Kenji Kamiyama removes Tolkien’s appendix.
If Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films were a sweeping symphony, then The War of the Rohirrim is an energetic overture to one of its grandest movements. The latest entry into the growing pantheon of Tolkien adaptations takes us back to the kingdom of Rohan, centuries before the events of The Two Towers, to tell the tale of Helm Hammerhand and the epic conflict that shaped the legend of Helm’s Deep. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, this animated prequel blends Tolkien’s mythic gravitas with dynamic action and a visual flair that feels both reverent and refreshingly modern.
Set around 200 years before Bilbo Baggins received that fateful knock at his front door, the story revolves around the final days of Helm Hammerhand, the warrior king of Rohan, whose fortitude and tragic heroism are the stuff of legend—and now cinema. The narrative draws on the appendices of The Return of the King to weave a tale of betrayal, vengeance, and survival, giving us an origin story not just for the man but for the fortress that would become synonymous with Rohan’s resilience. While the film doesn’t shy away from the brutality of war, it also delves into the quieter moments of leadership and sacrifice that define Helm as a character. This is a man who wields strength not just with his fists but with his conviction, making him a compelling and layered character, even if he is prone to ignoring the counsel of the real lead character of the movie, his daughter Hera.
Visually, The War of the Rohirrim offers a striking blend of dynamic action and rich artistry, appealing to fans of both Tolkien and animation. The Japanese influence, courtesy of animation powerhouse Sola Entertainment, is evident in the fluidity of the battle sequences and the intricate designs of the world. From the windswept plains of Rohan to the imposing crags of Helm’s Deep, the film captures the rugged beauty of Jackson’s interpretation of Tolkien’s landscapes with a painterly quality that often feels like it’s pulled straight from an illuminated manuscript. The character designs strike a balance between grounded and mythic, with Helm himself portrayed as a towering figure of grim determination. There’s even a shadow of a tip of the visual hat to Ralph Bakshi as different animation styles and techniques are blended together, admittedly with a great deal more panache than Bakshi managed.
The English-speaking voice cast is a strength, with Brian Cox lending gravitas to Helm Hammerhand. His rich, rumbling delivery imbues the character with a sense of weary nobility, grounding even the film’s more fantastical moments while Gaia Wise shines as Hera, Helm’s resourceful and courageous daughter, whom the story is actually about, a centring that makes perfect sense given Miranda Otto’s return as Éowyn, narrating the tale and providing a familiar anchor for fans of the live-action films and reinforcing the film’s connection to the larger cinematic Middle-earth.
Where The War of the Rohirrim truly excels is in its pacing and action. The battles are breathtakingly choreographed, blending sweeping aerial shots with visceral, ground-level intensity. The siege of Helm’s Deep, the film’s centrepiece, is as thrilling as it is harrowing, a reminder of the fortress’s storied history long before Aragorn and his companions ever set foot within its walls. Yet amidst the spectacle, the film never loses sight of the human (or, in this case, Rohirric) cost of war. The emotional stakes are high, and the story’s quieter beats—moments of reflection, grief, and camaraderie—are given just as much care as the grand set pieces.
That said, the film does take a few liberties with the source material, condensing and embellishing the sparse details Tolkien provided. Purists may bristle at the creative additions, but these changes largely serve the narrative and its medium well and are a world away from the fan service turned fan fiction shenanigans of Amazon’s The Rings Of Power. Helm’s daughter, Hera, is a notable example of this, an entirely original character created for the movie however, her presence adds much-needed emotional resonance and a fresh perspective, as well as enabling more connective tissue to evolve between The War Of The Rohirrim and the Unexpected Journeys to come.
The War of the Rohirrim stands as a testament to the enduring power of Tolkien’s world and the way Peter Jackson has brought it to big screen life, proving that there are still new stories to tell within Middle-earth’s vast tapestry. It’s a bold and invigorating entry that honours its source material, acknowledges its relationships to the other films while carving out its own space within the legendarium. Whether you’re a long-time devotee of Tolkien or a movies-first fan looking for further adventures in the landscapes you’ve come to love, this animated adventure will leave you eager to spend even more time in Middle-earth.
