He was so good as King Theoden. Despite many criticisms from different quarters of Tolkien fandom about the Peter Jackson movies, I don't remember anyone saying Bernard Hill was the wrong actor for that role.
Of course, LoTR wasn't his only venture into the realm of movie fantasy. He had an uncredited role in First Knight and named roles in films like Gothika and The Scorpion King. But some fans may remember him for his Shakespearean roles and for his portrayal of John Lennon in the 1980s.
I do think Hill was more than adequate for that role, and made Théoden accessible and understandable for the non-book audience.
As always, such problems as I had with the characterization are attributable to Jackson's revisionism. Could you imagine Hill, as JRRT wrote, meditating for a brief moment on the host surrounding Minas Tirith as his horsemen formed up, then standing in his stirrups and shouting "Arise Arise Riders of Rohan...(etc)" followed by blowing his horn till it burst and charging ahead of his Riders as they all cried "DEATH!"
I guess many American audiences might remember him mainly for his two major roles in which his character met tragic ends, the other being going down with his ship as Capt. Smith of the Titanic, gripping the wheel as he watched the water creeping over the windows of the bridge until they imploded...
RE: RIP Bernard Hill, King Theoden
Michael > May 8th, 2024, 01:07 AM
My favorite scene with Hill was when Theoden recited The Ride of Eorl. For me that was electrifying the first time I saw it.