Ultimate Tolkien Audio

[Amandil]

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Who do you hear in your head? (Now thats a leading question! <img src=wink.gif ALT=""> )
If you were able to commision a new edition, on audio, of one of Tolkien's works, what would it be and who would read it?

It could even be a section of a book, for those who aren't too greedy.

I wouldn't mind hearing the late John Huston read an unabridged version of the LoTR. Or Martin Shaw reading Unfinished Tales. How about about you?

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[Elanor]

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Re: Ultimate Tolkien Audio

I grew up with the BBC radio dramatisation from 1980, which I heard before I read the books. I still listen to it, and I can't imagine any other voices than those I'm used to. They are all perfect to me, though I suppose it's mainly due to 20 years' familiarity. But I particularly like Robert Stephens as Aragorn (I know a few people here don't like his performance though) and Ian Holm as Frodo. Jack May (Theoden) also has a great voice. But I think the best was the Lord of the Nazgul - his voice terrified me when I was a kid.

I also love Nicol Williamson reading The Hobbit. It is slightly abridged, but he gets the voices just right.

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[Amandil]

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Re: Ultimate Tolkien Audio

Yeah, Nicol Williamson!. My wife grew up with the record of him reading The Hobbit. For her, there is no other Gandalf. She would like to hear him read an unabridged version (of the Hobbit).

I have the BBC adaption of LoTR as well. Only had it for 2 years, though. I seem to remember listening to it on the radio when they first aired it in the U.S. Now, I think I will drag it out and listen to it again.
Thanks for reminding me of it, Elanor!

Hee hee. My wife abhors the Silmarillion (has never read it, but loathes it!!??) and has to honor a promise to me and listen to the unabridged version read by Martin Shaw in June when we drive to the beach in North Carolina. She hates Martin Shaw, but this is probably my last chance to expose her to, and hopefully interest her in, the Silmarillion.

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[Samwise of the shire]

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Re: Ultimate Tolkien Audio

Well I've only heard one dramatized LOTR tape and that was made in '75 or some where in there,I dont know who played Sam nor Frodo and I'd like to discover who they are(even if Frodo sounded kinda funny when he said&quot;this is Sting&quot;I mean it's like no duh where have you been in the last twenty years Frodo?)but I would'nt mind a newer tape series of LOTR one with new sound equipment and all that,Oh BTW whoever said that about Ian Holm as Frodo,Did Frodo have an american accent?As a fact did most of the Fellowship(save for Merry and Pippin)have american accents?
Sam
Ps.Oh I lisend to the Sil with Martin Shaw and I was wondering,What movies has he been in?

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[Elanor]

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Re: Ultimate Tolkien Audio

Samwise,

the BBC version had English accents only, (though Ian Holm is actually Welsh <img src=smile.gif ALT=""> )

I think it's nice that there's a link between the BBC Radio version I know and the movies - Ian Holm growing older, from Frodo to Bilbo...



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[Telchar]

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Audio

Last year I bought a 7 volume (Apendicies in its own volume <img src=smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"> ) Hardback edition of LOTR. Enclosed was a CD with The Professors own voice reading poems (mostly) and parts of LOTR - They were all recorded in the early 50's at a friends house. Have any of you heard it? I personally think they are great <img src=smile.gif ALT="">

<img src=smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"> Telchar

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<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newly Deceased
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Re: Ultimate Tolkien Audio

Like Elanor, I've listened to the BBC's radio production of LotR and I agree that those actors are the characters. Unfortunately, many of whom are no longer with us. It was a splendid attempt, notwithstanding the omission of Tom Bombadil, and I feel, rather unjustly, that I will be a bit critical of the cast of the iminent film. Having read the revues from Cannes, I will try very hard not to be too critical.

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[Wolf Larson]

I am a dedicated fan of books being broadcast over the radio and through tapes, although I am a bit young to recognize any of those names. If however I were to have the perfect tolkien audio file, it would be the full History of Middle Earth narrated by Frank Muller. Repectfully submitted by Wolf Larson

Yes I did hear Tolkien's singing and excerpts also.

[ May 30, 2003: Message edited by: Wolf Larson ]

[the real findorfin]

I think it would have to be Martin Shaw. His reading of the Silmarillion was amazing and he would be perfect for the rest I think.

Fin