Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, The Primary Phase Special

Douglas Adams

Nov 2008 · Hitchhiker's Guide (radio plays) Book 1 · BBC Digital Audio · Narrated by Full Cast, Peter Jones, Susan Sheridan, Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Mark Wing-Davey, and Stephen Moore

About this audiobook

A dynamic remastering of the original BBC Radio 4 full-cast serial - Fit the First to Fit the Sixth - which spawned a phenomenal hitchhiking legend

The original series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, remastered by Dirk Maggs (director of the Tertiary, Quandary and Quintessential Phases) to give a full, vibrant sound, now with Philip Pope's version of the familiar theme tune and specially re-recorded announcements by John Marsh.

Join Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect,Trillian, Zaphod Beeblebrox and Marvin the Paranoid Android in their first series of adventures as they witness the destruction of Earth to make way for a hyperspace bypass, stumble upon the ancient planet of Magrathea, dine at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, and seek an answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe And Everything.

Peter Jones, Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Mark Wing-Davey, Susan Sheridan, Stephen Moore and a full supporting cast star in these BBC Radio 4 episodes.

A special 55-minute bonus programme, Douglas Adams's Guide to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, explores the genesis of the radio series and its incredible success, with contributions from the original cast andproduction team.

Audio files were replaced in April 2021


©2008 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2008 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Ratings and reviews

The broadcast itself is a classic, with excellent performances and sharp satire. With that said, the audio quality on this particular release is rather low and fuzzy. It's not a deal breaker, but it is very much noticeable and rather off-putting early on, though I found I was able to adapt on extended listenings. Still, the show in it if itself is an absolute classic and one I highly recommend!

Whilst the story is a 5/5 the audio of any 'non human' voices is so hard to hear it makes it almost impossible to listen to unless all around is deadly silent

The sound is not great, but then it's a 1970 radio broadcast. It sounds pretty much the same as it did back then...nearly 44 years ago. If you expect digital quality you be looking in the wrong place!

About the author

Simon Jones MBE is a former professional cricketer who played for England, Glamorgan, Hampshire and Worcestershire. In 2005 he tore through the Australian batting order, swinging the ball at pace, and inspiring some of England’s greatest ever victories as they regained the Ashes for the first time in almost twenty years. That series he dismissed every single Australian batsman apart from Glenn McGrath, taking 18 wickets at an average of 21. Injury forced him out of the final match at the Oval and prevented him from playing Test cricket again. He subsequently fought for eight years to return to the top level despite a series of further setbacks. Now retired, he lives in Cardiff with his wife Justine and his two young sons.