Microphones in Middle-earth...the BBC Lord of the Rings - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 04-11-2009, 02:47 PM

It also has a picture of Ian Holm looking younger and uncannily like Martin Freeman, which is most interesting seeing as I'm still lobbying for him to do Bilbo in The Hobbit, when they get around to casting the film.

Oh, and a review of a book which may infuriate fellow haters of Tolkien-rip-off-writers

Mithalwen · 04-17-2009, 10:42 AM

Ah well I have listerned ot Mount Doom about 5 times this week so.... I should really do something about this ...

John Johnston · 05-11-2009, 07:29 AM

The BBC radio adaptation is the definitive version of the story for me, this has been a very interesting thread to read so far, I hope it continues.

Estelyn Telcontar · 06-16-2009, 06:42 AM

I've recently been listening to the BBC recordings with a completely different aspect in mind. Those who know me won't be surprised that it involves the use of music - music as a narrative element, more specifically. I first listened to the whole German radio play, which uses music completely differently and has a style that is totally divergent from that of the English version.

I really like Stephen Oliver's compositions for the play. He manages to use instrumental music quite sparingly, mostly for introductions and transitions, and keeps it brief there. It rarely underlies narrative and dialogue, leaving the words to work their magic on their own. Most importantly, the melodies he wrote for numerous poems are frequently memorable and enjoyable to sing along, an aspect that is sadly missing in the German version, which has rather nondescript melodies.

For those interested in this aspect, there will be a chapter on the music of the BBC dramatisation in the upcoming book on music in Middle-earth, written by a musician who knows it well, having performed in the Cambridge Society's production of it.

davem · 11-01-2009, 05:35 AM

A few posts back I mentioned an article about the series in the magazine SFX - checking Brian's blog I find a link to the actual article, scans with pix - http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot....fadden-on.html .

Old Noakes · 02-28-2010, 04:38 PM

I would just like to say a huge thank you to the people who took part in this thread, which I have just spent a massively enjoyable few hours reading. In particular Davem who began it and of course Brian Sibley for taking part in it. I have been a fan of the radio production since I first heard it when it was first re-broadcast in hour long episodes, and it led me to read the books, and other Tolkien works. I couldn't believe it when I got to the point where Brian started posting on it!

I had many favourite scenes from the series, but my particular favourite was in the episode 'The Breaking Of The Fellowship' when the three hunters, Aragorn, Legolas & Gimli, meet Eomer and his eored who have destroyed Saruman's orcs. The scene is brilliantly played by Robert Stephens, Douglas Livingstone and Anthony Hyde. Inevitably, all the dialogue from the book cannot be used but the selection of that which is used is perfect in getting the scene across. You can feel Aragorn growing in stature as he delivers the lines 'I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the elf-stone.....' and I particularly love the way the riders of Rohan burst into derisive laughter when Gimli says 'you have have heard them called halflings!'. I looked forward immensely to seeing the portrayal of that scene in the movie trilogy, but what a disappointment was in store!

Don't get me started on the movie trilogy though..all I will say is, what an opportunity missed...

Mithalwen · 03-01-2010, 12:28 PM

Thank you.. Now that is some encouragement to finish the job and maybe it will encourage some more participation.

04-11-2009, 02:47 PM	#1
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	It also has a picture of Ian Holm looking younger and uncannily like Martin Freeman, which is most interesting seeing as I'm still lobbying for him to do Bilbo in The Hobbit, when they get around to casting the film. Oh, and a review of a book which may infuriate fellow haters of Tolkien-rip-off-writers __________________ Gordon's alive!

04-17-2009, 10:42 AM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Ah well I have listerned ot Mount Doom about 5 times this week so.... I should really do something about this ... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

06-16-2009, 06:42 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I've recently been listening to the BBC recordings with a completely different aspect in mind. Those who know me won't be surprised that it involves the use of music - music as a narrative element, more specifically. I first listened to the whole German radio play, which uses music completely differently and has a style that is totally divergent from that of the English version. I really like Stephen Oliver's compositions for the play. He manages to use instrumental music quite sparingly, mostly for introductions and transitions, and keeps it brief there. It rarely underlies narrative and dialogue, leaving the words to work their magic on their own. Most importantly, the melodies he wrote for numerous poems are frequently memorable and enjoyable to sing along, an aspect that is sadly missing in the German version, which has rather nondescript melodies. For those interested in this aspect, there will be a chapter on the music of the BBC dramatisation in the upcoming book on music in Middle-earth, written by a musician who knows it well, having performed in the Cambridge Society's production of it. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

11-01-2009, 05:35 AM	#5
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	A few posts back I mentioned an article about the series in the magazine SFX - checking Brian's blog I find a link to the actual article, scans with pix - http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot....fadden-on.html . __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

02-28-2010, 04:38 PM	#6
Old Noakes Newly Deceased Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2	Praise Them With Great Praise! I would just like to say a huge thank you to the people who took part in this thread, which I have just spent a massively enjoyable few hours reading. In particular Davem who began it and of course Brian Sibley for taking part in it. I have been a fan of the radio production since I first heard it when it was first re-broadcast in hour long episodes, and it led me to read the books, and other Tolkien works. I couldn't believe it when I got to the point where Brian started posting on it! I had many favourite scenes from the series, but my particular favourite was in the episode 'The Breaking Of The Fellowship' when the three hunters, Aragorn, Legolas & Gimli, meet Eomer and his eored who have destroyed Saruman's orcs. The scene is brilliantly played by Robert Stephens, Douglas Livingstone and Anthony Hyde. Inevitably, all the dialogue from the book cannot be used but the selection of that which is used is perfect in getting the scene across. You can feel Aragorn growing in stature as he delivers the lines 'I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the elf-stone.....' and I particularly love the way the riders of Rohan burst into derisive laughter when Gimli says 'you have have heard them called halflings!'. I looked forward immensely to seeing the portrayal of that scene in the movie trilogy, but what a disappointment was in store! Don't get me started on the movie trilogy though..all I will say is, what an opportunity missed...

05-11-2009, 07:29 AM	#3
John Johnston Newly Deceased Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3	The BBC radio adaptation is the definitive version of the story for me, this has been a very interesting thread to read so far, I hope it continues.

03-01-2010, 12:28 PM	#7
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Thank you.. Now that is some encouragement to finish the job and maybe it will encourage some more participation. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace