1996 Hobit (Český rozhlas 2)

The Hobbit

Release Date: 1996.03.16
Readers: Full Cast
Language: Czech
Translator: František Vrba
Organisation: Český rozhlas 2 – Praha
ISBN: n/a
Duration: 2 hours 24 minutes
Unabridged: No
Country: Czech Republic
Licenced: Unknown
Formats: CD

This 3-part radio dramatization of The Hobbit (titled Hobit aneb Cesta tam a zase zpátky) is a popular piece of Czech radio history. Directed by the legendary Jiří Horčička, one of the most famous Czech radio directors, the production featured a “who’s who” of Czech acting royalty from that time.

The play was divided into three distinct episodes, roughly an hour each, covering the major beats of Tolkien’s book:
Part 1: From Bag End to the encounter with the Trolls and the arrival at Rivendell.
Part 2: The journey through the Misty Mountains (including the “Riddles in the Dark” scene with Gollum) and the encounter with Beorn.
Part 3: The Mirkwood forest, the escape from the Wood-elves, the confrontation with Smaug, and the Battle of the Five Armies.

Most modern releases of this 3-part series use illustrations based on the classic Czech editions of the book (translated by František Vrba), often featuring a distinctive “storybook” aesthetic that matches the whimsical but serious tone of the radio play.

In 1996, the production was hailed as a “radio blockbuster.” It was a significant undertaking for the Praha station, utilizing advanced stereo sound effects and a massive orchestral score by Petr Mandel.

Cast Credits:

Bilbo BagginsStanislav Zindulka
GandalfFrantišek Němec
NarratorLadislav Frej
BalinLubomír Lipský
Elrond, ElfPavel Rímský
TornKarel Hlušička
BomburMilan Neděla
First OgreJan Skopeček
Second OgreOta Jirák
Third OgreAntonín Molčík
ElfRudolf Pellar
Elf KingIvan Trojan
SmaugRudolf Pellar
MeddědAntonín Molčík
BardMilan Riehs
OthersJan Maršálek
Jan Vlasák
Radim Vašinka
Milan Slabihoud
Tomáš Kyndl
Roman Klimt
Petr Klima
Roman Gottlieb
Jaroslav Sitár
Jaroslav Moučka
Miloš Rozhoň
Oldřich Janovský

Crew Credits:

DramatizationEva Košlerová
MusicPetr Mandel
TranslationFrantišek Vrba
SoundLadislav Reich
Recording and editingJana Fišerová
Sound collaborationJosef Plechatý
ProductionLudmila Čáslavská
DirectionJiří Horčička
DramaturgEva Košlerová