Die Nibelungen, Part 2 (4 Stars)

This is the second part of the Nibelung films, made a year later in 1967. At the end of the first film Siegfried was slain on the instructions of his spurned lover Brunhilde. She still loved him, but if she couldn't have him nobody could. Broken-hearted, she kills herself on Siegfried's tomb.

Kriemhild has sworn revenge on Hagen for the murder of her husband. Nine months after his death she gives birth to a son, and she proclaims that he will be the one to kill Hagen. She leaves Burgundy to raise her son in Xanten. On the way she's ambushed, and Hagen kills her son. She's left to die, but she's rescued by Huns. They take her home, and she marries Etzel, the King of the Huns.

Time passes. She has another son with King Etzel. On his third birthday he's due to be baptised. She invites her family, knowing that Hagen will be with them. Unknown to her husband, she plans to kill Hagen. When the first attempt on his life takes place, Etzel is horrified. She says she won't do it again, but her desire for revenge is stronger than her honesty. In the next battle Kriemheld's son is killed. That's collateral damage, but it persuades Etzel that Hagen needs to die. Most of the film is taken up with battles between The Burgundians and the Huns.

Finally the only Burgundians left alive are Hagen and King Gunter. They surrender. The king collapses and dies from his wounds. Kriemhild kills Hagen with a sword. Kriemhild looks at her three brothers lying dead (Gunter, Giselher and Gernot), and she falls upon a sword.

This is the most famous story in German literature. Most children read it in school. I should have read it years ago. After watching the films I read a short synopsis of the poem, and there are many details omitted in the films. Three hours isn't enough to do it justice. I just ordered a free copy for my Kindle.