Eregion is under siege in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 7, “Doomed to Die.” The season’s high-octane, propulsive penultimate outing delivers the show’s bloodiest battle yet. It’s gripping from beginning to end.
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with episode seven director Charlotte Brändström and cinematographer Alex Disenhof about shooting the big, bold and brutal fight between the Elves and Orcs (with Sauron orchestrating the whole shebang).
RELATED: Read our recap of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, “Doomed to Die”
This interview is condensed for length and clarity.
Charlotte Brändström and Alex Disenhof
Melody McCune: Episode seven is the definition of epic. How did you both approach your respective roles in bringing a battle of such scope and scale to life? And how does that approach differ from an episode that’s not as action-heavy?
Charlotte Brändström: Well, I think the approach is always the same. It’s just much more work and much more condensed here. I feel like we always approach [it] with reading, prepping and talking about shortlisting. Action is more storyboarded and more broken down in advance than more dramatic scenes. But I often say, “Let’s just do it and see what happens.”
Alex Disenhof: Like Charlotte said, laying the groundwork takes more time, and the machinery around creating a big set piece like that is larger and requires more precise planning. But once you’re on the ground, it still ultimately comes down to the actors, the camera and what’s in front of you. So, once you get on the ground, it’s all very similar, whether you’re shooting a dramatic scene between two actors or a big battle.
Like a Dance
MM: I particularly loved the scene where Sauron kills Celebrimbor’s guards. It feels like a dance in the way it moves and its fluidity. For both of you, talk to me about your choices for shooting that scene.
CB: It starts with the way it was written. Then, we spend the whole day rehearsing that scene. Alex was with me, and we worked a lot with the actors. First, we blocked the actors so we know where they’re standing and what they’re doing. Everything you’ve seen in the scene was planned. I mean that there wasn’t any improvising. We rehearsed it; we decided when it felt right. Then, we broke it down, [and] decided how to shoot it.
AD: The overhead shot for me was the linchpin of that scene where you see his (Sauron) poetry. I’ve been watching it again after not seeing it for a long time, [and] that felt like a nice thing that tied it all together.
Favorite Scene
MM: For sure. Do you have a favorite scene that you worked on from that episode?
CB: It keeps changing, I think. I love the ending when everyone just doesn’t want to fight anymore. And Adar and Arondir because the fight becomes much more personal. Also, when Celebrimbor cuts his thumb — it’s an incredible scene.
MM: Oh, yeah. That made me squirm a bit.
CB: I liked the one with my mouse, Peachy. We had the trained mouse there. I also liked the scene in the tent between Adar and Elrond. There are a lot of good scenes in episode seven.
RELATED: Read our recaps for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
MM: Absolutely.
AD: I love seeing Charles [Edwards] and Charlie [Vickers’] relationship. That arc was really rewarding to shoot. Because you’re on this incredible set, and ultimately, you’re just watching two world-class actors go at each other in an intellectual way, which was really cool.
Thank you for chatting with GGA, Charlotte and Alex!
Episode seven of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming on Prime Video.
Ema Horvath Talks Eärien’s Headspace in RINGS OF POWER Episode 5
[email protected]
What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
- ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING Recap: (S04E08) Lifeboat - October 15, 2024
- Class Is in Session: Best Quotes From ABBOTT ELEMENTARY’s ‘Back to School’ - October 14, 2024
- SILO Season 2 Trailer Teases All-Out Rebellion - October 14, 2024
