Brian Sibley, writer, BBC's The Lord of the Rings (1981) - Interview

Today, we welcome the writer of one of my absolute favorite Tolkien adaptations - the 1981 BBC Radio Dramatization of The Lord of the Rings - Brian Sibley! We talk about the radio drama celebrating its 40th anniversary, Brian's experience writing about Peter Jackson and his Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, the challenges of adapting for radio, why Tom Bombadil get's cut from adaptations, and much more!
You can find the audiobook of the 1981 BBC LOTR Dramatization here:
Fellowship of the Ring: amzn.to/2RDBfOz
Two Towers: amzn.to/3n407KV
Return of the King: amzn.to/3xcumnF
00:00-00:28 Intro
00:28-12:25 40th Anniversary of LOTR Audio Drama
12:25-27:20 Adapting LOTR for BBC
27:20-37:03 Being introduced to Tolkien
37:03-50:58 Challenges of the audio-only format
50:58-01:02:29 Favorite Scene from the BBC Adaptation
01:02:29-01:14:39 Initial thoughts of Peter Jackson's trilogy
01:14:39-01:28:55 The Incredible Christopher Lee
01:28:55-01:37:16 Christopher Lee corrects the SAS story
01:37:16-02:02:15 Writing a PJ Biography
02:02:15-02:10:37 The Hobbit Films
02:10:37-02:12:29 Guillermo del Toro
02:12:29-02:16:29 Adapting Tolkien
02:16:29-02:23:40 Why Tom Bombadil gets cut
02:23:40-02:32:06 LOTRonPrime: Hopes and Expectations
02:32:06-02:48:53 Middle-earth & Narnia
02:48:53-03:04:55 Rapid Fire Questions
#bbclotr #lordoftherings #nerdoftherings

[@brianonthebox]

Thanks, Matt, for a great chat! I really enjoyed our time together. :)

[@brianonthebox]

Can I re-record it to eliminate some of the gaffs? For example: for 'Flight to the Ford' read flight to Bucklebury Ferry! The Tolkien experts will have my head!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Haha! I didn't even notice. There's bound to be a couple slips when you record for as long as we did. You did a great job and it's great to see the love people have for your work! I've been told by a few people they first listened to it when they were just small children and are looking it up on Audible to experience it all over again. :)

[@WaypointComics]

Brian, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this work since i discovered it in the late 1990's (RIP Echo Records) here in Dunedin, New Zealand. It's the beautiful 14 disc set (UK edition). I could wax on about the many things I love about this version (IMHO the casting is stellar) but if nothing else, can I just say thank you for your creative effort. And Matt, thank you for your work and setting up this interview.

[@brianonthebox]

@@WaypointComics: Thank you so much for your comments. I must say, again, that if the radio dramatisation of TLOTR was (as I know it was) such a success, it is due entirely to combined gifts and hard work of an entire team: writers, directors, actors, technicians, musicians and singers.

[@sambonsampson228]

@@NerdoftheRings Great interviewing by letting your guest simply unfold his craft unencumbered. Obviously Brian is a Master storyteller.

[@treydixon5399]

I cannot get over this interview style. As far as I can tell, you're taking modern methods of interview (yelling at the guest, cutting them off, cramming the interview into a fixed time) and you do THE EXACT OPPOSITE. All I can say is thank you. Your grace, your interest, and willingness to let your guests say what they want, it draws out so much more than a journalist could. Again, thank you. Listening to a passionate person talk about their passion makes for amazing content.

[@frosksdeadteeth5163]

I was 15 and religiously recorded every episode each week. Many thanks.

[@gia_the_gamergirl4130]

I just finished my homework, and I'm gonna listen to this to reward myself. :)

[@NerdoftheRings]

Treat yo self! :)

[@ChristopherHague]

This radio drama was my first introduction to LOTR when I was 7 and got me hooked.

[@NerdoftheRings]

I came across it much later in life, but it is incredible no matter what age!

[@brianonthebox]

Great to hear that, Chris. Thank you!

[@keytostart7053]

Same here! I had the 6 part Hobbit and 12 part LOTR audio cassette series in these beautifully ornate boxes. I used to listen to them as I went to bed as a young child in the early 90s. It got me hooked! Then I started reading the books as soon as I was able! Some of the audio was so amazingly terrifying: the Goblin song that was sung as Bilbo and the Dwarves were dragged down into the Misty Mountains "whip, crack, ho ho down to Goblin Town you go my Lad!" Was particularly jarring to me, the beautiful introductory folk pieces and many others still ring around my head some 30 years later, and still make me shiver!

[@marionbaggins]

I was 9 and a half when listening!!!

[@fazalinator]

@@brianonthebox Thank you for the radio interpretation of LOTR, it was magnificent and truly magical

[@greenman6141]

This is the most British interview I've seen in years. I'm a Brit stuck living abroad and am terribly homesick. This is what pubs exist for, and what I spent several decades experiencing. People knowing how to spin a yarn, and how to entertain the people they're with. The art of company.

[@RoberttheFox0001]

That was 40 years ago? I feel so old. But seriously, That was amazing. I was 12 and I loved it. Thank you so much!

[@rphilipsgeekery4589]

My god I didn't know it was 40 years ago, yeah I feel ancient now

[@goodlookinouthomie1757]

Huge part of my childhood. I used to listen to it (I had the 13 cassette box set) while I was painting D&D and Warhammer figures back in the 80s.

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

I listened to the R4 drama repeatedly growing up, I am so looking forward to this!

[@NerdoftheRings]

I discovered it a few years ago and instantly fell in love with it. It's so great! Brian tells some great stories of people recording it at home when it originally broadcast, since there was no post-broadcast accessibility like there would be today.

[@fredtrunce5931]

I think I have listened to that whole series at least 30 times over the years. It’s just so amazing.!even more so because iam holmes, who plays Frodo, got to play bilbo in the movie. Rip good sir.

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

The casting was absolutely spot on

[@markwilliams1848]

Listening on Saturday afternoons to the 13 part re-run in 1982 is what brought me to Tolkien, and remains one of my fondest memories.

[@Bregotamer1]

I'm of course watching this late, but something I love about your interviews is your patience. You ask something and you let the person talk until they come full stop. You never interrupt them. It's gold. We get such wonderful stories and insights. Also, every interview I've ever watched you do, you are smiling from ear to ear like 95% of the time. Thank you for these.

[@louisegogel7973]

Well said!!! I agree. I love the way the interviews are run!

[@stevebode8218]

I’ve not sat and enjoyed three hours this much since first watching the extended Two Towers movie! I love the way you just let the man talk, Matt- excellent and considered journalism 😇

[@manuela1986]

For once I cant wait for my nightshift to start tonight to listen to this in peace 😀♥️

[@NerdoftheRings]

Glad I could give you something to make you look forward to work! :)

[@gia_the_gamergirl4130]

Me too! Except I just finished my homework, and I'm gonna listen to this to reward myself. :) (btw, I'm going to send this as a separate comment also)

[@robertoneill1979]

Love Sam singing "Gil Galad was an elven king..."😍 Thank you so much for posting this interview 🤩

[@calumstephens9000]

‘In Western Lands, beneath the sun...’ does it for me.

[@stephenmurray2048]

That's one of my favourite moments. Really moving.

[@thomasmerkelbach2755]

There is so much great music in the radio play. Difficult to choose. In Western lands is up there and, I agree with Brian, Shadowfax’s theme is brilliant. It produces real images of sheer speed and freedom. The other one that gets me with its quiet dignity and majesty is Aragorn’s theme. I hear it and I tear up. A simple line of six notes evokes a whole destiny.

[@FelixTheSpaceBear]

:O !!!!!! You dont know how excited I am to watch this interview. I literally listen to that BBC production EVERY day and have done for years. Its like an old friend to me now. The work that Brian Sibley did with that amazing cast(!!!) I will always be grateful for. Thank you Brian, and thank you NOTR for doing this..! Means so much

[@FelixTheSpaceBear]

First listened to it when I was 13 and that was 23 years ago. Holds up so well, the cast, the acting, the music the production, the best radio production of all time.

[@cicknobb5321]

What format do you have the production on?

[@brianonthebox]

Thanks for this!

[@hiltrud2001]

Please can I find this BBC audio on KZbin?

[@FelixTheSpaceBear]

@@brianontheboxthanks for your kind comment !!! I didn’t see it until now. Do you happen to have a photo of the cast together? I would LOVE to see them all. Thanks again 🫡🙏❤️

[@darrenlong7385]

For me, Brian's BBC adaptation of LOTR is my favourite production TV, film or radio of all-time. A marvellous cast, great pacing, everything just fits in together perfectly and I always listen to it at least once a year. Well done Matt for a great interview and letting Brian tell his story, it could have been double the time and I would have loved carrying on listening to it. Perhaps we can get Bill Nighy on for his memories!!!

[@mikestanmore2614]

I'm a bit late to reply, but I agree with you wholeheartedly. Michael Hordern will always be the voice of Gandalf.

[@Bryan198026]

@@mikestanmore2614 especially given how completely unfamiliar he was with the story.

[@mikestanmore2614]

@@Bryan198026 Exactly! 👍

[@albertbargery9619]

I absolutely adore the 1981 BBC radio version and grew up listening to this. My younger sister is called Arwen after the series and novels, after my parents were listening to it at the time. Still think some of the casting had never been bettered. Fantastic interview and great news for you to have thsi interview on your channel.

[@brianonthebox]

Thanks and please say 'Hello' to Arwen! ;)

[@albertbargery9619]

@@brianonthebox thank you, she will be over the moon. She has just had her first baby and she has named her Luthien!

[@manuela1986]

"...in my imagination...places exist as a personal kind of reality..." Well said. I still remember feeling a kind of almost phisical pain because Middle Earth was not real back then after seeing the movies and I was 15+ 😀 I still wish it was now almost 20 years later ♥️

[@brianonthebox]

Me, too! :)

[@brenster1000]

Having been a long term fan of the BBC radio drama, I tuned in with ‘what on earth could be said about the radio drama that would take 3 hours?’. And three hours later, I have my answer. Hearty thanks to both yourself and to Brian S; informative, entertaining and wonderful from beginning to end. Time to take the CD box set down from the shelf and listen once again. 👍

[@curiousdave]

That story with Christopher Lee not recognizing him is priceless! "We don't live together you know" xD

[@brianonthebox]

😄

[@rorywilson656]

My Dad and I have listened to this Lord of the Rings countless times since he first bought me the tapes for my 11th birthday, more than 20 years ago. We still dig them out and enjoy with a whisky together when we see each other. I can only say thank you to everyone involved, for a lovely masterpiece and some special memories that go with it. Dear Brian et al, thank you very much indeed for making something I have cherished.

[@brianonthebox]

Thank you, Rory!

[@Dayman90]

As much as I love the Jackson films, the BBC radio drama will always be my favorite adaptation of Tolkien’s text. That came the closest to capturing the feeling of reading the book. Great interview!

[@joew9690]

We also have a radio drama in Poland ofc in Polish it was awesome ! With sounds of horse hooves and sounds of clink of steel. It was a masterpiece with voice actors singed to play each role.

[@Sara.m.t]

“You’ve got a little hobbit over there” is such a darn polite and heart-warming and overall wonderful way of acknowledging somebody’s crying baby - I’m so stealing that ✨😁

[@SAVANNAHEVENTS]

Im stunned by this Interview. Really. Most insightful voyage into Tolkien and the amazing Brian Sibley, whose radio series absolutely nailed the very spirit of LOTR. Kudos, Brian, for taking your generous time to pass the torch, so to speak, Sir, to the next generation of Readers. Your early 80's LOTR radio broadcasts via BBC and later 'Cassette Tape' version I checked out from my local library here in Savannah. Georgia, sustained me across many a mile during my long drives from east coast us to calif. By that time I had read the LOTR as many times as my hero, Duane Allman. With gratitude for posting this Legacy interview with a true Tolkien fan and sub-creator, Brian Sibley.

[@Mortys_Toilet_Attendant]

In 1993, my friends dad, knowing me to be a huge Lord of the Rings fan, let me borrow his cassette tape box set of the radio play when I was twelve years old. I cannot articulate the joy this play brought me. I'd never imagined anything like it. I listened to it over and over again before giving it back. Then begged my parents for my own copy, which I duly got for my next birthday! 28 years later I still listen to it a few times a year.

[@atrinder8944]

Me too…. It’s like a comfort blanket. Such a beautiful adaptation.

[@lomion79]

Cracking interview. What a guy Mr Sibley is - so generous, forthcoming and very clearly passionate.

[@brianonthebox]

Thanks for the description!! :)

[@carterlink]

What an incredibly generous and gracious interview. You could have made four or five videos out of all this content. It’s always a pleasure to listen to Brian and his stories. A big part of my Tolkien world growing up, and still to this day as I find myself continually drawn back to that wonderful adaptation. Pleased I kept hold of both my cassette and cd versions, because as handy as Audible is, you can’t beat the physical media versions with all the artwork.

[@brianonthebox]

Thank you, Paul!

[@revpgesqredux]

I just now noticed how long this interview is. . Bravo to both of ya

[@brianonthebox]

Long? You should see the Director's Cut!!

[@TheMaxbrooks]

This has inspired me to dig out my old audio tapes. Sadly I have nothing to play them on anymore! Thanks for the interview you look joyful listening to these wonderful stories and too Brian for granting an audience with the NotR and us Nerdlings.

[@brianonthebox]

You are welcome!!

[@atrinder8944]

Having commented through listening to this superb interview, can I just take a moment to say thank you so much to you both. My husband and I have long ago worn out our original cassette box set, then the Cd box set. Now it’s a digital copy. We have re listened to it more times than any other film/entertainment of any description. It will remain our comfort blanket on winters nights,a shared love for over 33 years of marriage and friendship.

[@SAVANNAHEVENTS]

Totally agree.

[@ammaardawood9247]

This guy sounds like a voice actor, he can speak forever no interruption, its insane. He talks about everything effortlessly, this guy doesn't even get many questions in, wild episode to watch baked, its like asmr

[@duncanramsay9262]

I love this interview! I bought the audible audio books of the 3 bbc lotr broadcast. I love them so much, thanks, Brian.

[@neilmacnaughton9818]

What a wonderful - conversation? - interview. I remember making sure I was in my room every Sunday lunchtime 40 years ago to press the buttons on my radio-cassette recorder for the next episode! How good to hear the discussion about the music in the BBC adaptation. I loved the ballad for the Pelennor Fields and the beautiful violin which captured the countryside of the Shire on a warm day. I still remember the ride of the Rohirrim into the East - "hoofbeats afar sank into silence". Wonderful! Thank you so much both of you.

[@hamlinsondra]

So wonderful to hear this story. I've had the complete radio play for decades. It resides on a flash drive in my car today.

[@Alex9971000]

Brian Sibley, you have a wonderful voice and are a brilliant story teller with a rich history and many interesting friends and events in said history which add to your credibility and provides a sense of nostalgia of how things used to be done in the industry. I would one day love to meet you, since i live in Kent too I hope it could be a possibility, maybe at some event which we would both attend?

[@Symbioticism]

When Brian expressed his admiration for Leaf by Niggle and Smith of Wootton Major, I felt so, so pleased. Those are two of my favourite stories ever told.

[@brianonthebox]

We've got taste!! ;)

[@keytostart7053]

@@brianonthebox Sir, your audio series was a huge part of my childhood! The Hobbit series in particular was a favourite, so many snippets of audio from that series still ring around my head to this day. I would listen to those cassette tapes every night as a child, I wore them out! In particular: the Goblin Song that was sung as Bilbo and the Dwarves were dragged down into the Misty Mountains "Whip, Crack, Bang, Snap, Down down to Goblin Town you go my laaaaaad!" used to give me nightmares as a child and as a 33 year old man still make me shiver.. Also the song sung by Thorin at Bag End "Far over the Misty Mountains Old, through dungeons deep and caverns old" was so enchanting! Your work started a lifelong obsession in music in my little heart, I found it amazing how those songs could generate such emotion from me. Sorry for rambling but I never thought I would have the opportunity to say thank you!

[@brianonthebox]

@@keytostart7053 Well, I'm afraid I can take any credit for THE HOBBIT which was the earlier work of other talents, but I'm glad it obviously brought you much enjoyment.

[@DamonNomad82]

I wasn't aware of the 1981 radio adaptation growing up. When I first got to listen to it in my 30s, I instantly regretted not having a copy of it as a kid, as it is so brilliantly done. I listen to it at least once every couple of months.

[@tomradcliff6859]

Matt, I finally finished this. Have been watching it in parts as I went about life lately. This was utterly fascinating! What a joy it was to listen to him discuss how the dramatization came to be, the marvelous tales of Christopher Lee, his perspective on the movies and being there and so much more. Magical. Thank you.

[@douglaslarson7081]

I listened to that broadcast on the radio 40 years ago. My memory is that it was marvelous.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Your memory serves you well. 😁

[@brianonthebox]

@@NerdoftheRings: Thank you!!!

[@xell4701]

This is a fantastic interview. The radio dramatisation was my first introduction To Tolkien, my father had recorded them onto cassette when they first aired and I wore the tapes out listening to them continuously. And eventually I went on to read the books when I was around 10 or 11 years old. And even when I read the books now it’s still the voices of the radio version that I hear in my head. Brian is a wonderful and insightful person and I would love to meet him myself one day.

[@tonymantia8452]

How did I just now see this?!? What an honor to meet with Brian Sibley. I absolutely LOVE the BBC production! I bought it on CD back in the day, and now own it digitally too

[@Alienfanatic]

What an absolutely brilliant interview! Brian Sibley is a treasure, and your gentle questioning and, in general, unintrusive presence allowed him the floor to say whatever he wished. He had such a great raft of tales and experiences. That three hours seems like a minuscule portion of the stories that he could convey, if given the time. Thank you for the interview and thank you to Mr. Sibley for allowing us a brief glimpse to his life experiences. The BBC audio play was something I listened to decades ago shortly after it was released and remains a wonderful memory. I’m so glad it was produced!

[@calumstephens9000]

How wonderful, going to listen to this in full tomorrow. I literally have no idea how many times I’ve listened to this series, one of the most formative bits of media in my life. Thank you for putting this together!

[@SpiralMountain]

@Brian Sibley thank you so much for your passion and openness in this interview! It was such a pleasure to listen to. Despite your status in global Tolkiendom you just feel like ‘one of us’ - an enthusiastic and devoted fan! I am not old enough to have experienced your Radio Play when it was first made, but my mother had the box set on audio cassette and it was my first introduction to the Lord of the Rings, I listened to it for years, hours upon hours on end. Similar to you I have always struggled as a reader, and have always been ‘a listener’. Your production made the experience, and the magic, of Tolkien not only accessible but possible. Such a pleasure to listen to this, and thank you Matt for hosting 🌋⛰👑💍🧝‍♂️🧝‍♀️🧙‍♂️👨‍🌾🐎🐴❤️

[@brianonthebox]

That's very kind, but I AM one of you ('us')!!

[@davidcoleman757]

Still, to my mind, the finest adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. I loved the Jackson movies, but the BBC series stayed faithful to the books [with the omission of Bombadil] and a lot of the dialogue was cited word for word. It had the advantage of not imposing a visual interpretation of Middle Earth, so the listeners got to retain their own imaginings. Another fabulous interview, up there with JRD.

[@kmaher1424]

Peter Jackson stretched the budget to tell as much of the story as he did.

[@Riddlemewalker]

Listened to this on a cross country trip from Seattle to Richmond. Great production , actors etc. thank you!

[@mlicciardello7884]

I just discovered your channel and this interview of 2 years ago. To me it's like being a fly on the wall just listening to a man and his memories. Excellent !

[@f0ry0u81]

The LOTR bbc dramatization is an absolute treasure. Thank you so much for this interview!!

[@leecont]

What a fabulous interview. Brian is so generous with his time and memories.

[@NerdoftheRings]

He is indeed! I was surprised when we wrapped to realize how long we had been talking!

[@brianonthebox]

A pleasure!

[@hannahgunter3552]

I can not describe how much joy this brings me. Love love love this interview ♥️🙏

[@lukegraham317]

Words cannot express how thankful I am to listen to this story. It's something I think Tolkien wished for more than anything for people from far and near to connect over such a lovely and well written tale.

[@bruceharrip]

Thank you gentlemen.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks for watching!

[@brianonthebox]

@@NerdoftheRings Ditto from me!

[@greenman6141]

Peter Cushing indeed is infamous for being the kindest, most gentle, generous, and non egotistical of people...if you can be infamous for lovely modesty. Though he lived very quietly in Whitstable, the town was keenly aware of, and proud of, him.

[@zenocrate4040]

I am so grateful to Sibley and co. for the radio adaptation. It captures something of the essence and 'feel' of the books that no other version has managed to do. Butterburr is just note-perfect and Nighy's Sam is so alike the Sam i first encountered in Danish translation as a 10 year old. The melancholic tug of the Gil-Galad ballad is just wonderful. I also concur with Tolkien scholar Christina Scull that it is a "masterly adaptation", which stayed faithful to Tolkien's story, presented most of the characters "as he depicted them", and especially "caught the spirit of the books". Scull felt that her "happiness with the BBC production made [her] even less happy with Jackson['s films] than I might have been without it", disliking the films' additional material, violence, and "the weakening of almost all the characters". My sentiments to a T. In her view, the BBC dramatisation presented "the characters I [met] in the book", whereas the film version did not."

[@mariposahorribilis]

While I don't feel as critical of the movies as you do, I have to agree with everything you say about the radio adaptation. Although Mr.Sibley says he wouldn't do it now, I think having a narrator helped keep it close to the book. It allows the 'authorial voice' to be heard.

[@TheSDC81]

This was excellent. Good job. Love the BBC Radio Drama.

[@justinehayward2553]

Superb interview-3 hrs of rolling entertainment.

[@alexandrasimon7191]

Thank you so much for bringing all these wonderful and interesting people with all their (and your!) great insights and experiences closer to us!

[@louisegogel7973]

2:55:46 “So all of these things are just fed out of these discoveries and joys of my early youth.”. And that is, in my opinion, the secret to greatness … to follow one’s joy! This was a wonderful chat! Thank you both so very much!

[@Gazmaz]

Only three hours could have listened for another 3. 😀

[@brianonthebox]

I couldn't!!!! :)

[@gettingby365]

My father was in the US Air Force when I was a kid. We were stationed in Mildenhall England in '81. I remember sitting next to the radio every week listening to the show. Wonderful memories.

[@davidanderson1639]

I have a personal connection to the BBC adaptation of LOTR, as my uncle; Christopher Scott is in it. He played The Black Rider, who utters the famous words ‘Shire. Baggins’, as well as Beregond.

[@brianonthebox]

I've just seen your comment, David; nice to meet a relative of Christopher Scott. Your uncle worked on several of my projects while he was a member of the BBC Rep Co. A really nice guy and a really good actor.

[@davidanderson1639]

@@brianonthebox Hi Brian, thank you for your reply & kind words; it’s nice to hear from yourself as well. I’ve always cherished the fact that my uncle is in your adaptation of LOTR & performed alongside such an incredible cast. I’ll never forget listening to it for the first time & trying to pick out my uncles voice. Chris now lives in Bristol with his wife. His first wife, who was also an actor, sadly passed away in the early 1990s following a long battle with cancer. He had been teaching at Bristol Old Vic for a number of years, but it’s unlikely he will be returning to acting / teaching following him being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. I’ll pass on your message to him & it will no doubt brighten his spirits.

[@brianonthebox]

@@davidanderson1639 Please do, David, tell him I send fond regards and the very best of all good wishes!

[@cicknobb5321]

Once again Matt, thank you so much for this amazing content. You never let us down.

[@paulburrell4120]

A truly delightful interview!

[@GreenMachine1975]

I got a cassette collection of the BBC series when it was first released (the UK version -- special ordered to the U.S. -- it had a cool illustration of Gandalf and the Balrog facing off on the bridge)... It was a Christmas gift; and it was the best Christmas of my childhood. I listened to it again and again... It was SOOOOOO AMAZINGl. I always get excited when I encounter the likes of Ian Holm, Gerard Murphy, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, and Bill.Nighy... Whenever I hear those voices, it brings me right back to my childhood bedroom when I first heard it.

[@keepyourhandsup6856]

Could listen to Brian talk all day. Especially being British, so many names and reference he brings up just fantastic stuff.

[@pswilliams76]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you for such a great interview. Brian Sibley is a true gent!

[@Twirlyhead]

Fantastic interview. Thanks to both of you.

[@IAMPAUL2021]

This was utterly fantastic. I very much enjoyed listening to anecdotes regarding my favourite lotr cast and indeed favourite presentation.. the beeb radio version. Peter Woodthorpe forever!!!

[@malvanlondon8683]

The BBC audio LOTR and the movies make the perfect companion pieces to each other. Both used their respected medium (radio and cinema) to maximum effect. Both are excellent!!!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Agreed! Both are the shining examples in their respective mediums!

[@karalouise18]

This was absolutely fascinating. Thanks for doing this.

[@SpudIllusionPictures]

Absolutely fascinating interview, loved every minute of it. Thank you so much for being such a good host and simply letting Brian be himself and ramble. What an absolute joy! The radio drama will forever be an incredibly precious piece of my childhood.

[@filrut]

Thanks for this inverview. The audio adaptation is what's gotten me into radio drama. I have the CD boxset and listen to it at least once a year. No shade McKellan's way, but Michael Horden's my Gandalf.

[@brianonthebox]

My Gandalf, too!!

[@Bryan198026]

Each of them did a good job in their way. And I would never have guessed that Michael Hordern was so totally unfamiliar with the story from his performance. I seem to have died in this episode. I still crack up at that part. LOL.

[@newonlinetheatren.o.t1339]

Brian would be an elven scribe at Elrond's court, who helped Bilbo bring The Red Book to life!

[@Mandolatron]

Actually, he fell prey to one of the cults the Blue Wizards created. Sorry dude.

[@drodcurrie]

The man behind the greatest Lord of the Rings adaptation known to man. I really should listen to it again, maybe I'll start tonight.

[@NerdoftheRings]

It is a classic!

[@brianonthebox]

*Blush!* Thank you on behalf of all those who made the series come to life.

[@dsnyguy1]

This is wonderful! Brian is a delight!

[@brianonthebox]

Thanks, Michael!

[@dsnyguy1]

@@brianonthebox -you are so welcome!

[@kronos1825]

What a great interview! What a lovley and polite person. You both made my Sunday :) Greeting from Germany

[@brianonthebox]

OK, so Matt is a "a lovely and polite person", but what about me??!

[@NerdoftheRings]

I think he was referring to you, Brian. 😂

[@brianonthebox]

@@NerdoftheRings You know, I GUESSED THAT!! 😉

[@codyphillips9627]

gootentog

[@gandalfthewhite5145]

Thoroughly enjoyed this interview. A great insight into the making of the BBC radio play and the LOTR movies. I have great memories listening to the BBC radio series while growing up and being in the back of the car on day long road trips. Thank to Matt and Mr Sibley for taking the time to share his experiences.

[@joshkolchins7753]

Thank you for this! I adore the BBC radio production and listen to it every night - truly. Sir Robert Stephens will always be Aragorn to me!

[@martindavis6472]

My family was given the full tape recording set in the early 80s. I listened to it many many times over the years. Incredibly well performed from what must have been a very challenging edit. Sibley is quite talented. His work on this project let me know something of what a creative mind could do. I know if didn't originate TLOTR but he made it accessible to an audience who were busy running about with other matters underway. Thank you. The good works I do now were influenced back then.

[@malvanlondon8683]

For those wanting to experience Peter Cushing's film work, you can't go far wrong seeking out: Dracula (1958) (aka The Horror of Dracula), The Curse of Frankenstein, Laurence Olivier's Hamlet (in which he plays Osric), Dr. Who and the Daleks, Star Wars, Tales from the Crypt, and BBC TV's 1954 version of George Orwell's 1984.

[@lisab8899]

I am thoroughly enjoying all of your lead up to the Amazon series. It has made me go back and start reading books I had not before(Silmarillion, Children of Hurin, etc.) Your videos always lead into a great interview I would not have otherwise found. They are all so captivating. Thanks again!

[@MrNeilltupman]

What an absolute treat, great to hear the story of the BBC adaptation. I was 11or 12 when I first heard it, and recorded it from R4 on Sunday lunchtimes. I listened to it over and over, it was such an inspired choice of cast, and it will always be the definitive version for me. I'm nearly 50 now, and have gone through various sets of the adaptation over the years, and still regularly listen to it. Thanks for the memories, time to dig it out again I think 🙂

[@NerdoftheRings]

So glad you enjoyed it! Brian was such a delight to have on the channel. I’m also a huge fan of the adaptation since I discovered it a few years ago.

[@MrNeilltupman]

@@NerdoftheRings I envy you having only recently discovered it! I remember finding a copy of the Hobbit radio play in the library, and being a bit disappointed in comparison. The R4 LotR adaptation will probably remain my favourite adaptation, despite also having a soft spot for the Bakshi film too. Congratulations on the channel by the way, this is top content. I've only just discovered it! My friends and I are currently playing an old Middle Earth role playing game on Discord (we haven't played together for 30 years!) and this channel is one of many ME related trips down memory lane that I'm currently enjoying.

[@NerdoftheRings]

I too was bummed when I attempted to go from the LOTR adaptation to The Hobbit audio drama. Not in the same league at all!

[@magisterdamask9015]

Fantastic conversation. I still have copies of Mr Sibley's LOTR Movie Guides from nearly twenty years ago. He has so many great memories!

[@44holmez]

Had the 1981 series on a set of much cherished cassette tapes. And to think that now I can carry them all in my phone in superb quality along with all the books in both text and audio is a marvel. Thanks for the interview. Glorious.

[@Monkismo]

Mr. Sibley looks great! I'm off to find the radio drama now. :-)

[@brianonthebox]

:)

[@lawbag1]

Wow, I finally get to see an interview with the man who helped shaped my childhood. I remember painting Warhammer miniatures whilst listening to the BBC LOTR on audiotape...perfect Sunday afternoon for me.

[@icreateworlds]

BBC's The Lord of the Rings (1981) is the most incredible audiobook I ever listened to in my life. I got it in a fantastic CD box set twenty years ago and ive listened to it more times than i can remember. Im an illustrator and i have dozens and dozens and dozens of fantasy artwork created while i was listening to this Sibley´s work. An absolute masterpiece. The acting was incredible and the soundtrack was just beautiful. Now...Im going to listen to it again. :)

[@justinehayward2553]

This interview was a great source of wonder- I remember listening to the first airing on BBC Radio 4, I was hooked. I was later sent the box tape set by my brother. I also had no idea that The Hobbit was nearly not P Jackson’s work. Furthermore thanks for mentioning why Bombadil was omitted- totally makes sense now. As much as I quite like the films , I always felt, understandably, that they omitted certain key elements of Tolkien’s message such as sitting around a fire, gregarious moments, walks in the woods and hearty breakfasts... However, that’s not going to sell at the box office is it. Two major disappointments with the films are , the Shire itself, to me personally it lacks the ‘hamlet England’ look- and looks a bit like Telly Tubby Land. Also the Prancing Pony lacks the look and atmosphere of a welcoming inn. This was salient to the book and well captured by Brian in his adaptation. I say this as much of my childhood was spent around various family homes in Essex that were often over 500 years old with villages and pubs to match.

[@brianonthebox]

Thanks for the compliments!

[@gushamborg6690]

The Gollum in this version is absolutely insane as well as the Gimli and the Gandolf and the Frodo and everyone! and especially Aragorn.

[@gushamborg6690]

And the Grima and saruman and tree beats and merry and peregrine!

[@Chickentendies1989]

Absolutely brilliant listen whilst at work printing letters, thank you for this

[@elstyr]

Amazing session, so many nice stories, enjoyed it very much. Thanks!

[@mithical1938]

Incredible interview, thank you so much

[@NerdoftheRings]

All thanks should be directed toward Brian - he was so generous with his time. I had an absolute blast talking to him about his LOTR experiences!

[@julianheath2718]

Matt, I have only come across your channel recently, but as a fellow Tolkien nerd, I'm so glad that I did! This is a great interview - I love the radio adaptation - so great to hear Brian Sibley talk about it and other Tolkien matters. I look forward to your future podcasts - keep up the good work - great stuff! Respect from the UK

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much! So glad you found and are enjoying the channel!

[@brianonthebox]

Ditto to what Matt said!

[@tonypap1]

These interviews are superb 😊

[@AmmoBoks]

What a beautiful interview, such an interesting person I was unaware of. I also enjoy there's video to these interviews instead of doing podcasts without.

[@JakeP7391]

Can’t stop listening. The amount of detail and specifics he remembers about the production is unbelievable

[@mariposahorribilis]

I normally find zoom interviews frustrating but this was excellent. Brian Sibley seems very willing to talk, and your occasional prompt is all that's needed. Well done for sitting back and letting him show us what an 'all round wit and raconteur' he is, without feeling the need to take control. And thank you for sharing so much in one lump - I've been enjoying it for days.

[@petervonl]

This was absolute gold! Thank you :-)

[@gregorykollarus8190]

This is amazing

[@MrMarvellousMark]

Yay another interview , been a while !

[@NerdoftheRings]

It has! I'm currently working on lining up the next one. Might do it as a livestream!

[@jonathanbeeson9471]

I absolutely loved this interview. His adaptation is my absolute favorite of any medium. What really endeared me to him was hearing him say they The Once and Future King was his favorite book and how it had such a big impact on him. That has been my favorite book for about 20 years now and I’ve gone back to reread I believe 5 times so I was super thrilled to learn of his radio adaptation of T.H.White’s masterpiece. By the way- I’ve listened to it and it does not disappoint. I couldn’t tell for sure but it looked as though Matt had not read it and I hope that he along with many others was inspired to read what I consider one of literature ‘s Crown Jewels. Let’s put it this way- if I had to choose a handful of books to be launched on a satellite into space ( just think Carl Sagan and the music records they sent with Voyager) then I would have to pick Once and Future King/ LOTR ( of course) One Hundred Years of Solitude/ and For Whom the Bell Tolls. I couldn’t include Dune because I wouldn’t be able to send just the first one and would have to pick the first four ( after God Emperor they just drop off in quality sadly) so I would just pick those 4 to represent humanity. Perhaps the gospel of John could be snuck in there too. Anyway I hope that Matt has listened to Sibley’s adaption which is very good considering that it’s a book that certainly doesn’t lend itself to any kind of adaptation and would be as daunting as LOTR in my opinion- this is not due solely to the length of the book but the highly unorthodox telling of the story. One Hundred Years of Solitude is another that seems very difficult ( in that book’s case, downright impossible) to adapt in ANY WAY that wouldn’t butcher the original work