The Hobbit

Nicol Williamson's narration is a triumph, encompassing the tense excitement of danger, the lyrical descriptions made almost mystical by the musical background of harp strings, and a range of voices from the country accents of Thorin to the throaty petulance of Gollum. The whole skilfully abridged story cracks along at a good pace. The BBC dramatisation, originally broadcast on the radio, is a stunning recreation by a cast of over 30. Each character's voice reflects his personality, like the hesitancy in Paul Daneman's Bilbo. The inventive and haunting sound effects from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop add an extra dimension throughout.