While the story might not be directly familiar to Lord of the Rings fans, names from the story will be. Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox) ruled Rohan 200 years before Bilbo would find the ring in Gollum’s cave. Returning in voice is Miranda Otto, Eowyn from the original trilogy, as she narrates our tale. The anime style was beautifully animated and a testament to the art form. Animation often gets overlooked or relegated to children’s films. But the style is a testament to art and film. The intro especially showcases what a stunning design choice it can be. But let us get to the focus of the film: Helm Hammerhand’s daughter Hera (Gaia Wise).
The daughter of the Rohan King, she’s not entirely princess-like. Similar to her predecessor Eowyn, 250-ish years in the future, Hera prefers riding and hiking to princess duties. She cares less for marriage and more about learning about the eagles. While she has been promised to someone in Gondor as a means to strengthen the bond between the two lands, one lord of Rohan has taken offense to this. Freca (Shaun Dooley) believes it is better to strengthen the bonds of Rohan within itself and offers his son Wulf (Luca Pasqualino) as a partner. Even though the two spent time together as children, Hera isn’t interested because she doesn’t want to get married anyway. And Helm is determined she will marry someone from Gondor anyhow. I get the two sides. Helm wants to protect his people by creating stronger allies. Freca wants to strengthen their own lands. But Helm is the king, and it’s his decision. When it comes to blows, one hit takes Freca down, and suddenly, Wulf is swearing vengeance on the lot of them. He vows to kill Helm’s two sons and him, and since Hera won’t marry him, she can go down as well. She’s responsible for the scar you bear. Is this the path you want to take, Wulf?
While out riding, a creature emerges, and Hera does what she can. Knowledge of the woods and waters saves her because, as they say in Star Wars, “There’s always a bigger fish.” But she’s also kidnapped and returned to Wulf. He offers marriage again, and she’s like, “The answer is still no, dude.” He takes this personally instead of listening to what she has to say when she says she doesn’t want to marry anyone. Maybe she’s gay, maybe she’s asexual, maybe she just doesn’t want to be married. But Wulf takes this personally. She doesn’t have to wait too long because her ladies’ maid and former shield maiden Olwyn (Lorraine Ashbourne) is hatching a plan with the assistance of her brothers and cousin. With great ferocity making me absolutely fall in love with this amazing character, Olwyn gets to Hera and with some good shooting from the cousin, they make their escape. Helm, angry with the nephew for allowing Hera’s kidnapping in the first place, banishes him to Dunharrow. War is descending upon them. I don’t know if it’s the best idea to send your really good fighters away, but you do you, Helm.
They all begin preparing for what they expect Wulf to do. Except no one expected him to have recruited a traitor. Hera makes quick work of Thorne (Jude Akuwudike) but also needs to figure out how to save her people, her brothers, and her father. Sadly, though Haleth (Benjamin Wainwright) helps take down the raging Mumakil, his own archery skills cannot save him from Wulf’s arrow. Hera has managed the escape of the townspeople, but now the royalty must make their own exit. Caught on his old mare, Hama (Yazdan Qafouri) cannot keep up with the group. Four men come to surround him. Wulf and his lieutenant make it out and take Hama alive. Helm begs for his son’s life in exchange for his own. But it’s not enough for Wulf, who kills Hama in anger. His lieutenant begins to warn him. You could have had everything you likely wanted, but that’s not really what Wulf wants. He wants them all to suffer. And on that account, he wins.
Helm is injured and comatose. He’s healing, but he won’t wake. Reports begin reaching their ears of the King Wraith. Helm lost his mind and wandered as a spirit, killing and ripping apart any man he could. This got my fiance reinvested. Zombie grandpa?! Alright! Not even; it’s the normal Helm, just on a grief rampage. He’s still completely got my respect as a badass warrior. Ripping men in half? That’s quite a legacy on the battlefield. Hera finds his little trap door and uncovers the truth of it all. She happens upon two orcs searching for a ring…seems suspicious. But she and her father made their escape, made their amends, and tried to reach the castle again. The wind is picking up, and there are too many men still coming. In the end, Helm dies frozen in place, guarding the stronghold and those inside whom he loves.
Wulf is still not pleased. Of course he’s not, because his father dying isn’t actually what he’s mad about. He’s mad Hera turned down his hand in marriage. He didn’t get the girl, and now he’s pouting about it. Even his second is trying to counsel him to slow down, negotiate. Wulf says no. But Hera has her own plan. Her obsession with the eagles comes into play, and she takes a massive risk for, hopefully, a huge reward. The eagles understand common tongue, but that doesn’t mean they’ll want to listen. But the attack on the stronghold is imminent, and she needs to play every card she’s got. Including facing Wulf one-on-one. Hera is working on sneaking the people out and believes that by forcing an attack instead of waiting, she can create enough of a distraction to give them the best odds. Coming out in a wedding dress is certainly the distraction Wulf can’t handle.
“To whom are you pledged?” “Death.”
I love her. I didn’t realize I could love a woman of Rohan more than Eowyn, but I would follow this woman anywhere. She challenges him to the death, and the fight scene that follows should be enough to sell anyone on animation as an art form. Breathtaking ability to create these scenes of quick moving action, gorgeous and colorful backgrounds as the siege tower burns, and the emotional payout of a woman who is willing to fight and die for her people. An absolute inspiration. Even with chances and chances, Hera has only one option left to take, and it means taking the life of her childhood friend. Rohan will never know peace as long as Wulf lives, and now the people will have a chance to rebuild.
The stronghold held and protected by Helm would be renamed in his honor, becoming the Helm’s Deep we know and love. The eagles arrive with her cousin from Dunharrow sporting her father’s armor. Their favor to Hera now complete, the new king of Rohan is here. Hera never wanted the crown in the same way she never wanted to marry. A good man is on the throne again, rebuilding Edoras. And the wild princess? She’s off with her good shieldmaiden to answer a wizard’s questions. Some dude named Gandalf has some questions about those orcs she saw and what kind of ring they might be looking for.
I’m not hugely into anime. I’ve watched some shows and seen a few Studio Ghibli titles. From the very beginning, the art of this film had me entranced. I was hooked. I encourage everyone to check out this fantastic film, regardless of their interest in anime. It isn’t a necessity to enjoy the film, just a perk. But I do hope every Lord of the Rings fan or fans of strong female characters will make this a must-see. A badass female lead, anime animation, and Lord of the Rings all together is a pretty lethal combination if you ask me. And at this point, if you’re still reading this, I’m going to assume you’re asking me, and my answer is yes, please watch this movie.
