LOTR bloopers: The Awkward Truth About the Elves at Helm's Deep!

During the filming of the Battle of Helm's Deep in The Lord of the Rings, most of the elves were portrayed by very young actors, including students and teenagers, due to their tall and thin appearance. These young actors lacked discipline and experience, making tasks like synchronized marching difficult. To address this, they underwent brief drills and boot camps led by former military personnel to ensure they were synchronized for the scenes!

[RedWinter]

Which made the scenes even more amazing considering how "mechanical" the elves marched and moved, like lockstep and clockwork!

[MrGalRoz]

Peter Jackson pretty much made all of NZ to pitch in for those movies.

[jensleasman]

Military people and band kids know cadence and marching like no one’s business. What a wonderful opportunity for these youngsters.

[cinderfox]

The youthful faces really fits for the elves though

[TheNuttyStrongman]

The more I learn about this movie that more it blows my mind. Nothing but love for this gem.

[wingfootmcnova]

I remember hearing someone in charge of LOTR casting say "The problem with casting elves is that they all basically have to look like super models." I would guess that all the elves were played by people in their 20s or younger with the exception of the guy who played Elrond. I think Cate Blanchett was like 29-30 during the LOTR filming.

[Goblin_deez.]

They should have just hired real elves

[GraceCreatesLivingSpace]

They needed people who looked young, so in a surprise move they hired young people.

[Blefiz]

That's a great trivia. That and about the extras for the riders of Rohan! 😀

[bobthet-rex]

In the end the results were incredible. The love and care that this production had is felt. Even if you don't watch these behind the scenes clips.

[siphonophores]

Haldir's actor looks surprisingly different out of costume unlike Orlando who you can still tell even out of character.

[PhilipPlace]

Hi from Britland; for some strange reason I find this hilarious! The most disciplined army in Middle Earth acted by " not the most disciplined " priceless!!!😂😂😂

[jessicarowley]

The arrival of the elves at Helms Deep was the point at which i began to cry when i watched this in the cinema. I pretty much stayed that way until the end of Helms Deep. The drill classes worked.

[Ladioz]

I absolutely loved the way those elves at helms deep looked and moved. It's just a shame they had no idea how to fight against Uruk Hai...

[VaryaEQ]

I will say, my favourite part about the Hobbit movies was how **perfectly** Thranduil's army marched. That was beautiful.

[gkalenaki]

Listen, we all gather to such shorts because we LOVE the trilogy, but I personally clicked as soon as I saw Craig Parker (Haldir) on the thumbnail. Such an underrated actor that really is a GOAT in every movie/series he's been into 🐐

[tomtom]

If ypu were gonna be in a movie as a bit part or extra, the LOTR would be the dream.
If your part was gonna be as an elf marching to the aid of allies, thats a pretty awesome bit to play.

[damienruzco]

The costumes I’m seeing on the elf extras in RoP is making me miss these guys so much

[corbanx]

loved that scene. It looked super synchronous.

[natsarimthings]

I totally love the elf army. They didn't look inexperienced in the movie at all. It was amazing..