Just when it seems that there cannot possibly be another twist to the Harry Potter tale, Stephen Fry dons his haughtiest and naughtiest tones to bring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to vibrant life on audio.

Harry Potter has spent the first 10 years of his life at the mercy of the dreadful Dursleys--the aunt, uncle and fat, spoilt brat of a cousin who reluctantly gave him a home after the death of his mother and father. But on his 11th birthday Harry discovers that he is no ordinary boy, and despite the best efforts of his hideous relatives he escapes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his new life as a trainee wizard. And the rest, as they say, is history...

As Harry battles against the evils thrown in his path, Stephen Fry injects the proceedings with a wry, dry and extremely contagious humour that perfectly suits the tale, wringing out the best in Harry and his cohorts as they get to grips with their new lives at the sharp end of Hogwarts. Fry's innate upper-class drone is perfectly suited to the telling of this most magical tale, cracking into the high-pitched squawking of Hermione the swat, or the gentle tones of the firm but fair Dumbledore, or the evil sniping of slimey Snape at precisely the right moments.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fine story and much has been written about its success but until you have heard Fry's cracking reading of this most magical of stories then you simply haven't lived. As with any audio book, this one is perfect for car journeys and an ideal way of introducing reluctant readers to the magic that is Harry Potter. (Ages 9 and over) --Susan Harrison

Better than the book, 11 Mar 2008
The story is well known and you would think that nothing compares to the magic of Harry Potter. Then you discover the wonder of Steven Fry. His unique voice is adapted for every charater perfectly, you always know who is speaking. Steven Fry and Harry Potter really is a magical combination!!!

Stephen Fry is a genious, 02 Mar 2007
Most of these reviews concentrate on praise for J K Rowling, and as I agree with all that has been said, I won't add to them, but instead heap praise onto Stephen Fry. His narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. I would probably never have bothered with Harry Potter if the unabridged Philosopher's Stone had not been broadcast on Boxing Day several years ago. We had a very long drive home after a family visit, and thought that this would wile away at least part of the journey. Part of it! We were completely enthralled all the way home, and then made a dash for the house, and frantically retuned the radio. We sat at the kitchen table until it was finished. We have bought all of the others as they came out, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.

The book I fell in love with., 13 Nov 2005
I’ll never forget the day I first began Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. I believe I can say, with out hesitation, that it changed my life. My friend had received it for her birthday, and she suggested we give it a try. I admit I was curious, but I was not expecting anything spectacular. After all, I was an adult, and these books were for children, right? I’ve never been so wrong in my life. From the start, I was entranced. I had no idea where the story was going, but JK Rowling had me hooked. I lapped it up. I kept wanting more, and by the end, I knew I’d stumbled on to something wondrous. A series that was quite literally addictive. I adored this eleven year old boy, who had captured my heart from the time he was left wrapped in a blanket on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep. My imagination was caught from the moment the tall wizard appeared on a normal suburban street, put out the street lamps, and began sucking on a Sherbet Lemon. This book has seen me through good times and bad. It’s been my friend in unfamiliar places, and comforted me when I was sick. What could’ve been such a simplistic idea (a boy discovering he’s a wizard and being spirited off to magic school) turned out to have so much more to it. Humour, originality, mystery, and above all, plenty of magic. It helped me rediscover books from my childhood that I’d loved, and has lead to what I suspect will be a life long love of fantasy literature. I am now a firm Quidditch fan, and I think Harry’s sighting of his dead parents in a magic mirror is one of the most moving and poignant scenes I’ve ever read. And let’s not forget of course, the truly wonderful narration of Stephen Fry. He really should get an Oscar for all his character portrayals. I’ve never known anyone put so much heart in to what they read. A magical beginning to a magical series.

Harry Potter rulz!, 04 Aug 2005
Harry Potter is an 11 year old bot who goes through lots of challenging things in his live. Firstly he has to stay with the Dursleys (his aunt and uncle) who locks him up in a cupboard and never treat him well. Then one day when he is sleeping on the floor someone bursts in trough the door and explains to Harry that he is a wizard. Harry is startled at first but understands that he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts, a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He soon makes friends and joins in.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Better than the book, 11 Mar 2008
The story is well known and you would think that nothing compares to the magic of Harry Potter. Then you discover the wonder of Steven Fry. His unique voice is adapted for every charater perfectly, you always know who is speaking. Steven Fry and Harry Potter really is a magical combination!!!

Stephen Fry is a genious, 02 Mar 2007
Most of these reviews concentrate on praise for J K Rowling, and as I agree with all that has been said, I won't add to them, but instead heap praise onto Stephen Fry. His narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. I would probably never have bothered with Harry Potter if the unabridged Philosopher's Stone had not been broadcast on Boxing Day several years ago. We had a very long drive home after a family visit, and thought that this would wile away at least part of the journey. Part of it! We were completely enthralled all the way home, and then made a dash for the house, and frantically retuned the radio. We sat at the kitchen table until it was finished. We have bought all of the others as they came out, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.

The book I fell in love with., 13 Nov 2005
I’ll never forget the day I first began Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. I believe I can say, with out hesitation, that it changed my life. My friend had received it for her birthday, and she suggested we give it a try. I admit I was curious, but I was not expecting anything spectacular. After all, I was an adult, and these books were for children, right? I’ve never been so wrong in my life. From the start, I was entranced. I had no idea where the story was going, but JK Rowling had me hooked. I lapped it up. I kept wanting more, and by the end, I knew I’d stumbled on to something wondrous. A series that was quite literally addictive. I adored this eleven year old boy, who had captured my heart from the time he was left wrapped in a blanket on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep. My imagination was caught from the moment the tall wizard appeared on a normal suburban street, put out the street lamps, and began sucking on a Sherbet Lemon. This book has seen me through good times and bad. It’s been my friend in unfamiliar places, and comforted me when I was sick. What could’ve been such a simplistic idea (a boy discovering he’s a wizard and being spirited off to magic school) turned out to have so much more to it. Humour, originality, mystery, and above all, plenty of magic. It helped me rediscover books from my childhood that I’d loved, and has lead to what I suspect will be a life long love of fantasy literature. I am now a firm Quidditch fan, and I think Harry’s sighting of his dead parents in a magic mirror is one of the most moving and poignant scenes I’ve ever read. And let’s not forget of course, the truly wonderful narration of Stephen Fry. He really should get an Oscar for all his character portrayals. I’ve never known anyone put so much heart in to what they read. A magical beginning to a magical series.

Harry Potter rulz!, 04 Aug 2005
Harry Potter is an 11 year old bot who goes through lots of challenging things in his live. Firstly he has to stay with the Dursleys (his aunt and uncle) who locks him up in a cupboard and never treat him well. Then one day when he is sleeping on the floor someone bursts in trough the door and explains to Harry that he is a wizard. Harry is startled at first but understands that he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts, a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He soon makes friends and joins in.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Tams, doing his thing!, 11 Jan 2008
Before watching Sharpe I had never heard of John Tams, and quite frankly my music collection was the poorer for it! This album is a fantastic mix of score from the shows and traditional folk songs of the period performed by Tams and his mate Barry Coope with an amazing guest performance from the wonderful Kate Rusby. A must have for all fans of John Tams, Kate Rusby, Sharpe and great British folk music!

Nar x

Well worth listening to, 16 May 2007
It's perhaps not the best album you'll ever buy,but for Sharpe fans it's a must.
The arrangements are a bit different from the TV series, but so what. John Tam's rendering of 'Over the Hills' and 'The Spanish bride' are brilliant. Equally so the tunes covered by Kate Rusby.
I personally don't think the tunes by the military band add anything, but I still love the album. You can always use the skip button on your CD player!

Different in a good way, 29 Apr 2007
Ok so as other people have said, it isnt necerssarily true to the TV series, over the hills and far away loses some of its charm, however I still find this an excellent album.

The CD gives a good mix of folk and marching music, with some of the arrangements being very well produced. John Tams' music is excellent, and I found the Regimental/ Military music a nice change from the usual folk CD's. Collier Recriut sounds fantastic sung by Kate Rusby, likewise it was nice to hear the full version of Johhny's Gone for a Solider in its true form.

If your excpecting the music as it was on the TV you'll be dissapointed, however if you're willing to listen to it end to end it provides an enjoyable hour or so of easy listening and captivating music.

My one major critisism is the length of some of the songs, Gentleman Soldier to the tune of British Grenadiers would have been far better with a few instrumental versus or even the more tradition lyrics "Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules..." encasing it.

In short, buy it if your willing to listen to something a little different to everything else in your CD collection and dont mind modern instruments used to enhance old music.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE OF IT !, 11 Apr 2007
Being a confirmed "SHARPE" fan ,when Amazon offered the CD I jumped at the chance of buying it, particularly as I had not seen it offered in Australia. I was undetered by the very adverse comments contained in some of the reviews, and generally speaking. I was glad I was.
Thee really should be more of offering embracing as it does both military and social history. Apart from "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" -which appeared in vinyl and was inspired by the seminal book of the same name -it seems a most neglected genre .
Certainly it might have been done better: omissions such as "THE OWL" and particularly, the "RIFLEMAN'S SONG" from the same era are quite surprising . On the other hand, while I notice that a reviwer complains of the brevity of 'THE ROGUES' MARCH" ,that's really all there was. The only possible second verse would be "FIFTY I GOT FOR SELLING MY COAT,FIFTY FOR SELLING MY BLANKET..." as a boast of the number of lashes received as a consequence.
Then we come to the particularly vexed question of how folk songs should be accompanied and presented. The question of whether out-of-period instruments should be used has been a contentious issue from Vaughan Williams to Steeleye Span. Personally, I have no objection providing the 'Spirit" of the song is preserved, which seems to be the case here
In the aforementioned "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" recording ,"OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY" was rendered in its original early 18th.century form:- " QUEEN ANNE COMMANDS AND WE OBEY..." with the vocalist accompanied by a pair of Recorders, yet can it be said that this was a more "authentic" rendition ?

To conclude on a sour note, there is a Horrible Howler perpetrated in the cover notes. According to this source the 95th. were the " Light Brigade"- someone should get Fifty lashes for that!



The Peninsular War condensed into 52 and a half minutes of musical enjoyment., 25 Feb 2007
I've been re-watching Sharpe, and having long-admired the music of the series, decided it was about time I bought the soundtrack.
I must admit that having read the mixed reviews, it was not without a sense of trepidation that I ordered the CD.
I'm happy to report that it lived up to my expectations, and more. From the opening bars of "The Overture" to the closing track, "Sharpe's Song/ Sharpe's Theme", I was captivated and transported to that time and place many of us have grown to love: Spanish mountains, French skies, loyal partisans, valiant heroes and repugnant villains, Waterloo, Wellington and of course, the Ninety-Fifth Rifles.
Let's clear a few things up.
No, not every piece of music recorded for the Sharpe series is on the CD.
Yes, there is plenty from the series, and the other songs - especially the vocal pieces - give a nice "flavour" of both the period and spirit of the Napoleonic Wars.
No, puritans who don't believe old instruments should be mixed with new will not like this.
Yes, everyone else will.

Better than the book, 11 Mar 2008
The story is well known and you would think that nothing compares to the magic of Harry Potter. Then you discover the wonder of Steven Fry. His unique voice is adapted for every charater perfectly, you always know who is speaking. Steven Fry and Harry Potter really is a magical combination!!!

Stephen Fry is a genious, 02 Mar 2007
Most of these reviews concentrate on praise for J K Rowling, and as I agree with all that has been said, I won't add to them, but instead heap praise onto Stephen Fry. His narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. I would probably never have bothered with Harry Potter if the unabridged Philosopher's Stone had not been broadcast on Boxing Day several years ago. We had a very long drive home after a family visit, and thought that this would wile away at least part of the journey. Part of it! We were completely enthralled all the way home, and then made a dash for the house, and frantically retuned the radio. We sat at the kitchen table until it was finished. We have bought all of the others as they came out, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.

The book I fell in love with., 13 Nov 2005
I’ll never forget the day I first began Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. I believe I can say, with out hesitation, that it changed my life. My friend had received it for her birthday, and she suggested we give it a try. I admit I was curious, but I was not expecting anything spectacular. After all, I was an adult, and these books were for children, right? I’ve never been so wrong in my life. From the start, I was entranced. I had no idea where the story was going, but JK Rowling had me hooked. I lapped it up. I kept wanting more, and by the end, I knew I’d stumbled on to something wondrous. A series that was quite literally addictive. I adored this eleven year old boy, who had captured my heart from the time he was left wrapped in a blanket on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep. My imagination was caught from the moment the tall wizard appeared on a normal suburban street, put out the street lamps, and began sucking on a Sherbet Lemon. This book has seen me through good times and bad. It’s been my friend in unfamiliar places, and comforted me when I was sick. What could’ve been such a simplistic idea (a boy discovering he’s a wizard and being spirited off to magic school) turned out to have so much more to it. Humour, originality, mystery, and above all, plenty of magic. It helped me rediscover books from my childhood that I’d loved, and has lead to what I suspect will be a life long love of fantasy literature. I am now a firm Quidditch fan, and I think Harry’s sighting of his dead parents in a magic mirror is one of the most moving and poignant scenes I’ve ever read. And let’s not forget of course, the truly wonderful narration of Stephen Fry. He really should get an Oscar for all his character portrayals. I’ve never known anyone put so much heart in to what they read. A magical beginning to a magical series.

Harry Potter rulz!, 04 Aug 2005
Harry Potter is an 11 year old bot who goes through lots of challenging things in his live. Firstly he has to stay with the Dursleys (his aunt and uncle) who locks him up in a cupboard and never treat him well. Then one day when he is sleeping on the floor someone bursts in trough the door and explains to Harry that he is a wizard. Harry is startled at first but understands that he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts, a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He soon makes friends and joins in.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Tams, doing his thing!, 11 Jan 2008
Before watching Sharpe I had never heard of John Tams, and quite frankly my music collection was the poorer for it! This album is a fantastic mix of score from the shows and traditional folk songs of the period performed by Tams and his mate Barry Coope with an amazing guest performance from the wonderful Kate Rusby. A must have for all fans of John Tams, Kate Rusby, Sharpe and great British folk music!

Nar x

Well worth listening to, 16 May 2007
It's perhaps not the best album you'll ever buy,but for Sharpe fans it's a must.
The arrangements are a bit different from the TV series, but so what. John Tam's rendering of 'Over the Hills' and 'The Spanish bride' are brilliant. Equally so the tunes covered by Kate Rusby.
I personally don't think the tunes by the military band add anything, but I still love the album. You can always use the skip button on your CD player!

Different in a good way, 29 Apr 2007
Ok so as other people have said, it isnt necerssarily true to the TV series, over the hills and far away loses some of its charm, however I still find this an excellent album.

The CD gives a good mix of folk and marching music, with some of the arrangements being very well produced. John Tams' music is excellent, and I found the Regimental/ Military music a nice change from the usual folk CD's. Collier Recriut sounds fantastic sung by Kate Rusby, likewise it was nice to hear the full version of Johhny's Gone for a Solider in its true form.

If your excpecting the music as it was on the TV you'll be dissapointed, however if you're willing to listen to it end to end it provides an enjoyable hour or so of easy listening and captivating music.

My one major critisism is the length of some of the songs, Gentleman Soldier to the tune of British Grenadiers would have been far better with a few instrumental versus or even the more tradition lyrics "Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules..." encasing it.

In short, buy it if your willing to listen to something a little different to everything else in your CD collection and dont mind modern instruments used to enhance old music.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE OF IT !, 11 Apr 2007
Being a confirmed "SHARPE" fan ,when Amazon offered the CD I jumped at the chance of buying it, particularly as I had not seen it offered in Australia. I was undetered by the very adverse comments contained in some of the reviews, and generally speaking. I was glad I was.
Thee really should be more of offering embracing as it does both military and social history. Apart from "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" -which appeared in vinyl and was inspired by the seminal book of the same name -it seems a most neglected genre .
Certainly it might have been done better: omissions such as "THE OWL" and particularly, the "RIFLEMAN'S SONG" from the same era are quite surprising . On the other hand, while I notice that a reviwer complains of the brevity of 'THE ROGUES' MARCH" ,that's really all there was. The only possible second verse would be "FIFTY I GOT FOR SELLING MY COAT,FIFTY FOR SELLING MY BLANKET..." as a boast of the number of lashes received as a consequence.
Then we come to the particularly vexed question of how folk songs should be accompanied and presented. The question of whether out-of-period instruments should be used has been a contentious issue from Vaughan Williams to Steeleye Span. Personally, I have no objection providing the 'Spirit" of the song is preserved, which seems to be the case here
In the aforementioned "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" recording ,"OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY" was rendered in its original early 18th.century form:- " QUEEN ANNE COMMANDS AND WE OBEY..." with the vocalist accompanied by a pair of Recorders, yet can it be said that this was a more "authentic" rendition ?

To conclude on a sour note, there is a Horrible Howler perpetrated in the cover notes. According to this source the 95th. were the " Light Brigade"- someone should get Fifty lashes for that!



The Peninsular War condensed into 52 and a half minutes of musical enjoyment., 25 Feb 2007
I've been re-watching Sharpe, and having long-admired the music of the series, decided it was about time I bought the soundtrack.
I must admit that having read the mixed reviews, it was not without a sense of trepidation that I ordered the CD.
I'm happy to report that it lived up to my expectations, and more. From the opening bars of "The Overture" to the closing track, "Sharpe's Song/ Sharpe's Theme", I was captivated and transported to that time and place many of us have grown to love: Spanish mountains, French skies, loyal partisans, valiant heroes and repugnant villains, Waterloo, Wellington and of course, the Ninety-Fifth Rifles.
Let's clear a few things up.
No, not every piece of music recorded for the Sharpe series is on the CD.
Yes, there is plenty from the series, and the other songs - especially the vocal pieces - give a nice "flavour" of both the period and spirit of the Napoleonic Wars.
No, puritans who don't believe old instruments should be mixed with new will not like this.
Yes, everyone else will.

Music at a Master level, 12 Jun 2008
I purchased these CDs individually as and when they were originally released. I have to say that the Fellowship of the Ring is my favourite, by the way. However, I also bought the extremely deluxe 4 disc (or in the case of ROTK, 5 disc) sets when the 'complete' scores were released (also worth buying, despite their price). One thing the 'complete' scores don't have is the first track from FOTR - "The Prophecy" (though parts of it exist in the 'complete' score). If you're a soundtrack enthusiast, then small variations or alternate takes presented here in the 'limited' 1-disc releases will interest you. In The Two Towers, for example, you here different mixes and end of cues not heard in the 'complete' scores, the same stands for Return of the King. And if like many, you think the LOTR is a bit too long to sit and watch in one sitting, then this one disc-a-film release (basically a third of the music Howard Shore composed) will suit you nicely, though really you're missing a lot of gems that are to be found in the 'Complete Recordings', also available on Amazon.
Great listening for great filmmaking.

Experience the film again and again through this soundtrack, 26 Jan 2007
While there are many fine film soundtracks, this is one that stands on its own as music.

The signature refrains such as those for the Riders of Rohan and the Uruk-hai transport you instantly to Middle Earth.

While I'm not a classical music listener as a rule, as a fan of the film, this soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to both work and relaxation.

This soundtrack is a must for any LOTR fan.

Very Good, 03 Jan 2007
If you've seen the film you will know the tunes inside out I would imagine, and here they are for your personal enjoyment. The composition is so varied, and there are some truly evocative numbers on here. Howard Shore did a remarkable job really here. It is true that the Return of the King lacks something, but this is more than made up for by the first two which possess music for all tastes and moods.
Wasn't sure about the cards you get free with this though, of the members of the cast. All seemed a bit gimicky to me. There are reasons this soundtrack has one awards, not least of which being the 'best original score' Oscar.
Of course, the fact that you get all 3 for a reasonable price is the true bonus, and if your reading this its probably just a matter of deciding which one to get. Get this one, trust me.

An Astonishing Musical Masterpiece, 20 May 2006
This is without a doubt the best soundtrack ever. A lot of original soundtracks that are released are boring and flat, however this is unbelievably good. The music is excellent all the way through and is a real pleasure to listen to. The Return of the King Soundtrack won the Academy Award for best Original Soundtrack and it is clear to see why. The theme songs to the films are especially good. 'Gollum's Song' by Emilliana Torrini is a beautiful, haunting melody, and 'Into the West' by Annie Lennox is a truly breathtaking masterpiece ('Into the West' also won the Academy Award for best original song). The one thing I was disappointed by is that it does not contain 'With a Sigh' by Liv Tyler from the extended version of the Return of the King. (It is the song played when Eowyn is in the houses of healing). Overall this soundtrack is a must for all Lord Of The Rings fans and is also strongly reccomended to people who do not like the films as the music is a masterpiece in its own right. Enjoy!

Wonderful, 04 May 2006
This is one of the best soundtracks I've ever listened to.. The music is brilliant and the song "Into the West" by Annie Lennox is beautiful.. You should definetly buy this if you love Lord of the Rings.. And if you don't like LotR.. Then you should buy it anyway.. It's brilliant..!

Better than the book, 11 Mar 2008
The story is well known and you would think that nothing compares to the magic of Harry Potter. Then you discover the wonder of Steven Fry. His unique voice is adapted for every charater perfectly, you always know who is speaking. Steven Fry and Harry Potter really is a magical combination!!!

Stephen Fry is a genious, 02 Mar 2007
Most of these reviews concentrate on praise for J K Rowling, and as I agree with all that has been said, I won't add to them, but instead heap praise onto Stephen Fry. His narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. I would probably never have bothered with Harry Potter if the unabridged Philosopher's Stone had not been broadcast on Boxing Day several years ago. We had a very long drive home after a family visit, and thought that this would wile away at least part of the journey. Part of it! We were completely enthralled all the way home, and then made a dash for the house, and frantically retuned the radio. We sat at the kitchen table until it was finished. We have bought all of the others as they came out, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.

The book I fell in love with., 13 Nov 2005
I’ll never forget the day I first began Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. I believe I can say, with out hesitation, that it changed my life. My friend had received it for her birthday, and she suggested we give it a try. I admit I was curious, but I was not expecting anything spectacular. After all, I was an adult, and these books were for children, right? I’ve never been so wrong in my life. From the start, I was entranced. I had no idea where the story was going, but JK Rowling had me hooked. I lapped it up. I kept wanting more, and by the end, I knew I’d stumbled on to something wondrous. A series that was quite literally addictive. I adored this eleven year old boy, who had captured my heart from the time he was left wrapped in a blanket on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep. My imagination was caught from the moment the tall wizard appeared on a normal suburban street, put out the street lamps, and began sucking on a Sherbet Lemon. This book has seen me through good times and bad. It’s been my friend in unfamiliar places, and comforted me when I was sick. What could’ve been such a simplistic idea (a boy discovering he’s a wizard and being spirited off to magic school) turned out to have so much more to it. Humour, originality, mystery, and above all, plenty of magic. It helped me rediscover books from my childhood that I’d loved, and has lead to what I suspect will be a life long love of fantasy literature. I am now a firm Quidditch fan, and I think Harry’s sighting of his dead parents in a magic mirror is one of the most moving and poignant scenes I’ve ever read. And let’s not forget of course, the truly wonderful narration of Stephen Fry. He really should get an Oscar for all his character portrayals. I’ve never known anyone put so much heart in to what they read. A magical beginning to a magical series.

Harry Potter rulz!, 04 Aug 2005
Harry Potter is an 11 year old bot who goes through lots of challenging things in his live. Firstly he has to stay with the Dursleys (his aunt and uncle) who locks him up in a cupboard and never treat him well. Then one day when he is sleeping on the floor someone bursts in trough the door and explains to Harry that he is a wizard. Harry is startled at first but understands that he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts, a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He soon makes friends and joins in.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Tams, doing his thing!, 11 Jan 2008
Before watching Sharpe I had never heard of John Tams, and quite frankly my music collection was the poorer for it! This album is a fantastic mix of score from the shows and traditional folk songs of the period performed by Tams and his mate Barry Coope with an amazing guest performance from the wonderful Kate Rusby. A must have for all fans of John Tams, Kate Rusby, Sharpe and great British folk music!

Nar x

Well worth listening to, 16 May 2007
It's perhaps not the best album you'll ever buy,but for Sharpe fans it's a must.
The arrangements are a bit different from the TV series, but so what. John Tam's rendering of 'Over the Hills' and 'The Spanish bride' are brilliant. Equally so the tunes covered by Kate Rusby.
I personally don't think the tunes by the military band add anything, but I still love the album. You can always use the skip button on your CD player!

Different in a good way, 29 Apr 2007
Ok so as other people have said, it isnt necerssarily true to the TV series, over the hills and far away loses some of its charm, however I still find this an excellent album.

The CD gives a good mix of folk and marching music, with some of the arrangements being very well produced. John Tams' music is excellent, and I found the Regimental/ Military music a nice change from the usual folk CD's. Collier Recriut sounds fantastic sung by Kate Rusby, likewise it was nice to hear the full version of Johhny's Gone for a Solider in its true form.

If your excpecting the music as it was on the TV you'll be dissapointed, however if you're willing to listen to it end to end it provides an enjoyable hour or so of easy listening and captivating music.

My one major critisism is the length of some of the songs, Gentleman Soldier to the tune of British Grenadiers would have been far better with a few instrumental versus or even the more tradition lyrics "Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules..." encasing it.

In short, buy it if your willing to listen to something a little different to everything else in your CD collection and dont mind modern instruments used to enhance old music.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE OF IT !, 11 Apr 2007
Being a confirmed "SHARPE" fan ,when Amazon offered the CD I jumped at the chance of buying it, particularly as I had not seen it offered in Australia. I was undetered by the very adverse comments contained in some of the reviews, and generally speaking. I was glad I was.
Thee really should be more of offering embracing as it does both military and social history. Apart from "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" -which appeared in vinyl and was inspired by the seminal book of the same name -it seems a most neglected genre .
Certainly it might have been done better: omissions such as "THE OWL" and particularly, the "RIFLEMAN'S SONG" from the same era are quite surprising . On the other hand, while I notice that a reviwer complains of the brevity of 'THE ROGUES' MARCH" ,that's really all there was. The only possible second verse would be "FIFTY I GOT FOR SELLING MY COAT,FIFTY FOR SELLING MY BLANKET..." as a boast of the number of lashes received as a consequence.
Then we come to the particularly vexed question of how folk songs should be accompanied and presented. The question of whether out-of-period instruments should be used has been a contentious issue from Vaughan Williams to Steeleye Span. Personally, I have no objection providing the 'Spirit" of the song is preserved, which seems to be the case here
In the aforementioned "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" recording ,"OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY" was rendered in its original early 18th.century form:- " QUEEN ANNE COMMANDS AND WE OBEY..." with the vocalist accompanied by a pair of Recorders, yet can it be said that this was a more "authentic" rendition ?

To conclude on a sour note, there is a Horrible Howler perpetrated in the cover notes. According to this source the 95th. were the " Light Brigade"- someone should get Fifty lashes for that!



The Peninsular War condensed into 52 and a half minutes of musical enjoyment., 25 Feb 2007
I've been re-watching Sharpe, and having long-admired the music of the series, decided it was about time I bought the soundtrack.
I must admit that having read the mixed reviews, it was not without a sense of trepidation that I ordered the CD.
I'm happy to report that it lived up to my expectations, and more. From the opening bars of "The Overture" to the closing track, "Sharpe's Song/ Sharpe's Theme", I was captivated and transported to that time and place many of us have grown to love: Spanish mountains, French skies, loyal partisans, valiant heroes and repugnant villains, Waterloo, Wellington and of course, the Ninety-Fifth Rifles.
Let's clear a few things up.
No, not every piece of music recorded for the Sharpe series is on the CD.
Yes, there is plenty from the series, and the other songs - especially the vocal pieces - give a nice "flavour" of both the period and spirit of the Napoleonic Wars.
No, puritans who don't believe old instruments should be mixed with new will not like this.
Yes, everyone else will.

Music at a Master level, 12 Jun 2008
I purchased these CDs individually as and when they were originally released. I have to say that the Fellowship of the Ring is my favourite, by the way. However, I also bought the extremely deluxe 4 disc (or in the case of ROTK, 5 disc) sets when the 'complete' scores were released (also worth buying, despite their price). One thing the 'complete' scores don't have is the first track from FOTR - "The Prophecy" (though parts of it exist in the 'complete' score). If you're a soundtrack enthusiast, then small variations or alternate takes presented here in the 'limited' 1-disc releases will interest you. In The Two Towers, for example, you here different mixes and end of cues not heard in the 'complete' scores, the same stands for Return of the King. And if like many, you think the LOTR is a bit too long to sit and watch in one sitting, then this one disc-a-film release (basically a third of the music Howard Shore composed) will suit you nicely, though really you're missing a lot of gems that are to be found in the 'Complete Recordings', also available on Amazon.
Great listening for great filmmaking.

Experience the film again and again through this soundtrack, 26 Jan 2007
While there are many fine film soundtracks, this is one that stands on its own as music.

The signature refrains such as those for the Riders of Rohan and the Uruk-hai transport you instantly to Middle Earth.

While I'm not a classical music listener as a rule, as a fan of the film, this soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to both work and relaxation.

This soundtrack is a must for any LOTR fan.

Very Good, 03 Jan 2007
If you've seen the film you will know the tunes inside out I would imagine, and here they are for your personal enjoyment. The composition is so varied, and there are some truly evocative numbers on here. Howard Shore did a remarkable job really here. It is true that the Return of the King lacks something, but this is more than made up for by the first two which possess music for all tastes and moods.
Wasn't sure about the cards you get free with this though, of the members of the cast. All seemed a bit gimicky to me. There are reasons this soundtrack has one awards, not least of which being the 'best original score' Oscar.
Of course, the fact that you get all 3 for a reasonable price is the true bonus, and if your reading this its probably just a matter of deciding which one to get. Get this one, trust me.

An Astonishing Musical Masterpiece, 20 May 2006
This is without a doubt the best soundtrack ever. A lot of original soundtracks that are released are boring and flat, however this is unbelievably good. The music is excellent all the way through and is a real pleasure to listen to. The Return of the King Soundtrack won the Academy Award for best Original Soundtrack and it is clear to see why. The theme songs to the films are especially good. 'Gollum's Song' by Emilliana Torrini is a beautiful, haunting melody, and 'Into the West' by Annie Lennox is a truly breathtaking masterpiece ('Into the West' also won the Academy Award for best original song). The one thing I was disappointed by is that it does not contain 'With a Sigh' by Liv Tyler from the extended version of the Return of the King. (It is the song played when Eowyn is in the houses of healing). Overall this soundtrack is a must for all Lord Of The Rings fans and is also strongly reccomended to people who do not like the films as the music is a masterpiece in its own right. Enjoy!

Wonderful, 04 May 2006
This is one of the best soundtracks I've ever listened to.. The music is brilliant and the song "Into the West" by Annie Lennox is beautiful.. You should definetly buy this if you love Lord of the Rings.. And if you don't like LotR.. Then you should buy it anyway.. It's brilliant..!

Glorious!, 21 Nov 2008
A glorious, faithful, moving dramatisation of the complete Lord of The Rings trilogy, with inspired casting and superb music. Very faithful to the book: it omits only the Tom Bombadil section, and retains all major scenes albeit in shortened form. I particularly appreciated that the adapters were careful to retain the integrity of each of Tolkien's characters and tell the story in chronological order.

This fine production is enhanced by the inspired voice casting, especially in the principal roles. The pronunciation used is quite 'Queen's English', which might come as a bit of a shock if you're expecting it to be as modern-day as the Peter Jackson films, but in fact the voices fit very well with the formality of Tolkien's original dialogue and they sound exactly right. Especially wonderful are Bill Nighy as the irrepressible and doughty Samwise, Peter Woodthorpe as hissing gangrel Gollum, Michael Horden as wise and stern Gandalf, Peter Howell as the traitorous Saruman and Andrew Sear as gentle Faramir. Initally I thought that Robert Stephens' Aragorn was a little too regal-sounding, but as the story progressed I appreciated just how fine his voice was to portray the proud and patient Future King. I also liked Gerard Murphy's quiet and solemn narration. By the end of the production the only voice that sounded out of place to me was that of the rather slack-vowelled announcer who reads each book's closing credits.

With 13 hours of audio I felt that nothing had been skipped in the telling, and that sufficient time had been given to each of the interweaving tales. The dramatisation is enthralling throughout, and in places so moving and atmospheric that the hairs rose on the back of my neck. 'The Paths of The Dead' is a particular favourite - very spooky!

Personally I also loved Stephen Oliver's music (except, perhaps, for the discordant song of the Eagles!). There are beautiful and memorable tracks interspersed throughout the drama and I appreciated having the extra CD of his complete musical score - though I'd have preferred if they'd included Bill Nighy's simple, unaccompanied version of the haunting 'Gil-galad was an Elven King' that was used in the production.

All in all an excellent buy and very good value for money, especially since I've already listened to the whole boxset several times in the 6 weeks since I bought it. (A brilliant accompaniment to redecorating!) These characters and their glorious tale are now very dear to me, thanks to this splendid production. It's even prompted me to re-read Tolkien's novels and rediscover the story again in its original form.


WORTH THE MONEY - LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN RIOT!!, 05 Jun 2008
There's no getting away from the fact this is pricey but it's worth it!
It's VERY atmospheric with really strong performances from an all British cast. It's NOT an audio book ! There is a central narrator, but every character has it's own individual performance/actor, there are some fantastic (& never cheesy!) Sound FX and subtle uses of suitably grand, orchestral pieces. I certainly can't imagine much better on the Radio back in 1981 - the WHOLE tale fom start to finish!
The beauty of this is that you can indulge your imagination. Definiteley one for a hot bath & the lights out! It's inevitable that comparisons will be made with the Movie trilogy & it is impossible to prevent Peter Jackson's wonderful images occasionally seeping into the mind's eye but this was made nearly two decades before and is it's own beast. I enjoyed the somewhat flawed (and incomplete!) 1978 animated feature but this is better. It cannot be as spectacular as Jackson's films but it's just, if not MORE, faithful and is as enjoyable in it's own manner. The Mines Of Moria is a particular treat - you can almost FEEL the Dark around you!
Standout performances: Michael Hordern as Gandalf & Robert Stephens as Aragorn. Peter Woodthorpe also returns to voice the slimy Gollum as he did in Ralph Bakshi's movie.
An essential for all Tolkien/Fantasy fans.
Incidentally, if you also like rock/metal, I would recommend an Austrian symphonic metal band called Summoning. These guys are MASSIVE Tolkien addicts and base their music around Middle Earth. It's harsh and dark at times but also grandiose & epic. They use samples from the PJ movies & this BBC radio dramatisation, and are really good IF you like music that's on the extreme side ala Dimmu Borgir.

Amazing, well crafted dramatization of a first class tale, 04 Apr 2008
When I first received this gift, and a fantastic gift it was, I was curious at how the BBC was going to approach such a long and complicated novel. By fears were founded on nothing. The acting is simply superb and although made many years ago, it still sounds fresh and new to this very day. LIstening to this audiobook brings you directly into the world of the Lord of the Rings and leaves your heart racing throughout.

I recommend this for long car journeys and any fan of the LotR franchise

This is it - the First full version to appear on radio., 09 Sep 2007
This is the CD collection of the wonderful BBC Radio adaptation of the Lord of the Rings. I remember tuning in every week to listen to the next installment, and wishing that they were longer! I loved it then; I loved it when it became available on cassettes and I love it now on CD.
I first read Lord of the Rings as I entered my teens. Then I struggled with the pronuciation of the names and the Sindarian quotes. But I read it, re-read it and continue to re-read it to this day more than 40 years down the road. These books are rightly famous and this radio epic has achieved its own status. It was the 'First'. The characterisation was wonderful then and even managed to enter the wonderful triology by Peter Jackson in the person of Ian Holm.
Of necessity this, like the films that followed, was an 'abridged' version. Hardly surprising given the length of the books. The pictures are, of course, better on radio than on any screen and I found myself enjoying anew the tale as told by the Beeb.
Long may they continue to turn out drama of this quality!

yet to be bettered, 06 Jul 2004
The great glory of literature is that the reader can develop their own vision of the author's world; this is, of course, also the great glory of radio. Rather than spoon-feed an audience with the director's own imagination, you stimulate theirs, and so enrich the whole experience.

This production of Lord of the Rings is no exception. Whilst I do enjoy Peter Jackson's films, there are of course areas where I feel he has it completely wrong (almost inevitable given the length and depth of the books): compressing distances and times, over-enthusiastic editing of the "slower movements" and expansion of the action, insertion of some (stupefyingly silly) plot lines (which detracted from the story rather than adding to it) and a general "dumbing down" of Tolkein's masterpiece. Whilst the BBC has edited certain sections (the main omission being the Old Forest/Tom Bombadil), they have been more faithful to the overall feel of Tolkein's world and the themes running through the books, and they certainly haven't fallen into the traps which snared Jackson: namely, underestimating your audience and catering for the lowest common denominator.

This production provides superb acting (the casting was inspired), ground-breaking sound effects and a directorial pacing which drives the narrative at an engaging rate whilst allowing the story and characters to breathe. I first heard it during its second airing when I was around 10 years old, having recently read the books. This edition is of course slightly different from the original broadcast, with each episode shorn of it's "top and tail" necessary for broadcast, but with added narration from Ian Holme. Whilst I am not convinced that his addition enhances the production, it does not detract, and the lack of the half-hourly cast list certainly improves the listening experience.

On balance I feel this is the better version to listen to than the original production, although it would benefit from the original boxing/maps rather than the less atttractive generic packaging that it comes in now. Perhaps the BBC will revert to the old style- here's hoping!

I would certainly recommend this, both to those who have only seen the films, and to those who have "only" read the books.

Oh, and by the way. Peter Jackson DID hear this before he made the films. I only wish he's taken a little more notice. The pictures are always better on the radio.

As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief… or will it?

Book five in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teenager. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny from the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth: that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toad-like and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of defence against dark arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the high inquisitor of Hogwarts. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their examinations, devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team line-up, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. Harry faces the thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be fallible, and matters that seemed black and white suddenly come out in shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused (especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energised as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvellous magical series. --Emilie Coulter

Better than the book, 11 Mar 2008
The story is well known and you would think that nothing compares to the magic of Harry Potter. Then you discover the wonder of Steven Fry. His unique voice is adapted for every charater perfectly, you always know who is speaking. Steven Fry and Harry Potter really is a magical combination!!!

Stephen Fry is a genious, 02 Mar 2007
Most of these reviews concentrate on praise for J K Rowling, and as I agree with all that has been said, I won't add to them, but instead heap praise onto Stephen Fry. His narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. I would probably never have bothered with Harry Potter if the unabridged Philosopher's Stone had not been broadcast on Boxing Day several years ago. We had a very long drive home after a family visit, and thought that this would wile away at least part of the journey. Part of it! We were completely enthralled all the way home, and then made a dash for the house, and frantically retuned the radio. We sat at the kitchen table until it was finished. We have bought all of the others as they came out, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.

The book I fell in love with., 13 Nov 2005
I’ll never forget the day I first began Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. I believe I can say, with out hesitation, that it changed my life. My friend had received it for her birthday, and she suggested we give it a try. I admit I was curious, but I was not expecting anything spectacular. After all, I was an adult, and these books were for children, right? I’ve never been so wrong in my life. From the start, I was entranced. I had no idea where the story was going, but JK Rowling had me hooked. I lapped it up. I kept wanting more, and by the end, I knew I’d stumbled on to something wondrous. A series that was quite literally addictive. I adored this eleven year old boy, who had captured my heart from the time he was left wrapped in a blanket on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep. My imagination was caught from the moment the tall wizard appeared on a normal suburban street, put out the street lamps, and began sucking on a Sherbet Lemon. This book has seen me through good times and bad. It’s been my friend in unfamiliar places, and comforted me when I was sick. What could’ve been such a simplistic idea (a boy discovering he’s a wizard and being spirited off to magic school) turned out to have so much more to it. Humour, originality, mystery, and above all, plenty of magic. It helped me rediscover books from my childhood that I’d loved, and has lead to what I suspect will be a life long love of fantasy literature. I am now a firm Quidditch fan, and I think Harry’s sighting of his dead parents in a magic mirror is one of the most moving and poignant scenes I’ve ever read. And let’s not forget of course, the truly wonderful narration of Stephen Fry. He really should get an Oscar for all his character portrayals. I’ve never known anyone put so much heart in to what they read. A magical beginning to a magical series.

Harry Potter rulz!, 04 Aug 2005
Harry Potter is an 11 year old bot who goes through lots of challenging things in his live. Firstly he has to stay with the Dursleys (his aunt and uncle) who locks him up in a cupboard and never treat him well. Then one day when he is sleeping on the floor someone bursts in trough the door and explains to Harry that he is a wizard. Harry is startled at first but understands that he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts, a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He soon makes friends and joins in.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Tams, doing his thing!, 11 Jan 2008
Before watching Sharpe I had never heard of John Tams, and quite frankly my music collection was the poorer for it! This album is a fantastic mix of score from the shows and traditional folk songs of the period performed by Tams and his mate Barry Coope with an amazing guest performance from the wonderful Kate Rusby. A must have for all fans of John Tams, Kate Rusby, Sharpe and great British folk music!

Nar x

Well worth listening to, 16 May 2007
It's perhaps not the best album you'll ever buy,but for Sharpe fans it's a must.
The arrangements are a bit different from the TV series, but so what. John Tam's rendering of 'Over the Hills' and 'The Spanish bride' are brilliant. Equally so the tunes covered by Kate Rusby.
I personally don't think the tunes by the military band add anything, but I still love the album. You can always use the skip button on your CD player!

Different in a good way, 29 Apr 2007
Ok so as other people have said, it isnt necerssarily true to the TV series, over the hills and far away loses some of its charm, however I still find this an excellent album.

The CD gives a good mix of folk and marching music, with some of the arrangements being very well produced. John Tams' music is excellent, and I found the Regimental/ Military music a nice change from the usual folk CD's. Collier Recriut sounds fantastic sung by Kate Rusby, likewise it was nice to hear the full version of Johhny's Gone for a Solider in its true form.

If your excpecting the music as it was on the TV you'll be dissapointed, however if you're willing to listen to it end to end it provides an enjoyable hour or so of easy listening and captivating music.

My one major critisism is the length of some of the songs, Gentleman Soldier to the tune of British Grenadiers would have been far better with a few instrumental versus or even the more tradition lyrics "Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules..." encasing it.

In short, buy it if your willing to listen to something a little different to everything else in your CD collection and dont mind modern instruments used to enhance old music.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE OF IT !, 11 Apr 2007
Being a confirmed "SHARPE" fan ,when Amazon offered the CD I jumped at the chance of buying it, particularly as I had not seen it offered in Australia. I was undetered by the very adverse comments contained in some of the reviews, and generally speaking. I was glad I was.
Thee really should be more of offering embracing as it does both military and social history. Apart from "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" -which appeared in vinyl and was inspired by the seminal book of the same name -it seems a most neglected genre .
Certainly it might have been done better: omissions such as "THE OWL" and particularly, the "RIFLEMAN'S SONG" from the same era are quite surprising . On the other hand, while I notice that a reviwer complains of the brevity of 'THE ROGUES' MARCH" ,that's really all there was. The only possible second verse would be "FIFTY I GOT FOR SELLING MY COAT,FIFTY FOR SELLING MY BLANKET..." as a boast of the number of lashes received as a consequence.
Then we come to the particularly vexed question of how folk songs should be accompanied and presented. The question of whether out-of-period instruments should be used has been a contentious issue from Vaughan Williams to Steeleye Span. Personally, I have no objection providing the 'Spirit" of the song is preserved, which seems to be the case here
In the aforementioned "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" recording ,"OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY" was rendered in its original early 18th.century form:- " QUEEN ANNE COMMANDS AND WE OBEY..." with the vocalist accompanied by a pair of Recorders, yet can it be said that this was a more "authentic" rendition ?

To conclude on a sour note, there is a Horrible Howler perpetrated in the cover notes. According to this source the 95th. were the " Light Brigade"- someone should get Fifty lashes for that!



The Peninsular War condensed into 52 and a half minutes of musical enjoyment., 25 Feb 2007
I've been re-watching Sharpe, and having long-admired the music of the series, decided it was about time I bought the soundtrack.
I must admit that having read the mixed reviews, it was not without a sense of trepidation that I ordered the CD.
I'm happy to report that it lived up to my expectations, and more. From the opening bars of "The Overture" to the closing track, "Sharpe's Song/ Sharpe's Theme", I was captivated and transported to that time and place many of us have grown to love: Spanish mountains, French skies, loyal partisans, valiant heroes and repugnant villains, Waterloo, Wellington and of course, the Ninety-Fifth Rifles.
Let's clear a few things up.
No, not every piece of music recorded for the Sharpe series is on the CD.
Yes, there is plenty from the series, and the other songs - especially the vocal pieces - give a nice "flavour" of both the period and spirit of the Napoleonic Wars.
No, puritans who don't believe old instruments should be mixed with new will not like this.
Yes, everyone else will.

Music at a Master level, 12 Jun 2008
I purchased these CDs individually as and when they were originally released. I have to say that the Fellowship of the Ring is my favourite, by the way. However, I also bought the extremely deluxe 4 disc (or in the case of ROTK, 5 disc) sets when the 'complete' scores were released (also worth buying, despite their price). One thing the 'complete' scores don't have is the first track from FOTR - "The Prophecy" (though parts of it exist in the 'complete' score). If you're a soundtrack enthusiast, then small variations or alternate takes presented here in the 'limited' 1-disc releases will interest you. In The Two Towers, for example, you here different mixes and end of cues not heard in the 'complete' scores, the same stands for Return of the King. And if like many, you think the LOTR is a bit too long to sit and watch in one sitting, then this one disc-a-film release (basically a third of the music Howard Shore composed) will suit you nicely, though really you're missing a lot of gems that are to be found in the 'Complete Recordings', also available on Amazon.
Great listening for great filmmaking.

Experience the film again and again through this soundtrack, 26 Jan 2007
While there are many fine film soundtracks, this is one that stands on its own as music.

The signature refrains such as those for the Riders of Rohan and the Uruk-hai transport you instantly to Middle Earth.

While I'm not a classical music listener as a rule, as a fan of the film, this soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to both work and relaxation.

This soundtrack is a must for any LOTR fan.

Very Good, 03 Jan 2007
If you've seen the film you will know the tunes inside out I would imagine, and here they are for your personal enjoyment. The composition is so varied, and there are some truly evocative numbers on here. Howard Shore did a remarkable job really here. It is true that the Return of the King lacks something, but this is more than made up for by the first two which possess music for all tastes and moods.
Wasn't sure about the cards you get free with this though, of the members of the cast. All seemed a bit gimicky to me. There are reasons this soundtrack has one awards, not least of which being the 'best original score' Oscar.
Of course, the fact that you get all 3 for a reasonable price is the true bonus, and if your reading this its probably just a matter of deciding which one to get. Get this one, trust me.

An Astonishing Musical Masterpiece, 20 May 2006
This is without a doubt the best soundtrack ever. A lot of original soundtracks that are released are boring and flat, however this is unbelievably good. The music is excellent all the way through and is a real pleasure to listen to. The Return of the King Soundtrack won the Academy Award for best Original Soundtrack and it is clear to see why. The theme songs to the films are especially good. 'Gollum's Song' by Emilliana Torrini is a beautiful, haunting melody, and 'Into the West' by Annie Lennox is a truly breathtaking masterpiece ('Into the West' also won the Academy Award for best original song). The one thing I was disappointed by is that it does not contain 'With a Sigh' by Liv Tyler from the extended version of the Return of the King. (It is the song played when Eowyn is in the houses of healing). Overall this soundtrack is a must for all Lord Of The Rings fans and is also strongly reccomended to people who do not like the films as the music is a masterpiece in its own right. Enjoy!

Wonderful, 04 May 2006
This is one of the best soundtracks I've ever listened to.. The music is brilliant and the song "Into the West" by Annie Lennox is beautiful.. You should definetly buy this if you love Lord of the Rings.. And if you don't like LotR.. Then you should buy it anyway.. It's brilliant..!

Glorious!, 21 Nov 2008
A glorious, faithful, moving dramatisation of the complete Lord of The Rings trilogy, with inspired casting and superb music. Very faithful to the book: it omits only the Tom Bombadil section, and retains all major scenes albeit in shortened form. I particularly appreciated that the adapters were careful to retain the integrity of each of Tolkien's characters and tell the story in chronological order.

This fine production is enhanced by the inspired voice casting, especially in the principal roles. The pronunciation used is quite 'Queen's English', which might come as a bit of a shock if you're expecting it to be as modern-day as the Peter Jackson films, but in fact the voices fit very well with the formality of Tolkien's original dialogue and they sound exactly right. Especially wonderful are Bill Nighy as the irrepressible and doughty Samwise, Peter Woodthorpe as hissing gangrel Gollum, Michael Horden as wise and stern Gandalf, Peter Howell as the traitorous Saruman and Andrew Sear as gentle Faramir. Initally I thought that Robert Stephens' Aragorn was a little too regal-sounding, but as the story progressed I appreciated just how fine his voice was to portray the proud and patient Future King. I also liked Gerard Murphy's quiet and solemn narration. By the end of the production the only voice that sounded out of place to me was that of the rather slack-vowelled announcer who reads each book's closing credits.

With 13 hours of audio I felt that nothing had been skipped in the telling, and that sufficient time had been given to each of the interweaving tales. The dramatisation is enthralling throughout, and in places so moving and atmospheric that the hairs rose on the back of my neck. 'The Paths of The Dead' is a particular favourite - very spooky!

Personally I also loved Stephen Oliver's music (except, perhaps, for the discordant song of the Eagles!). There are beautiful and memorable tracks interspersed throughout the drama and I appreciated having the extra CD of his complete musical score - though I'd have preferred if they'd included Bill Nighy's simple, unaccompanied version of the haunting 'Gil-galad was an Elven King' that was used in the production.

All in all an excellent buy and very good value for money, especially since I've already listened to the whole boxset several times in the 6 weeks since I bought it. (A brilliant accompaniment to redecorating!) These characters and their glorious tale are now very dear to me, thanks to this splendid production. It's even prompted me to re-read Tolkien's novels and rediscover the story again in its original form.


WORTH THE MONEY - LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN RIOT!!, 05 Jun 2008
There's no getting away from the fact this is pricey but it's worth it!
It's VERY atmospheric with really strong performances from an all British cast. It's NOT an audio book ! There is a central narrator, but every character has it's own individual performance/actor, there are some fantastic (& never cheesy!) Sound FX and subtle uses of suitably grand, orchestral pieces. I certainly can't imagine much better on the Radio back in 1981 - the WHOLE tale fom start to finish!
The beauty of this is that you can indulge your imagination. Definiteley one for a hot bath & the lights out! It's inevitable that comparisons will be made with the Movie trilogy & it is impossible to prevent Peter Jackson's wonderful images occasionally seeping into the mind's eye but this was made nearly two decades before and is it's own beast. I enjoyed the somewhat flawed (and incomplete!) 1978 animated feature but this is better. It cannot be as spectacular as Jackson's films but it's just, if not MORE, faithful and is as enjoyable in it's own manner. The Mines Of Moria is a particular treat - you can almost FEEL the Dark around you!
Standout performances: Michael Hordern as Gandalf & Robert Stephens as Aragorn. Peter Woodthorpe also returns to voice the slimy Gollum as he did in Ralph Bakshi's movie.
An essential for all Tolkien/Fantasy fans.
Incidentally, if you also like rock/metal, I would recommend an Austrian symphonic metal band called Summoning. These guys are MASSIVE Tolkien addicts and base their music around Middle Earth. It's harsh and dark at times but also grandiose & epic. They use samples from the PJ movies & this BBC radio dramatisation, and are really good IF you like music that's on the extreme side ala Dimmu Borgir.

Amazing, well crafted dramatization of a first class tale, 04 Apr 2008
When I first received this gift, and a fantastic gift it was, I was curious at how the BBC was going to approach such a long and complicated novel. By fears were founded on nothing. The acting is simply superb and although made many years ago, it still sounds fresh and new to this very day. LIstening to this audiobook brings you directly into the world of the Lord of the Rings and leaves your heart racing throughout.

I recommend this for long car journeys and any fan of the LotR franchise

This is it - the First full version to appear on radio., 09 Sep 2007
This is the CD collection of the wonderful BBC Radio adaptation of the Lord of the Rings. I remember tuning in every week to listen to the next installment, and wishing that they were longer! I loved it then; I loved it when it became available on cassettes and I love it now on CD.
I first read Lord of the Rings as I entered my teens. Then I struggled with the pronuciation of the names and the Sindarian quotes. But I read it, re-read it and continue to re-read it to this day more than 40 years down the road. These books are rightly famous and this radio epic has achieved its own status. It was the 'First'. The characterisation was wonderful then and even managed to enter the wonderful triology by Peter Jackson in the person of Ian Holm.
Of necessity this, like the films that followed, was an 'abridged' version. Hardly surprising given the length of the books. The pictures are, of course, better on radio than on any screen and I found myself enjoying anew the tale as told by the Beeb.
Long may they continue to turn out drama of this quality!

yet to be bettered, 06 Jul 2004
The great glory of literature is that the reader can develop their own vision of the author's world; this is, of course, also the great glory of radio. Rather than spoon-feed an audience with the director's own imagination, you stimulate theirs, and so enrich the whole experience.

This production of Lord of the Rings is no exception. Whilst I do enjoy Peter Jackson's films, there are of course areas where I feel he has it completely wrong (almost inevitable given the length and depth of the books): compressing distances and times, over-enthusiastic editing of the "slower movements" and expansion of the action, insertion of some (stupefyingly silly) plot lines (which detracted from the story rather than adding to it) and a general "dumbing down" of Tolkein's masterpiece. Whilst the BBC has edited certain sections (the main omission being the Old Forest/Tom Bombadil), they have been more faithful to the overall feel of Tolkein's world and the themes running through the books, and they certainly haven't fallen into the traps which snared Jackson: namely, underestimating your audience and catering for the lowest common denominator.

This production provides superb acting (the casting was inspired), ground-breaking sound effects and a directorial pacing which drives the narrative at an engaging rate whilst allowing the story and characters to breathe. I first heard it during its second airing when I was around 10 years old, having recently read the books. This edition is of course slightly different from the original broadcast, with each episode shorn of it's "top and tail" necessary for broadcast, but with added narration from Ian Holme. Whilst I am not convinced that his addition enhances the production, it does not detract, and the lack of the half-hourly cast list certainly improves the listening experience.

On balance I feel this is the better version to listen to than the original production, although it would benefit from the original boxing/maps rather than the less atttractive generic packaging that it comes in now. Perhaps the BBC will revert to the old style- here's hoping!

I would certainly recommend this, both to those who have only seen the films, and to those who have "only" read the books.

Oh, and by the way. Peter Jackson DID hear this before he made the films. I only wish he's taken a little more notice. The pictures are always better on the radio.

The Weakest Book In The Series, 16 Oct 2008
The Order of the Phoenix is the weakest in the Harry Potter books but I still gave it 4 stars, this just shows how good the books are. JK Rowling is an amazing author.

ONE VERY BIG YAWN, 14 Aug 2008
What's all the fuss about? Watch the films instead: that's enough. Only just OK for a quick skim through if there's nothing better on the shelf or in your bag: so much of this book is unnecessary and should've been consigned to any decent editor's bin.

But, one of the most profitable franchises in history, so what do I know? However, look at any chart - what does everyone else know?

This book is sooooooo captivating!, 02 Jul 2008
This book is written by J. K. Rowling. It is unmissable! You can not put it down, even for 1 second! This is the most exciting book in the whole world. You have to read it. All of my brothers enjoyed it very much.

I give this book 10/10

By Mohammed Ali 3H

GENIUS !, 18 Jun 2008
I Loved this book !
was great to be out of Hogwarts for a while at 12 Grimmauld Place ! indeed it is a Grim Old Place !
Loved the idea of the headquarters of the Order of the Pheonix, ie those against Voldemort to be in a family home of the ancient Pure Blood Blacks (big voldemort followers(except Sirius of course!)) with Siruis's mother screaming obscenities at everyone from a Picture on the wall ! JK Rowling is a genius !
this is the Darkest book so far and was very sad in parts but fabulous !
GENUIS !

A great step towards the conclusions of this epic series., 17 Jun 2008
The fourth book in this magical series following the life of Harry Potter is a great step towards finding the destination of Harry Potter, and the ongoing plot and sub-plots themselves. Of particular interest is the way by which the character of Lord Voldemort gradually enters the novel, playing upon the reader's deepest fears. The characterisation of Harry Potter is very well executed, depicting him as a typical teenager living in a very untypical context. This is fantasy fiction at its best.

Better than the book, 11 Mar 2008
The story is well known and you would think that nothing compares to the magic of Harry Potter. Then you discover the wonder of Steven Fry. His unique voice is adapted for every charater perfectly, you always know who is speaking. Steven Fry and Harry Potter really is a magical combination!!!

Stephen Fry is a genious, 02 Mar 2007
Most of these reviews concentrate on praise for J K Rowling, and as I agree with all that has been said, I won't add to them, but instead heap praise onto Stephen Fry. His narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. I would probably never have bothered with Harry Potter if the unabridged Philosopher's Stone had not been broadcast on Boxing Day several years ago. We had a very long drive home after a family visit, and thought that this would wile away at least part of the journey. Part of it! We were completely enthralled all the way home, and then made a dash for the house, and frantically retuned the radio. We sat at the kitchen table until it was finished. We have bought all of the others as they came out, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.

The book I fell in love with., 13 Nov 2005
I’ll never forget the day I first began Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. I believe I can say, with out hesitation, that it changed my life. My friend had received it for her birthday, and she suggested we give it a try. I admit I was curious, but I was not expecting anything spectacular. After all, I was an adult, and these books were for children, right? I’ve never been so wrong in my life. From the start, I was entranced. I had no idea where the story was going, but JK Rowling had me hooked. I lapped it up. I kept wanting more, and by the end, I knew I’d stumbled on to something wondrous. A series that was quite literally addictive. I adored this eleven year old boy, who had captured my heart from the time he was left wrapped in a blanket on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep. My imagination was caught from the moment the tall wizard appeared on a normal suburban street, put out the street lamps, and began sucking on a Sherbet Lemon. This book has seen me through good times and bad. It’s been my friend in unfamiliar places, and comforted me when I was sick. What could’ve been such a simplistic idea (a boy discovering he’s a wizard and being spirited off to magic school) turned out to have so much more to it. Humour, originality, mystery, and above all, plenty of magic. It helped me rediscover books from my childhood that I’d loved, and has lead to what I suspect will be a life long love of fantasy literature. I am now a firm Quidditch fan, and I think Harry’s sighting of his dead parents in a magic mirror is one of the most moving and poignant scenes I’ve ever read. And let’s not forget of course, the truly wonderful narration of Stephen Fry. He really should get an Oscar for all his character portrayals. I’ve never known anyone put so much heart in to what they read. A magical beginning to a magical series.

Harry Potter rulz!, 04 Aug 2005
Harry Potter is an 11 year old bot who goes through lots of challenging things in his live. Firstly he has to stay with the Dursleys (his aunt and uncle) who locks him up in a cupboard and never treat him well. Then one day when he is sleeping on the floor someone bursts in trough the door and explains to Harry that he is a wizard. Harry is startled at first but understands that he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts, a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He soon makes friends and joins in.

This book is a great book and I would reccomend it to all of you. I have enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

The first of a great series!, 03 Aug 2005
What a fabulous read! The first book in the series, the Philosophers Stone, will grip your imagination and hold onto it untill you have read the entire book!

Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy, has a past that will change his future.
When Harry was one year old, the Dark Lord Voldemort killed his parents. But he couldn't kill Harry. Instead Harry is left with a lightning bolt scar for the rest of his life.

Harry is shocked when he is told that he is a wizard. This means a new school (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), making new friends and learning how to turn a matchstick into a needle!

I think this book is very imaginative. I mean who would have thought that you could fit a massive castle in the middle of London and teach magic?

If you read this book you will experience J.K. Rowling's exquisite imagination!(Katherine, 11)

Tams, doing his thing!, 11 Jan 2008
Before watching Sharpe I had never heard of John Tams, and quite frankly my music collection was the poorer for it! This album is a fantastic mix of score from the shows and traditional folk songs of the period performed by Tams and his mate Barry Coope with an amazing guest performance from the wonderful Kate Rusby. A must have for all fans of John Tams, Kate Rusby, Sharpe and great British folk music!

Nar x

Well worth listening to, 16 May 2007
It's perhaps not the best album you'll ever buy,but for Sharpe fans it's a must.
The arrangements are a bit different from the TV series, but so what. John Tam's rendering of 'Over the Hills' and 'The Spanish bride' are brilliant. Equally so the tunes covered by Kate Rusby.
I personally don't think the tunes by the military band add anything, but I still love the album. You can always use the skip button on your CD player!

Different in a good way, 29 Apr 2007
Ok so as other people have said, it isnt necerssarily true to the TV series, over the hills and far away loses some of its charm, however I still find this an excellent album.

The CD gives a good mix of folk and marching music, with some of the arrangements being very well produced. John Tams' music is excellent, and I found the Regimental/ Military music a nice change from the usual folk CD's. Collier Recriut sounds fantastic sung by Kate Rusby, likewise it was nice to hear the full version of Johhny's Gone for a Solider in its true form.

If your excpecting the music as it was on the TV you'll be dissapointed, however if you're willing to listen to it end to end it provides an enjoyable hour or so of easy listening and captivating music.

My one major critisism is the length of some of the songs, Gentleman Soldier to the tune of British Grenadiers would have been far better with a few instrumental versus or even the more tradition lyrics "Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules..." encasing it.

In short, buy it if your willing to listen to something a little different to everything else in your CD collection and dont mind modern instruments used to enhance old music.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE OF IT !, 11 Apr 2007
Being a confirmed "SHARPE" fan ,when Amazon offered the CD I jumped at the chance of buying it, particularly as I had not seen it offered in Australia. I was undetered by the very adverse comments contained in some of the reviews, and generally speaking. I was glad I was.
Thee really should be more of offering embracing as it does both military and social history. Apart from "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" -which appeared in vinyl and was inspired by the seminal book of the same name -it seems a most neglected genre .
Certainly it might have been done better: omissions such as "THE OWL" and particularly, the "RIFLEMAN'S SONG" from the same era are quite surprising . On the other hand, while I notice that a reviwer complains of the brevity of 'THE ROGUES' MARCH" ,that's really all there was. The only possible second verse would be "FIFTY I GOT FOR SELLING MY COAT,FIFTY FOR SELLING MY BLANKET..." as a boast of the number of lashes received as a consequence.
Then we come to the particularly vexed question of how folk songs should be accompanied and presented. The question of whether out-of-period instruments should be used has been a contentious issue from Vaughan Williams to Steeleye Span. Personally, I have no objection providing the 'Spirit" of the song is preserved, which seems to be the case here
In the aforementioned "SONGS AND MUSIC OF THE REDCOATS" recording ,"OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY" was rendered in its original early 18th.century form:- " QUEEN ANNE COMMANDS AND WE OBEY..." with the vocalist accompanied by a pair of Recorders, yet can it be said that this was a more "authentic" rendition ?

To conclude on a sour note, there is a Horrible Howler perpetrated in the cover notes. According to this source the 95th. were the " Light Brigade"- someone should get Fifty lashes for that!



The Peninsular War condensed into 52 and a half minutes of musical enjoyment., 25 Feb 2007
I've been re-watching Sharpe, and having long-admired the music of the series, decided it was about time I bought the soundtrack.
I must admit that having read the mixed reviews, it was not without a sense of trepidation that I ordered the CD.
I'm happy to report that it lived up to my expectations, and more. From the opening bars of "The Overture" to the closing track, "Sharpe's Song/ Sharpe's Theme", I was captivated and transported to that time and place many of us have grown to love: Spanish mountains, French skies, loyal partisans, valiant heroes and repugnant villains, Waterloo, Wellington and of course, the Ninety-Fifth Rifles.
Let's clear a few things up.
No, not every piece of music recorded for the Sharpe series is on the CD.
Yes, there is plenty from the series, and the other songs - especially the vocal pieces - give a nice "flavour" of both the period and spirit of the Napoleonic Wars.
No, puritans who don't believe old instruments should be mixed with new will not like this.
Yes, everyone else will.

Music at a Master level, 12 Jun 2008
I purchased these CDs individually as and when they were originally released. I have to say that the Fellowship of the Ring is my favourite, by the way. However, I also bought the extremely deluxe 4 disc (or in the case of ROTK, 5 disc) sets when the 'complete' scores were released (also worth buying, despite their price). One thing the 'complete' scores don't have is the first track from FOTR - "The Prophecy" (though parts of it exist in the 'complete' score). If you're a soundtrack enthusiast, then small variations or alternate takes presented here in the 'limited' 1-disc releases will interest you. In The Two Towers, for example, you here different mixes and end of cues not heard in the 'complete' scores, the same stands for Return of the King. And if like many, you think the LOTR is a bit too long to sit and watch in one sitting, then this one disc-a-film release (basically a third of the music Howard Shore composed) will suit you nicely, though really you're missing a lot of gems that are to be found in the 'Complete Recordings', also available on Amazon.
Great listening for great filmmaking.

Experience the film again and again through this soundtrack, 26 Jan 2007
While there are many fine film soundtracks, this is one that stands on its own as music.

The signature refrains such as those for the Riders of Rohan and the Uruk-hai transport you instantly to Middle Earth.

While I'm not a classical music listener as a rule, as a fan of the film, this soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to both work and relaxation.

This soundtrack is a must for any LOTR fan.

Very Good, 03 Jan 2007
If you've seen the film you will know the tunes inside out I would imagine, and here they are for your personal enjoyment. The composition is so varied, and there are some truly evocative numbers on here. Howard Shore did a remarkable job really here. It is true that the Return of the King lacks something, but this is more than made up for by the first two which possess music for all tastes and moods.
Wasn't sure about the cards you get free with this though, of the members of the cast. All seemed a bit gimicky to me. There are reasons this soundtrack has one awards, not least of which being the 'best original score' Oscar.
Of course, the fact that you get all 3 for a reasonable price is the true bonus, and if your reading this its probably just a matter of deciding which one to get. Get this one, trust me.

An Astonishing Musical Masterpiece, 20 May 2006
This is without a doubt the best soundtrack ever. A lot of original soundtracks that are released are boring and flat, however this is unbelievably good. The music is excellent all the way through and is a real pleasure to listen to. The Return of the King Soundtrack won the Academy Award for best Original Soundtrack and it is clear to see why. The theme songs to the films are especially good. 'Gollum's Song' by Emilliana Torrini is a beautiful, haunting melody, and 'Into the West' by Annie Lennox is a truly breathtaking masterpiece ('Into the West' also won the Academy Award for best original song). The one thing I was disappointed by is that it does not contain 'With a Sigh' by Liv Tyler from the extended version of the Return of the King. (It is the song played when Eowyn is in the houses of healing). Overall this soundtrack is a must for all Lord Of The Rings fans and is also strongly reccomended to people who do not like the films as the music is a masterpiece in its own right. Enjoy!

Wonderful, 04 May 2006
This is one of the best soundtracks I've ever listened to.. The music is brilliant and the song "Into the West" by Annie Lennox is beautiful.. You should definetly buy this if you love Lord of the Rings.. And if you don't like LotR.. Then you should buy it anyway.. It's brilliant..!

Glorious!, 21 Nov 2008
A glorious, faithful, moving dramatisation of the complete Lord of The Rings trilogy, with inspired casting and superb music. Very faithful to the book: it omits only the Tom Bombadil section, and retains all major scenes albeit in shortened form. I particularly appreciated that the adapters were careful to retain the integrity of each of Tolkien's characters and tell the story in chronological order.

This fine production is enhanced by the inspired voice casting, especially in the principal roles. The pronunciation used is quite 'Queen's English', which might come as a bit of a shock if you're expecting it to be as modern-day as the Peter Jackson films, but in fact the voices fit very well with the formality of Tolkien's original dialogue and they sound exactly right. Especially wonderful are Bill Nighy as the irrepressible and doughty Samwise, Peter Woodthorpe as hissing gangrel Gollum, Michael Horden as wise and stern Gandalf, Peter Howell as the traitorous Saruman and Andrew Sear as gentle Faramir. Initally I thought that Robert Stephens' Aragorn was a little too regal-sounding, but as the story progressed I appreciated just how fine his voice was to portray the proud and patient Future King. I also liked Gerard Murphy's quiet and solemn narration. By the end of the production the only voice that sounded out of place to me was that of the rather slack-vowelled announcer who reads each book's closing credits.

With 13 hours of audio I felt that nothing had been skipped in the telling, a