Never forget that in the books, Theoden blew his horn so hard that it "burst asunder". This guy was so badass and hyped up that he shattered a war horn by blowing too hard. What a legend

"Form ranks you maggots! Pikes in front, archers behind"

There was more strategy in this one command than the entire plan for the Battle of Winterfell.

Lore-wise, chanting "death" had a double meaning. Yes, they were charging towards certain death. But also in the Tolkien universe, death is actually a good thing. You go to a place of eternal happiness and bliss and even the elves don't know what happens to you. Morgoth and Sauron both worked to corrupt death's meaning however and make men fear it. This is actually how Sauron destroyed Numenor, making men fear death. So when Theodan and company chant "DEATH!" at the top of their lungs, they're actually defying Sauron/Morgoth and demonstrating faith to Eä. So it is a war chant, but it's also supposed to be symbolic of mankind's defiance of evil.

If the ride of the rohirrim doesn't fire you the fuck up and give you goosebumps, you're just an empty shell.

LOTR2: What about a great Rohirrim entrance?
Rest of movies: You already had it...
LOTR3: We had one yes, what about a second great Rohirrim entrance?

If I ever see a movie moment greater than this than I will be a happy dude.  Its been 13 years and nothing has come close...

Screaming "DEATH" three times before charging an army that size does not get any more badass.

Let's be honest this wasn't in your recommendation. You searched for it

A masterpiece

Sometimes it's easy to forget the sheer size of horses until you're up close. They're solid muscle standing 7 or 8 feet tall. Thousands at full sprint would be an insane crushing force.

Just a reminder that the ride of the rohirrim was so epic that even the Witch King didnt want to miss it

"Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last."

Random person: "How many times have you watched this?"
Me: "100000000 times"

" The world of men will fall. "
Rohan horn
Instant goosebumps

I just imagine some dude in the back like “wtf did the king say? What’s going on I can’t see anything....oh shit we’re moving”

"Imagine a king, leading his own men. Wouldn't that be a sight"

Achilles

4:00 - lot of cavalry, right? It was 6000 according to the book. Imagine now, that during Battle of Vienna (1683) allied cavalry (Polish, German, Austrian) was FOUR TIME more numerous. 24 000 cavalrymen charging Ottoman lines from Kahlenberg hills.

The orcs' faces when they realized the army wasn't stopping is always priceless.

Me watching this with my parents: "This scene is great!"
Me watching this with my friends: "DEAAAATH! DEAAAAAAAAAAATH!!!"

What makes this scene so emotional? Duty, courage and certain death. The final push against darkness with their brave king leading the charge.

1:53 Shadowfax was still ready for that smoke after watching one of his best friends get taken down.