Bret Devereaux

Also, that might fortress in Two Towers, Helms Deep, would have to be singularly the worst castle design EVER! lol

I believe @BretDevereaux has some opinions about this matter

The film does do some odd things with the crenelations (too low), but broadly the design, with a keep supporting a curtain wall drawn over a natural barrier, isn't bad. You see similar citadel+defensive line fortifications fairly often in trace italienne forts.

That it defends a gorge isn't a real problem because, as I discuss, it's main use is probably as a base for raiding - even a small cavalry contingent operating out of the fortress would compel any enemy moving over the westmarch to siege it.

And the designers of the fortress can hardly be faulted for not anticipating the blasting fire the Saruman seems to have only recently invented. Again, the major problems - lack of forward outworks - are resolved in the books, where the complex is more, well, complex.