1980 Der Hobbit (WDR Hörspiel)

The Hobbit

Release Date: 1980.12.21
Reader: Full Cast
Language: German
Adapted By: Ingeborg Oehme-Tröndle, Heinz Dieter Köhler
Organization: Westdeutscher Rundfunk Cologne 1980
Copyright: © 1980 Cotta’s Hörbühne, Der Hörverlag
ISBN: 
Duration: 4 hours 36 minutes
Unabridged: No
Country: Germany
Licenced: Yes
Formats: Cassette, Vinyl, CD, Digital

This 1980 radio play was created under the direction of Heinz Dieter Köhler and editor Ingeborg Oehme-Tröndle. It was the first German setting of one of Tolkien’s works and featured music composed by Enno Dugend. Text was based on the translation by Walter Scherf.

The relatively small cast of only 13 voices cover significant multiple roles with a narrator and background music. The story was abridged, most significantly towards the end where a number of omissions become apparent. For example, Beorn’s appearance at the Battle of the Five Armies is missing, as are the deaths of Thorin’s nephews Fili and Kili and Bilbo’s return journey.

The first broadcast was on Westdeutscher Rundfunk and the running time was shortened by about 30 minutes allowing it to be broadcast in four one-hour parts (5 pm to 6 pm). The first part was broadcast on December 21, 1980, the second part followed on Christmas Eve, and the third and fourth parts were broadcast by WDR on both Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Commercial releases used the full material, first in 1987 as four music cassettes in a slipcase by Cotta’s Hörbühne. Further releases followed by Hörverlag. and in 1996 it was made available on audio CDs.

In December 2010, the WDR production was awarded the Audience Prize at the “Radio Drama Cinema Under the Stars” festival in Berlin. The radio play continues to be reissued and on October 8, 2013, a special edition vinyl edition box set of seven records became available.

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