Rating: 
Summary: All the drama, none of the eye strain
Review: I have been a fan of the LoTR for many years, having read it a few times since I was a young fella. I was just given this beautiful box set and have found it to be all I could hope it could be. I actually depended on many of the reviews here to decide which edition I wanted and let me fully endorse the BBC, blue edition with the painted figures of Gandolf, Frodo and others. I cannot speak for or against the 9 CD set that comes in a wooden box, but I hated that version of "The Hobbit" and have been deligted with the "Lord Of The Rings" adaptation. For prior readers or fresh ones, I heartily recommend this set of dramtized CDs.
Rating:
Summary: Unabridged??
Review: The dramatization may not be abridged, but the story is definitely shortened. Do not buy this if you have not read the books.
Rating: 
Summary: Shocked and dismayed!
Review: No where in the discription of this audio version of the finest books ever written, did it say "this is a recording of a radio program"! It is a really good radio program and I have nothing against that...however I wanted an unabridged reading! It is done in 13 episodes, and they skip great parts of the text! I am greatly disappointed and would advise rabid fans of the books to avoid purchasing it. A casual fan or someone who had never read the books would enjoy it very much. It has incredible voices, singing and poetry. There is certain to be increased interest in the series because of the movies coming out in December 2001. Just know this set of CD's for what it is, an abridged interpretation done with many different voices.
Rating:
Summary: The Lord of the Rings Radio Play by the BBC (isbn 0553472283
Review: This 13 hour radio play, produced by the BBC in 1981, gives as much depth through the actors performance as the novel itself does through the written word. Ian Holm stars as Frodo, and he is more than perfect for the role. So too are Michael Horden as Gandalf and Robert Stephens as Aragorn. All the actors project worry, haste, excitement and joy though their acting. All the performances are top notch. The original music by Stephen Oliver adds much dimension and depth to every area of Middle Earth, for there are themes for each area. You will hear battle sounds, horses, elves singing and Nazguls threatening our heros on their quest. The BBC's soundeffects are in full stereo. No Tolkien fan should miss this. This radio play adaption by Brian Sibley and Michael Bakewell is better than the version by The Mind's Eye, because it captures more of the story and, most importantly, the atmosphere of Middle Earth that Tolkien was able to convey through his writings. Buy either this cassette version or the CD version, but don't miss this excellent radio play.
Rating:
Summary: Review the listed AUDIO CDs, not other editions!
Review: For whatever reason, it seems that most of the initial reviews appearing here are for hardcover/paperback editions of "The Lord of the Rings", not the Audio CDs actually featured. Thankfully, I'd already read several reviews of the CDs at Barnes&Nobles' site before checking this one out. Wasn't any problem there with reviews of other editions mixed in.After getting a preview by listening to my library's copy of this audio version, I'm definitely buying these CDs for my brother (a huge fan). He's already got the Hobbit Audio CDs, and he'll be thrilled with this addition. The character voices are great (Ian Holm is extraordinary as always), and the music and mood-setting are awesome -- you'll really be transported to another world. Don't confuse low ratings given to hardcover boxed sets, etc. with this item. It's well worth the listen and the cost.
Rating: 
Summary: Play it in your car on the way to work...
Review: As an avid reader of the LotR series (I've read them 4 times over the last 12 years), and purveyor of all things Tolkien, I found that the CD presentation was great. This is a BBC radio adaptation that aired over 13 episodes. I found the voices for each character to be appropriate for the most part. Bilbo, jovial but wise at the begining, and appropriately weary and resigned by tales end. Gandalf,commanding, and sometimes crotchety, sounded downright majestic as he urges the fellowship to "Fly, you fools,Fly!" at the thrilling end of the Mines of Moria episode. Frodo and Master Samwise's voice portrayals are adequate, but I found that Aragorn's (Dunnedan,Elfstone) voice actor was a little over dramatic, not really lending itself to the earthy, travel weary tones that one imagines in Tolkien's words. I can tell you that I almost cried at the climax of the battle for Minas Tirith when Eowan, and Pippin faced the Nazgul King. the sound FX and voice acting were superb. I highly reccomend these CD's to anyone who enjoyed the books, or to anyone who likes the genre, and doesn't mind getting deep into a beautiful, rich, and vivid world that has it's own language, history, and topography. A real winner.
Rating:
Summary: Great radio production
Review: it is a little expensive, but well worth it. this is a BBC radio production of the classic.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Production
Review: I was very impressed by this recording. All I can compare it to is the BBC recording of "The Hobbit" which got on my nerves with its out-of-tune renaisance music and somewhat annoyingly shrill voices. By contast, this recording is dynamic and spellbinding. The music is moving and very listenable. The actors are excellent and there is a distinctly British feel to the production with all the English actors. I've listened to scenes more than once just to get all the details: try listening with headphones to get the full sense of the effects! In particular, the scene where Gandalf and company confront Saruman at Isengard (Episode Eight, mistakenly referred to in the liner notes as "The Voice of Sauron") is just incredible - the voice of Saruman goes from soothing to shrieking just as Tolkien described and is fascinating to listen to. Ian Holm is a pleasure. All told, I recommend this recording heartily!
Rating:
Summary: Tolkien on audio
Review: The Lord of the Rings Copyright, BBC Enterprises, LTD This boxed set of the Lord of the Rings on cassette is a reproduction of the BBC dramatization in 1981. It is fabulous. If, like me, you found the books to be the tiniest bit tedious in places (in the name of Gandalf, no!, I hear many of you saying! Sacrilege! say others), this production is for you. The cassettes are an abridgement of the trilogy, of course, but the storyline is intact, thanks to the brilliant adaptation by Brian Sibley. The acting is excellent, especially Peter Woodthorpe as Gollum (Pre-ciouss-s-s-s-s-s!), and Ian Holm's earnest yet subtle acting makes him the perfect Frodo, as well. In addition, the production is beautifully textured. Outdoor scenes feature birds chirping in the background, battle scenes have rousing scores and throughout there are other wonderful songs or sound effects to add to the atmosphere. It is simply a pleasure to listen to this production!
Rating:
Summary: Well done CDs
Review: Although some audio versions of masterpieces like The Lord of the Rings distort the books and abridge the stories, these CDs are an exception. The version is a reenactment of the whole trilogy, but it mirrors the books in every detail. The voices are well cast and the CDs truly do justice to Tolkien's work.
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