War has arrived in Eregion in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. In Season 2 Episode 7, titled “Doomed to Die,” the Elven city comes under heavy attack from Sauron (Charlie Vickers). The episode focuses on Eregion and avoids other storylines to highlight how important this moment is in the series.
The episode features exciting action scenes, but one moment stands out as a nightmare for the entire production crew. Director Charlotte Brandstrom and cinematographer Alex Disenhof discussed this challenging scene in an interview with Collider’s Carly Lane.
This moment shows Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and his Orcs making the river around Eregion go down. This allows them to attack the city on foot.
Brandstrom called the muddy battlefield a “nightmare.” Disenhof agreed but added that it was “visually, a godsend.” They faced many challenges with the muddy terrain.
Disenhof mentioned that they knew the mud would be an issue, but working in it was a “reality check” that slowed things down. He said they had an incredible crew that managed to keep a positive attitude.
Brandstrom shared her own difficulties with the mud, saying she got stuck in it. She explained, “I couldn’t get out of there. So they had to come and carry me out.”
This situation added realism to the scene, as she remarked, “It was very hard, not only for the actors to move around, but for the crew, for everybody.” The mud was deep, going above her knees at times, making it hard to walk. If someone stayed in one spot too long, they could get stuck.
Having a long lead time for filming helped Brandstrom and Disenhof plan better. Disenhof explained that they began planning months before shooting.
They decided where to put heavy equipment and buried steel decking underground to keep it stable. The construction crew then layered mud on top. They had to stick to the chosen areas because going off the path could lead to getting stuck in the mud.
Disenhof also explained how they needed to be creative with their equipment and cameras to film the complex scenes. They used a stabilized gimbal head on a steel bar that grips carried around. Two grips with big boots ran with the camera while an operator worked remotely from a dry spot.
They also used TechnoCranes to extend the camera. They even did handheld work, although mobility was difficult due to the mud. It was a significant logistical challenge for the team. The first seven episodes of The Rings of Power Season 2 are now available to stream on Prime Video.
Director Charlotte Brandstrom and cinematographer Alex Disenhof had to deal with immense challenges when filming the scene where Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and his Orcs lower the river that surrounds Eregion. This change in the environment allows them to approach the city on foot.
While the resulting visuals were stunning, the muddy terrain created a “nightmare” for everyone involved in the production. Brandstrom herself had to be carried out when she got stuck in the mud.
To ensure the scene could be filmed effectively, the team planned months in advance, strategically burying steel decking to stabilize the ground. Special equipment like TechnoCranes and handheld cameras were used to capture the action, while grips with large boots ran through the mud to carry equipment.
The entire crew faced constant challenges from the terrain, but their dedication allowed them to pull off this visually arresting sequence. The action-packed episode brings to life the weight of the siege and the immense struggles faced by both the characters in the story and the production crew behind the scenes.
