**Examining Middle-earth: An In-Depth Look at *The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim***
*The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim* charts new paths in the adaptation landscape. Rather than being based on one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, it elaborates on only two pages from the Appendices. These pages detail the valiant final stand of Helm Hammerhand, one of Rohan’s esteemed kings, portrayed by *Succession*’s Brian Cox.
### A Daring Evolution of Tolkien’s Appendices
The narrative kicks off with a clash between Helm Hammerhand and a competing lord, Freca (voiced by Shaun Dooley). Freca suggests a marriage between his son, Wulf (Luke Pasqualino), and Helm’s daughter. Helm not only declines the offer but also ends Freca’s life with a single, powerful blow—earning him the title of Hammerhand. This act of rebellion drives Wulf towards vengeance, leading to his takeover of Edoras and a siege that compels Helm and the Rohirrim to seek refuge at the Hornburg.
While Tolkien’s original account is engaging, it is quite brief. To adapt it into a feature film, screenwriters Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou enriched the storyline, adding layers and complexity to the characters and unfolding events.
### Héra: A New Protagonist Rises
A major enhancement to the tale is Helm’s daughter, Héra, who is not mentioned in Tolkien’s writings. Producer Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote *The Lord of the Rings* film series and is Gittins’ mother, advocated for a focus on Héra’s viewpoint. The inspiration came from her crucial role in the saga—after all, Freca’s marriage proposal centers on her.
“Tolkien indeed positioned her at the crux of this conflict,” Gittins shared. “Much of this war stems from her. Once we acknowledged that, it became thrilling to envision her narrative.”
Héra, brought to life by Gaia Wise, serves as the emotional heart of the film. Her participation not only enhances the familial relationships but also honors Rohan’s shieldmaidens. Additionally, her character offers a narrative means to advance the story post-Helm’s heart-wrenching end.
“When analyzing the text, Helm’s destiny is legendary yet doesn’t provide closure for the Rohirrim,” Gittins remarked. “Héra became the character poised to progress the tale.”
### A Fresh Lens on the Hornburg
Fans of *The Lord of the Rings* will recognize the Hornburg as the setting for the monumental Battle of Helm’s Deep in *The Two Towers*. However, *The War of the Rohirrim* presents a new viewpoint on this famed site by zeroing in on the grueling, protracted siege during the Long Winter.
In contrast to the single-night conflict depicted in *The Two Towers*, this siege unfolds as a relentless, harsh war of attrition. Helm strikes fear into Wulf’s forces with nightly assaults, as Wulf erects a siege tower to breach the Hornburg’s fortifications.
“Our fascination lay in the shared suffering on both fronts during the stalemate,” Gittins noted. “There’s a countdown, a growing anticipation of disaster.”
The film diverges from Tolkien’s narrative by bringing Wulf to the Hornburg, heightening the stakes. This alteration paves the way for a dramatic confrontation between Wulf and Helm’s nephew, Fréaláf (Laurence Ubong Williams), at the Hornburg rather than in Edoras.
### Resonances of the Original Trilogy
The film integrates several nods to Peter Jackson’s *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy. Fréaláf’s entrance at the Hornburg echoes Gandalf and Éomer’s charge in *The Two Towers*, while Héra’s fight with Wulf recalls Aragorn’s strategic maneuvers in *The Return of the King*.
These allusions are deliberate, linking the new narrative to the cherished trilogy while establishing its unique character.
### Éowyn Returns as the Narrator
Another tie to the original trilogy is the reappearance of Éowyn, again voiced by Miranda Otto. She acts as the film’s narrator, framing the tale as a legend passed down through the ages.
“Héra is effectively Éowyn 2.0,” Gittins clarified. “Both are strong-willed daughters of Rohan’s rulers, resolved to safeguard their people despite their fathers’ hesitations. It felt organic to have Éowyn narrate Héra’s journey.”
This storytelling technique also introduces a dimension of myth-making. Any departures from Tolkien’s writings can be interpreted as the narrative evolving through time, akin to real-world folklore.
### Broadening Middle-earth
The film doesn’t solely hone in on Rohan—it also links