Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return of the King (Dramatised)

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, John Le Mesurier, full cast
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.33

Buy for $20.33

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The evil Saruman has been defeated by Gandalf, but in Mordor the battle for the Ruling Ring continues. Wounded by the giant spider, Shelob, Frodo has been captured by the dreaded orcs. Sam, alone and in possession of the Ring, must rescue his master if their mission - to find the Cracks of Doom, and there destroy the Ring - is to continue. Meanwhile, the other Fellowship members are preparing for war against the armies of the Dark Lord, Sauron....

Widely regarded as a broadcasting classic, the BBC Radio dramatisation of 'The Lord of the Rings' stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe.

©2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd trading as BBC Studios (P)2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd trading as BBC Studios
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Featured Article: Galadriel—A Lord of the Rings Character Guide


Galadriel is one of the most significant characters both in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy and the wide history of Middle-earth more generally. If you've listened to The Lord of the Rings or seen any of the film adaptations, then you're likely well aware of who Galadriel is. But what, exactly, makes her so important? What is her history? This character guide is here to answer all of your questions about the powerful Elf Galadriel, the Lady of Lórien.

Continue Your Journey Through Middle earth

Continue Your Journey
Through Middle-earth

What listeners say about The Lord Of The Rings: The Return of the King (Dramatised)

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,194
  • 4 Stars
    228
  • 3 Stars
    103
  • 2 Stars
    47
  • 1 Stars
    55
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    914
  • 4 Stars
    156
  • 3 Stars
    82
  • 2 Stars
    30
  • 1 Stars
    45
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,012
  • 4 Stars
    118
  • 3 Stars
    49
  • 2 Stars
    24
  • 1 Stars
    25

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Actually does the original story honour! Full praise for this audiobook!

Tolkien fans need not fear a diminished experience in this stellar performance of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Suitable for all ages old enough to enjoy the books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

it was good

was very different. felt like it was rushed a bit but did explain some detail that the movie did not do. overall a good book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

so good

I simply could not stop. really enjoyed every moment of this story and it wanting more

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Almost flawless - better than the films at times

Exceptional. A brilliant adaptation that remains remarkably true to the original texts while creating a vivid oration filled with action and suspense.

I also have this on a CD box set, which I prefer as it doesn't use the flashback narration. Hearing Frodo speaking from present day detracts from the story, I feel, as it reminds you how it all turns out in the end, negating the hard fought suspense and emotional buy-in the cast had only moments before, achieved.

There is also a bit too much exposition from time to time; burying the listener is painfully complex dialogue with terms in Elvish, Dwarvish and Orcish but never translated. While the texts did this as well, it doesn't translate as smoothly to an audio book as it does a manuscript.

Ian Holm is outstanding as Frodo and brings a maturity to the character that existed in the original texts, but I feel was lost in the (otherwise stellar) motion pictures.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love that there are no breaks in this version!

This is the best version of the LotR out there. Wonderful adaptation, excellent acting, everything works. All dramatizations should strive for this level of quality!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Return of the King

What did you love best about The Lord Of The Rings?

When it comes to radio plays the BBC really knows what it's doing. Originally a thirteen episode dramatization from the 60's l believe with some extra dialogue to bring it up to date with Jackson's epic movies there's nothing to say other than "Wow!" I would happily recommend this to everyone l know and even to those l don't know.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good

Well presented and an interesting listen, but hard to follow for anyone who doesn't already know the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Great!!

I really enjoyed this production,
It shed so much light on the story,

And the performances were terrific…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply Epic

This is quite possibly the greatest story ever told. This should be required reading for every single person on the planet.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The best dramatization.

This is the best way to get the story apart from actually reading it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!