Hill was originally asked to play the role of Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings movies, but he turned the part down for personal reasons.  Peter Jackson wanted Hill in the movies, so offered him the role of Theoden, which Hill accepted albeit reluctantly.

Hill played the role of Theoden like he played King Lear -- proud, bold, and with ease.  Perhaps in Return Of The King he overshadowed that other king, Aragorn, but he was the veteran in the situation so the confidence exuded from Hill.  He must have done something right because Empire magazine awarded Hill the Scene Of The Year award in January.  Go Bernard!