The penultimate episode of season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power centers on a fierce confrontation between Adar (played by Sam Hazeldine) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo), with their Elves and Orcs preparing for a showdown outside the majestic Eregion kingdom. This epic clash, known in legend as the Siege of Eregion, significantly dominates the episode, earning its place as one of the most visually stunning battle sequences ever portrayed on television.
Despite occurring predominantly at night, viewers can clearly grasp the action unfolding during this climactic moment. This clarity is a remarkable achievement by director Charlotte Brändström and cinematographer Alex Disenhof, who admitted to Collider that he had reservations about how visible the battle would be. “As a cinematographer, one of the more daunting phrases to read is, ‘A moonlit night,’” he confessed.
Television audiences know the frustration all too well of struggling to decipher the chaos in a grand fantasy battle. For instance, the much-discussed episode The Long Night from season 8 of Game of Thrones faced backlash in 2019 for relying on dim lighting, making it challenging for viewers to follow the action.
To avoid repeating the missteps seen in The Long Night, Disenhof leveraged a distinct feature of the siege: the massive fireballs that Adar and his Orc troops hurl at Eregion. “We let that be our guide,” he revealed. “Utilizing both real fire and artificial flames illuminated with lights allowed us to control the overall ambiance of the scene.”
By capitalizing on the fiery chaos created by catapults and explosions, Disenhof ensured every detail—including actors’ performances—was brought to life. “There was a moment when I wanted to see Elrond’s face, so I asked, ‘Hey, Special Effects Team, can you position a fire six feet away from him? Or as close as safety permits?’” he recalled. “That kept the shot dynamic.”
The end product is a battle sequence that feels tailored to meet the viewers’ expectations and experiences. If only Game of Thrones had utilized its dragonfire a bit more strategically.
The finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 premieres on Prime Video on Thursday, October 3.