How ‘The War of the Rohirrim’ Ties Into ‘The Lord of the Rings’

The epic world of Middle-earth, originating in J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings, has made its way to the screen multiple times, from Ralph Bakshi’s animated adaptations to Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogies, and most recently, Amazon’s ‘The Rings of Power’ series. The next venture into Middle-earth will be ‘The War of the Rohirrim’, set to release in December, though this time it will be an anime rather than a live-action film.

Despite the format change, ‘The War of the Rohirrim’ maintains continuity with Jackson’s Middle-earth films. The trailer emphasizes this connection, opening with “Peter Jackson Presents” and showcasing scenes from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’. Jackson serves as an executive producer while Kenji Kamiyama directs, ensuring continuity with the original trilogy, even though the anime differs stylistically.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Set 200 years before ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘The War of the Rohirrim’ focuses on King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and his battle against the Dunlendings. This war, triggered by political betrayal, shifts from the usual good versus evil conflicts, focusing instead on a more personal, human conflict. Miranda Otto returns to voice Éowyn, narrating the tale of her ancestors, particularly highlighting Helm’s daughter Hèra, who mirrors the shieldmaiden role Éowyn later embodies. 

While most familiar characters won’t appear due to the time difference, some like Saruman may feature. The film will also explore the origins of Helm’s Deep, the fortress central to ‘The Two Towers’, cementing the story’s connection to the wider Middle-earth saga while offering new insights into the history and culture of Rohan.

–Farheen Ali