Customer Reviews
Listening Perfection - By: digidave@xybernetix.com, 06 Dec 2001 
Perhaps, like me, you're not an avid reader of the fantasy genre. However, anyone who respects good writing should have read Lord of the Rings. LOTR is a contemporary classic & deserves respect as a great novel. So, as other reviewers have said, this audio drama cannot replace the book; it does, however, supplement the book wonderfully & bring Middle-Earth to life.
I don't envy the actors in the forthcoming films the prospect of trying to follow this production. Iam Holm steals the show, William Nighy (such an under-rated actor) adds wonderful comic relief, the late Robert Stephens gives a powerful performance which I can only compare to Burton's best & Michael Hordern & Peter Woodthorpe ARE Gandalf & Gollum.
Think of the price in terms of CDs - the cost of 3 or 4 CDs for 13 hours of outstanding entertainment - a bargain. I bought this years ago & have never regretted it for a moment.
One of the finest adaptations ever, with an ensemble cast - By: robert_m_davis@hotmail.com, 12 May 2001 I remember reading the Fellowship of the Ring at school. My friend had the three volume book, but I thought I would start with the first & see how it went. I was captured, & have been enchanted ever since with the mythological world of Middle Earth. But, it was not until I had listened to this box set that I realised, for instance, how great was the suffering of Frodo, & indeed how bittersweet the ending reallly is. I don't think that this can replace the text, but owning it will compliment the books tremendously, & act as an appetizer to the upcoming movies. Enjoy!
EXCELLENT - The Best Adaption you'll find anywhere - By: , 05 Dec 2000 I originallly heard this about five years ago, & listening to it again, it just gets better. The price may seem steep, but it is worth it. I originallly heard this after I had read the books, & of course there are things you feel shouldn't have been left out, but putting what they did in 13 hours you will not be disappointed. All the actors are great, but I must single out Ian Holm for his performance, the emotions he can convey in his voice & the way he delivers his lines are excellent.
I just hope the upcoming movies can equal this, but I somehow doubt it.
The Definitive Lord of the Rings ! - By: , 30 Oct 2000 I was lent this recording by a friend at the age of 11 & I knew I had to get my own copy as soon as possible . What can I say - the atmosphere of Middle-Earth is conjured up brilliantly with help from a superb soundtrack , & despite others' gripes about the omission of certain chapters , I reallly do believe that this cannot be bettered . The stunning performances from a cast of Britain's finest actors reallly make Tolkien's epic tale come alive - the only problem now is that nothing will measure up to it ! Much as I am looking forward to the film version , it's just a shame this cast can't be used - each of the actors IS their character as far as I'm concerned , & anyone else just wouldn't seem right . Buy it now - you won't regret it . 13 hours of high-class , gripping drama - what more can I say ? Tolkien would be proud .
BBC Radio Drama's Finest Hour? - By: , 02 Apr 2000 It doesn't get much better than this. In 13 hours the entire story is told in rich & vivid detail that captures the essence of the books more completely than any other version - & I've heard a few. Very wisely they do omit the embrassing Tom Bombadil chapter. The alll-star cast give mesmerising performances with Ian Holm in particularly fine form. If you never read the books, never hear anything else by Tolkien - hear this.
