I think we're talking relatively recent programmes, but of all time and I'm going waaay back, then Johnny Morris, with his array of great voices, I used to believe all creatures could talk!
I'm sure he narrated something I watched on the Yesterday channel, I'm off to find out what it was!
ETA:
This is from wiki - so I was close.
His distinctive voice has become well known in advertisements and documentaries, especially in World War II documentaries including World War II in HD Colour, Hitler's Bodyguard, The Story of the Third Reich and Secrets of World War II.
Must definitely agree with a great proportion of the names listed in all the posts!!! However,2 names are at the top of my list and both previously mentioned...John Shrapnel and Bernard Hill!! Having lectured in Speech & Drama for over 35 years their vocal techniques are superb!!! I use Bombay Railways Episode 3 towards the end where Hill narrates "Bombay Railways like the city it serves...etc".I get my students to try and copy it....so hard as Hills presentation..his modulation..pitch...rhythm...pacing is immaculate!!!
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His distinctive voice has become well known in advertisements and documentaries, especially in World War II documentaries including World War II in HD Colour, Hitler's Bodyguard, The Story of the Third Reich and Secrets of World War II.
This would be Robert Powell I think. Another great voice.
Must definitely agree with a great proportion of the names listed in all the posts!!! However,2 names are at the top of my list and both previously mentioned...John Shrapnel and Bernard Hill!! Having lectured in Speech & Drama for over 35 years their vocal techniques are superb!!! I use Bombay Railways Episode 3 towards the end where Hill narrates "Bombay Railways like the city it serves...etc".I get my students to try and copy it....so hard as Hills presentation..his modulation..pitch...rhythm...pacing is immaculate!!!
So you won't be asking them to emulate Danny Dyer then!
Definitely best ever is David Attenbourgh and one I cannot listen to is female presenter on A Place in the Sun: Home or Away. Dont know her name, may be Jasmine or something.
Hands up for Robert Powell, also Samuel West. And the Scottish woman who narrates Forensic Detectives on ID - Susan Rae. Not heard her on anything else.
Susan Rae does fair bit of news reading on Radio 4, plus news quiz regularly... she is good, used o do the intro for the archers podcasts then was dropped!
Also used to do some Street Cops I think it was
Can I add in Derek Cooper who as well as doing Food Programme on Radio four used to voice lots of reports for Tomorrows World - fantastic voice
Final mention - Rebekah Stanton - used to think good voice as voice overs and used to appear quite often, but was superb as Della in Raised by Wolves
Mine is Paul McGann his soft clear tones suits nearly every documentary he's done.
Paul McGann did several editions of ITV's Exposure when it first launched and the bold decision was taken to rely on narration rather in-vision presentation. That seems to have been reversed of late and, while a presenter is sometimes necessary, the power of the disembodied voice shouldn't be underestimated for that kind of documentary. After all, it was a hallmark of World In Action for much of its history - which brings me to the late Granada continuity announcer Jim Pope who was a master of understated gravitas in his narration.
In terms of voice matching style of programme, surely nobody could beat the 'bang to rights' delivery of Christopher Fox on Police Interceptors - why he was replaced is anybody's guess.
Comments
I'm sure he narrated something I watched on the Yesterday channel, I'm off to find out what it was!
ETA:
This is from wiki - so I was close.
His distinctive voice has become well known in advertisements and documentaries, especially in World War II documentaries including World War II in HD Colour, Hitler's Bodyguard, The Story of the Third Reich and Secrets of World War II.
This would be Robert Powell I think. Another great voice.
So you won't be asking them to emulate Danny Dyer then!
The name may not be familiar but anybody who watched the BBC2 science programme Horizon in the seventies and eighties would instantly recognise it.
He also did, "The future's bright. The future's Orange."
He was also in The Office and Dagmer in Game of Thrones
Bernard Hill Bernard Cribbins and David Tennent are also great to narrators
Enn Reitel - prolific v/o artist and narrator.
Susan Rae does fair bit of news reading on Radio 4, plus news quiz regularly... she is good, used o do the intro for the archers podcasts then was dropped!
Also used to do some Street Cops I think it was
Can I add in Derek Cooper who as well as doing Food Programme on Radio four used to voice lots of reports for Tomorrows World - fantastic voice
Final mention - Rebekah Stanton - used to think good voice as voice overs and used to appear quite often, but was superb as Della in Raised by Wolves
What a voice
Credit where it's due to Marcus Bentley, too.
Loved his narration on That Peter Kay Thing!
Paul McGann did several editions of ITV's Exposure when it first launched and the bold decision was taken to rely on narration rather in-vision presentation. That seems to have been reversed of late and, while a presenter is sometimes necessary, the power of the disembodied voice shouldn't be underestimated for that kind of documentary. After all, it was a hallmark of World In Action for much of its history - which brings me to the late Granada continuity announcer Jim Pope who was a master of understated gravitas in his narration.
In terms of voice matching style of programme, surely nobody could beat the 'bang to rights' delivery of Christopher Fox on Police Interceptors - why he was replaced is anybody's guess.