Die Nibelungen

For those who enjoy delving into cultural mythology, this is a wonderful treat. Although old and silent and lacking the over-the-top special effects so dear to the hearts of adrenaline junkies, this is a compelling rendition of the circa 1200 Nibelungenlied saga upon which Wagner's opera is based. Reviews erroneously claiming that this film is "so gay" due to Sigfried's bare chest and manner of death are ridiculous and should be ignored. Enjoy the film for what it is, complete with hokey effects.

Intricate, intelligent, and charged with emotional intensity, Fritz Lang's cinematic telling of the great German legend is truly magnificent to behold. Made when silent films were at their height of artistic and dramatic expression, DIE NIBELUNGEN (1924) puts the CGI blockbusters of today to shame.The film perfectly captures a medieval atmosphere with an authentic feel to the sets and costumes. The performers especially are in total sync with the grandeur this subject matter demands. Everything is in keeping with how epics should be made, and Kino did a splendid job of presenting the film in a fully restored Blu-ray edition that looks glorious. Transferred from 35mm sources and dyed orange via a photochemical process (as per the original release prints), this is the closest we have to Lang's original vision. And there's a lot to see - just knowing that the grand sets were actually constructed for the film instead of having the actors popped into flat, digitally enhanced backgrounds adds a dimension of reality lacking in most contemporary films of this type.For years historians focused attention on the first part, SIEGFRIED, whereas the second part, KRIEMHILD'S REVENGE, had a somewhat underrated reputation. While the entire film presents a profusion of imagery worthy of classical painting, it's the second part, for me anyway, wherein the heart of DIE NIBELUNGEN lies. One of the most moving scenes in any film ever made is in KRIEMHILD'S REVENGE where Siegfried's (Paul Richter) grieving widow (Margerete Schon) leaves home and stops enroute at the stream where her husband was murdered. She dismounts her horse and tells her escort to remain back as she, alone, walks over to the water's edge. She kneels down and with her bare hands digs through the snow and earth bringing up a handful of dirt upon which her husband's blood was spilled, and she swears an oath that his murderer's blood will drench the same soil. The poignant beauty of this scene, surrounded in snow and birch trees, combined with the intensity in Kriemhild's face as she makes her vow, creates a poetic moment upon which rests all that follows. Indeed, this scene is recalled to our mind twice: first, when Kriemhild bears a son to Attila the Hun (Rudolf Klein-Rogge) and she takes the cloth containing the holy soil to her bosom; then at the end when she unfurls the cloth, spilling its contents upon the slain Hagen (Hans Adalbert Schlettow), her huband's murderer, thus fulfilling her oath. It's the cornerstone upon which the entire story is built.Maturely told, DIE NIBELUNGEN proves that a film doesn't need spoken dialogue to be great. The musical score on this edition is the original 1924 composition by Gottfried Huppertz, and it amply provides the appropriate degree of power and passion. Very much in the spirit of a grand opera, DIE NIBELUNGEN belongs in the collection of every serious classic film lover.Extras include a feature length documentary on the making and restoration of the film, as well as newsreel footage of Fritz Lang directing on the set.My highest recommendation - but not for those challenged by a short attention span.

This is what Blu-Ray was always intended to be. As complete a restoration of a silent film as currently possible. The original prints cleaned up, sharpened and honed to play on digital screens. And the grain in the film compensated for as much as is technically possible. Not every shot is perfection; but every frame has been worked on to be the best that can be had.This is not the movie shown in the theatres at the time. That movie, as currently known of, does not exist. But it has been faithfully restored to as close to the original as possible. That is why, even at clocking it at around five hours, there are moments in the film when the narrative seems a bit rushed. Certain scenes are missing, but you can readily ascertain what is going on. I only wish Kino put as much labour into all of its BR releases as it does in this Fritz Lang film.It is basically a retelling of the classic myths that comprised the Germanic legends. Much as each country has in its legends from of old. It is interesting how these stories go into forming a sort of narrative that is both different, yet vaguely familiar to one's mind. Just as King Arthur and the knights of the round table form the English version, so think of this as a German version of those kind of tales. Betrayal, vengeance, love: they are all here. If you are an enthusiast of silent film, if you enjoy the knights and the legends of magic and love surrounding them, you shall enjoy these two films, which comprise a part 1 and 2 of the epic Lang is telling.And I believe many shall enjoy the fire-breathing dragon which Lang constructed to further his story. Not your dragon of today, but still monumental for its time; and that's real fire it is breathing. Think of a small tank with a flame thrower. No animals were harmed in the making of this film. Stunt men, actors, extras--well, I cannot with authority speak for.One last thing. If I were the Lang estate, I would have lawyers on hold. Once they see this movie, I am almost positive The JRR Tolkien estate and that other person who wrote Harry Potter shall certainly sue for copyright infringement! :)IN CHRIST JESUS: THE TRUE GOD & ETERNAL LIFEW.

Die Nibelungen es una saga de dos películas del género épico dirigidas por Fritz Lang y representativas del expresionismo alemán. En total, ambas partes constituyen aproximadamente 300 minutos de duración, divididas cada una en siete "cantos". La producción es impresionante para su tiempo, hasta monumental; la música (presentada en formato digital 5.1 y grabada nuevamente para la ocasión), compuesta por Gottfried Huppertz, es acorde al tema de la película y tiene bastantes pasajes de gran inspiración; en momentos recuerda, como habría de esperarse, al estilo de Richard Wagner. El trabajo de restauración realizado por la Friedrich-Murnau-Stiftung es impecable, y en la resolución máxima del formato Blu-Ray (1080p) prácticamente se olvida el hecho de que la película está próxima a cumplir cien años de antigüedad. Pasando a la historia, la película se inspira en la saga nórdica de Siegfried y el Nibelungo (misma que Wagner representó en sus exitosas óperas) con algunas notables libertades dramáticas. Cabe mencionar que si bien es una película muda, los subtítulos, aunque pocos y de ninguna manera indispensables, sólo están disponibles en inglés. El paquete incluye también características especiales, entre las que destaca un documental de 70 minutos referente a la filmación y restauración de la película. Mi única queja tiene que ver con el precio, ya que es algo elevado, pero si se toma en cuenta que es un producto dirigido a un público no muy grande de entusiastas de todo tipo de cine, está más que justificado. Recomiendo mucho esta versión de esta gran película, imperdible para los fanáticos del cine de la primera mitad del siglo pasado.

This is an excellent restoration of a classic fantasy film by one of the greatest directors of all time. The first part, Siegfried, is an epic story inspired in equal parts of the original Mediaeval story Die Nibelunglied and Richard Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen. There are some charming special effects on display, including a dopey-looking full-sized, mechanical dragon. Part two, Kriemhild's Revenge, is regarded more poorly of the two films for its lack of fantasy elements and twists of courtly politics. However, even then it is still a visual tour de force from Fritz Lang.

I had seen a few photographs from this movie many years ago in one of Forrest J. Ackerman's publications, probably 'Famous Monsters of Filmland." The captions and information were sketchy. When I saw it available on Blu-ray at a reasonable price for two movies I purchased it right away. The restoration of the two movies is very good. I have to agree with the contemporary audience at the time of the movies' first release that the first one is better than the second one. At the same time I appreciate being able to see both films. This is a very good release and I recommend it. I would have liked it to have a commentary. On the plus side of that the feature on the film's restoration is extremely good.

one of the 1st I orded from Amazon and I still watch it once a week,from growing up with a 2nd bad copy on vhs this is a movie that still takes my breath away,would have prefered pieces from Wagners ring cycles but still even at over 5 hrs it goes by too fast. thank you amazon.Andrew

Excellent copy of The Nibelungen , Fritz Lang was an amazing early film innovator this ,M and Metropolis are his legacy.