THE HOBBIT

The prologue to Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS series is lavishly produced by the BBC. In Middle-earth, an unassuming hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is reluctantly whisked off on a quest for treasure by the mysterious wizard, Gandalf. The actors do a first-rate job. A lot of wit as well as loving care went into the dramatization. However, important aural clues are missing, making the action frequently obscure. The producers went a little overboard on sound and music, further muddying things up. This is best enjoyed by those who already know the tale. Y.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]