BBC LOTR question

[Sulimo]

Is the BBC production a literal reading of the book, or is it an adaptation like the movie is?

In other words, is it a bunch of actors reading the book, or is it a radio play based on the book?

It's an adaption, not a reading. After all, its not called a radio-PLAY for nothing. A reading would be substantially longer. There is a complete reading out there, done by Rob Inglis. He even did a reading of the Silmarillion. I havent heard them though. IIRC the LOTR reading is about 26 hours.

 

[Sulimo]

It is, however, a bit unfair to compare an adaptation of 13 hours (for the BBC) to 8-9 hours (for the films). And frankly, the radioplay could afford to appeal to a tiny audience of hardcore geeks (since it cost very little to make, and the BBC isn't really held accountable if they produce something that's notpopular) - the filmmakers don't have that luxury.

Agreed. I was just noting that I felt that the BBC adaption is the closest and best adaption to date. Especially, with Fellowship, where the BBC took 6 of the 13 hours to do their adaption.

You know, when I first heard about the Jackson film I felt they should have used the BBC radio-play as a starting point.

 

[Fyrie]

Brian Sibley who was one of the major players in the movie, also was one of the major players in the BBC radio play.