The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (BBC Radio Full Cast Audio Theater Drama)

The BBC Radio Dramatization of J. R. R. Tolkien's epic tale ''The Lord of the Rings'' is widely regarded as a broadcasting classic. The Fellowship of the Ring is the first installment of this epic tale, and it is adapted from the original BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatization and stars Ian Holm and Michael Hordern.

This audio theater dramatization of The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three installments, newly edited to correspond with the volumes in Tolkien's trilogy. Brian Sibley, one of the original dramatists, has written new opening and closing narration for the character of Frodo, played by Ian Holm - who stars as Bilbo in the feature film based on the The Lord of the Rings.

With his uncle Bilbo Baggins mysteriously disappeared, Frodo finds himself in possession of a simple gold ring that has great and evil power. It is the Ruling Ring, taken long ago from the Dark Lord, Sauron, who now seeks to possess it again. Frodo must do everything he can to prevent this, and with the help of Gandalf the wizard and a band of loyal companions, he begins a perilous journey across Middle-earth. Sauron's Black Riders are on their trail as they travel to Rivendell, attempt to cross the snow-swept Misty Mountains, and, in desperation, enter the terrifying Mines of Moria.

Cast:
Frodo Baggins: Ian Holm / Gandalf: Michael Hordern / Aragon: Robert Stephens / Bilbo Baggins: John le Mesurier / Gollum: Peter Woodthorpe / Sam: Bill Nighy / Merry: Richard O'Callaghan / Pippin: John McAndrews / Legolas: David Collings / Gimli: Douglas Livingstone / Boromir: Michael Graham Cox / Théoden: Jack May / Grima Wormtongue: Paul Brooke / Sauruman: Peter Howell / The Lord of the Nazgûl: Philip Voss / The Mouth of Sauron: John Rye / Barliman Butterbur: James Grout / Farmer Maggott: John Bott / Elrond: Hugh Dickson / Galadriel: Marian Diamond / Celeborn: Simon Cadell / Gaffer Gamgee: John Church / Radagast: Donald Gee / Gwaihir: Alexander John / Haldir: Haydn Wood / Sandyman: Gordon Reid / Daddy Twofoot: Leonard Fenton / The Narrator: Gerard Murphy / With Sean Arnold, Diana Bishop, Graham Faulkner, Kathryn Hurlbutt, John Livesey, David McAlister, Martyn Read, Christopher Scott, Michael Spice, and John Webb

Credits:
Adaptation prepared by Brian Sibley / Dramatized by Brian Sibley and Michael Bakewell / Music composed and conducted by Stephen Oliver / Singers: David James and Matthew Vine / Radiophonic Sound by Elizabeth Parker / Technical presentation by Peter Novis and David Greenwood, assisted by Richard Beadsmore, Tim Sturgeon, Diana Barkham, and Paul Pearson / Producer's assistant: Angela Heard / Directed by Jane Morgan and Penny Leicester / Produced by Jane Morgan

Written by J. R. R. Tolkien / Original broadcast: The Lord of the Rings on BBC Radio 4, twenty-six thirty-minute episodes, March 8-August 30, 1981 / Repeat: BBC Radio 4, thirteen one-hour episodes, July 17-October 19, 1982 / The new ''prologue'' and ''epilogue,'' with Ian Holm as Frodo, were written by Brian Sibley, directed by Jane Morgan, and recorded at Jo and Co, London W1 on August 20, 2001