The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is an animated prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, focusing on the legendary battle between the Rohirrim and the Dunlendings, set roughly 250 years before the events of The Two Towers. The film culminates in the tragic yet heroic defense of Helm's Deep by Helm Hammerhand, the king of Rohan, against the invading forces of the Dunlendings. The ending sees Helm's death in battle, the survival of his daughter Héra, and the eventual reclaiming of Rohan by his nephew Fréaláf. The film serves as a poignant origin story for the Rohirrim, highlighting themes of sacrifice, legacy, and the cyclical nature of war in Middle-earth.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of The War of the Rohirrim revolves around the siege of Helm's Deep, a fortress that would later become iconic in The Two Towers. King Helm Hammerhand, after being betrayed and pushed to the brink by the Dunlendings, makes his last stand in the fortress. The battle is brutal, with the Rohirrim vastly outnumbered. The film portrays Helm's legendary ferocity-fighting with his bare hands after his sword breaks-and his eventual freezing death outside the gates, a moment that cements his mythic status. His daughter Héra, who has been a central figure in the story, survives the battle, ensuring the continuation of Helm's bloodline. The ending is bittersweet: while the Rohirrim are decimated, their resilience inspires future generations, and the Dunlendings are ultimately driven out by Fréaláf, Helm's nephew, who becomes the next king.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. What happened to Héra after the battle?
- The film implies she lived to rebuild Rohan, but her exact fate is left open. She may have married or advised Fréaláf.
2. How did the Dunlendings' defeat affect their future relations with Rohan?
- Their hatred likely persisted, explaining their alliance with Saruman in The Two Towers.
3. Why wasn't Helm's body recovered?
- The blizzard and chaos of battle made it impossible, adding to his legend as a ghostly figure.
Themes and Symbolism:
The ending underscores the themes of sacrifice and legacy. Helm's death mirrors Boromir's in The Fellowship of the Ring—a king dying for his people, with his actions echoing through history. The frozen wasteland where he falls symbolizes the harshness of war and the inevitability of mortality, even for heroes. The survival of Héra and Fréaláf represents hope and renewal, tying into Tolkien's recurring motif of "the passing of the old and the coming of the new." The film also explores the cost of vengeance, as Helm's earlier actions against the Dunlendings directly led to the war, a cyclical tragedy familiar in Tolkien's works.
Personal Opinion:
The War of the Rohirrim delivers a gripping, emotionally charged ending that enriches the lore of Rohan. While it lacks the grandeur of the live-action trilogy, its animated style allows for a more mythic, almost poetic portrayal of Helm's last stand. The decision to focus on a lesser-known story pays off, offering depth to a culture that was somewhat sidelined in the original films. However, the ending's tragedy might feel overwhelming for some, as it lacks the unambiguously hopeful note of Return of the King. Still, it's a worthy addition to Middle-earth's cinematic legacy, especially for fans craving deeper world-building.
Final Thoughts:
The film's ending is a masterclass in tragic storytelling, blending action, emotion, and lore seamlessly. It doesn't just set up future events-it makes Helm's legend feel tangible, ensuring viewers understand why his name endured in songs and tales. For Tolkien purists, it's a faithful adaptation of appendix material; for casual fans, it's a compelling standalone war epic. The only downside is its predictability (history already told us Helm's fate), but the execution makes it unforgettable.