The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Parents Guide

Last Updated on November 20, 2024 by

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a 2024 Animation, Adventure, and action Epic Movie directed by Kenji Kamiyama and written by Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews, and Phoebe Gittins. The film stars Brian Cox, Luke Pasqualino, and Miranda Otto with a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes, theatre released on December 13, 2024.

The Lord of the Rings universe is back in 2024 with The War of the Rohirrim, and the fans are in for a treat with this work. Officially, for the first time since Peter Jackson, in 2003, finished shooting his famous trilogy the World of Middle-earth is going to be explored once again, this time by Warner Bros., Unlike the epic live-action films that we are accustomed to seeing, the new movie is an animated film done in the anime style by director Kenji Kamiyama who is well-experienced anime director.

This alone differentiates it from previous adaptations and offers a new artistic vision of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work.

But the aspect that has raised more controversies, especially among fans, is the choice of the main character. The War of the Rohirrim is not a tale based on Tolkien’s work but an original story gathered around Helm Hammerhand, a character mentioned in a couple of words in the original lore. The main protagonist of the film, his daughter, has no reference in Tolkien’s books.

What is The War of the Rohirrim All About

As it stands, the primary idea behind the tale of The War of the Rohirrim lies within its title, the observation of the Rohirrim people.

The movie is based on the short story ‘The House of Eorl’ which is included in the novella named ‘The Lord of the Rings’ under the appendix section. This occurs in the realm of Rohan in the Third Age, far before the time of Bilbo Baggins. It revolves around the struggle between Rohan and their adversaries, the Dunlendings, who are at odds due to their historical enmity.

Rohan is a kingdom of riders and warriors. One of their kings was Helm Hammerhand, who was noted for his strength and outstanding fighting abilities. However, instead of making him the center of the movie, the filmmakers primarily focus on his daughter, Hèra.

Why Focus on Helm’s Daughter?

This decision is debatable because Hèra is an extremely minor character in Tolkien’s legendarium: she is mentioned in only one line and is not named at all. Finally, Hèra will be in the spotlight, and her problems will be depicted in the film, such as the conflict regarding her marriage. Some of the viewers consider it peculiar and question why Warner Bros. decided to focus on the protagonist who is hardly characterized in source material.

However, as everything has its good and bad sides, some people can find good in this decision. Another reason is that Hèra’s character is relatively developed, which gives the filmmakers the ability to tell a new story that audiences will find exciting and engaging while not violating the world created by Tolkien. This could also assist in maintaining Helm Hammerhand’s legendary image and keeping him shrouded in a veil of myth and lore.

Why Anime?

Another point worth discussing is the choice to make this a feature-length animated film. Anime is famous for enchanting audiences with stimulating concepts and characterizations supported by great graphics and captivating narratives. By associating this unique art form with Tolkien’s world, Warner Bros. wants to combine two popular genres of fantasy narratives.

Nevertheless, some fans could not understand why Warner Bros. selected this narrative, which is more human-centric and features Helm Hammerhead and the people of Rohan over mythological creatures such as elves and dwarves. To animation lovers, this could have been perceived as a missed chance to capture the epic and the magical aspect of Middle-earth.

The Complex Legacy of Helm Hammerhand:

Of particular interest is Helm Hammerhand himself. He is not balanced like a traditional protagonist nor a completely villainous figure; He is an anti-hero characterized by strength, will, and savagery. His tale is one of sorrow and joy, and he is considered to be one of the greatest heroes of Rohan.

However, it is possible to go into his character more deeply and there is a danger in doing so as well. Tolkien’s works indeed are striking in that for a major part of the plot and many important scenes, the reader is not given detailed descriptions of the characters or their dialogue. Introducing too much dialogue or developing his character attributes in a very detailed manner might reduce his heroic image.

The filmmakers themselves appear to be aware of this. In this way, they can safeguard the enigmatic persona of Helm Hammerhand while also having an opportunity to look at the incidents and battles that defined him.

A Promising Cast and Trailer:

Despite this, Helm Hammerhand will have a huge role in the film, and he will be voiced by the great British actor Brian Cox who has amazed millions of viewers with his powerful work in the sphere of the fantastic and drama. This casting decision has also soothed the concern of the audience regarding the fate of the character and its depiction in the film.

From the trailer, we get an idea of how the plot will evolve, how the story of Helm’s fateful meeting with a Dunlending leader – a critical scene that starts the entire conflict. The movie appears to be committed to maintaining the basic framework of the story but broadening it with a focus on Hèra.

Why This Approach Might Work:

It could be considered a bit strange to concentrate more on Hèra than on Helm if one expects to hear a story about such a hero. However, this choice could serve to benefit the movie. Instead of imposing an unfamiliar character like Helm into today’s consciousness, the filmmakers have the freedom to create a new character in Hèra that is separate from Tolkien’s lore but can still represent a powerful protagonist that modern audiences care about.

This approach echoes similar statements made about character adaptations in other shows, including The Rings of Power, where some characters like Galadriel were depicted differently and more effectively. Conversely, The War of the Rohirrim can bring a new angle to the story without betraying the essence of Middle-earth.

Final Thoughts

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is not pulling punches when it comes to a few drastic changes to the original material, such as the anime aesthetic and the decision to focus on one character. But these creative decisions also give innumerable and exhilarating possibilities for how Middle-earth may be further developed in the movies.

Of course, purists may be skeptical of these changes, but there is hope that this movie will do justice to the narrative of Helm Hammerhand and the kingdom of Rohan. Whether it becomes a worthy addition to The Lord of the Rings legacy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: It is a new story, and it will generate discussion and speculation as it unfolds.