We always forget, but there is an adaptation of The Lord of the Rings that is more faithful than Peter Jackson and that lasts 13 hours.

JRR Tolkien’s work is more alive than ever. Peter Jackson’s original trilogy captivated millions of viewers, grossed nearly $3 billion and spawned three more Hobbit films. Years later, Prime Video decided to explore untold stories with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, bringing Tolkien’s pages to the streaming world. finally, Peter Jackson Andy Serkis and Andy Serkis have decided to continue their collaboration and develop two new films called Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum, which expands the story of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.

But between all these projects there is adaptation lord of the rings Which is generally overlooked and which, for many, is the final version. As if that wasn’t enough, this 13 hour version would be better than Jackson’s trilogy…

This adaptation is no less than a radio series produced by the BBC in 1981. Following the success of Ralph Bakshi’s animated version in 1978, which adapted the part Fellowship of the Ring and two towersThe BBC decided to transfer the entire story to the radio format, which was a very popular medium at the time. The British channel could not imagine that its version, broadcast in 26 episodes over six months, would be remembered more than 40 years later as one of the most faithful and popular adaptations of Tolkien’s work.

The BBC production, which runs for a total of 13 hours, is a detailed representation of the original saga that manages to retain more elements of Tolkien’s text than the films. This audio fantasy includes original dialogues and poetic fragments of the work of the acclaimed author, which exceed all the scenes included in the 11 and a half hours of extended versions of the trilogy. Peter Jackson.

Another aspect that makes this version better than the film version is the freedom that its extended duration offers. The radio series, which does not have the boundaries of cinema, is more respectful of the narrative time of the adventures of Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring, following a rhythm similar to the books. Brian Sibley and Michael Bakewell, responsible for the script, tried to be as faithful as possible to Tolkien’s novels, and the project was directed by the author’s son, Christopher Tolkien.

familiar voices

This adaptation also has a cast that will be familiar to you. Among them, Ian Holm played Frodo in the films before taking on the role of Bilbo Peter Jackson Two decades later, and Love Actually and Pirates of the Caribbean actor Bill Nye lent his voice to Sam, Michael Graham Cox played Gollum in Boromir and Peter Woodthorpe and also reprized their roles in the animated film. Bakshi’s version.

Although the versions Peter Jackson Tolkien’s work is a true marvel, the BBC’s production remains one of the most faithful and complete. lord of the rings. Those who don’t know now have reason to let their imaginations run wild by hearing a story (in English) they’ve seen a hundred times on screen (and maybe read too): it’s here.

As for the Peter Jackson version, it’s still available to stream on Prime Video.