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1970 Bilbo – En Hobbits äventyr (Sveriges Radio P1)
The Hobbit
Release Date: 1970.11.00
Reader: Full Cast
Language: Swedish
Adapted By:
Organization: Radioteatern
Copyright: © 1970 Sveriges Radio P1
ISBN: 9783895841439
Duration: 11 hours 52 minutes
Unabridged: No
Country: German
Licenced: Yes
Formats: Cassette, CD, Digital
The 1970 Swedish radio production for Sveriges Radio by Radioteatern. A serialized drama consisting of 24 short episodes (each approximately 15–20 minutes). Jörgen Cederberg was the architect of the project, he served as both the director and the narrator (Berättaren). Many of the actors were stars of the Swedish stage who treated the material with great sincerity.
The production used the Britt G. Hallqvist translation (1962). This translation is closely linked to the illustrations by Tove Jansson (creator of the Moomins). The radio play’s atmosphere mirrors Jansson’s artwork and unlike the 1995 Sagan om ringen, the 1970 Bilbo felt like a dark fairytale. It leaned into the “weirdness” of the trolls, the spiders, and the goblins.
The production naturally relied on analog sound engineering and the “Goblins’ cave” and “Mirkwood” sequences used innovative tape-loop effects and distorted vocal filters that were cutting-edge for radio at the time. It featured a whimsical, sometimes dissonant orchestral score that signalled the transition between the safety of the Shire and the danger of the Wild.
It was released on cassette in the 80s/90s, it is now primarily found on the SR Play app during special “Tolkien weeks” or via Swedish library digital lending services. There have been repeat broadcast in 1974, 2000, 2003 and 2008 at least.
Release History:
| Year | Catalog | Barcode | Format | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | SRMC 1045/47 | 3-4 Cassettes | For schools & Libraries | |
| 2001/2 | SRCD 2045/47 | 7393436204523 | 3 x CD | 1st Official Release |
| 2008 | SMDB 001547464 | CDs | Limited Edition | |
| 2012 | 7393436204523 | CD & download | Tolkien 75th Anniversary |
Episode List:
| 1-3 | En oväntad bjudning | The party at Bag End and the arrival of the Dwarves |
| 4-5 | Fårstek | The encounter with the three Trolls (Tom, Bert, and Bill) |
| 6-7 | En kort vila | Arrival at Rivendell (Vattnadal) and meeting Elrond |
| 8-10 | Över berg och under berg | The capture by Goblins and the flight through the tunnels |
| 11-12 | Gåtor i mörkret: | The iconic meeting between Bilbo and Gollum (Gullan) |
| 13-14 | Ur askan i elden | Escape from the Wargs and the rescue by the Eagles |
| 15-16 | Ett besynnerligt logi | Meeting Beorn and entering Mirkwood (Mörkmården) |
| 17-18 | Flugor och spindlar | The battle with the giant spiders |
| 19-20 | Tunnor ur spalt | Captivity by the Wood-elves and the escape in barrels |
| 21-22 | Ett varmt välkomnande | Arrival at Esgaroth (Sjöstaden) and the Lonely Mountain |
| 23 | Information på insidan | Bilbo’s confrontation with the dragon Smaug |
| 24 | Femhäraslaget & Hemfärden | The Battle of Five Armies and the journey back to the Shire |
Cast List:
| Balin | Håkan Norlén |
| Bard | Tord Persson |
| Beorn | Ernst Günther |
| Bert | Helge Skoog |
| Bilbo | Håkan Serner |
| Bill | Torsten Wahlund |
| Bombur | Per-Erik Lindorm |
| Dori | Christer Enderlein |
| Eagle Prince | Per Persson |
| Elrond | Arne Forsberg |
| Fili | Hans Klinga |
| Gandalf | Evan Storm |
| Gollum | Ulf Johanson |
| King | Leif Liljeroth |
| King of Sjöstad | Jan Blomberg |
| Orc Chieftain | Jan Nygren |
| Orc Driver | Stefan Böhm |
| Roak | Börje Mellvig |
| Smaug | Åke Fridell |
| Spider #1 | Georg Eliasson |
| Spider #2 | Sixten Grönros |
| Spider #3 | Stig Olin |
| Turin | Åke Lindström |
| Tom | Gösta Bredefeldt |