I've read the Hobbit before the LotR and even befor that the Silmarillion, in chronological order. Remembering those stories during the book, every little thing got deeper meaning. So the movies, filled with refences which understandable only for who are deep in the lore
Helm: Can I have a word with you outside? Proceeds to beat a man to death with his bare hands, leading to a bloody war and ultimately his own death. Helm: Worth it.
What moment from Helm Hammerhand's life are you MOST excited to see in the War of the Rohirrim animated film? I'm glad I was able to pull this off for today's release - I decided to change topics on Thursday after the WOTR announcement, so producing this on a 2-day timeline is a new record for me. haha.
Where was Gondor? As always under attack! :) But no worries they were only delayed ;). "In the days of Beren, the nineteenth Steward, an even greater peril came upon Gondor. Three great fleets, long prepared, came up from Umbar and the Harad, and assailed the coasts of Gondor in great force; and the enemy made many landings, even as far north as the mouth of the Isen. At the same time the Rohirrim were assailed from the west and the east, and their land was overrun, and they were driven into the dales of the White Mountains. In that year (2758) the Long Winter began with cold and great snows out of the North and the East which lasted for almost five months. Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and both his sons perished in that war; and there was misery and death in Eriador and in Rohan. But in Gondor south of the mountains things were less evil, and before spring came Beregond son of Beren had overcome the invaders. At once he sent aid to Rohan. He was the greatest captain that had arisen in Gondor since Boromir; and when he succeeded his father (2763) Gondor began to recover its strength. But Rohan was slower to be healed of the hurts that it had received. It was for this reason that Beren welcomed Saruman, and gave to him the keys of Orthanc; and from that year on (2759) Saruman dwelt in Isengard." The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion: The Stewards .... "Four years later (2758) great troubles came to Rohan, and no help could be sent from Gondor, for three fleets of the Corsairs attacked it and there was war on all its coasts. At the same time Rohan was again invaded from the East, and the Dunlendings seeing their chance came over the Isen and down from Isengard. It was soon known that Wulf was their leader. They were in great force, for they were joined by enemies of Gondor that landed in the mouths of Lefnui and Isen. The Rohirrim were defeated and their land was overrun; and those who were not slain or enslaved fled to the dales of the mountains. Helm was driven back with great loss from the Crossings of Isen and took refuge in the Hornburg and the ravine behind (which was after known as Helm’s Deep). There he was besieged. Wulf took Edoras and sat in Meduseld and called himself king. There Haleth Helm’s son fell, last of all, defending the doors. Return of the Kings - Book 7, Appendix A: Annals of the Kings and Rulers, II House of Eorl ... "The Eastern invaders perished or withdrew; and there came help at last from Gondor, by the roads both east and west of the mountains. Before the year (2759) was ended the Dunlendings were driven out, even from Isengard; and then Fréaláf became king."
In all seriousness though, Gondor did send help to Rohan once they dealt with the Corsairs and the Haradrim. "But in Gondor south of the mountains things were less evil, and before spring came Beregond son of Beren had overcome the invaders. At once he sent aid to Rohan... There were great floods after the snows, and the vale of Entwash became a vast fen. The Eastern invaders perished or withdrew; and there came help at last from Gondor, by the roads both east and west of the mountains." - Lord of the Rings, Appendix A
Coming back after the movie watched last night and they did wonderful work on Helm Hammerhand an absolute unit. And when he's going winter Rambo perfect and that last stand was handed beautifully
Agreed. And really enjoyed the relationships between his children as well, none of them were undersold or badly represented, they all felt like the director cared about them
One of the badass characters in all of legendarium....In this new anime I would really liked to see more about history of Rohan, more of Helms Deep and in simply more and more of Middleearth, I really hope that if this movie does well we can get a franchise, this is like a door for more and more movies and stories about Middlearth!!!
Good walk-through of the story of Helm Hammerhand. The thought of seeing this story as an anime movie really thrills me. Also thanks for featuring and naming Turner Mohan, one of my favorite fan artists, who deserves more publicity for his work.
Wouldn’t say he got a lot of screen time, compared to Hera especially. But his scenes were the best. And his story was told, though adapted to the movie.
For all that the movie is being poorly reviewed, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm glad I got to see it at the cinema and I hope they continue making more. It varies from the history in this video, but overall, most of the main beats are hit very well, and in a way that lends itself to a proper and compelling narrative.
@@shotgunsandstakes New Line Cinema is producing it, so they should be able to make animated versions of all the places, costumes, etc., Plus, use the music.
Fingers crossed that, however unlikely it may be, he does the score for the new movie. Would definitely help seed the fact that it's the same universe as the live action films for those who don't know and also because he'd be composing another Middle Earth movie lol
I've just stumbled upon your channel a few days ago and I'm absolutely enthralled. By far my favorite content to date. I just wanted to express my appreciation and admiration for the work you're are doing. And I'm sure it means as much to others as well. Just wanted you to know that you're appreciated. Thank you sir.
I went to the appendixes today and read this story to prepare for the movie and now I'm here listening to it from you! And what a delight! Your narration brought tears to my eyes! Tolkien stories are the best and you do a great job by bringing them to us like you do!! Thank you very much!!
Such an intensely legendary tale, which only you can tell. The visual gave me goosebumps, knowing Helm died on his feet. Can't wait to see this on video in my man cave. Thank you Matt!!👍👍
@@fxeconomist The only place you'd read that is in the game lore. The Nazgûl appeared a thousand years before Isildur's time, and Helm over a thousand years after him. Tolkien never revealed their identities, except Khamûl the Easterling, and the only thing we know about him is the name.
The producer confirmed they're sticking to Tolkein canon after some news source tweeted about the Nazgul thing. It's a cool game but the creative liberties it took were a bit odd lol
I wasn't particularly excited about the new film when I first heard of it, but after watching this video, as well as your livestream from the other day, I've changed my stance completely. This movie has potential to be amazing, and I'm really excited to see another movie in the canon of the LOTR/Hobbit films. I still don't like that they're calling it "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" though, but I get that that's just for brand recognition.
Lord of the Rings Online recently added a new class called the "Brawler". This class uses no weapons except your hands so I wasn't too excited when I first heard about it but then they explained that it was "inspired" by Helm Hammerhand and I was immediately "inspired" to create a new character - lol For some reason, roleplaying a Brawler with Helm Hammerhand as my guide just created such an enjoyable experience. I romped my way through 140 levels in record time (for me) enjoying every single crushing blow. Watching this video got me a little emotional - I really adore the story of Helm Hammerhand and feel so fortunate to have LotRO and now this upcoming film to spend more time in his story. Thank you Nerd of the Rings!
I'm so glad you read those lines of Helm and Freca. So epic! You have done a great job. However, you said Helm's son Haleth died before the doors of Suthburg. He actually died defending Meduseld from Wulf's attack. He was the last to be killed before Wulf sat on the throne.
It's a funny coincidence that I asked for this video only days before we knew about the War of the Rohirrim film 😅 thank you, even though I wasn't the cause of it!
I cant wait for the animated film, im so excited!!! I've been an avid fan of the Tolkien Mythology Stories... Never tired of watching LOTR trilogy & the Hobbit trilogy...
Great video and info like always. I can picture him stalking through the snow taking down the dunlendings one by one and blowing his horn to let them know he's coming. I hope this is in the movie.
it is such a small detail; but the fact that his grave grew with the most Simbelmynë to make it appear like it was covered in snow, is so awesome. can't even explain the feels
I am subscribed to your channel and have enjoyed many of your videos, they have helped me to better understand Tolkien's work. This stands out as truly wonderful because I had never considered how Helms Deep earned it's name and now I do. I just sit in wonder at times how many more stories could have told had the master of these tales lived but a few more years. I thank his son for sharing with us what he did. Rest in peace J.R.R. Tolkien. ⛅👍🍻
I would love to hear you talk about the extended battle scene from the book The Fall of Gondolin. I recently finished it and while a good portion of it is pretty "heady" the section that greatly expands the story of Tuor was amazing. There were parts that moved me greatly, sometimes even to near tears. ESPECIALLY, the tragic eponymous Fall of Gondolin. In my opinion, it makes the battle of the Pelennor Fields look like a mere skirmish! And the depictions of immense bravery and tragic loss had me both on the edge of my seat and once again finding myself becoming misty eyed as I rooted for the doomed and betrayed defenders. It's almost surreal as horrible acts of violence occur while the many fountains in the city continue bubbling and spraying along as the battle rages around them right up to the very end (also playing a part in allowing the refugees to escape under the cover of their steam). Oh, and there are Balrogs. LOTS of Balrogs. Dragons, too. Also, there are metal beasts that Melkor creates that I find the most interesting. The are literally living armored tanks/personnel carriers. There are several scenes where they appear. It's fascinating stuff that isn't found in the Silmarillion. Of course, the depiction of the ambush of the escaping elves is great, too. Especially since it involves an epic one on one battle with yet another Balrog. ;)
Yeah, Morgoth's dragon APCs were pretty metal as fuck. I haven't read the Book of Lost Tales version of the Fall of Gondolin in like five years but that little tidbit was what stuck in my head after all this time.
@@nilubensonofnimruzir1637 Get a copy of Fall of Gondolin. It was the last book Chris Tolkien put together before he died last year. It was published in 2018. Seriously, you will not be disappointed. 😉
First, I loved learning that Haleth, and his father Hama, were named after Helm’s two sons. That alone gives much more depth to the Two Towers movie. Something I want to see in this animated film is a callback to the film The Two Towers. The sungleam, the first in many days, that comes on the morning when Helm is discovered dead while standing at his post, it makes me think of in Two Towers when “first light comes on the fifth day”. If we got the same shot of that sungleam coming in from the east when Helm is discovered, that would be an amazing film reference!
Damn this dude just one shots a guy and gets a badass nickname just like that! Lol Can we get videos on ungoliant and shelob in the future? “The long winter” Tolkien you rule! And Norse myth rocks! Damn Helm was a cool king even in death.
I think The Long Winter would have been far better title than The War of the Rohirrim, which sounds more like some lame mobile lotr game (seriously lotr has bad luck when it comes to games, even though the franchise has enormous potential for those, give me a proper open world single player modern graphics AAA RPG and it will be a huge hit!), the Long Winter is actually a crucial event and it sounds more ominous and sets the tone.
Awesome!!:) i always did love the Rohirrum ever since reading the books as a child. Well remember sitting in the cinema and when Theodan and his riders arrived at Gondor..swear you could hear a pin drop. Not one breath in during that scene in the film
Man Rohan should talk with Gimli to see about bringing many dwarfs to helms deep to help carve more living space inside those caves. Then in the front area carve out hall’s and ledges along the mountain walls high up so to give archers room to sound on 3 sides any army to attack helms deep.
I know extremely little about this character so thanks a lot for making it clear Mellon! Keep it up My fellow Middle Earth nerd. Ps. Really excited about the new animated movie coming out soon!
I don't understand why some people get mad when Tolkien works is adapted to Anime. I mean we already got two animated adaptation before right? Even for Rankin Bass version it have some anime-ish style (just look at eowyn), and yet people never complaint.
That Rankin Bass was animated by a Japanese studio that was later bought and renamed to Studio Ghibli and maintained most of the animators who worked on the Hobbit.
Anime wasn’t as scorned then as it is now. It’s like a dirty word for many people on the internet now thanks to its fan base and the connotations that some works have given to the name ‘anime’
Its not the anime I have a problem with its that I have zero faith in that the show will be good or faithful to the lore. I actually am a fan of some anime I even have anime godzilla as my profile picture.
Gondor actually did send help: "The Eastern invaders perished or withdrew; and there came help at last from Gondor, by the roads both east and west of the mountains. Before the year (2759) was ended the Dunlendings were driven out, even from Isengard; and then Fréaláf became king." ... ""In the days of Beren, the nineteenth Steward, an even greater peril came upon Gondor. Three great fleets, long prepared, came up from Umbar and the Harad, and assailed the coasts of Gondor in great force; and the enemy made many landings, even as far north as the mouth of the Isen. At the same time the Rohirrim were assailed from the west and the east, and their land was overrun, and they were driven into the dales of the White Mountains. In that year (2758) the Long Winter began with cold and great snows out of the North and the East which lasted for almost five months. Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and both his sons perished in that war; and there was misery and death in Eriador and in Rohan. But in Gondor south of the mountains things were less evil, and before spring came Beregond son of Beren had overcome the invaders. At once he sent aid to Rohan. He was the greatest captain that had arisen in Gondor since Boromir; and when he succeeded his father (2763) Gondor began to recover its strength. But Rohan was slower to be healed of the hurts that it had received. It was for this reason that Beren welcomed Saruman, and gave to him the keys of Orthanc; and from that year on (2759) Saruman dwelt in Isengard." That help was actually significant enough in the later years that several next kings of Rohan felt great gratitude: "14. Folcwine. When he became king the Rohirrim had recovered their strength. He reconquered the west-march (between Adorn and Isen) that Dunlendings had occupied. Rohan had received great help from Gondor in the evil days. When, therefore, he heard that the Haradrim were assailing Gondor with great strength, he sent many men to the help of the Steward. He wished to lead them himself, but was dissuaded, and his twin sons Folcred and Fastred (born 2858) went in his stead. They fell side by side in battle in Ithilien (2885). Túrin II of Gondor sent to Folcwine a rich weregild of gold." Also Saruman helped Rohan deal with immediate aftermath of the Long Winter: 2726-2798 10. Fréaláf Hildeson. In his time Saruman came to Isengard, from which the Dunlendings had been driven. The Rohirrim at first profited by his friendship in the days of dearth and weakness that followed. The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The House of Eorl
I'm going to see the movie tonight. Thanks for an awesome video explaining the lore! Not really sure what to expect from it, but I'm excited all the same. Rohan was always my favorite from the trilogy.
@@technic5528 Fantastic name you have! They just announced the production of the anime film beginning, so it'll be a while before it comes out in theaters.
Great video as always! Can't wait to see them adapt those stories from TLotR Appendices. Btw, I'm also up to making my first video (also on the Rohirrim, specifically their later war with Saruman) and I was wondering if you or anyone else could tell me what program do you use for the circle-shaped images (or ar least suggest a similar app); so far I have the recording, the artwork (with the names/usernames of the artists) and the music so now I have to deal with the visuals. I'll be sure to refference this great video (I already have in the script & recording), I think it could tie in quite nicely to the subject of mine :) Keep up the good work!
Hello Nerd of the rings. What I’m most excited for in the new movie is either seeing helms story brought into it or an exploration of all the great kings of Rohan before Theoden and Eomer. And I have a question do you think helms daughter also died during the winter or did she pass down a few heirs of her own but they did not want the thrown?
That's a great question! I don't think we are ever told what happened to her. Could she have been killed when Wulf overtook Edoras? Or perhaps she fled to Dunharrow with Frealaf? Makes you wonder about Eowyn's line in the LOTR films: "Women of this country learned long ago that those without swords could still die upon them."
@Nerd of the rings thank you. Also I feel like in my head canon helms daughter and heir perhaps let her cousin assume the throne and maybe she made her own royal house like that princess from numenor that gave us elendil and his sons in the second age. Also great job with this video the artwork you used reminded me of Men of The West’s video on Rohan.
We do not actually know, but I think there might be one small hint in the books. Theoden said about Erkenbrand "In him lived again the valour of Helm the Hammerhand". It seems to me that this indicates that Erkenbrand is a descendant of Helm. But since no male descendants of Helm survived, it is reasonable to assume that Erkenbrand was a descendant of Helm's daughter. Another indication of that may be the battle-cry of men of Westfold - "Forth, Helmingas!", where "helmingas" probably means "followers of descendants of Helm". As for why those descendants didn't attempt to seize the throne, it seems that in Rohan only direct male descendants of Eorl had a right to become kings. Eomer was a direct male descendant of Eorl - his ancestor was Eofor, third son of Brego (and according to Theoden he was the last of the House of Eorl). We do not know if Frealaf was a direct descendant of Eorl, but I assume he was a descendant of either king Frea or king Freawine, according to his name. Erkenbrand, on the other hand, was not a direct male descendant of Eorl and thus had no rights to the throne of Rohan - but he still was among the highest nobility, so probably a descendant of a daughter of one of the kings of Rohan.
Information about the film was released today, along with pictures from inside the film, but according to the information received, it seems that the film will not focus on King Helm Hammerhand as a main character, but rather will focus on his daughter Hera, about whom nothing much was mentioned in the novel.
Late reply, but she is clearly the device used to be our eyes on the events. Like how bilbo was the perspective in the hobbit, despite it being thorins moment. We will see if it's good, but don't jump to jaded conclusions just yet.
Will we ever get a video on all things Numenor?? Different kings, geography, beginning & end, rise & fall?? I’d love to see it & I’m sure a lot of others would to!
"By covering the life and travels of Helm Hammerhand" scratch that, actually the life and travels of HELM'S DAUGHTER 😅 (still want to see it, obviously)
If you do a video on Isildur (I did not see one in your list of videos,) can you include his son Elendur? I remember reading in I think Unfinished Tales, a story on the Disaster of the Gladden Fields. In it, there was a paragraph or so talking about Elrond remembering Elendur and how much Aragorn II looked like him. The last sentence talked about how he should have been king after his father Isildur and how long it took for him to have some sort of revenge. Also, it was said that Elendur was in mind and body more like his grandfather Elendil than his father or uncle or any of his brothers or cousin(s)(?)
Came back to this after watching the movie for a refresher of the actual story. I feel like for a modern, visual story they did a solid job. The death of Helm's sons was given far more gravity and emotion than Tolkien could have portrayed, Hera was a very fun character without being overpowered or unrealistic. And Helm got to shine as the legend he was even if he wasn't the main character. Solid movie, will watch again, and if you haven't seen it don't pay attention to the grifters and incels giving reviews about how its woke and a terrible movie. Make your own judgment call.
Just got back from the movie and felt that they really missed the mark. Wulf’s obsession with Hera seemed very forced. Which even the writers themselves knew. I won’t go into detail just in case a person who hasn’t seen it yet reads this and has it spoiled. But think Wulf’s general and his dialogue. Hama’s death was also very silly. And the emotional connection to both brothers was tenuous for the audience at best. As well as with their characterization being mostly built on anime tropes as opposed the anything Tolkienesque. Helm himself was fine (if not a highlight of the film). Though the drama within the court itself after Wulf’s de facto declaration of war came off as exceptionally manufactured for the sake of having things go where they needed to be but in a very ham fisted manner. Hera herself has the most potential in the whole film and it feels squandered. She learns nothing. She spends half the film reciting motivational posters at people as opposed to adding to anything useful. And the final confrontation feels like cheap poetry. Someone sat down and thought it would be really cool on screen and tried to shoe horn it in. Overall the movie nailed certain things and really fell flat in a lot of other ways. And to say that they gave more “gravity and emotion” to Helm’s son’s deaths than Tolkien could have is something I disagree with entirely. The princes needed to die so they did but they also wanted Hera to have all the screen time and emotional weight of the film which is why they had them die the way they did within 5-minutes of each other in a 2.5 hour long movie
@@SmallRoundDuck You didn't read the 2 paragraph story Tolkien wrote in the appendices about this story did you? Cause all he said was Haleth was killed outside the Suthburge and Hama snuck out to find food and help and was lost in a blizzard and never seen again. He didn't write any emotion with their deaths, but in the film Helm and Hera pleaded with Wulf to spare him, and Hera lost her $h!t when Hama took that arrow to the next. Helm had to get himself out of there and had no time to morn. I feel like you focused so much on the parts you didn't like, that you created this ideal of what Tolkien wrote. He didn't write that emotion into it, the director and writers has to add it. So how about you chill out a bit.
@@sirkylanthered you obviously didn’t read what I had written. Where I stated “as Tolkien COULD HAVE” not as he did. The man, had he wanted, could have (again the operative phrase) added far more weight to either’s death. Than was actually given. Again because they wanted Hera to carry the emotion weight of the film. Which isn’t a problem in an un itself if you have good writers. Which also not to say the writers of the movie were themselves terrible but more that I suspect there was a lot of possible executive/studio bullshittery taking place. It’s hard to say why the deaths of the princes was handled poorly (or many other things about the film for that matter) without going into spoiler territory (which I don’t want to do in case anyone who hasn’t seen it yet decides to read this comment). I will say though that Hera’s response to her brothers deaths feels-weak. Compare it to The Fellowship of the Ring after Gandalf’s fall and they make it out of Moria, the fall of Boromir, or King Theoden’s end in Return of the King. Even the legendary Helm Hammerhand’s death feels weak and honestly silly. It makes sense for a man trapped after losing everything filled with rage and despair to freeze to death. It’s not logical but that makes sense because he’s not doing it out of logic he’s doing it out of madness. Where as in the movie (I can’t state this without spoiling so SPOILER FOR ANY HAVENT SEEN IT) his death on the causeway feels contrived. They can’t open the gate so he fights until he freezes to death outside it. Ok cool 👍 But in Two Towers when Aragorn and Gimli get away via a rope from fighting an untold number of orcs on the same causeway. Are we supposed to believe in this newest movie that there was no rope in helm’s deep? Or archers on the walls to cover their king? I’m not disputing Helm’s death. He had to die it’s literally what happens. I feel the way it was handled poorly done. I went to the movie with several different people with various degrees of knowledge of the source material or the movies. Some like it (which I’m all for) others did not. I fall in the later camp. For example my girlfriend who doesn’t know anything about LoTR and only just watch the The Fellowship and Two Towers, but loves movies and cinema, felt the movie was cheaply done and the writing was mediocre at the best of times. If you enjoyed the movie good on you. Really. I think it’s good that people enjoy things. I (in my own opinion) feel differently. I think it connects to its source material on the basest of levels. It try’s for a message of hope but fails at creating a sense of despair. The characters were bland and cheap tropes at characterization with surface level depth. The animation felt and looked bad (not the art but the animation) when compared to many modern Japanese animations or even theatrical animations of the past (for example Akira). Someone said it felt like if LoTR and Fire Emblem had a baby and it really does and if it were a Fire Emblem game I would’ve bought it in a heartbeat. 4/9 people I went with legitimately questioned if it was made using AI writing or animation
Read the book The Children of Hurin. I think it's the best of the three epic stories in the First Age, because Christopher gives us a single completed story instead of fragments from various versions, making us by ourselves have to sift through it and decide which version makes the most sense.
@@Enerdhil I kinda like it when a story is kind of vague and fragmented, it feels more realistic in my opininon, like with old tales and legends in our world. But I'll defenitely read the children of Hurín sometime, altough I already know the story.
I always wondered if in the two towers movie , the little boy that Aragorn comforts before the battle of Helm's Deep (Son of Hamma(?) had any actual background in the books, and this definitely clears that one up. However, does Hamma's son live during the battle of Helms Deep? Does the line of Helm Hammerhand live on, or does it die with that scrawny ginger kid?
@@marquisdelafayette-xe1ht oh and also instead of Fréaláf bringing people it will be the daughter and they will be shieldmaidens instead, because why not
The official trailer makes it look as if Peter Jackson has turned this into a story about the heroism of Helm Hammerhand's daughter. I get that there's not enough material in the written story for a full screenplay, so what will be interesting to see is whether all of the trailer material focusing on "Hera" is unnecessary padding added to the written story (like the "Tauriel" material in The Hobbit films) or whether the "Hera" story replaces the written story (just as Jackson had Arwen replace Glorfindel in the part of the Fellowship of the Ring film where Frodo is saved from the Ringwraiths).
Just saw the movie it was pretty faithful honestly the main difference is they made the sons deaths more interesting and gave Hera more to do and framed her to be like Eowyn and even had Eowyn narrating! Solid 9/10 for me!
@theadro91 I know people are being so unreasonable the fact that she wasn't really represented makes her a good jumping off point to get a view into the events from the eyes of someone new Plus considering in the lore this all started with the marriage proposal to her it would be weird to have her just sorta sitting there twittling her thumbs while the men Duke it out why have Eowyn narrate if the tale didn't channel her energy! Just don't try her stew 😂
Since they knew him to be a traitor by then, I'd say there would be a fight that would break out. haha. If you're wondering about a situation where Saruman's treachery wasn't known by then, I would imagine Saruman would volunteer for the Fellowship so he could await his chance to take the ring by force - knowing he couldn't claim it there in Rivendell and his best chance would be in the wild.
![The Complete History of Rohan [COMPILATION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fhsw-uKxIDc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
“The horn of Helm Hammerhand- shall sound in the deep! One last time~”
With knowledge of the lore of Helm, Theoden’s quote seems much more cool
Gives me goosebumps every time
I know right! I just watched that clip again because of this new knowledge of lore of Helm’s Deeps lol
I've read the Hobbit before the LotR and even befor that the Silmarillion, in chronological order.
Remembering those stories during the book, every little thing got deeper meaning. So the movies, filled with refences which understandable only for who are deep in the lore
Now for wrath! Now for ruin! And the red Dawn!
YES!
Helm: Can I have a word with you outside?
Proceeds to beat a man to death with his bare hands, leading to a bloody war and ultimately his own death.
Helm: Worth it.
It only took one hand.
Imagine how deadly he'd be if he knew martial arts from Easternesse.
It was one punch, the fat man was weak
@@BlimpMcGeethe fat man should have called Rohan PD
@Paulafan5 "beat to death" and the guy couldn't take one punch. Ok wokey
What moment from Helm Hammerhand's life are you MOST excited to see in the War of the Rohirrim animated film?
I'm glad I was able to pull this off for today's release - I decided to change topics on Thursday after the WOTR announcement, so producing this on a 2-day timeline is a new record for me. haha.
EVERYTHIIINGGGGG
The inevitable last scene of him being found frozen in Helms-deep and being put to rest under a hill of Simbelmyne.😢
This will be ANIME, so I can't wait for that epic punch. I just hope he doesn't yell, "KAMEHAMEHAAAAAAAAA!" before doing so.
His fist! :D
His final batlle and his nephew killing Wulf
I guess one might say you NAILED Hammerhand's review
GET OOOOOOUT!!!!!
I'm disappointed in myself for laughing 😆
Nah, he HAMMERED it home.
Oooo, ...my side...
Patrick, please see yourself out.
Rohan: “Where was Gondor?”
Gondor: “Er, it was snowing, we couldn’t make it.”
Rohan: “OK Gondor 🙄”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! WHERE WAS GONDOR! HAHAHAHA
yep, that must be the reason lol
Where was Gondor? As always under attack! :) But no worries they were only delayed ;).
"In the days of Beren, the nineteenth Steward, an even greater peril came upon Gondor. Three great fleets, long prepared, came up from Umbar and the Harad, and assailed the coasts of Gondor in great force; and the enemy made many landings, even as far north as the mouth of the Isen. At the same time the Rohirrim were assailed from the west and the east, and their land was overrun, and they were driven into the dales of the White Mountains. In that year (2758) the Long Winter began with cold and great snows out of the North and the East which lasted for almost five months. Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and both his sons perished in that war; and there was misery and death in Eriador and in Rohan. But in Gondor south of the mountains things were less evil, and before spring came Beregond son of Beren had overcome the invaders. At once he sent aid to Rohan. He was the greatest captain that had arisen in Gondor since Boromir; and when he succeeded his father (2763) Gondor began to recover its strength. But Rohan was slower to be healed of the hurts that it had received. It was for this reason that Beren welcomed Saruman, and gave to him the keys of Orthanc; and from that year on (2759) Saruman dwelt in Isengard."
The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion: The Stewards
....
"Four years later (2758) great troubles came to Rohan, and no help could be sent from Gondor, for three fleets of the Corsairs attacked it and there was war on all its coasts. At the same time Rohan was again invaded from the East, and the Dunlendings seeing their chance came over the Isen and down from Isengard. It was soon known that Wulf was their leader. They were in great force, for they were joined by enemies of Gondor that landed in the mouths of Lefnui and Isen. The Rohirrim were defeated and their land was overrun; and those who were not slain or enslaved fled to the dales of the mountains. Helm was driven back with great loss from the Crossings of Isen and took refuge in the Hornburg and the ravine behind (which was after known as Helm’s Deep). There he was besieged. Wulf took Edoras and sat in Meduseld and called himself king. There Haleth Helm’s son fell, last of all, defending the doors.
Return of the Kings - Book 7, Appendix A: Annals of the Kings and Rulers, II House of Eorl
...
"The Eastern invaders perished or withdrew; and there came help at last from Gondor, by the roads both east and west of the mountains. Before the year (2759) was ended the Dunlendings were driven out, even from Isengard; and then Fréaláf became king."
Heeeeeeeeeeeres Gondor !
*Blows horn of Gondor*
🤣🤣🤣
Helm really said, "let's take this outside" in the poshest way possible.
There's something about enjoying both a fine cup of Joe, some Pipeweed, and your presentation. Thank you for sharing, well done friend.
"Where was Gondor when the deep snows fell?"
In all seriousness though, Gondor did send help to Rohan once they dealt with the Corsairs and the Haradrim.
"But in Gondor south of the mountains things were less
evil, and before spring came Beregond son of Beren had overcome the invaders. At once he sent aid to Rohan... There were great floods after the snows, and the vale of Entwash became a vast fen. The Eastern invaders perished or withdrew; and there came help at last from Gondor, by the roads both east and west of the mountains."
- Lord of the Rings, Appendix A
*"No, my lord Aragorn.. we are alone."*
Coming back after the movie watched last night and they did wonderful work on Helm Hammerhand an absolute unit. And when he's going winter Rambo perfect and that last stand was handed beautifully
god damn , he is a one punch man in the movie for real 😅🥹
Agreed. And really enjoyed the relationships between his children as well, none of them were undersold or badly represented, they all felt like the director cared about them
I heard the movie was barely even about him sadly
@@nobodythenobody9779 haha watch the movie buddy
Loved this! I’m super excited for this animated movie. Helm was such a badass King and I’m glad we finally get to see his story being told!
The only downside it being animated imo. But I guess the budget would be too high and we don't want another RoP fiasco.
This comment is so sad to read now
One of the badass characters in all of legendarium....In this new anime I would really liked to see more about history of Rohan, more of Helms Deep and in simply more and more of Middleearth, I really hope that if this movie does well we can get a franchise, this is like a door for more and more movies and stories about Middlearth!!!
Is there a more bad-a** name for a character than "HELM HAMMERHAND?"
For the movie, really didn’t get a lot of lore sadly 😢. It was more focused on Helm’s daughter and the shield maidens.
The first thing I thought when you mentioned “The war of the Rohirrim” I thought “The horn of helm hammerhand will sound in the deep one last time!”
Good walk-through of the story of Helm Hammerhand. The thought of seeing this story as an anime movie really thrills me. Also thanks for featuring and naming Turner Mohan, one of my favorite fan artists, who deserves more publicity for his work.
War of the Rohirrim is a great adaptation of Helms story. Even though Hera is the main character, Helm has plenty of on screen time to tell his story.
Wouldn’t say he got a lot of screen time, compared to Hera especially. But his scenes were the best. And his story was told, though adapted to the movie.
For all that the movie is being poorly reviewed, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm glad I got to see it at the cinema and I hope they continue making more. It varies from the history in this video, but overall, most of the main beats are hit very well, and in a way that lends itself to a proper and compelling narrative.
I can't wait for this movie!! I love everything about Rohan!
I've been humming Howard Shore's Rohan music to myself ever since the movie was announced!
@@NerdoftheRings Ooh, I wish they would use that in the movie! Could they? I just need the Forth Eorlingas soundtrack to play at least once please.
@@shotgunsandstakes
New Line Cinema is producing it, so they should be able to make animated versions of all the places, costumes, etc., Plus, use the music.
Fingers crossed that, however unlikely it may be, he does the score for the new movie. Would definitely help seed the fact that it's the same universe as the live action films for those who don't know and also because he'd be composing another Middle Earth movie lol
What movie ?
I've just stumbled upon your channel a few days ago and I'm absolutely enthralled. By far my favorite content to date. I just wanted to express my appreciation and admiration for the work you're are doing. And I'm sure it means as much to others as well. Just wanted you to know that you're appreciated. Thank you sir.
I went to the appendixes today and read this story to prepare for the movie and now I'm here listening to it from you! And what a delight! Your narration brought tears to my eyes! Tolkien stories are the best and you do a great job by bringing them to us like you do!! Thank you very much!!
Such an intensely legendary tale, which only you can tell. The visual gave me goosebumps, knowing Helm died on his feet. Can't wait to see this on video in my man cave.
Thank you Matt!!👍👍
Friendly reminder to our Shadow of War fans-
He’s not a Ringwraith ~__~
I remember reading he became a Nazgul.
One of Tolkien's most iconic characters is the hot Goth chick, Shelob.
@@fxeconomist The only place you'd read that is in the game lore. The Nazgûl appeared a thousand years before Isildur's time, and Helm over a thousand years after him. Tolkien never revealed their identities, except Khamûl the Easterling, and the only thing we know about him is the name.
What the hell
The producer confirmed they're sticking to Tolkein canon after some news source tweeted about the Nazgul thing. It's a cool game but the creative liberties it took were a bit odd lol
who else is watching this after the war of the rohirim movie?
I wasn't particularly excited about the new film when I first heard of it, but after watching this video, as well as your livestream from the other day, I've changed my stance completely. This movie has potential to be amazing, and I'm really excited to see another movie in the canon of the LOTR/Hobbit films.
I still don't like that they're calling it "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" though, but I get that that's just for brand recognition.
Lord of the Rings Online recently added a new class called the "Brawler". This class uses no weapons except your hands so I wasn't too excited when I first heard about it but then they explained that it was "inspired" by Helm Hammerhand and I was immediately "inspired" to create a new character - lol For some reason, roleplaying a Brawler with Helm Hammerhand as my guide just created such an enjoyable experience. I romped my way through 140 levels in record time (for me) enjoying every single crushing blow. Watching this video got me a little emotional - I really adore the story of Helm Hammerhand and feel so fortunate to have LotRO and now this upcoming film to spend more time in his story. Thank you Nerd of the Rings!
I'm so glad you read those lines of Helm and Freca. So epic! You have done a great job. However, you said Helm's son Haleth died before the doors of Suthburg. He actually died defending Meduseld from Wulf's attack. He was the last to be killed before Wulf sat on the throne.
It's a funny coincidence that I asked for this video only days before we knew about the War of the Rohirrim film 😅 thank you, even though I wasn't the cause of it!
I cant wait for the animated film, im so excited!!! I've been an avid fan of the Tolkien Mythology Stories... Never tired of watching LOTR trilogy & the Hobbit trilogy...
The maps you use are such a great reference for us to be able to relate places to people and times. Just a great way to teach and show this lore!
Great video and info like always.
I can picture him stalking through the snow taking down the dunlendings one by one and blowing his horn to let them know he's coming. I hope this is in the movie.
Dwarfs are kinda my favorite tied with those of Gondor for the mad skills at carving out mountains and turning them into massive fortresses!!!
it is such a small detail; but the fact that his grave grew with the most Simbelmynë to make it appear like it was covered in snow, is so awesome. can't even explain the feels
I am subscribed to your channel and have enjoyed many of your videos, they have helped me to better understand Tolkien's work. This stands out as truly wonderful because I had never considered how Helms Deep earned it's name and now I do. I just sit in wonder at times how many more stories could have told had the master of these tales lived but a few more years. I thank his son for sharing with us what he did. Rest in peace J.R.R. Tolkien. ⛅👍🍻
Dude, you must have worked all day & night on this to get it out in time! We appreciate your content and the work you pour into every video!
The battle of going balls deep was truly a master piece
Love your videos and most of all your use of tone to describe events with the background music love it!
The Horn of Helm Hammerhand sounds mystical...add some loudspeakers and this would have left Rohan in frenzy
Your videos have very strongly renewed my interest in Middle Earth! Also, the production quality is top-notch well done and keep up the great work!
Love your videos! You should do one of the life and background of Boromir.
man i only just recently found your content and my god it really does help me sleep. (in a good way)
Try watching it when fully awake; it's much better.😁
I would love to hear you talk about the extended battle scene from the book The Fall of Gondolin. I recently finished it and while a good portion of it is pretty "heady" the section that greatly expands the story of Tuor was amazing. There were parts that moved me greatly, sometimes even to near tears. ESPECIALLY, the tragic eponymous Fall of Gondolin. In my opinion, it makes the battle of the Pelennor Fields look like a mere skirmish! And the depictions of immense bravery and tragic loss had me both on the edge of my seat and once again finding myself becoming misty eyed as I rooted for the doomed and betrayed defenders. It's almost surreal as horrible acts of violence occur while the many fountains in the city continue bubbling and spraying along as the battle rages around them right up to the very end (also playing a part in allowing the refugees to escape under the cover of their steam). Oh, and there are Balrogs. LOTS of Balrogs. Dragons, too. Also, there are metal beasts that Melkor creates that I find the most interesting. The are literally living armored tanks/personnel carriers. There are several scenes where they appear. It's fascinating stuff that isn't found in the Silmarillion. Of course, the depiction of the ambush of the escaping elves is great, too. Especially since it involves an epic one on one battle with yet another Balrog. ;)
Yeah, Morgoth's dragon APCs were pretty metal as fuck. I haven't read the Book of Lost Tales version of the Fall of Gondolin in like five years but that little tidbit was what stuck in my head after all this time.
@@nilubensonofnimruzir1637 Get a copy of Fall of Gondolin. It was the last book Chris Tolkien put together before he died last year. It was published in 2018. Seriously, you will not be disappointed. 😉
The Fall of Gondolin is my favorite Middle Earth story!
First, I loved learning that Haleth, and his father Hama, were named after Helm’s two sons. That alone gives much more depth to the Two Towers movie.
Something I want to see in this animated film is a callback to the film The Two Towers. The sungleam, the first in many days, that comes on the morning when Helm is discovered dead while standing at his post, it makes me think of in Two Towers when “first light comes on the fifth day”. If we got the same shot of that sungleam coming in from the east when Helm is discovered, that would be an amazing film reference!
Haleth was also the name of one of the original heroes of Men in the First Age.
Btw Háma was also the name of Theoden's gatekeeper in the books. Háma died in the battle of Helms Deep against Saruman's orcs.
Damn, that's some badass background that I didn't know. Awesome video!
Damn this dude just one shots a guy and gets a badass nickname just like that! Lol
Can we get videos on ungoliant and shelob in the future?
“The long winter” Tolkien you rule! And Norse myth rocks!
Damn Helm was a cool king even in death.
I think The Long Winter would have been far better title than The War of the Rohirrim, which sounds more like some lame mobile lotr game (seriously lotr has bad luck when it comes to games, even though the franchise has enormous potential for those, give me a proper open world single player modern graphics AAA RPG and it will be a huge hit!), the Long Winter is actually a crucial event and it sounds more ominous and sets the tone.
@@fantasywind3923 yeah or Helm’s Winter.
thx for another great video, as always enjoyed watching it)
Always a pleasure to watch or videos! Thank you so much for your work!🙏
Awesome!!:) i always did love the Rohirrum ever since reading the books as a child. Well remember sitting in the cinema and when Theodan and his riders arrived at Gondor..swear you could hear a pin drop. Not one breath in during that scene in the film
Thank you for the great video! The Art was also awesome
cool video matt enjoyed it
Man Rohan should talk with Gimli to see about bringing many dwarfs to helms deep to help carve more living space inside those caves. Then in the front area carve out hall’s and ledges along the mountain walls high up so to give archers room to sound on 3 sides any army to attack helms deep.
I just realized, thanks to your video, that the lines that the kings of Rohan are buried in have that dual meaning!
a good explaination of the history of this important character, much unspoken of it..and certainly looking forward to the film :P
I know extremely little about this character so thanks a lot for making it clear Mellon! Keep it up My fellow Middle Earth nerd.
Ps. Really excited about the new animated movie coming out soon!
Watching the War of the Rohirrim was such a nostalgic journey for me. There's so much I learned about the Rohan's history.
I don't understand why some people get mad when Tolkien works is adapted to Anime. I mean we already got two animated adaptation before right? Even for Rankin Bass version it have some anime-ish style (just look at eowyn), and yet people never complaint.
That Rankin Bass was animated by a Japanese studio that was later bought and renamed to Studio Ghibli and maintained most of the animators who worked on the Hobbit.
There were lots of complaints when the movies came out.
Anime wasn’t as scorned then as it is now. It’s like a dirty word for many people on the internet now thanks to its fan base and the connotations that some works have given to the name ‘anime’
Its not the anime I have a problem with its that I have zero faith in that the show will be good or faithful to the lore. I actually am a fan of some anime I even have anime godzilla as my profile picture.
Most awaited dude. Thanks 👍
They forgot that King Helm has a daughter princess Hera, who is the kingdom of Rohan only hope
Of course. Gondor ALWAYS has a reason not to be there.
Except they did come
Gondor actually did send help:
"The Eastern invaders perished or withdrew; and there came help at last from Gondor, by the roads both east and west of the mountains. Before the year (2759) was ended the Dunlendings were driven out, even from Isengard; and then Fréaláf became king."
...
""In the days of Beren, the nineteenth Steward, an even greater peril came upon Gondor. Three great fleets, long prepared, came up from Umbar and the Harad, and assailed the coasts of Gondor in great force; and the enemy made many landings, even as far north as the mouth of the Isen. At the same time the Rohirrim were assailed from the west and the east, and their land was overrun, and they were driven into the dales of the White Mountains. In that year (2758) the Long Winter began with cold and great snows out of the North and the East which lasted for almost five months. Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and both his sons perished in that war; and there was misery and death in Eriador and in Rohan. But in Gondor south of the mountains things were less evil, and before spring came Beregond son of Beren had overcome the invaders. At once he sent aid to Rohan. He was the greatest captain that had arisen in Gondor since Boromir; and when he succeeded his father (2763) Gondor began to recover its strength. But Rohan was slower to be healed of the hurts that it had received. It was for this reason that Beren welcomed Saruman, and gave to him the keys of Orthanc; and from that year on (2759) Saruman dwelt in Isengard."
That help was actually significant enough in the later years that several next kings of Rohan felt great gratitude:
"14. Folcwine.
When he became king the Rohirrim had recovered their strength. He reconquered the west-march (between Adorn and Isen) that Dunlendings had occupied. Rohan had received great help from Gondor in the evil days. When, therefore, he heard that the Haradrim were assailing Gondor with great strength, he sent many men to the help of the Steward. He wished to lead them himself, but was dissuaded, and his twin sons Folcred and Fastred (born 2858) went in his stead. They fell side by side in battle in Ithilien (2885). Túrin II of Gondor sent to Folcwine a rich weregild of gold."
Also Saruman helped Rohan deal with immediate aftermath of the Long Winter:
2726-2798
10. Fréaláf Hildeson. In his time Saruman came to Isengard, from which the Dunlendings had been driven. The Rohirrim at first profited by his friendship in the days of dearth and weakness that followed.
The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The House of Eorl
Where was Gondor...
Stop with weaker Gondor of the movies. Gondor did help Rohan in history.
2 days! You did it Matt. Thank you
Thanks! It was a sprint to the finish on this one!
I'm going to see the movie tonight. Thanks for an awesome video explaining the lore! Not really sure what to expect from it, but I'm excited all the same. Rohan was always my favorite from the trilogy.
Wow props to u for getting this done mere days after the announcement 🤣
I guess being hasty does have its advantages lol
Thanks!
Thanks so much for the Super!!
cool vid! go on with the good work nerd of the rings!
and where can you find that movie btw?
@@technic5528
Fantastic name you have!
They just announced the production of the anime film beginning, so it'll be a while before it comes out in theaters.
@@Enerdhil k, thx btw!
Yup the trailer brought me here cant wait for December 2024
I can’t wait for the upcoming anime adaptation of this man
Great video as always! Can't wait to see them adapt those stories from TLotR Appendices. Btw, I'm also up to making my first video (also on the Rohirrim, specifically their later war with Saruman) and I was wondering if you or anyone else could tell me what program do you use for the circle-shaped images (or ar least suggest a similar app); so far I have the recording, the artwork (with the names/usernames of the artists) and the music so now I have to deal with the visuals.
I'll be sure to refference this great video (I already have in the script & recording), I think it could tie in quite nicely to the subject of mine :) Keep up the good work!
So cool . Such a good time to be a LotR fan
Agreed! Exciting times!
I'm here after the Philippa interview. I totally missed news about this new movie. Exciting!
Hello Nerd of the rings. What I’m most excited for in the new movie is either seeing helms story brought into it or an exploration of all the great kings of Rohan before Theoden and Eomer. And I have a question do you think helms daughter also died during the winter or did she pass down a few heirs of her own but they did not want the thrown?
That's a great question! I don't think we are ever told what happened to her. Could she have been killed when Wulf overtook Edoras? Or perhaps she fled to Dunharrow with Frealaf? Makes you wonder about Eowyn's line in the LOTR films: "Women of this country learned long ago that those without swords could still die upon them."
@Nerd of the rings thank you. Also I feel like in my head canon helms daughter and heir perhaps let her cousin assume the throne and maybe she made her own royal house like that princess from numenor that gave us elendil and his sons in the second age. Also great job with this video the artwork you used reminded me of Men of The West’s video on Rohan.
We do not actually know, but I think there might be one small hint in the books. Theoden said about Erkenbrand "In him lived again the valour of Helm the Hammerhand". It seems to me that this indicates that Erkenbrand is a descendant of Helm. But since no male descendants of Helm survived, it is reasonable to assume that Erkenbrand was a descendant of Helm's daughter. Another indication of that may be the battle-cry of men of Westfold - "Forth, Helmingas!", where "helmingas" probably means "followers of descendants of Helm".
As for why those descendants didn't attempt to seize the throne, it seems that in Rohan only direct male descendants of Eorl had a right to become kings. Eomer was a direct male descendant of Eorl - his ancestor was Eofor, third son of Brego (and according to Theoden he was the last of the House of Eorl). We do not know if Frealaf was a direct descendant of Eorl, but I assume he was a descendant of either king Frea or king Freawine, according to his name. Erkenbrand, on the other hand, was not a direct male descendant of Eorl and thus had no rights to the throne of Rohan - but he still was among the highest nobility, so probably a descendant of a daughter of one of the kings of Rohan.
Information about the film was released today, along with pictures from inside the film, but according to the information received, it seems that the film will not focus on King Helm Hammerhand as a main character, but rather will focus on his daughter Hera, about whom nothing much was mentioned in the novel.
Late reply, but she is clearly the device used to be our eyes on the events. Like how bilbo was the perspective in the hobbit, despite it being thorins moment. We will see if it's good, but don't jump to jaded conclusions just yet.
Will we ever get a video on all things Numenor?? Different kings, geography, beginning & end, rise & fall?? I’d love to see it & I’m sure a lot of others would to!
Definitely! All in good time! 😁
@@NerdoftheRingsIluvatar bless! 🙏 😆😆
Another amazing story of the glorious Rohan.
That artwork is gorgeous!!
I really want to see Balin's campaign to retake Moria. But im just as excited to see this animation.
What a total badass of a man! Epic!
"By covering the life and travels of Helm Hammerhand" scratch that, actually the life and travels of HELM'S DAUGHTER 😅 (still want to see it, obviously)
Helm Hammerhand was the living incarnation of "At close quarters, a fist is better than any gun".
Destiny 2 reference.
If you do a video on Isildur (I did not see one in your list of videos,) can you include his son Elendur? I remember reading in I think Unfinished Tales, a story on the Disaster of the Gladden Fields. In it, there was a paragraph or so talking about Elrond remembering Elendur and how much Aragorn II looked like him. The last sentence talked about how he should have been king after his father Isildur and how long it took for him to have some sort of revenge. Also, it was said that Elendur was in mind and body more like his grandfather Elendil than his father or uncle or any of his brothers or cousin(s)(?)
Helm Hammerhand's story sounds like legend straight out of the Edda.
Came back to this after watching the movie for a refresher of the actual story. I feel like for a modern, visual story they did a solid job. The death of Helm's sons was given far more gravity and emotion than Tolkien could have portrayed, Hera was a very fun character without being overpowered or unrealistic. And Helm got to shine as the legend he was even if he wasn't the main character. Solid movie, will watch again, and if you haven't seen it don't pay attention to the grifters and incels giving reviews about how its woke and a terrible movie. Make your own judgment call.
Just got back from the movie and felt that they really missed the mark.
Wulf’s obsession with Hera seemed very forced. Which even the writers themselves knew. I won’t go into detail just in case a person who hasn’t seen it yet reads this and has it spoiled. But think Wulf’s general and his dialogue.
Hama’s death was also very silly. And the emotional connection to both brothers was tenuous for the audience at best. As well as with their characterization being mostly built on anime tropes as opposed the anything Tolkienesque.
Helm himself was fine (if not a highlight of the film). Though the drama within the court itself after Wulf’s de facto declaration of war came off as exceptionally manufactured for the sake of having things go where they needed to be but in a very ham fisted manner.
Hera herself has the most potential in the whole film and it feels squandered. She learns nothing. She spends half the film reciting motivational posters at people as opposed to adding to anything useful. And the final confrontation feels like cheap poetry. Someone sat down and thought it would be really cool on screen and tried to shoe horn it in.
Overall the movie nailed certain things and really fell flat in a lot of other ways. And to say that they gave more “gravity and emotion” to Helm’s son’s deaths than Tolkien could have is something I disagree with entirely. The princes needed to die so they did but they also wanted Hera to have all the screen time and emotional weight of the film which is why they had them die the way they did within 5-minutes of each other in a 2.5 hour long movie
@@SmallRoundDuck You didn't read the 2 paragraph story Tolkien wrote in the appendices about this story did you? Cause all he said was Haleth was killed outside the Suthburge and Hama snuck out to find food and help and was lost in a blizzard and never seen again. He didn't write any emotion with their deaths, but in the film Helm and Hera pleaded with Wulf to spare him, and Hera lost her $h!t when Hama took that arrow to the next. Helm had to get himself out of there and had no time to morn. I feel like you focused so much on the parts you didn't like, that you created this ideal of what Tolkien wrote. He didn't write that emotion into it, the director and writers has to add it. So how about you chill out a bit.
@@sirkylanthered you obviously didn’t read what I had written. Where I stated “as Tolkien COULD HAVE” not as he did. The man, had he wanted, could have (again the operative phrase) added far more weight to either’s death. Than was actually given. Again because they wanted Hera to carry the emotion weight of the film. Which isn’t a problem in an un itself if you have good writers. Which also not to say the writers of the movie were themselves terrible but more that I suspect there was a lot of possible executive/studio bullshittery taking place.
It’s hard to say why the deaths of the princes was handled poorly (or many other things about the film for that matter) without going into spoiler territory (which I don’t want to do in case anyone who hasn’t seen it yet decides to read this comment). I will say though that Hera’s response to her brothers deaths feels-weak. Compare it to The Fellowship of the Ring after Gandalf’s fall and they make it out of Moria, the fall of Boromir, or King Theoden’s end in Return of the King.
Even the legendary Helm Hammerhand’s death feels weak and honestly silly. It makes sense for a man trapped after losing everything filled with rage and despair to freeze to death. It’s not logical but that makes sense because he’s not doing it out of logic he’s doing it out of madness.
Where as in the movie (I can’t state this without spoiling so SPOILER FOR ANY HAVENT SEEN IT) his death on the causeway feels contrived. They can’t open the gate so he fights until he freezes to death outside it. Ok cool 👍 But in Two Towers when Aragorn and Gimli get away via a rope from fighting an untold number of orcs on the same causeway. Are we supposed to believe in this newest movie that there was no rope in helm’s deep? Or archers on the walls to cover their king?
I’m not disputing Helm’s death. He had to die it’s literally what happens. I feel the way it was handled poorly done.
I went to the movie with several different people with various degrees of knowledge of the source material or the movies. Some like it (which I’m all for) others did not. I fall in the later camp. For example my girlfriend who doesn’t know anything about LoTR and only just watch the The Fellowship and Two Towers, but loves movies and cinema, felt the movie was cheaply done and the writing was mediocre at the best of times.
If you enjoyed the movie good on you. Really. I think it’s good that people enjoy things. I (in my own opinion) feel differently. I think it connects to its source material on the basest of levels.
It try’s for a message of hope but fails at creating a sense of despair.
The characters were bland and cheap tropes at characterization with surface level depth.
The animation felt and looked bad (not the art but the animation) when compared to many modern Japanese animations or even theatrical animations of the past (for example Akira). Someone said it felt like if LoTR and Fire Emblem had a baby and it really does and if it were a Fire Emblem game I would’ve bought it in a heartbeat.
4/9 people I went with legitimately questioned if it was made using AI writing or animation
Enjoying the vid as always notr! Could you do a vid on Húrin (and his son Turín) sometime? That would be very cool to see
Definitely! I've been holding off on Turin for a special occasion - perhaps my upcoming 100th video special!
@@NerdoftheRings hype
Read the book The Children of Hurin. I think it's the best of the three epic stories in the First Age, because Christopher gives us a single completed story instead of fragments from various versions, making us by ourselves have to sift through it and decide which version makes the most sense.
@@Enerdhil I kinda like it when a story is kind of vague and fragmented, it feels more realistic in my opininon, like with old tales and legends in our world. But I'll defenitely read the children of Hurín sometime, altough I already know the story.
Thanks for that ! 🖖
I always wondered if in the two towers movie , the little boy that Aragorn comforts before the battle of Helm's Deep (Son of Hamma(?) had any actual background in the books, and this definitely clears that one up. However, does Hamma's son live during the battle of Helms Deep? Does the line of Helm Hammerhand live on, or does it die with that scrawny ginger kid?
Yes I'm very excited to see how it is!
Ive watched the film is fantastic I just watched it 10 mins ago.
Ill rewatch in theatres again this week Sunday after church.
We need a Helm Hammerhand to run for president in 2024.
Wouldn't be much of a contest...
The current President is Joe-
...'ficks his finger'
Yeah but the Dems would just cheat again.
Instead we have Hairpiece Tinyhands
Great video.. I can't wait for this movie !!
Well here we are….. time for Warner Bros to prove themselves
Did you watch the trailer? The show will not be about Helm, it will be about his unnamed daughter
@@marquisdelafayette-xe1ht oh and also instead of Fréaláf bringing people it will be the daughter and they will be shieldmaidens instead, because why not
This was brilliant, thank you!
EVERY SINGLE VIDEO I WATCH I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS
and Debbie..... DEBBIE!!! Our favorite!
The deeping horn sounding and him hunting the men of Wulf as a snow troll
Thank you! This was amazing!!!
Interested story. I was entertained. Nice knowing how Saruman arrived.
The official trailer makes it look as if Peter Jackson has turned this into a story about the heroism of Helm Hammerhand's daughter. I get that there's not enough material in the written story for a full screenplay, so what will be interesting to see is whether all of the trailer material focusing on "Hera" is unnecessary padding added to the written story (like the "Tauriel" material in The Hobbit films) or whether the "Hera" story replaces the written story (just as Jackson had Arwen replace Glorfindel in the part of the Fellowship of the Ring film where Frodo is saved from the Ringwraiths).
Thank you for this fascinating info!
Riders of rohan ❤️❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥 rise. We always appreciate your hard work and dedication towards these videos.
Just saw the movie it was pretty faithful honestly the main difference is they made the sons deaths more interesting and gave Hera more to do and framed her to be like Eowyn and even had Eowyn narrating!
Solid 9/10 for me!
Likewise and agreed. Although prepare to be bombarded by some morons waffling on about it being ‘woke’ or something because of Hera.
@theadro91 I know people are being so unreasonable the fact that she wasn't really represented makes her a good jumping off point to get a view into the events from the eyes of someone new
Plus considering in the lore this all started with the marriage proposal to her it would be weird to have her just sorta sitting there twittling her thumbs while the men Duke it out why have Eowyn narrate if the tale didn't channel her energy!
Just don't try her stew 😂
What about Helm's death?
@@PrayerWarrior4 Man went out like a legend in the movie.
The stress in his intonation when he said "as well as the SIXTY year-old book that it's based on."
watching theoden ride out after watching this makes it so much cooler!
Haha I just goocled this the other day and was like why doesn't he have a video on this one yet hmmmm? Ask and you shall receive!
I am WAY more excited about this than I am for the Amazon show.
Would be interested to hear your thoughts on what would have happened if Saruman was in attendance at Rivendell when the fellowship was decided
Since they knew him to be a traitor by then, I'd say there would be a fight that would break out. haha. If you're wondering about a situation where Saruman's treachery wasn't known by then, I would imagine Saruman would volunteer for the Fellowship so he could await his chance to take the ring by force - knowing he couldn't claim it there in Rivendell and his best chance would be in the wild.