Movie Review: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’

Arriving in theaters on December 13th, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ transports us back to the world of Middle-Earth as brought to screens by Peter Jackson across six movies.More directly connected to Jackson’s adaptations than Prime Video’s ‘The Rings of Power,’ ‘Rohirrim’ takes as its basis a small chunk of J.

​Arriving in theaters on December 13th, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ transports us back to the world of Middle-Earth as brought to screens by Peter Jackson across six movies.More directly connected to Jackson’s adaptations than Prime Video’s ‘The Rings of Power,’ ‘Rohirrim’ takes as its basis a small chunk of J.   

Arriving in theaters on December 13th, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ transports us back to the world of Middle-Earth as brought to screens by Peter Jackson across six movies.

More directly connected to Jackson’s adaptations than Prime Video’s ‘The Rings of Power,’ ‘Rohirrim’ takes as its basis a small chunk of J.R.R. Tolkien’s appendices, which detail a clash between forces that happens nearly 200 years before Frodo and co. enter the story.

Related Article: Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards Talk ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2

Does ‘The War of the Rohirrim’ find honor?

If you’re a fan of Peter Jackson’s work who didn’t find ‘Rings of Power’ to be the Tolkien hit you needed (though the TV series has plenty to recommend it), ‘The War of the Rohirrim’ could be what you’re after.

While Jackson here is an executive producer alongside regular collaborators Phillipa Boyens and Fran Walsh,’ the new animated movie owes more to director Kenji Kamiyama, and writers Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou (though Boyens did work on the story with them).

It’s crafted in a style that should make fans of Miyazaki films in particular happy, and while the story is a fair bit more basic than anything from Studio Ghibli, it hits the right notes in terms of scale and adventure.

Script and Direction

The writers here have expanded upon what little about the earlier Rohirrim conflict they can, seizing on the unnamed warrior woman who is mentioned, and fleshing her out into the headstrong Hèra. She’s your archetypal, spirited young woman –– raised by a warrior king, she can ride a horse and swing a sword with the best of them, but is still limited by what she’s able to do (initially, at least) thanks to growing up in a patriarchal society.

It’s a thematic idea that will likely have plenty of resonance for at least a swathe of the audience, while those who are here for some ‘Rings’–style action will also find what they’re looking for. The story even has some nuance and unexpected moments layered within a fairly standard story of fighting feudal types and mystical creatures.

As director, Kenji Kamiyama guides his animation and technical team to impressively epic results, the sweeping landscapes of New Zealand (standing in, of course for Middle-Earth) are brought to life in effective form, while the characters are recognizably a blend of Tolkien and anime.

Performances

There is some impressive voice acting going on here, and while the focus is on a few characters, most of them have the chance to be rounded personalities.

Gaia Wise as Hèra

Our main hero in the story, Wise makes Hèra a properly spirited young woman, who has a loving core but shields it with honor and practicality. She has a somewhat predictable arc, but she’s always compelling.

Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand

Cox knows how to exude power and authority, even just through his voice, and you’re never likely to confuse Hammerhand with, say Logan Roy.

Luke Pasqualino as Wulf

Aside from Wise, Pasqualino has the most to do –– he’s in love with childhood friend Hèra, but his feelings curdle after his father is effectively punched to death by hers in front of him. He makes for a solid, sometimes surprising villain in the Tolkien mold of ambition turned to darker emotions.

Lorraine Ashbourne as Olwyn

Ashbourne (who has a connection to the ‘Rings’ movies already since she’s married to Gollum actor Andy Serkis) is impressive as Hèra’s guardian, who reveals herself to be more than she initially appears (we won’t spoil it).

Supporting cast

Miranda Otto narrates the opening chunk of the movie, letting us know where the story is set and introducing both Hèra and the concept of Shieldmaidens. The casting makes sense, since this is a return for Éowyn, as played by Otto in the ‘LOTR’ movies and feels like the character relating a story she herself would have heard. The rest of the ensemble all do good work bringing their various characters to life.

Final Thoughts

The story of a young woman whose exploits will be all but ignored by those who write the sagas about her family are certainly timely, and the movie brings Tolkien’s mythical tales back to the screen in a way that should please fans of the movies.

It’s sometimes a little trope-heavy and there is a weird quirk where half the family has strong Northern English accents, whereas Hèra and some others speak more neutrally. It’s a minor quibble, though, for a film that should tide us all over until the Jackson-produced and promised future movies arrive.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

What’s the story of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’?

‘The War of the Rohirrim’ adapts a story from the history of the kingdom of Rohan, described by writer J.R.R. Tolkien in the appendices to ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

This movie is set around 200 years before the War of the Ring, a.k.a. the conflict against Sauron detailed in Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ films.

We’re introduced to the legendary king known as Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox). When Freca (Shaun Dooley), the chieftain of neighboring Dunland proposes that his son Wulf (Luke Pasqualino) wed Helm’s daughter Hèra (Gaia Wise), Helm reacts badly. He strikes Freca dead with a single punch and Wulf vows revenge.

A few years later, Wulf returns with an army of Dunlendings, and brings Rohan to its knees. Helm and his people seek refuge in the fortress that will one day be named Helm’s Deep in his honor.

Who is in the voice cast of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’?

Brian Cox as Helm HammerhandGaia Wise as HéraLuke Pasqualino as WulfMiranda Otto as ÉowynLorraine Ashbourne as OlwynBenjamin Wainwright as Haleth

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