Die Nibelungen, Part 1 (4½ Stars)

This is a film based on the epic German poem, "The Song of the Nibelungs". The Nibelungs were an old German clan. The story originated in the sixth Century and was written in different forms over the centuries, but today the definitive version is the poem that was written in the 13th Century. In recent years it's better known for its adaptation by Richard Wagner as an opera.

This film was made in 1966 and tells the first half of the story. The second part was made a year later. The film's primary character is Siegfried of Xanten, part of the Netherlands. While he's making a sword for himself someone tries to kill him. He slays the would be assassin while the blade is still hot. This gives the sword supernatural strength. It can cut through anything. Encouraged by his new weapon, he goes to slay a dragon. As the dragon lies dying he bathes in its blood. This makes him invulnerable. The only place he can be wounded is a heart-shaped place on his back where a leaf was sticking to him and prevented the dragon's blood touching him.

After this he defeats Alberich, the king of the dwarves, and steals his helmet that makes him invisible. Alberich swears to serve him.

In a treasure trove Siegfried finds a golden ring. Alberich tells him that it belongs to Brunhilde, the Queen of Iceland. She's been cursed to remain asleep until someone puts the ring back on her finger. Nobody has been able to do this, because her castle is surrounded by a wall of fire. This doesn't stop Siegfried. He runs through the fire and isn't harmed, apart from a small burn where the leaf had been on his skin.

Brunhilde begs Siegfried to marry her and become the King of Iceland at her side, but he says that he wants to have more adventures before he settles down. He sets sail for Germany, promising that he'll return and marry her. Siegfried's next step is to conquer the Kingdom of Burgundy. Surprisingly, King Gunter of Burgundy welcomes him as a friend. He says there's no need to fight, because he'll give Siegfried whatever he wants. Siegfried sees Kriemheld, Gunter's sister, so he asks for her hand in marriage. Gunter agrees, but he says it's a custom in Burgundy that the king's sisters aren't allowed to marry until after the king has married. Gunter says he wants to marry Brunhilde and asks Siegfried to introduce them. That must be the most tactless request ever. At this point I'm already starting to dislike Siegfried.

Siegfried and Gunter travel to Iceland. Brunhilde is heartbroken that Siegfried loves another woman. She says that she'll only marry Gunter if he can defeat her in a contest of stone, spear and sword. She's been endowed with supernatural strength by Odin. Gunter cheats, with Siegfried's help. Siegfried makes himself invisible and stands next to Gunter, competing on his behalf. He throws the rock, throws the spear and breaks Brunhilde's shield with his sword.

Gunter marries Brunhilde and Siegfried marries Kriemheld. But it's not the end of the story. Brunhilde refuses to sleep with Gunter unless he can remove her belt. Gunter is too weak to do this, so he's aided by Siegfried again the next night. But when Siegfried takes Brunhilde's belt back to his bedroom, Kriemheld is jealous.

Brunhilde would have been a perfect match for Siegfried.

Kriemheld is beautiful, but that's no excuse for turning his back on Brunhilde. I don't think it's just about the physical appearance. Religion plays a role. Siegfried is a Christian, and he wants a Christian wife like Kriemhild, not a pagan like Brunhilde. Though it's not stated in the film, I think that it's also an issue of male insecurity. Brunhilde is almost as strong as Siegfried, so he's afraid that he would have to prove himself on a daily basis. Kriemhild is a weak woman, easier to deal with.

Siegfried gets what he deserves. Hagen, one of Gunter's knights, is unhappy with Christianity and allies himself with Brunhilde. She tells Hagen about Siegfried's weak spot. While out hunting, Hagen throws a spear into Siegfried's back and kills him.

That's the end of part one.

This was a big budget production for the German film industry in the 1960's. Apart from a large cast with hundreds of extras, scenes are filmed on location in Iceland. A weakness is the special effects. Whoever did the special effects was no Ray Harryhausen. The dragon looks like he's made of plastic, and it hardly moves, it just breathes fire. Apart from this fault, it's an excellent film. I'll watch the second part tomorrow.