For the legendary scenes in 'The Return of the King,' Howard Shore used the hurdy-gurdy to represent the gritty, war-torn atmosphere of the world of Men. Specifically, it was used during the 'Pelennor Fields' sequences to provide a rough, droning texture that contrasted with the noble brass of the Gondor theme. The hurdy-gurdy’s mechanical nature—using a wheel to rub strings—gave it a 'handmade' and 'ancient' quality that fit the medieval legend of Middle-earth. Shore’s ability to find the perfect instrument for each of the film’s legendary cultures is a primary reason the score is considered one of the greatest of all time, proving that even a single 'strange' instrument can add immense realism to a fantasy world.