I had to read this to my class in school. I listened to this multiple times to get the right meter, inflection, timing, emphasis. The children enjoyed it but this is an unparalleled genius that I could never hope to match.
@@stevenblakeakahashburns the only Christopher Lee version I have heard has terrible distracting music accompanying it. In that version I very much feel Lee merely read the poem whilst Rathbone performed it. I feel Lee’s reading lacks conviction and drama, and the overly loud music tries to add the missing drama. Rathbones version requires no accompaniment. Just my opinion of course.
Yet another reason why Basil Rathbone was amazing. As a side note, he had a lot in common with Christopher Lee: they were two of the greatest villain actors of all time, both were known for playing Sherlock Holmes, and both were among the best fencers in Hollywood during their days.
I love this. I think it's the best recording of an oral performance of poetry I've ever heard. Oral interp teachers and even lector trainers can use this as an example of how to put the elements of poetry ( rhyme, meter, alliteration, repetition) at the service of narrative or meaning rather than letting them distract.
Poe was American so the English accent isn't working for me. For example, if someone was reading Mark Twain with an English accent it wouldn't make sense to me either. I think it would be very interesting to hear Val Kilmer read this - maybe not exactly like Doc Holiday but with a similar 1800's accent.
Edgar Allan Poe never wrote "The Raven," he merely claimed it with a kind of 19th-century "identity theft." The poem's premiere was submitted anonymously to "American Review" under the pseudonym "---- Quarles" by the true author, Mathew Franklin Whittier, younger brother of poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Poe, a critic writing for the NY "Evening Mirror," seeing the poem in an advance copy of "American Review," scooped Mathew in his own paper by a couple of days. Mathew must have shared a copy of "The Raven" with Poe in 1842, so Poe had a handwritten copy. This enabled him to convince his editor that he had permission to scoop "American Review"--but he mysteriously left the "Mirror" shortly afterwards (suggesting that he may have been fired for lying about it). It is absurd that any editor of a newly-launched monthly literary magazine like the "Review," would have given a daily newspaper this permission. The real author was unable to reveal his identity and hence could not publicly defend himself. My paper, "Evidence that Edgar Allan Poe Stole 'The Raven' from Mathew Franklin Whittier," is downloadable at the following link. It can also be found by that title on Academia.edu. www.ial.goldthread.com/MFW_The_Raven.pdf
I had to read this to my class in school. I listened to this multiple times to get the right meter, inflection, timing, emphasis. The children enjoyed it but this is an unparalleled genius that I could never hope to match.
I've listened to every reading of this fantastic poem. Rathbones is the best by far
Rathbone was one of a kind , that´s for sure .
Sherlock Holmes obviously was acquainted with the works of Edgar Allen Poe.. How beguiling...
More so than Christopher Lee?
@@stevenblakeakahashburns the only Christopher Lee version I have heard has terrible distracting music accompanying it. In that version I very much feel Lee merely read the poem whilst Rathbone performed it. I feel Lee’s reading lacks conviction and drama, and the overly loud music tries to add the missing drama. Rathbones version requires no accompaniment. Just my opinion of course.
@@lawrysimm This is absolutely correct.
Yet another reason why Basil Rathbone was amazing.
As a side note, he had a lot in common with Christopher Lee: they were two of the greatest villain actors of all time, both were known for playing Sherlock Holmes, and both were among the best fencers in Hollywood during their days.
I love this. I think it's the best recording of an oral performance of poetry I've ever heard. Oral interp teachers and even lector trainers can use this as an example of how to put the elements of poetry ( rhyme, meter, alliteration, repetition) at the service of narrative or meaning rather than letting them distract.
I could listen to Basil Rathborne all day. Edgar Allen Poe is also my favorite poet. I am huge fan of "city by the sea."
My nomination for the most effective poem in the English language. And this the finest reading of the poem.
I used to listen to this all the time as a kid, and to this day it still gives me shivers sometimes. So beautifully done.
Great inflection. It sounded almost like a guy talking to himself perfectly. That’s the way it should be read
I have this on a 33 and 1/3 RPM that my dad bought in the late 50's....my granddaughter is loving this....
I have enjoyed this since first hearing it in the 70s.
Freakin' MAGNIFICENT.
Basil was the best holmes.😁
Best reading of a classic
Exquisite performance!
The best reading of The Raven I have ever heard, and I think Poe would agree.
It was magical...✨
So well read...
Indisputably the best!
Brilliant reading............
Brilliant
Genus!
Wow. First class
what's the pronounciation of "respite"?
Uggghhhh!!!!!!
Slooooowwwww dooowwwnnnn!!!!!!
Poe was American so the English accent isn't working for me. For example, if someone was reading Mark Twain with an English accent it wouldn't make sense to me either. I think it would be very interesting to hear Val Kilmer read this - maybe not exactly like Doc Holiday but with a similar 1800's accent.
Well, he did spend part of his childhood there, so it's OK. :)
Edgar Allan Poe never wrote "The Raven," he merely claimed it with a kind of 19th-century "identity theft." The poem's premiere was submitted anonymously to "American Review" under the pseudonym "---- Quarles" by the true author, Mathew Franklin Whittier, younger brother of poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Poe, a critic writing for the NY "Evening Mirror," seeing the poem in an advance copy of "American Review," scooped Mathew in his own paper by a couple of days. Mathew must have shared a copy of "The Raven" with Poe in 1842, so Poe had a handwritten copy. This enabled him to convince his editor that he had permission to scoop "American Review"--but he mysteriously left the "Mirror" shortly afterwards (suggesting that he may have been fired for lying about it). It is absurd that any editor of a newly-launched monthly literary magazine like the "Review," would have given a daily newspaper this permission. The real author was unable to reveal his identity and hence could not publicly defend himself. My paper, "Evidence that Edgar Allan Poe Stole 'The Raven' from Mathew Franklin Whittier," is downloadable at the following link. It can also be found by that title on Academia.edu.
www.ial.goldthread.com/MFW_The_Raven.pdf
lol