BBC Radio Adaptation of Lord of the Rings

I know I am very late to be reviewing this, but I am also still very new to the world of Middle-earth and only this year, due to a dear friend’s rave reviews of this, listened to this marvelous, heartbreaking adaptation of the Professor’s translation of the Red Book. The entire cast is wonderful, just as they were in the films, but I think this is even better than those magnificent productions, truer to life. Ian Holm is superior as Frodo, going from innocent, carefree lad excited about seeing Gandalf’s fireworks to one completely broken and in despair. You get the feeling this is what it was really like for him, the pain, the suffering, the fears and the tears. Reading that the Nazgul were pressuring him to put on the Ring is one thing, to actually hear them saying “Put on the Ring, put on the Ring,” and hear Frodo struggle against it and not always win is quite another. To read that he lashed out at Sam in the tower while under the influence of the Ring is nothing compared to hearing that and his retelling in tears of how the orcs had abused him and how he wished the Ring had never come to him. That he suffered during his anniversary illnesses is brought out heartbreakingly well. He’s got an incredible voice and range of feelings in this broadcast. I finally like Aragorn/Strider for he has a very calm, soothing voice that is needed for four frightened hobbits to hear and it’s clear he cares deeply for them. The actor who portrayed Smeagol/Gollum must have had a fun time playing a completely cracked hobbit. The music, though limited, is very good, especially the lovely “Bilbo’s Last Song” at the end. Everyone’s performance is top notch and I’ve listened to it repeatedly. So should you!

NPR Adaptation

The BBC verison is superior in almost every way than this American version, but this does have a few things to recommend it. Tom Bomdadil sounds just as I imagined he would, the only one that does have a good voice in this version. Sam’s voice is childish, but for the most part endearing because of that. I imagine this is how he sounded at nine when he first met Frodo and you can easily hear how much he loves his master as this version includes my favorite scene from Book IV as Sam watches Frodo sleep and the light that is shining from within and says to himself, ‘I love him’ and the loving reunion in the tower, both interesting inclusions because Americans usually shy away from the showing of same-sex affection so this was welcome in showing that beautiful, pure bond of theirs. The scene with the Barrow-wights is very well done and quite terrifying. You can very easily understand why Frodo would have been scared enough to want to run away. The narrator’s voice sometimes gets really caught up in the action, dramatically describing the fell beast of the Ring-wraiths or especially Sauron’s realization that he is doomed as Frodo puts on the Ring. I almost felt sorry for the Dark Lord there for a minute as he frantically sends his Nazgul to stop that little one, but then I crowed in delight, “Too late! Too late!” Unfortunately, the narrator is the only one that is enthused in this, except for Sam. Frodo is quite lackluster. Don’t try to take the Ring away from him, but otherwise you have no idea that his soul is being torn apart. When he claims the Ring/is claimed by the Ring is done well though.