Sword of Xanten (2004)

The legend of Siegfried and Brunhild, loosely based on characters from the Norse sagas and the pre-Christian Germanic heroic motifs outlined in the Nibelungensaga.

Director:

Uli Edel

Writers:

Diane Duane, Peter Morwood

Stars:

Benno Fürmann, Kristanna Loken, Alicia Witt

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Benno Fürmann	...	Eric / Siegfried
Kristanna Loken	...	Brunhild (as Kristanna Løken)
Alicia Witt	...	Kriemhild
Julian Sands	...	Hagen
Samuel West	...	King Gunther
Max von Sydow	...	Eyvind
Robert Pattinson	...	Giselher
Mavie Hörbiger	...	Lena
Aletta Bezuidenhout	...	Hallbera
Sean Higgs	...	Alberich
Götz Otto	...	King Thorkwin
Ralf Moeller	...	King Thorkilt
Tamsin MacCarthy	...	Queen Siegland
Leonard Moss	...	King Siegmund
Ryan Slabbert	...	Siegfried (3 Years)

Storyline

The young blacksmith Siegfried, who, not knowing that he is heir to a conquered kingdom, becomes popular with the Burgunds by slaying their bane, the dragon Fafnir. When the reward seems to be a huge treasure, Siegfried ignores the curse that lies on the hoard - which now seems to endanger his love to beautiful Norse warrior queen Brunhild.

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Plot Keywords:

dragon | queen | king | blacksmith | treasure | 

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Taglines:

The Nordic legend that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write the Lord of the Ring trilogy.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense action violence and brief sexuality/nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alicia Witt and Max von Sydow both starred in Dune (1984).

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Goofs

When Siegfried is fighting the two Saxon kings he is disarmed of his sword and shield, after being knocked to the ground he retrieves his sword, gets up, and a short piece of action ensues. The shot then changes and he suddenly has his shield for the closing seconds of the fight sequence.

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Quotes

Brunnhild: Once I loved a man, who I thought the gods themselves had sent me. I loved the whole world because he was in it. Long we were parted but I could bear it because I knew he would return one day. But when he came again it was as if his heart had been wiped clean. I loved him as I had but he did not love me. We were strangers as before we had met.

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Connections

Version of Der Ring des Nibelungen: Siegfried (1980)

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Soundtracks

Riding on the Rocks
Composed & Written by Nick Laird-Clowes, Ilan Eshkeri & Andrew Raiher
Performed by Katie Knight-Adams
(c) Tandem Communications / VIP Medienfonds 2 & 3 2004

User Reviews

Television adaptation upon known Germany legend with impressive and spectaculars scenes

The picture is based on Germanic mythology ,¨Der Niebelungen¨, a Nordic legend that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write the Lord of the Ring trilogy . It narrates the legend of a hero named Siegfred (Benno Furmann) who, not knowing that he is heir to a conquered kingdom, becomes popular with the Burgunds . As the young blacksmith meets the location where is stashed the Niebelungen treasure that's protected by a dwarf and a giant dragon . Siegfred slain and kills the dragon and he bathes in its blood (exception a body part where falls a leaf) . He'll become invulnerable vanquishing every enemies after numerous battles and confronting many dangers , misfortunes and risks. He marries a princess of Burgundios named Kriemhild (Alicia Witt) by means of a potion and then the Queen of Island Brunnhild (Kristinna Loken) will execute her vengeance , fulfillment a prophecy of rampage , ravage and destruction . In addition , Hagen (Julian Sands ) will try to take the Niebelungen gold .

This mythological , dark , epic, brooding film is plenty of archetypal personages and were jingoist tributes , in fact the Niebelungen heroes were even loved by the same Hitler. The movie is adapted from Germanic legends , even Richard Wagner made Operas about these deeds as ¨ Gold of Rhin¨ , ¨Cavalcade of Walkirias and ¨Ring of Niebelungen¨ . Besides , it inspired to J.R.R. Tolkien and his ¨Lord Of the Rings¨ . It has recently discovered a treasure next to Haelsinburg (Sweden) that's called ¨the Atila gold¨ and can be the legendary Niebelungen treasure . There are other versions about these epic facts , such as the 1967 movie featured by Terence Hill , Karin Door , Herbert Lom and directed by Harald Reilm which is considered average and of course the classic silent adaptation directed by Fritz Lang that is the best deemed . This modern rendition for television is spectacular and colorful and its narration is quite well . The flick will appeal to historical epic buffs and legendary heroes fans. Rating : good and well worth seeing.

Details

Country:

Germany UK South Africa Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 2005 (UK)

Also Known As:

Curse of the Ring

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$169,774

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tandem Communications, Tandem Productions, VIP 2 Medienfonds

Technical Specs

Runtime:

184 min 132 min (theatrical)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1