Episode Summary: "They Should’ve Known" – The Prancing Pony Podcast

Episode Details:

• Podcast: The Prancing Pony Podcast
• Episode: 353 – They Should’ve Known
• Release Date: January 5, 2025
• Hosts: Alan Sisto and Matt E. Marchese

1. Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 353, titled "They Should’ve Known," hosts Alan Sisto and Matt E. Marchese delve into the recent anime adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth lore, specifically focusing on the film "War of the Rohirrim." Balancing their deep appreciation for Tolkien's work with their insightful critiques, Alan and Matt provide listeners with a comprehensive review of the film's strengths and areas for improvement.

2. Choosing Anime as the Medium

Alan: "I don't think we have. No." ([03:15])
The hosts begin by discussing the decision to adapt a Tolkien story into an anime format. Matt expresses his limited experience with anime, mentioning classics like "Akira" and "Studio Ghibli" films, while Alan acknowledges his own brief encounters with the medium. They recognize that anime offers unique storytelling tools that live-action might not capture as effectively.

Matt: "There’s such a tradition of live action now." ([07:53])
Despite their reservations, both agree that anime can bring fresh perspectives to familiar tales, allowing for expressive visuals and dynamic storytelling.

3. Visuals and Sound Design

Alan: "I like the visuals in the style that they." ([04:26])
Alan praises the striking visual style of the anime, noting how the characters remain vivid in his mind well after viewing. The hosts commend the film's sound design, highlighting the use of iconic musical themes from the Lord of the Rings, which enhances immersion.

Matt: "This sound design is one of the things that I have been raving about." ([15:12])
Matt emphasizes the film's exceptional sound quality, comparing it favorably to major animated studios and appreciating how it faithfully recreates the auditory essence of Middle-earth.

4. Casting and Voice Acting

Alan: "Brian Cox, who does Helm Hammerhand and absolutely flipping owns." ([22:19])
The duo lauds the voice acting, particularly Brian Cox's portrayal of Helm Hammerhand, which they describe as spot-on and impactful. They also highlight Miranda Otto’s role as the narrator, appreciating how her presence ties the adaptation back to the beloved live-action films.

Matt: "You should be." ([23:36])
Their admiration extends to other voice actors, with a special mention of Lorraine Ashbourne’s performance as Olwen, whom they view as a strong and capable character.

5. Plot and Storyline Adaptations

While the film stays true to many aspects of Tolkien's lore, the hosts note several additions and alterations that fill in gaps or expand on existing narratives.

Alan: "And though they do love our deep dives into the lore..." ([02:37])
They discuss how the story introduces new elements, such as Saruman's influence over Rohan and the use of the Palantir, which are incorporated to enrich the plot and provide deeper context.

6. Specific Scenes and Critiques

Watcher in the Water Scene: Matt: "I feel like they don't need to have the Watcher." ([05:25])
One of the primary critiques revolves around the Watcher in the Water scene, which Matt felt was unnecessary and took away from the narrative flow. Alan echoes this sentiment, finding the scene surreal and out of place even within an anime context.

Helm’s Battle with the Snow Troll: Matt: "I really like that big moment." ([16:43])
Conversely, the hosts appreciate the snow troll battle scene, acknowledging that while unrealistic for live-action, it leverages the strengths of animation to deliver exciting action.

7. Musical Themes and Consistency

The film successfully integrates established musical themes from the original Lord of the Rings into its score, maintaining an inner consistency of reality that honors the source material without over-relying on nostalgia.

Alan: "They used sort of the nostalgia of the Lord of the Rings film very early to get you invested." ([12:35])
Both hosts commend how the score enhances the storytelling, using familiar motifs to draw viewers into the world of Rohan effectively.

8. Ratings and Final Thoughts

After balancing their praises with critiques, both Alan and Matt agree on a solid rating of 8 out of 10.

Alan: "I’m giving this an 8 maybe out of 10." ([54:06])
Matt: "I feel like I went with eight because I was like, I will give this a solid, enthusiastic 8 out of 10." ([54:15])

They appreciate the film’s storytelling sensibility, the integration of Rohan’s lore, and the honorable performances by the voice cast, despite minor missteps in certain scenes and plot divergences.

9. Conclusion and Future Directions

Wrapping up the episode, Alan and Matt express their confidence in future adaptations, anticipating continued growth and faithful storytelling in upcoming projects. They encourage listeners to support the podcast through various platforms and remain engaged with the vibrant community surrounding their discussions on Tolkien’s works.

Notable Quotes:

• Alan: "But darlin’, he knew that she was no man, but still he respected her bravery." ([25:35])
• Matt: "Eowyn was slender and tall, with a grace and pride that came to her out of the south..." ([95:22])
• Alan: "He builds up Isengard for his own power, much like Saruman intended." ([16:20])

Final Rating:

8 out of 10 – A commendable adaptation that honors Tolkien’s legacy while exploring the creative potentials of the anime medium.

This episode offers both seasoned Tolkien enthusiasts and newcomers alike a thoughtful examination of "War of the Rohirrim," highlighting its achievements and areas for improvement through the engaging lens of The Prancing Pony Podcast hosts.