Two months after its theatrical release, “Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim” is scheduled to become available on the streaming platform Max on Friday, February 28, according to reports from Deadline. The anime film will be featured on Warner Bros.’ streaming service prior to its broadcast premiere on Saturday, March 1. Upon its initial release, “War of the Rohirrim” was overshadowed by larger films, resulting in a worldwide box office gross of $20 million. Shortly after its theatrical run, it was released on various digital platforms and later made available on Blu-Ray and DVD, albeit with little attention. This upcoming streaming release provides an opportunity for those interested to watch it without additional costs.
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, known for his work on “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex,” “War of the Rohirrim” is set nearly 200 years before the events of the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy. The storyline features Gaia Wise as Héra, the daughter of Rohan’s king at that time, Helm Hammerhand, voiced by Brian Cox. The plot unfolds when Helm inadvertently kills the lord of the neighboring Dunlendings, sparking a war between the two kingdoms and placing Héra against her intended betrothed, Wulf, played by Luke Pasqualiano. Reviews were mixed, with some critics appreciating the film’s scale while expressing disappointment with its animation and story, which is derived from the appendices of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. Although the film did not achieve widespread acclaim, it may gain appreciation as a hidden gem upon further viewings.
For fans of the “Rings” franchise, additional content is forthcoming. “Rings of Power” will return for a third season on Prime Video, and Warner Bros. is developing a spinoff film focused on the character Gollum.
