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The Hobbit: The Classic BBC TV Jackanory Reading
"The BBC TV soundtrack of the acclaimed "Jackanory "multivoice reading of "The Hobbit
Broadcast to mark the three thousandth program of the much-loved children s series "Jackanory," "The Hobbit" was transmitted over two weeks and ten episodes in 1979. It told the gripping story of Bilbo Baggins and his band of dwarves, who are on a quest for the treasure guarded by the fearsome dragon Smaug.
As he leaves his cozy hobbit-hole and travels into the wild, Bilbo s adventures begin. On his journey, he will encounter trolls, goblins, elves and giant spiders as well as a mysterious and magical ring and a strange, sinister creature named Gollum
Read by Bernard Cribbins, Jan Francis, Maurice Denham, and David Wood, this rare soundtrack is sure to offer a treat for all fans of J. R. R. Tolkien."
Broadcast to mark the three thousandth program of the much-loved children s series "Jackanory," "The Hobbit" was transmitted over two weeks and ten episodes in 1979. It told the gripping story of Bilbo Baggins and his band of dwarves, who are on a quest for the treasure guarded by the fearsome dragon Smaug.
As he leaves his cozy hobbit-hole and travels into the wild, Bilbo s adventures begin. On his journey, he will encounter trolls, goblins, elves and giant spiders as well as a mysterious and magical ring and a strange, sinister creature named Gollum
Read by Bernard Cribbins, Jan Francis, Maurice Denham, and David Wood, this rare soundtrack is sure to offer a treat for all fans of J. R. R. Tolkien."
Audio CD
Published May 1, 2014
4 people are currently reading
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About the author
J.R.R. Tolkien
788 books77.5k followersJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien: writer, artist, scholar, linguist. Known to millions around the world as the author of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien spent most of his life teaching at the University of Oxford where he was a distinguished academic in the fields of Old and Middle English and Old Norse. His creativity, confined to his spare time, found its outlet in fantasy works, stories for children, poetry, illustration and invented languages and alphabets.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 1, 2020
This was a much-needed chunk of relaxing magic. The Hobbit, Tolkien's classic, as adapted by the BBC's Jackanory storytelling programme in the late 70s. It's certainly bracingly abridged - sitting at just over two hours - but after the recent bloated convolution of the Jackson trilogy it's certainly no worse a story for the shorter duration. The real star here is perhaps the greatest Bilbo (second only to Ian Holm) Bernard Cribbins who, if not an actual Womble, may definitely be an actual Hobbit.
January 10, 2020
the audiobook was okay but i did not realise it was an abridged version until 10 mins into the audio but the acting was quite pleasant so i stuck with it. I have been inspired to pick up the physical copy of the hobbit some when this year because i miss the dwarves terribly and just the story and world in general really.
March 12, 2024
A nice quick jaunt.
“Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!”
Bilbo was a secret hero of mine when I was young. I admired his particular brand of courage, self awareness, and worldview. He’s as unique a hobbit as he is a character. I think my secrecy was because at that age (5th/6th grade) there was pressure for heroes to be macho or at least a traditionally rebel type. Now at 39, Bilbo is peak heroism to me, perhaps only outdone by Samwise Gamgee in LOTR. 4.4 stars
“Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!”
Bilbo was a secret hero of mine when I was young. I admired his particular brand of courage, self awareness, and worldview. He’s as unique a hobbit as he is a character. I think my secrecy was because at that age (5th/6th grade) there was pressure for heroes to be macho or at least a traditionally rebel type. Now at 39, Bilbo is peak heroism to me, perhaps only outdone by Samwise Gamgee in LOTR. 4.4 stars
August 16, 2020
We listened to this as a family on the drive to Belgium. Nice music and a nice shortened version for listening to on a longish car journey. Alex (5) loved it, HelBel (41) thought it was ok, Chris (50) also loved it, Owen (1) slept a lot.
Well worth buying if you love the Hobbit and want to introduce your child to it.
I now have three audiobook versions!
Well worth buying if you love the Hobbit and want to introduce your child to it.
I now have three audiobook versions!
November 24, 2021
Lovely adaptation. I really enjoyed the narrator and actor’s voices. The episodes are in 15 minute increments, perfect for the daily commute to work. I read the book ages ago, so it was nice to listen to this dramatization as a refresher.
February 24, 2023
This is an abridged version in audiobook form originally told in segments in the late 70s via the BBC. Now, don’t mark it “down” because it’s abridged! This was a refreshing rendition of The Hobbit that will make you smile whether you’ve read it once or a hundred times.
August 20, 2018
Probably a good performance but I would have rather just had a audiobook.
April 9, 2019
This is a very mediocre radio rendition of The Hobbit geared toward children.
January 28, 2020
I’ve read this book countless times, but I love finding new and different renderings. A fun and well done version.
April 8, 2020
I really loved this audio book. Well done.
June 3, 2021
A very good retelling of this classic story that kids will love.
June 8, 2023
A lot of fun to listen to.
February 1, 2024
As adaptations go, this is short and succinct. I really enjoy when BBC Audio is involved with the reading of the book. Now I just need to read the actual book.
December 11, 2024
It was hard to listen to with the background noises, I will have to read the book again to fully understand the story.
May 13, 2025
Sadly bored me a little bit but maybe it’s me
October 13, 2025
This was a very cute mother son activity. Listening to this via tape was great
November 5, 2016
A condensed version of the books and movies. A great listen to get a brief overview and understanding of the world of Bilbo, Gandolf, and their friends.
May 31, 2024
Wonderfully preformed you are fully immersed in the world the voice actors create. It is funny and adventure filled…and perfect for all ages just like the book it is derived from.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews