Based on JRR Tolkien's “The House of Eorl”, a short story found in Appendix A of his legendary novel, The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim follows the King of Rohan's battle against an army of Dunlendings. The animated film is told in the traditional anime style and directed by iconic director Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell) and borrows several stories from Tolkien's Legendarium as well as Peter Jackson's film trilogy. But while the film centers on King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan, it also features the return of Miranda Otto's Éowyn.
She serves as narrator for The War of the Rohirrim story, which highlights the parallels between his story in The Two Towers and the animated film's new heroine, aptly named Héra (played by Gaia Wise). Éowyn is also a direct descendant of another of the film's heroes, Héra's cousin Fréaláf (voiced by Laurence Ubong Williams), who becomes King of Rohan at the end of The War of the Rohirrim. Other important characters include Luke Pasqualino as Wulf, Shaun Dooley as Freca, and Christopher Lee as Freca.
TelaRant interviewed Wise and Williams about their characters in The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim and how they related to their conflicts. The actors also reflected on Tolkien's legacy and what makes his stories as relevant today as when he wrote them.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Stars Reflect on Tolkien's Themes
“The beauty of Tolkien is that even though it’s a fantasy world, it feels incredibly human.”
ScreenRant: First of all, this movie is amazing. I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan, and it seems like this fits perfectly. Gaia, can you share your first encounter with Tolkien's work as a child? What aspects of Lord of the Rings Did it resonate deeply with you or lead you to rewatch it multiple times?
Sage Gaia: Oh my God. I read The Hobbit and then discovered the films. It's the fact that films speak to the human condition in all kinds of ways, and there are beautiful human connections in all films. The characters are wonderful, and the beauty of Tolkien is that even though it's a fantasy world, it feels incredibly human. That's why they're rewatchable; because there are aspects of it that fit into our lives.
I remember the first time I saw the movies, I just [wanted] be Éowyn. Seeing them when you were a kid, and hopefully now there's another female character – especially a protagonist in this who is the hero, adding to the lore of women and the lore of the Shieldmaidens – was really exciting. She is simply amazing; the coolest.
ScreenRant: Laurence, you mentioned that Tolkien's themes continue to resonate because they reflect real human life experiences. How do you think this film captures these timeless themes through its storytelling?
Laurence Ubong Williams: You start with this sense of duty to one's tribe and that tribalism is just part of the human story. Conflicts tend to start when territories are invaded and tribes go to war, but there is also a feeling of loyalty to one's family, and these things are always tested in real life.
But what we have established over the last 24-48 hours, having been involved in the story of the War of the Rohirrim, is that there is another pertinent issue [element] here is a prophetic one – as Brian Cox said earlier – about women. There are moments in this film where women finally have their moment, not just to do what needs to be done, but to get recognition for it. When men are rightfully forced to finally listen to our sisters and what good can come from it.
Gaia Wise and Laurence Ubong Williams Praise Héra and Fréaláf's Stories in LOTR: War of the Rohirrim
“The slogan for men should just be: “Be more like Fréaláf.””
ScreenRant: Gaia, when you first read the script for this film, what elements made you feel emotionally connected to the story and your character, Héra?
Gaia Wise: It's a very rich story. The script is so beautiful. It was very much about the voice of a woman, or a young girl, who is silenced at the beginning of the film and finally heard. That's when things start to change. For me, this was very reflective of Éowyn's “I am not a man” in The Return of the King. It's my favorite moment.
[Héra’s] such a three-dimensional character. There's so much going on there. What I loved most about her was that she could be vulnerable. Her vulnerability is a source of her strength because it allows her to remain compassionate and true to her morals and values, and not be overcome by anger and fear like Wulf.
ScreenRant: Lawrence, your character experiences internal conflicts and navigates family tension. Can you talk about the balance between loyalty to Rohan and your disagreement with King Helm?
Laurence Ubong Williams: That's the conflict that I find personally, like Laurence, something that I can't relate to. If I was so sure that what I believed was the right thing to do or the correct course of action was what I was advocating, and then someone disagreed with me, I would get quite impetuous.
But he has this sense of duty and honor to himself, the codes of conduct and chain of command that he must obey, and he has a degree of nobility that I now admire. I think, “Wow, you can bide your time. You have to be patient. You have to be stoic when you need to be and eventually you will have time to do the right thing for the people you love.” And, of course, he does.
Gaia Wise: Yes, the slogan for men should just be: “Be more like Fréaláf.”
More about The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim (2024)
Set 183 years before the events narrated in the original film trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, an intelligent and ruthless lord of Dunlending seeking revenge for his father's death, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand at the ancient fortress of Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later be known. like Helm's Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, daughter of Helm, must muster the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy bent on her total destruction.
Check back soon for our other The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim interviews here:
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Philippa Boyens
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Kenji Kamiyama
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Brian Cox
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Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou
Source: Rant Plus Screen