1955 BBC Third Programme

Date: 1955-11-14
Language: English
Organization: BBC Third Programme
Duration: 6 x 45 minute episodes
Unabridged: No
Country: UK
Licenced: Yes
Music composed and conducted by: Anthony Smith-Masters
Adapted/Produced by: Terence Tiller

This was the first of two radio series created by Terence Tiller, this one covering the first volume and the second a year later, entitled The Lord of the Rings covering volumes two and three, after the publication of The Return of the King in October 1955.

These two series are now lost and no off-air recordings are known to exist. However, in 2022, the BBC discovered a copy of the script in their archives.

Tolkien, who did help somewhat in the making of this, was known from his letters to be unhappy with the adaptation.

Episodes:

1955.11.141The Meaning of the Ring
1955.11.212Black Riders and Others
1955.11.293Aragorn
1955.12.044Many Meetings
1955.12.115The Moria Gate
1955.12.186The Breaking of the Fellowship

Credits:

Derek HartNarrator
Oliver BurtFrodo
Norman ShelleyGandalf, Tom Bombadil, Old Man, Additional voices
Victor PlattSam
Godfrey KentonAragorn, Mablung, Additional voices
Michael CollinsMerry
Basil JonesPippin
Felix FeltonBilbo, Sauron, The Black Captain, Orcs, Additional voices
Derek PrenticeBoromir, Faramir, Beregond, Orcs, Additional voices
Frank DuncanLegolas, Halbarad, Additional voices
Eric LuggGimli, Additional voices
Gerik SchjelderupGollum, Orcs
Robert FarquharsonDenethor, Saruman
Valentine DyallThéoden, Treebeard, Orcs
Bernard RebelWormtongue
Garard GreenElrond, Celeborn, Additional voices
Nicolette BernardGaladriel, Goldberry
John BakerOrcs
Olive GreggÉowyn
David HemmingsBergil
Noel JohnsonÉomer
Prunella ScalesIoreth
Roger SnowdonOrcs
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption
No Caption