The Hobbit

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with THE LORD OF THE RINGS.]--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

Narrator Andy Serkis, whom many will recognize as the voice of Gollum from The Lord of the Rings movies, delivers a magnificent listening experience of the familiar classic. Serkis perfectly captures the nuances of each character, offering an engrossing performance of the story of a hobbit who is averse to adventure journeying with 13 dwarves to reclaim their treasure from a deadly dragon. Serkis adopts a wide range of vocal skill, capturing Bilbo's careful reluctance, dropping to a whisper as the hobbit sneaks about, and emulating Smaug's commanding growl as the dragon seeks the dwarves that would dare invade his lair. Serkis's remarkable singing voice is loaded with appeal. Both new listeners and old ought not miss this audiobook. A.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

The prologue to Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS series is lavishly produced by the BBC. In Middle-earth, an unassuming hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is reluctantly whisked off on a quest for treasure by the mysterious wizard, Gandalf. The actors do a first-rate job. A lot of wit as well as loving care went into the dramatization. However, important aural clues are missing, making the action frequently obscure. The producers went a little overboard on sound and music, further muddying things up. This is best enjoyed by those who already know the tale. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

Bilbo Baggins and his adventures truly live in this excellent radio production of Tolkien's timeless tale. As presented in all its glory by BBC Radio, this adaptation by Michael Kilgarriff features an original score by David Cain written for Renaissance instruments. The combination of script and music is outstanding. The cast could not be better. Each character is distinctly brought to life with excellent development and vocal distinction. The pace is comfortable. This audio selection will appeal to children as well as adults who have been on these adventures before. M.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

This version, a full-cast performance of the fantasy classic, is a dramatization that abridges the story while adding music and realistic sound effects for large crowds, bugles, and animals. In a slight departure from the original, Bilbo Baggins actually speaks to the narrator from time to time. Unfortunately, the accompanying sounds and music prove distracting, making the book confusing. Lost lines make it harder to follow the story. In addition, the screenplay omits important transitional events, furthering the confusion. The performers, however, give vision to each of the characters. Bilbo grows from a quiet, nervous, worried Hobbit to a gallant, inventive, and courageous adventurer. The dwarves, although hard to differentiate, are solid and stubborn--fixed on their goal. A querulous Gandalf is hard to picture at first, but he slowly warms to the story. A straight reading with this exceptional cast would be a joy indeed. W.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

This is a beautifully packaged reissue of the 1988 BBC Radio production of Tolkien's fantasy adventure. The story of Bilbo Baggins and his adventures is brought to life by a full cast and is enhanced by an original score. The program is, unfortunately, very busy, with clashing voices, frenetic background sounds, and inadequate narration that fails to provide the listener with an intelligible sense of the action. The dialogue is performed in rapid-fire, high-pitched chatter, perhaps appropriate for the cast of elves, dwarves, and hobbits, but still irritating for the listener. The musical score--performed with Renaissance instruments by the Early Music Consort--provides an interesting backdrop to the story, and a fifth disc is included containing music only. Tolkien fans and BBC Radio drama collectors will cherish this lovely set. But most listeners will prefer Martin Shaw's reading of the fantasy classic for his clear, gentle, and expressive voice and for the length of the program, which runs two hours longer than the BBC production. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

Rob Inglis expertly bridges the gap between the whimsical, childlike aspects of Tolkien's fantasy classic and the hints of darker things to come later in THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Though content to enjoy his cozy life, cheerful hobbit Mr. Bilbo Baggins agrees to help his wizard friend Gandalf aid a group of dwarves seeking their lost treasure. As their various adventures ensue, Inglis treats listeners to a tour-de-force performance rich in colorful characterizations and several engaging singing performances. This story should be the unquestionable starting point for those venturing into Tolkien's Middle-earth. Listeners experience a vocal performance that is in turn charming, gripping, a little scary, and always engaging. J.P.M. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine