In Part 1 (Siegfried), Siegfried, the hero of the story, sets out from his small town after hearing rumours of a gorgeous princess in Burgundy. The man who told him directions to get there lied, and Siegfried encounters a dragon. Killing the dragon and bathing in it's blood, turns Siegfried invincible. He then sets out to a mysterious forest, where he meets an invisible old man. Siegfried stabs him and before he dies, the strange old man curses him. He takes the sword from the Nibelungen treasure and leaves. He enters the kingdom of Burgundy, has a battle with Brunhild, he wins and marries Krimhild. Their happiness does not last long, as plans arise, conspiring to kill Siegfried. (HIGHLIGHT FOR SPOILER)- Siegfried is murdered at a hunt and Kriemhild vows revenge on the killer Hagen von Tronje. Brunhild, who helped in the killing, commits suicide by Siegfried's body.
In Part 2 (Kriemhild's Revenge), Kriemhild marries Etzel, king of the Huns, and has his baby. All to plan revenge for the events in part 1. She gets gradually more and more crazy, as she forces her husband and Margrave Ruediger to do her revenge for her. The last 45 minutes is a siege on the palace where (HIGHLIGHT FOR SPOILER) their baby is brutally killed by Hagen, the king and Margrave gets stabbed and most of the Hun warriors and all the Burgundy soldiers get massacred. After burning down the palace, Hagen walks out the gate and states how only he knows where the Nibelungen treasure is. Kriemhild goes bezerk and kills him. One of the master soldiers then kills her from behind.
Due to the time it has taken to explain the summary, you would have thought the film would last 4 1/2 hours, but the film feels like it lasts longer. The best part was Siegfried running through the forest as we, the audience, are introduced to new sets after new sets. Once at the palace it feels less 'Lord of the Rings' and more 'Game of Thrones'. Plenty of conspiring against each other, a whole second act which matches Daenerys Targaryen's storyline, and a massacre at a banquet. The film definitely could have been shortened. I believe the second act could have been shortened to an hour, instead it seems to go on and on.
The bases of the story was originally written in 1200 AD, which explains why it is anti-Hollywood, has a sad ending and the hero dies half way through. Completely destroying the concept of 'The Hero's Journey' by Joseph Campbell.
Despite the racism from massacring 'The Huns' and the lengthy duration, I still enjoyed this film. The set design was astonishing and really made you feel like you were in a fantasy world. This included Metropolis style grand sets, and a moving dragon (looking suspiciously like a dinosaur).
TO CONCLUDE
Enjoyable, silent, forgotten classic, if a bit too long. Best to see in two or more sittings.
SCORE
78
No comments:
Post a Comment