The epic conflict of “The War of the Rohirrim” has its roots in Appendix A of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” chronicling the reign of Helm Hammerhand, the ninth King of Rohan. While the annals detail kings’ lineage and deeds, this war hinges on a nameless figure, a young woman reduced to a pawn in a power play.
Kenji Kamiyama’s new anime, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” seems to promote this nameless woman to the main character.
The original appendix sketches serve as supporting material for Tolkien’s masterpiece and outlines a strategic marriage proposal for Helm’s daughter. The proposal sparks conflict, while the poor daughter remains devoid of even a name or whisper of personality in the text. The arrogant Freca, seeking to unite his son Wulf with the princess, meets a swift and brutal end at the hands of the enraged king. The ensuing war, a bloody testament to Wulf’s vengeance and lust for power, tragically revolves around a woman whose identity remains shrouded in the shadows of history.
The anime is heading to the cinema screen this year and was written by Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou. War of the Rohirrim” and takes a bold step, breathing life into a previously nameless figure from Tolkien’s lore. Helm’s daughter, now named Hera, emerges as a dynamic presence in the trailer, hinting at a pivotal role in the film. From horseback riding to combat prowess, Hera’s active participation suggests a departure from the traditional and dull damsel in distress trope. The trailer also teases a history between Hera and Wulf, adding emotional depth to their impending clash and transforming a war sparked by political ambition into a conflict fueled by personal stakes.
The brilliance of Hera’s elevation in “War of the Rohirrim” lies in recognizing her inherent importance. In the books, Helm’s nameless daughter was merely a pawn, a symbol of power rather than a person. By giving her a name, a voice, and a central role in the film, the creators have reclaimed her agency and transformed her from a plot device into a protagonist.
Of course, we might be barking up the wrong tree and misled by the trailer.
The anime influence in Hera is also evident, and this seems impossible to be a misdirection. Hera’s portrayal in “War of the Rohirrim” seems to channel the essence of Nausicaä, Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved princess from “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.” Like Nausicaä, Hera is not only a noblewoman but also displays a deep connection with the forest’s creatures, suggesting a similar strength of character and empathy for all living things.
Leading the talented voice cast is the formidable Brian Cox (“Succession“) as King Helm Hammerhand, with Gaia Wise (“A Walk in the Woods“) as his daughter Héra, and Luke Pasqualino (“Snowpiercer“) as the menacing Wulf. The film also marks the highly-anticipated return of Miranda Otto, reprising her iconic role as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, who lends her voice to narrate this epic tale.
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