The Raven: Audio Versions
Preface
I was recently reminded of the famous poem called “The Raven” written by Edgar Allen Poe. I find it to be a moving poem, and one that resonates with my experiences with depressive episodes. This is especially regarding the eternal presence of the dark raven, the fixated mind of the main character, and the emotions that the character goes through. The haunting of the raven reminds me of the “black dog” that Winston Churchill spoke of regarding his own depressive spirits. It’s a poem about a man struggling with the death of his lover. He swings from denial, anger, and a solemn acceptance of his fate. We don’t get to learn of the circumstances about the death, but it can be assumed that the poet may have used his experience of the death of his own wife as a muse. The character is then haunted by a raven which never leaves his house, and can only say one word. It’s quite a touching poem, and the fact that is well known is a testament to it speaking to a lot of people.
Well, there are many different versions of this poem which have been read aloud. Many versions are on Youtube, making it particularly accessible. You will see that several of these versions have even been televised, or are part of popular culture. The remainder of this blog will consist of me showing several versions, expressing my opinion on that particular version, and then listing them in a order of preference.
The Versions
Christopher Lee’s Audio Version
I am particularly fond of the dramatisation of the poem in the version read by Christopher Lee. He adds expression to the reading, both giving a firm angry voice, and a solemn tone. Mr Lee’s pronunciation is clear and authoritative. I have listened to an audiobook read by Christopher Lee which I loved, so I may be a little biased towards him. The audiobook was “The Children of Hurin”, which is related to the Lord of the Rings universe.
This version also includes backing music which aptly expresses a feeling of loss. I think it complements the reading very well.
Vincent Price’s Acting Version
Vincent Price has a unique voice, and this version of the reading includes live action. The props and setting of the reading are well assembled, and the cinematography adds to the atmosphere. This reading is better than Christopher Lee’s reading if you want to have a visual experience as well.
The different camera shots (e.g. slow pull aways, close ups, and long-mid shots) are paced well. It is clear that it was planned very well. On top of this, to get a trained raven to participate in the act is quite impressive. I imagine that this version would have had the greatest amount of work put into it. The memorisation of the poem by Mr Price, the director of cinematography, the dressing of the stage; it all complements each other and none appear to over-power the other.
An issue I have with this reading is that Mr Price reads through it at a brisk pace. This may be a good feature if you don’t enjoy the other readings, which often like to savour the rhymes and rythms of the poem.
The Simpson’s Version
This version has James Earl Jones' reading the poem while being animated in the style of The Simpsons. The poem is truncated in some places in order to keep a quick pace again, and also because some ideas are conveyed visually rather than through the spoken word. This version is highly accessible, however, I feel the Simpson animation and gags sometimes takes away from the grim tone of the original text. Nevertheless it is a good rendition of the poem, and one that applies a novel take on the story.
James Earl Jones' Reading Version
This reading only has James Earl Jones' unaccompanied by any of the artists which make The Simpsons, nor any music. Mr Jones' classic voice is used well, he applies expression, and emphasis appropriately. I feel he doesn’t overdo it, or under; there is a possibility for melodrama which would suit the poem well. However, Mr Jones doesn’t fall into the extremes of melodrama, he speaks with more restraint than Mr Lee.
Shane Morris Reading Version
Mr Morris reads the poem with subtle expression. His choice of pace and the way he expresses some of the poem doesn’t meet the same power as Mr Lee. However, his reading reveals a more sinister tone, rather than one of dispair. In this way he has provided a reading which gives a different perspective than what I was getting from the other versions. This version also includes background music, but it is much more subtle than Mr Lee’s version.
Christopher Walken Reading Version
This version includes sound effects. I feel the sound effects are too much, and are out of place. There is an electric guitar which doesn’t fit into the setting of the poem. There is a constant wind sound, and a droning of music. While this could have been applied later in the poem in order to point out the despair setting in, it was used throughout.
Mr Walken has a peculiar voice, his rhythm and emphasis is unique. In this reading he applies expression well and gives the poem a fair go. I’m not sure why a reverb was applied to his voice for the entirety of the reading. It would have been good to have it when the character opens the chamber door, and then to end once he returned to his chair. However, it sounds like Mr Walken is in a large warehouse for the whole reading, rather than a chamber.
I find it difficult to recommend this reading, although it has a charm in some ways. I guess the noise, the sudden caws of the crow, the droning of the guitar, and the echoes of the voice could be interpreted as a unsettling which the character feels. However, I find it hard to relate to this version.
Ratings of The Readings
Each of these renditions of the poem are excellent. The following order has nothing to do with a distaste for any of them, I feel they are all great. However, I think some hold closer to what I feel are the main themes of the poem. In particular, the major theme is depression, which is a condition where dispair and a focus on the past and present is key. The poem itself points out the theme that something has been lost and can never be regained. That hope and happiness will nevermore be achieved. In this way I think some of the readings grasp the feeling of dispair better.
So with this in mind, I would rate them in this order:
- Christopher Lee - I think I have a bias towards this reading because I favour Mr Lee, and the use of music.
- Vincent Price - The live action gives visuals which complement the reading well.
- James Earl Jones - A purely spoken word version of the poem.
- Shane Morris - A more sinister take on the poem. Mr Morris' voice is deep and foreboding.
- The Simpsons - A novel take on the narrative from the poem. I find it difficult to see past the style of ‘The Simpsons’ which I associate with humour rather than dispair.
- Christopher Walken - Keep his voice and rethink the sound effects
Thanks for reading. Hopefully this article introduced you to a couple more readings of the poem that you haven’t come across before.