Middle Earth links
Since a lot of my flist seem to have listened to the R4 LOTR adaptation, or, um, have now been inspired to do so, I thought the following might be of interest: (You know, if anyone ever feels the need to defriend me for my unreasonable tendency to gush about obscure British productions that are at least 30 years old, I will understand.)
Anyway, I found at this blog, some lovely scans from the appropriate 1981 edition of the Radio Times, including two cast photos, one of which is Bill Nighy and Ian Holm in studio with what is presumably Peter Woodthorpe. (I thought that one might be of interest).
Also, randomly, I came across a LOTR forum which was having a rewatch/discussion thread. Why do I mention this? Only because Brian Sibley, one of the two writers responsible for the dramatisation joined in the discussion at episode two, & attempts to answer any queries or criticisms as best as he can for the rest of it! (You do need to pay some attention, as they don't seem to have any way of distinguishing quoting the last comment from the new comment. Possibly it's archived or something).
Naturally, my favourite bit (of what I've read - it's a long thread, and I stopped at the episode I've got up to) was this: Brian Sibley, on which cast members were (unlike Michael Hordern!), familiar with the book: I'm trying to remember... Ian Holm, I think, had already read the book and certainly read it in close detail while preparing for the role. David Collings (Legolas) was a devoted fan of the book and knew it well which was a great help in the Fellowship scenes. I'm sure some of the others had read it or seen the truncated Bakshi version. The time available and the fees paid would probably not have induced many who hadn't read the book..." ♥ (I can't remember what it was now, but there was something during Fellowship that made me think he'd probably read it, but I thought maybe that was just me being biased.)
(Also for the attributed quote to John Le Mesurier who'd written to a friend to say he was playing Bilbo, didn't understand a word of it, but was having a lovely time along with Michael Hordern, who also didn't understand a word of it. :lol:)
(The icon bears no relation to the post, except for expressing my feeling of how this production continues to rise and rise in my estimation.)
Anyway, I found at this blog, some lovely scans from the appropriate 1981 edition of the Radio Times, including two cast photos, one of which is Bill Nighy and Ian Holm in studio with what is presumably Peter Woodthorpe. (I thought that one might be of interest).
Also, randomly, I came across a LOTR forum which was having a rewatch/discussion thread. Why do I mention this? Only because Brian Sibley, one of the two writers responsible for the dramatisation joined in the discussion at episode two, & attempts to answer any queries or criticisms as best as he can for the rest of it! (You do need to pay some attention, as they don't seem to have any way of distinguishing quoting the last comment from the new comment. Possibly it's archived or something).
Naturally, my favourite bit (of what I've read - it's a long thread, and I stopped at the episode I've got up to) was this: Brian Sibley, on which cast members were (unlike Michael Hordern!), familiar with the book: I'm trying to remember... Ian Holm, I think, had already read the book and certainly read it in close detail while preparing for the role. David Collings (Legolas) was a devoted fan of the book and knew it well which was a great help in the Fellowship scenes. I'm sure some of the others had read it or seen the truncated Bakshi version. The time available and the fees paid would probably not have induced many who hadn't read the book..." ♥ (I can't remember what it was now, but there was something during Fellowship that made me think he'd probably read it, but I thought maybe that was just me being biased.)
(Also for the attributed quote to John Le Mesurier who'd written to a friend to say he was playing Bilbo, didn't understand a word of it, but was having a lovely time along with Michael Hordern, who also didn't understand a word of it. :lol:)
(The icon bears no relation to the post, except for expressing my feeling of how this production continues to rise and rise in my estimation.)