Ancient Historian Gives ‘Lord of the Rings’ Battles an 8/10 for Historical Accuracy

by

In Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, the fight sequences, particularly the Battle of Helm’s Deep in The Two Towers, the Ride of the Rohirrim, and the ultimate Battle of the Pelennor Fields in Return of the King, are considered among the best ever depicted on screen. These battles, set in the richly detailed fantasy universe of dwarves, elves, hobbits, and magic, have earned a special place in fans’ hearts thanks to their impressive scale, stunning visual effects, and exceptional acting by the entire cast. However, you might find it intriguing to know that these battles in J.R.R. Tolkien’s seminal work are historically accurate.

As a movie enthusiast and history buff, I recently had the pleasure of discussing battle scenes from popular films with Insider, including the epic battles from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. In particular, I was captivated by the battle sequences in “The Return of the King,” and surprisingly found myself praising them for their historical authenticity.

One scene that immediately comes to mind is the iconic “Ride Now” moment from the Ride of the Rohirrim. However, as an ancient historian, I must clarify that the action where Aragorn slaps the lances with his sword is not something that occurred historically; this dramatic touch was actually improvised by Bernard Hill for that specific scene. While it may not be rooted in historical fact, I must admit that I can’t help but wish it were true!

It functions so effectively that one might question if it’s truly real. People often inquire, ‘Is this genuine? Would historical or medieval commanders use this?’ It seems unbelievable, but remember Bernard Hill portrayed similar actions in a movie. Now, it appears as an astonishing representation of what could have been premodern warfare.

Roel Konijnendijk appreciated Bernard Hill’s speech, but he felt the depiction of the Ride of the Rohirrim in the movies was faster than it should have been. He explained, “In reality, cavalry charges are typically slower than portrayed on screen.” He added, “The reason they appear to gallop for a long time in films is because it adds a sense of speed and excitement. However, to keep them tight and close together, they can’t go too fast, too quickly.

‘The Lord of the Rings’ Scores a Hugely Surprising 8/10 For Historical Accuracy

As a cinephile, I delved into the epic Battle of the Pelennor Fields and scrutinized the movie’s portrayal of the oliphaunts. “These oliphaunts,” I mused, “are essentially advanced war elephants.”

I went on to elaborate that elephants, once employed by the Persian army, instilled fear in adversaries unfamiliar with their presence. However, they were not as overpowering as films often depict them. The secret to defeating an oliphaunt, it seems, is surprisingly straightforward. “What infantry does when elephants charge,” I pointed out, “is simply create space. Just make pathways.”

Following the viewing of the clips, Roel Konijnendijk commented on The Oliphaunt in the room about The Lord of the Rings trilogy: “These are movies that fall under the fantasy genre.” He stated, “From a cinematic standpoint, from an emotional perspective, this depiction of ancient warfare is unparalleled.” He added, “The Return of the King consistently earns a 10 out of 10.” Interestingly, the film also received a high score for historical accuracy. Konijnendijk further remarked, “It’s challenging to assign a specific number due to its fantastical nature, but I’d probably rate it 8 out of 10.

Read More

2025-01-21 18:02