1992 Der Herr der Ringe (SWR-WDR Hoerspiel)

The Lord of the Rings (Radio Drama)

Release Date: 1992.01.07
Reader: Full Cast
Language: German
Adapted By: Peter Steinbach 
Organization: SWR & WDR
Copyright: © 1992 Der Hörverlag
ISBN: 9783895841439
Duration: 11 hours 52 minutes
Unabridged: No
Country: German
Licenced: Yes
Formats: Cassette, CD, Digital

The German radio production of Der Herr der Ringe is a significant piece of audio history, often described as a “theatre for the ears.” Produced between September 1991 and March 1992, it remains the definitive German dramatization of Tolkien’s work. The series was a joint venture between two major public broadcasters: Südwestfunk (SWR) and Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR). It first aired on German radio in January 1992 and was released commercially shortly after by Der Hörverlag.

The production featured an array of German acting talent at the time. Many of these voices became well-known to German fans long before the Peter Jackson films arrived. The music was composed by Peter Zwetkoff and is one of the most discussed aspects of the production. It uses dissonant strings, experimental percussion, and “vocal paintings” by the Kammersprechchor Zürich. Unlike the sweeping, melodic orchestral score of the films, Zwetkoff’s music is avant-garde.

It uses the original Margaret Carroux translation, a favourite with purists over the later Wolfgang Krege version for its more formal, “Old World” tone. One common criticism from fans is that the production cuts the final chapter, “The Grey Havens” (Die Grauen Anfurten), ending instead on a slightly more abrupt note. In the early episodes, the scripts occasionally mention “Morgoth” in a way that implies he is the active villain, or use “Morgoth” and “Sauron” somewhat interchangeably.

Originally released on 15 Cassettes or 11 CDs, in 2001, a limited “Golden Edition” was released in a luxury box set with 300 pages of booklets to celebrate the 10th anniversary and the release of the first film. It is still widely available online.

Episode List