I linked to in my last post.

And they say nostalgia isn't what it used to be