Alert! Spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim are contained in this article! The film subtly illuminates the origins of Gandalf the White’s strategic approach in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Although these cinematic narratives occur nearly 200 years apart, they share central themes of conflict involving Rohan and the Dunlendings, especially evident in their climactic battles at Helm’s Deep. Despite the historical gap, both stories present formidable odds against Rohan, featuring surprise attacks that shift the tide of battle.
The Reimagined Legend of Helm Hammerhand
Set just under two centuries prior to Frodo’s destruction of Sauron’s One Ring, The War of the Rohirrim offers a fresh perspective on Tolkien’s tale of Helm Hammerhand. This king of Rohan met his end at Helm’s Deep while bravely facing off against a Dunlending horde during the infamous Long Winter. Interestingly, the animated retelling introduces Helm’s daughter, Héra, who assumes a leadership role in the wake of her father’s death and plays a crucial part in securing the kingdom’s future. She was aided significantly by her cousin Fréaláf, who arrived with reinforcements at a pivotal moment.
Fréaláf’s Timely Arrival at Helm’s Deep
Gandalf’s Imitation of Fréaláf’s Strategy
In The War of the Rohirrim, Fréaláf stages his ambush from a steep hill east of the Hornburg, effectively trapping the Dunlendings between his forces and the fortress, which leads to a swift conclusion of the siege. This tactic is strikingly reminiscent of Gandalf’s own ambush strategy in The Two Towers, where he arrives with the Riders of Rohan, echoing Fréaláf’s approach.
Prior to Saruman’s siege, Gandalf instructs Aragorn, “Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.”True to his word, Gandalf appears at dawn accompanied by Shadowfax, Éomer, and the Riders of Rohan, poised to strike against Saruman’s forces, thereby culminating in a dramatic turnaround at Helm’s Deep.
Héra’s Potential Meeting with Gandalf
The Conversation That May Have Influenced Gandalf
While The War of the Rohirrim is presented as an animated film, its design and storytelling resonate strongly with Jackson’s live-action adaptations. The settings, particularly the hill from which Fréaláf launched his attack, closely align with the geography featured in The Two Towers, hinting at an intentional connection. It is plausible that Héra, in her discussions with Gandalf, shared insights about Fréaláf’s tactics, providing the wizard with valuable intelligence.
Following the conflict at Helm’s Deep, Héra embarks on a journey to consult with Gandalf regarding the Orcs from Mordor. Although their meeting is not depicted on-screen, it can be inferred that their dialogue encompassed more than mere discussions about Orc activity. Gandalf would likely have sought details about Helm Hammerhand’s demise and Fréaláf’s decisive victory, which could have been instrumental in shaping his approach centuries later.
Creative Liberties in Lord of the Rings Adaptations
Divergences from Tolkien’s Original Narratives
The similarity between Gandalf’s and Fréaláf’s strategies provides an engaging Easter egg that links these two films in Jackson’s portrayal of Middle-earth, enhancing the overall narrative cohesion. However, it is essential to recognize that these parallels were likely crafted by the filmmakers, diverging from Tolkien’s original narrative intentions. In Tolkien’s writings, Gandalf’s return and Fréaláf’s actions unfold differently. For instance, in the book The Two Towers, Gandalf does not make the same pronouncement to Aragorn and arrives with unexpected allies, showcasing Erkenbrand and the Westfold instead.
Ultimately, while The War of the Rohirrim introduces modifications to established canon, it does so effectively, enhancing the richness of the stories presented.
Fans can look forward to streaming The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim on Max in early 2025.
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