This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim smartly paid tribute to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy in many different ways. The animated film covers the war between the Rohirrim and the neighboring Dunlending in Third Age Rohan, nearly 200 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, it is Warner Bros.’ first Lord of the Rings anime movie and the first official anime film for the franchise ever. Although it eschewed live-action, the movie recalled the LotR trilogy multiple times.
✕ Remove Ads
The War of the Rohirrim movie enjoyed a theatrical release and provides Middle-earth fans with a never-before-seen glimpse of the Rohirrim. This is a treat, allowing Easter eggs galore and opportunities to pay homage to the movies that came before it. After all, The War of the Rohirrim wouldn’t be able to exist without the success of former movies in the franchise. Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed first LotR trilogy paved the way for lots of fantasy movies and its influence is felt all throughout War of the Rohirrim.
10 The War Of The Rohirrim Soundtrack
The Soundtrack Captures The Lord Of The Rings‘ Power
Close
✕ Remove Ads
The War of the Rohirrim powerfully recalls Peter Jackson’s first Lord of the Rings trilogy and does so through its soundtrack. The movie refers to the original LotR trilogy constantly in a bid to introduce nostalgia. In that regard, Stephen Gallagher’s soundtrack is by far the most evocative element. Gallagher was one of the music editors for The Hobbit and that familiarity with the subject-matter shines through in War of the Rohirrim. Gallagher captures the most relevant and memorable parts of the original trilogy’s Howard Shore soundtrack and uses them with devastating efficiency all throughout the movie.
Through the use of score, [Composer Stephen Gallagher] states that this is not just
War of the Rohirrim
, it is
The Lord of the Rings
.
The movie’s opening “Overture” starts with mysterious brass and a percussive twinkle that speaks deeply to the franchise’s origins in the 2000s before diving teasingly into Shore’s much-mythologized theme from “Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All.” This represents the movie loudly declaring itself as part of a bigger picture. Through the use of score, Gallagher states that this is not just War of the Rohirrim, it is The Lord of the Rings. “Overture” offers some connective tissue before it really, truly begins, bursting into Shore’s Rohan theme over a sweeping, awe-inspiring aerial shot of Rohan.
✕ Remove Ads
9 The War Of The Rohirrim Cast
The Lord Of The Rings’ Original Cast Are Here In Spades
Close
The War of the Rohirrim honors Miranda Otto’s Éowyn at its start with her narration, but this is just one of the movie’s cameos from the original Lord of the Rings cast. Éowyn’s narration is a suitable start to the movie, but it is very subtle and may be barely noticeable to many if it is noticeable at all. The same goes for all The Lord of the Rings’ cast’s cameos, which allows the movie’s own narrative to shine.
Related What Happens To Héra After War Of The Rohirrim In Lord Of The Rings Lore
Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim tells the story of Héra and her leadership during a devastating conflict. Here’s what happens to her next.
Posts
✕ Remove Ads
Christopher Lee voices Saruman in a ghostly cameo that raises the legendary actor from the dead. With pre-recorded dialogue from The Lord of the Rings, the actor comes to life in an anime Saruman who looks remarkably like him. One of the movie’s most delightful Peter Jackson Easter eggs is the casting of two Orcs who appear looking for rings for Mordor. They are voiced by Pippin actor Billy Boyd and Merry actor Dominic Monaghan. It’s a clever touch, given their connection to the original trilogy.
8 The War Of The Rohirrim Dialogue
The Movie Refers To Peter Jackson’s Lord Of The Rings Script
Close
The War of the Rohirrim screenwriters reference Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings script with appropriate allusions that create a vivid sense of time and place. The Rohirrim are imbued with a sense of honor and legacy without losing relatability. Just like in The Lord of the Rings, these characters speak with a rich, archaic diction that recalls medieval times but remains comprehensible to a modern audience.
✕ Remove Ads
The Rohirrim are also known as the Eorlingas, named for King Eorl the Young, founder of Rohan. The War of the Rohirrim is based on a short story called “The House of Eorl” in Appendix A of Tolkien’s masterwork, The Lord of the Rings. This story starts by telling Eorl’s story, so his presence had to be felt in this movie as much as it was felt in The Lord of the Rings. Indeed, “Forth Eorlingas” can be heard more than once in War of the Rohirrim, giving the people their distinctive battle cry that feels connected to future events.
7 The War Of The Rohirrim Shots
Peter Jackson’s Movies Are Present In Spirit
Close
✕ Remove Ads
The Lord of the Rings is present in spirit in The War of the Rohirrim, with specific shots demonstrating respect and appreciation for the movies that preceded it. The movie opens with a wide shot of Rohan, spreading out over snow-capped mountains in a dazzling display. This animation appears to be blended with CGI, bringing The Lord of the Rings to mind with haunting precision.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
was released in 2002, twenty-two years before the release of
The War of the Rohirrim
.
The movie also soars over the plains of Rohan, triggering poignant memories of some of fantasy’s most beautiful movies. One shot, in particular, shows The War of the Rohirrim’s attention to detail and love of Jackson’s iconic work. One of the most memorable moments in the Battle of Helm’s Deep was Gandalf and Éomer leading the downhill charge of the Rohirrim in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers movie. This is referenced beautifully by a battle scene in The War of the Rohirrim that recreates the shot.
✕ Remove Ads
6 The War Of The Rohirrim Locations
The Movie Includes Historical Locations From The Original Trilogy
Close
The War of the Rohirrim is full of historical Rohan locations, bringing to mind some of The Lord of the Rings’ most celebrated moments. No movie about the Rohirrim would be complete without a deep dive into Edoras, Rohan’s primary settlement. This is the home of its royal family. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’s Héra gets back from an excursion into the wilderness and the movie plunges into a witan not long after. This diplomatic meeting shows the nobility of Rohan uniting with other nobles in Meduseld.
J.R.R. Tolkien could speak Anglo-Saxon, which helped him come up with the name Meduseld. Maeduselde was Anglo-Saxon for
“mead hall.”
✕ Remove Ads
Meduseld was the royal hall of the Kings of Rohan, and the center of their political activity. This great hall was spectacular to behold in The Two Towers and was just as beautiful in The War of the Rohirrim. The surrounding Edoras was also richly imagined in the anime movie. Helm’s Deep was another Rohan highlight of The War of the Rohirrim, modeled on the set used in Peter Jackson’s movies and used to great effect in the new animated film.
5 Emblems Of Rohan In The War Of The Rohirrim
The Movie’s Symbols Reflect The Rohan Of The Lord Of The Rings
Close
The War of the Rohirrim uses a lot of the imagery and iconography that Peter Jackson used in his Lord of the Rings movies. Kenji Kamiyama’s anime feature breathes new life into the original trilogy’s best objects, airing out the horn of Helm Hammerhand for all to behold in animated glory. In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Gimli took the initiative of blowing the horn to herald war.
✕ Remove Ads
Related War Of The Rohirrim’s Helm Hammerhead Explained: Lord Of The Rings History & Two Towers Connection
The feature-length anime follows one of the most influential figures in Rohan’s history, and has a distinct connection to Tolkien’s iconic trilogy.
Posts
The War of the Rohirrim ends with the ascension of Fréaláf Hildeson, Helm’s nephew and the tenth King of Rohan. After the violence and trauma of the movie’s titular war, this is a hard-earned moment of peace and tranquility. As Fréaláf becomes king in the movie, decor can be seen in the background. The decor bears white flowers that closely resemble The Lord of the Rings’ Simbelmynë. This is the flower that grew on the Rohirrim graves in Jackson’s movie trilogy, giving the moments a thematic connection.
4 Rohan’s Rivalry With Gondor In The War Of The Rohirrim
This Huge Lord Of The Rings Theme Runs Deep In the Movie
Close
✕ Remove Ads
Rohan and Gondor may be staunch allies by the end of The Lord of the Rings movies, but it wasn’t always that way, as The War of the Rohirrim demonstrates. Both The Lord of the Rings and The War of the Rohirrim show how Gondor and Rohan have a checkered past that hasn’t always resulted in success and progress. Gondor and Rohan are the two most important realms of Men in the franchise, so checking in on their relationship in The War of the Rohirrim feels suitable.
The War of the Rohirrim
takes place 187 years before the events of
The Lord of the Rings
, meaning all the human characters within the story have long since passed by the events of Peter Jackson’s trilogy.
War of the Rohirrim’s Helm Hammerhand is not keen to call on Gondor’s aid in The War of the Rohirrim. This stubbornness seems to be a conssitent element of the rulers of Men, since Denethor was famously not keen to call on aid in The Lord of the Rings. Gondor’s Steward Denethor refused to light the beacons in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, creating a thematic connection between the different generations of Men who couldn’t unite in the face of conflict.
✕ Remove Ads
3 The War Of The Rohirrim Monsters
The Movie Brings Back Lord Of The Rings’ Classic Creatures
Close
The War of the Rohirrim boasts some of the fantasy monsters that J.R.R. Tolkien’s work is known for, most of which appeared in the original Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Orcs appear in a fascinating scene, looking for rings, although they do not appear in this part of the story in the movie’s source material. Likewise, the movie features the Great Eagles. Although these majestic creatures don’t feature in the movie’s source material, they do appear in The Lord of the Rings.
The War of the Rohirrim
puts its animated format to good use with imaginative, fantastical reinventions of the Mûmakil and the Watcher in the Water…
✕ Remove Ads
An eagle carries Gandalf away from Isengard in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Héra encounters one. Other eagles rescue Sam and Frodo from the erupting Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Meanwhile, The War of the Rohirrim puts its animated format to good use with imaginative, fantastical reinventions of the Mûmakil and the Watcher in the Water, both of which appear in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies.
2 The War Of The Rohirrim Characters
The Movie Brings Back Lord Of The Rings’ Classic Characters
Close
The War of the Rohirrim brings some of Lord of the Rings’ best characters back in surprise appearances. Christopher Lee’s Saruman appears in animated form, as per the movie’s source material. While Saruman’s appearance is faithful to the book, his striking resemblance to Christopher Lee is a blissful bonus. However, Sauron and Gandalf both also quietly appear in the movie, despite not cropping up in person.
✕ Remove Ads
|
Tolkienian Age |
Event Marking The Start |
Years |
Total Length In Solar Years |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Before time |
Indeterminate |
Indeterminate |
Indeterminate |
|
Days before Days |
Ainur entered Eä |
1 – 3,500 Valian Years |
33,537 |
|
Pre-First Age Years of the Trees (Y.T.) |
Yavanna created the Two Trees |
Y.T. 1 – 1050 |
10,061 |
|
First Age (F.A.) |
Elves awoke in Cuiviénen |
Y.T. 1050 – Y.T. 1500, F.A. 1 – 590 |
4,902 |
|
Second Age (S.A.) |
War of Wrath ended |
S.A. 1 – 3441 |
3,441 |
|
Third Age (T.A.) |
Last Alliance defeated Sauron |
T.A. 1 – 3021 |
3,021 |
|
Fourth Age (Fo.A) |
Elven-rings left Middle-earth |
Fo.A 1 – unknown |
Unknown |
The movie references Sauron in one scene involving Orcs, alluding to the large-scale and long-term struggle going on in the movie’s background whereby Sauron was slowly rising to power in the Third Age. Shield maidens, who were touched on in the Rohan scenes of the LotR trilogy, are a major theme in the movie. However, the mention of Gandalf towards the movie’s end may be its most exciting Peter Jackson callback, as it references one of the franchise’s most iconic characters.
✕ Remove Ads
1 The Looming Threat Of The War Of The Ring
The War Of The Rohirrim Sets Up The Lord Of the Rings
Close
The War of the Rohirrim’s most crucial tie-in with the Peter Jackson movies of the 2000s may be its knowing references to the wider world of Middle-earth and the cosmic power struggles within it. Sauron, Saruman, and the White Council were already vying for power in their own ways at this point in the Middle-earth timeline. The movie lets this be known. Wulf heads up Isengard and its machinations in the movie, recalling the magnificent sets of The Two Towers.
Related Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Ending Explained: What Happens To Héra & What It Sets Up
Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim details a conflict centuries before the War of the Ring. Here’s our breakdown of what happens and its themes.
Posts
✕ Remove Ads
Saruman himself joins proceedings at the movie’s end, appearing to be held in suspicion by the wise-seeming Fréaláf. This foreshadows trouble to come between the Wizard and the Rohirrim, which plays out in The Lord of the Rings. Yet more fascinatingly, the Orcs in The Lord of the Rings: the War of the Rohirrim question what Mordor wants with rings, revealing how Sauron was looking for the One Ring with increasing fervor even at this point in the Third Age.
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
5.6/10 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim PG-13AnimationActionAdventureFantasy
Set before the events of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is an animated action-adventure fantasy film that follows a King of Rohan named Helm Hammerhand. When his home comes under siege by Dunlendings, Hammerhand prepares himself and his allies to fight back against them, with the war leading to the eventual establishment of Helm’s Deep.
Release Date December 13, 2024 Runtime 134 Minutes Main Genre Fantasy Franchise(s) The Lord of the Rings Cast Brian Cox , Miranda Otto , Gaia Wise , Luke Pasqualino , Laurence Ubong , Shaun Dooley Director Kenji Kamiyama Sequel(s) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring , The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers , The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Studio(s) New Line Cinema , Warner Bros. Animation , Sola Entertainment Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand