The War of the Rohirrim review (2024)
Like many fans of fantasy, J. R. R. Tolkien’s iconic work, The Lord of the Rings, was a significant part of my childhood. Since the third grade, I have immersed myself in the films and books countless times, explored various video game adaptations, and even contributed to the social media campaign for the Prime Video series, The Rings of Power. So, when I learned that Peter Jackson was coming back to Tolkien as a producer for an anime adaptation focusing on the story of Helm Hammerhand, I was absolutely thrilled.
Set 200 years prior to the events of The Hobbit, The War of the Rohirrim delves deeper into the lore of Middle-earth found in the appendices of The Return of the King. The story follows Helm (voiced by Brian Cox), the King of Rohan, who inadvertently kills the lord of the Dunlendings during a duel, sparking a bitter blood feud with Wulf (Luca Pasqualino), the lord’s son, whom Helm subsequently exiles. When Wulf returns with a formidable army, the people of Rohan must unite to protect their homeland and fight for their survival.
Told from the viewpoint of Helm’s daughter Héra (Gaia Wise), a character not mentioned in the original books, The War of the Rohirrim delves into the conflicts faced by the people of Rohan and their defense at the Hornburg, which would later be recognized as Helm’s Deep, the location of the epic final battle in The Two Towers.
One intriguing and somewhat controversial element of this new LOTR film is its anime format. The appeal of this Japanese animation style has surged among Western viewers, leading to its adoption for retelling Western narratives. War of the Rohirrim fits seamlessly into the LOTR film series, presenting a visually stunning and stylistically rich animation that surpasses the earlier Rankin/Bass adaptation of The Hobbit and Ralph Bakshi’s unique rotoscoped version of The Lord of the Rings.
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Tolkien’s maps come alive on screen, and the film’s opening scene genuinely feels like stepping into the pages of his stories. The expansive fields and the grand hall of Rohan appear as majestic and awe-inspiring as I recall from my first viewing of The Two Towers. The Rohan warriors, clad in their armor, present a striking image as they confront formidable foes like the massive mûmakil. The battles, which were the highlight for me, are intense, captivating, and feature some of the film's finest animated sequences, whether it’s Helm Hammerhand bravely taking on a horde of Dunlendings or Héra engaged in fierce sword fights.
Given the sleek, polished, and intricate animation seen in contemporary series like My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, and Spy Family, The War of the Rohirrim had a significant standard to uphold. Regrettably, while the animation reaches impressive heights at times, it ultimately falls short of expectations. In non-battle scenes, many characters’ movements appear awkward and jittery, reminiscent of a video struggling to load or suffering from a low frame rate.
The character and background design are stunning, yet it seems that director Kenji Kamiyama relied on this visual appeal to excuse some lackluster moments. One particularly glaring example occurs during a tense chase in the forest, where the action abruptly shifts to a zooming and panning view of a static tree background. This sudden change feels jarring and lacks effort, leading me to wonder if such instances were due to budget constraints that diverted focus from the battles.
While one might expect the visuals to be the highlight of an animated film, the true gem here is the sound design. Experiencing Howard Shore’s legendary score in theaters again was worth the ticket price by itself, and when paired with Stephen Gallagher’s music, it creates an enchanting atmosphere filled with magic, peril, and adventure.
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| The War of the Rohirrim review (2024) |
The sound effects are exceptional. The thundering footsteps of the giant mûmakil, along with the resonating war horns and booming drums, make you feel as if you’re right in the midst of the battle. The clash of swords is sharp and clear, and the impact of Helm’s notorious punches is satisfyingly powerful. For me, the auditory experience was undoubtedly the highlight; it could easily have been enjoyed as an audiobook or podcast.
I’m excited that we’re finally seeing an adaptation of Helm Hammerhand’s tale. When I explored the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, his story really captured my attention. If you’re hoping for a precise, word-for-word retelling of Helm Hammerhand’s narrative as Tolkien envisioned it, this adaptation might not meet your expectations. However, if you’re eager for another opportunity to immerse yourself in Middle-earth, then The War of the Rohirrim offers a delightful and distinctive way to satisfy that desire.
I appreciate how the smaller cast allows for a deeper exploration of their characters. The narrative, centered around a singular human conflict and the origin of the name “Helm’s Deep,” feels personal and concentrated. Yet, when viewed alongside Peter Jackson’s films, I found myself longing for the epic scale. Jackson’s adaptations presented vast, sweeping adventures that traversed diverse landscapes and showcased characters from various races engaged in monumental battles with armies numbering in the thousands.
In contrast, the conflicts depicted in War of the Rohirrim resemble more of personal duels and skirmishes rather than grand battles. While this smaller scale offers a refreshing change within the Jacksonverse, I found myself longing for the epic grandeur that is often a hallmark of fantasy films. As a narrative focused solely on a feud among humans, lacking the unique elements that define LOTR, War of the Rohirrim tends to feel somewhat conventional.
The film's three main characters, portrayed by Cox, Wise, and Pasqualino, are both engaging and multi-dimensional. Wise shines as Héra, bringing strength, adventure, and determination to her role. Her heroism is tempered by the sorrow she experiences as her former friend turns into an adversary, causing harm to her people. Meanwhile, Pasqualino delivers a compelling performance as Wulf, a villain driven by rage, greed, and a thirst for power and vengeance.
While he often delivers his lines with disdain and hostility throughout much of the film, the gentle introduction to his character and the pain he experiences when Héra rejects his marriage proposal create a striking contrast. This allows us to glimpse both the innocent boy he once was and the villain he believes he had to become.
However, the true standout of the show is Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand. Every line he delivers resonates with strength and authority, embodying the regal presence one would expect from the leader of the proud riders of Rohan. His character's fiery pride and unwavering self-righteousness sharply contrast with those of his daughter and his adversary. While Héra advocates for caution and wisdom, Helm dismisses her counsel, ruling with the belief that power justifies actions.
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Both Helm and Wulf are driven by their egos, but while Wulf aims to inflict pain on the world for the hardships he endures, Cox’s portrayal of Helm presents him as a character who believes he can dominate the world through sheer strength and his royal status. This performance is truly impressive, and despite Helm's evident flaws and questionable decisions, I found myself rooting for him.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim doesn’t quite capture the magic, wonder, and grandeur of Peter Jackson’s live-action films, but then again, nothing can truly replicate that experience. As a standalone film, The War of the Rohirrim offers an entertaining yet imperfect look at a significant chapter in Middle-earth’s lore.
If you’re open to the concept of a LOTR anime, it provides a distinctive approach to adapting Tolkien’s stories. However, the animation quality varies and doesn’t consistently meet the expectations set by contemporary anime or even shows from the last two decades. The film shines in its audio elements, featuring outstanding voice performances, an exhilarating musical score, and well-crafted sound effects. While it may occasionally feel a bit gimmicky and suggest that some shortcuts were taken, The War of the Rohirrim remains an enjoyable and engaging journey through Middle-earth.
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