Microphones in Middle-earth...the BBC Lord of the Rings - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 01-29-2012, 01:26 PM

HI-ing for Pervinca!

Pervinca Took · 01-29-2012, 05:29 PM

Thanks, Mithalwen! Am I correct in deducing that the last chapter of all, "The Grey Havens," was never discussed in this thread, or at least, not in its entirety?

IIRC, the episode called "Mount Doom" ends with Hordern's Gandalf saying "Though I am uneasy as to what we shall find, when we come to the tower of Saruman," or something like that.

I have to say that I loved this line:

"The first and second-born of the races of Middle-earth salute you!"

Mithalwen · 01-29-2012, 07:50 PM

Yes... though I remember listening to Mount Doom and being startled that for years I had missed a short but significant section of the destruction of the ring because I had flipped the tape too soon - either that or I was listening to a superior cassette player in teh car I might have said more but looking at the dates it is about the time RL meant I was largely absent from the Downs for several months. It would be nice to complete. I am long due a relisten and I need to reread whole thread,

Dilettante · 01-30-2012, 06:51 PM

I am very fortunate to have found this old thread. As I mentioned elsewhere, I got the box CDs of the BBC Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit) for Christmas. I have been listening as I drive to and from work every day. Though incomplete, I shall be using this thread as extra helpful material. I am currently in part two of Volume Two which is The Two Towers (the episode title escapes me at the moment.)

Wow the real honest to goodness Brian Sibley! Here! This is indeed a treat!

Pervinca Took · 01-30-2012, 09:40 PM

I can't do it instantly, (i.e. not before the weekend), but if there's no objection (don't want to tread on anyone's toes), I'd be very happy to type up a summary for the last chapter, as has been done for the previous ones.

Mithalwen · 01-31-2012, 04:53 AM

I think all toes are up for treading given the timescale and I am delighted that interest has revived.

While the Episode by Episode thing is a useful excercise I hope there will be scope for discussion even after - perhaps more freeranging and the thread like the Road will go on.

I am only too happy that the series I have loved since childhood is still gaining admirers. Dilletante, I think the CD sets follow the books whereas the Cassettes (and original broadcast was chrononlogical so you may be out synch at times..

And of course The Grey Havens has the almost unbearably poignancy of John Le Mesurier's voice fading into the treble in Bilbo's last song *gulp*...

Pervinca Took · 01-31-2012, 03:14 PM

It's everything about that parting, for me ... especially the sung verse and the words spoken by all at the Haven. I think I'd almost forgotten that it's Bilbo's Last Song, because it makes me think of The Sea-Bell as well - although of course it's much less despairing. Not too sacrilegious of me, I hope, all such things being slightly subjective.

I find much else in the final chapter poignant, too.

I played the first of the tapes today for the first time in years, and it came across with a lot of background noise - not crackle, more like the sound an aged tape makes. Well, they're about 24 years old!

I agree that it would be lovely to discuss the earlier chapters more as well. Will be great if you and Dilettante would both like to post about/discuss them as well as the last one.

I'll type up a summary of The Grey Havens (episode 13) at the weekend.

01-29-2012, 01:26 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	HI-ing for Pervinca! __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-29-2012, 07:50 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Yes... though I remember listening to Mount Doom and being startled that for years I had missed a short but significant section of the destruction of the ring because I had flipped the tape too soon - either that or I was listening to a superior cassette player in teh car I might have said more but looking at the dates it is about the time RL meant I was largely absent from the Downs for several months. It would be nice to complete. I am long due a relisten and I need to reread whole thread, __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-30-2012, 06:51 PM	#4
Dilettante Animated Skeleton Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: As my whimsey takes me. Posts: 43	I am very fortunate to have found this old thread. As I mentioned elsewhere, I got the box CDs of the BBC Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit) for Christmas. I have been listening as I drive to and from work every day. Though incomplete, I shall be using this thread as extra helpful material. I am currently in part two of Volume Two which is The Two Towers (the episode title escapes me at the moment.) Wow the real honest to goodness Brian Sibley! Here! This is indeed a treat! __________________ "One equal temper of heroic hearts,Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. " Tennyson, Ulysses

01-31-2012, 04:53 AM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I think all toes are up for treading given the timescale and I am delighted that interest has revived. While the Episode by Episode thing is a useful excercise I hope there will be scope for discussion even after - perhaps more freeranging and the thread like the Road will go on. I am only too happy that the series I have loved since childhood is still gaining admirers. Dilletante, I think the CD sets follow the books whereas the Cassettes (and original broadcast was chrononlogical so you may be out synch at times.. And of course The Grey Havens has the almost unbearably poignancy of John Le Mesurier's voice fading into the treble in Bilbo's last song gulp... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-31-2012, 03:14 PM	#7
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	It's everything about that parting, for me ... especially the sung verse and the words spoken by all at the Haven. I think I'd almost forgotten that it's Bilbo's Last Song, because it makes me think of The Sea-Bell as well - although of course it's much less despairing. Not too sacrilegious of me, I hope, all such things being slightly subjective. I find much else in the final chapter poignant, too. I played the first of the tapes today for the first time in years, and it came across with a lot of background noise - not crackle, more like the sound an aged tape makes. Well, they're about 24 years old! I agree that it would be lovely to discuss the earlier chapters more as well. Will be great if you and Dilettante would both like to post about/discuss them as well as the last one. I'll type up a summary of The Grey Havens (episode 13) at the weekend. Last edited by Pervinca Took; 01-31-2012 at 03:29 PM.

01-29-2012, 05:29 PM	#2
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	Thanks, Mithalwen! Am I correct in deducing that the last chapter of all, "The Grey Havens," was never discussed in this thread, or at least, not in its entirety? IIRC, the episode called "Mount Doom" ends with Hordern's Gandalf saying "Though I am uneasy as to what we shall find, when we come to the tower of Saruman," or something like that. I have to say that I loved this line: "The first and second-born of the races of Middle-earth salute you!"

01-30-2012, 09:40 PM	#5
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	I can't do it instantly, (i.e. not before the weekend), but if there's no objection (don't want to tread on anyone's toes), I'd be very happy to type up a summary for the last chapter, as has been done for the previous ones.

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