#helm hammerhand

The movie begins with a narration that this story is a campfire tale. It VERY MUCH achieves the feeling of a campfire tale. Its folklore, it reminds me of biblical story or Greek mythology. Helm Hammerhand is NOT depicted as a man, but akin to a demigod- exaggerated and dramaticized like tales of old kings often are!

Yeah we can point out the problems with the film, cause they do exist, but saying "This was only made to extend the IP" shows a lack of knowing what you're talking about, because there are so many other softball methods of doing that. Specifically choosing the story of Helm Hammerhand, expanding it in a way that does feel rather Tolkien-esque, and having it be an anime does not feel like a safe move, even if it is attached to one of the most recognizable fantasy franchises. If it was just an IP thing and nothing else, it would have been much safer.

Not to mention how a certain other Middle Earth adaptation has so thoroughly poisoned the well for adaptations. This movie is how interpretation and expansion of Tolkien's works, or any source material really, should be done.

No one sang songs or told stories about Hera.

Her brothers were the one who died in war, her father died frozen standing alone against Wulf's men, her cousin Frealaf would then rescue everyone and ascend the throne.

The people saw Frealaf as the one who 'saved' them, the one who brought an army and defeated Wulf's army.

That then would lead to Frealaf being the one to take the throne and wear the crown of Rohan - the one who the people would now see and would be led by until his death.

Hera would then leave alongside Olwyn for Gandalf's invitation, with the instrument that helped created the songs with the only two people who knew what actually happened on the field meant Hera would leave the history books and people's stories.

Frealaf wouldn't sing of Hera because he doesn't know what happened, Rohan's people were too busy rebuilding a kingdom, the entire royal bloodline almost dead, Wulf was killed, Olwyn left with Hera...

“Then tell me, to whom are you pledged?”

I have been talking to some friends recently about Rohan and the Rohirrim in general and I am curious if there would be interest in a fandom event centered on our folks in Rohan!