Sword of Xanten (3½ Stars)

In February I watched "The Nibelungs", made in 1967. It's the most famous German tale, and not just because of Richard Wagner's adaptation to opera. It's strange that it hasn't been filmed more often. That's probably because the story is too epic. Too much happens. It might be possible to do a Lord of the Rings on it, i.e. divide the story into three three-hour films.

"Sword of Xanten" is the first half of the Nibelungs saga. It ends with the death of Siegfried. The second half is about Kriemhild's revenge. It's a curious film, as far as the production goes. It was made by the German director Uli Edel in English, with a mix of English, American and German actors. Brunhild is played by Kristanna Loken (an excellent choice for the role) and Kriemhild is played by Alicia Witt, both American actresses. Siegfriend is played by the famous German actor Benno Fürmann. I've seen him in a lot of films, and I can guarantee that it isn't his voice. He's been dubbed. The film has been released with different names, including "Dark Kingdom", "Curse of the Ring" and "Ring of the Nibelungs". It's no longer in print, but I managed to get a used copy on Ebay.

Siegfried is an orphan who's raised as a blacksmith. He doesn't find out until he's an adult that he's the son of the King of Xanten. Brunhild is a Valkyrie who's become the Queen of Iceland. While visiting Germany she receives a prophecy that a man will defeat her in battle, and that's the man she'll marry. Siegfried defeats her, and she promises herself to him. He says that he has work to complete, and after that he'll visit her in Iceland.

Siegfried visits the Kingdom of Burgundy and hears about a dragon. Gunter, the King of Burgundy, attacks the dragon with his 12 strongest men, but he's defeated. Siegfried sneaks out of the castle to challenge the dragon by himself, and he wins. There's a large treasure horde in the dragon's lair. He's warned by ghosts that the treasure is cursed. He puts on a ring, which has the biggest curse of all, and he brings the rest of the treasure to Gunter.

Gunter's sister, Kriemheld, is in love with Siegfried, so she gives him a potion to make him fall in love with her. Gunter confesses to Siegfried that he's in love with Brunhild, but she will only marry a man who defeats her in battle. Siegfried and Gunter travel to Iceland. Brunhild is heartbroken that Siegfriend no longer wants her. Siegfried has a magic mask that gives him the appearance of anyone he wants. Pretending to be Gunter, he challenges and defeats Brunhild. There's a double marriage in Burgundy: Gunter marries Brunhild, and Siegfried marries Kriemhild. Brunhild tells Gunter that even though she's his wife she'll never sleep with him. She ties him up and makes him sleep on the floor next to his bed.

It's a beautiful story of love and tragedy. Kristanna Loken plays her role to perfection.

The 1967 version was made with a large budget and looks quite good, considering how old it is. "Sword of Xanten" was obviously made with a smaller budget. We still need a modern, well funded version of "The Nibelungs".