Die Nibelungen (1924)
Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:49 pm
A few years ago I wrote this review of this two part epic on another website:
Part I - Siegfried
In this first film of the epic, director Fritz Lang tells the story of the ancient Germanic epic the Nibelungenlied quite well. I thought it was a very effective film that got better as it went along. The sets and costumes were very effective at giving a feel of a faraway mystical place and time.
The acting impressed me as excellent, particularly Paul Richter as Siegfried. Theodor Loos is very effective as King Gunther, a man torn by the horns of a dilemma. Hanna Ralph makes a mysterious and intense Brunhild. At first I wasn't sure about Margarete Schön as Kriemhild, but she really came into her own near the end. WARNING--SPOILER AHEAD The relationship between Siegfried and Kriemhild was very touching and made the death of Siegfried heartrending. Schön's restraint following the death of Siegfried is very effective as well.
Earlier on the film, I thought the dragon slaying scene was the creakiest part of the film, but was not that bad for a 1924 special effect. On the other hand, the scene where Alberich and his dwarves turn to stone is very effective. The unique animation of Kriemhild's dream in which the falcon is killed by two eagles is another interesting touch.
The pacing of the story was very deliberate but effective and appropriate to the story nonetheless. The edition of the film I saw uses the original full orchestral score, which is magnificent.
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Part II - Kriemhild's Revenge
The slow and stately pacing continues in this part, but is quite effective in giving the film a larger-than-life epic grandeur. Despite the pacing, the whole story seems to move by pretty quickly and feels much shorter than its actual length of two and a half hours. Like the first part of Die Nibelungen, this is divided into chapters or Cantos which makes it easy to watch in parts, if you don't want to take the whole thing in one sitting. The increasing violence toward the end of the film is breathtaking but leads to an immensely powerful and tragic climax.
One caveat: if you don't know the story of the Nibelungenlied, (I knew the basic outline, but was shady on the details) there are a couple of things that might be unclear, plotwise. WARNING: SPOILER Example: At the end after Kriemhild strikes down Hagen with the sword, and subsequently collapses, it isn't obvious that she has just been stabbed to death from behind!
The depiction of the Huns is quite interesting - I don't know how historically accurate the costumes and behavior would be. But the thing that really stands out is Margarete Schön's performance as Kriemhild. It is amazing to see what this actress is able to do to advance the storyline merely with her eyes! I believe the success of this second part depends in large part on the choice of Schön and the intensity she is able to bring to this part.
All in all, quite a long film, but definitely repays the time spent watching.
Part I - Siegfried
In this first film of the epic, director Fritz Lang tells the story of the ancient Germanic epic the Nibelungenlied quite well. I thought it was a very effective film that got better as it went along. The sets and costumes were very effective at giving a feel of a faraway mystical place and time.
The acting impressed me as excellent, particularly Paul Richter as Siegfried. Theodor Loos is very effective as King Gunther, a man torn by the horns of a dilemma. Hanna Ralph makes a mysterious and intense Brunhild. At first I wasn't sure about Margarete Schön as Kriemhild, but she really came into her own near the end. WARNING--SPOILER AHEAD The relationship between Siegfried and Kriemhild was very touching and made the death of Siegfried heartrending. Schön's restraint following the death of Siegfried is very effective as well.
Earlier on the film, I thought the dragon slaying scene was the creakiest part of the film, but was not that bad for a 1924 special effect. On the other hand, the scene where Alberich and his dwarves turn to stone is very effective. The unique animation of Kriemhild's dream in which the falcon is killed by two eagles is another interesting touch.
The pacing of the story was very deliberate but effective and appropriate to the story nonetheless. The edition of the film I saw uses the original full orchestral score, which is magnificent.
________________________________________________________________
Part II - Kriemhild's Revenge
The slow and stately pacing continues in this part, but is quite effective in giving the film a larger-than-life epic grandeur. Despite the pacing, the whole story seems to move by pretty quickly and feels much shorter than its actual length of two and a half hours. Like the first part of Die Nibelungen, this is divided into chapters or Cantos which makes it easy to watch in parts, if you don't want to take the whole thing in one sitting. The increasing violence toward the end of the film is breathtaking but leads to an immensely powerful and tragic climax.
One caveat: if you don't know the story of the Nibelungenlied, (I knew the basic outline, but was shady on the details) there are a couple of things that might be unclear, plotwise. WARNING: SPOILER Example: At the end after Kriemhild strikes down Hagen with the sword, and subsequently collapses, it isn't obvious that she has just been stabbed to death from behind!
The depiction of the Huns is quite interesting - I don't know how historically accurate the costumes and behavior would be. But the thing that really stands out is Margarete Schön's performance as Kriemhild. It is amazing to see what this actress is able to do to advance the storyline merely with her eyes! I believe the success of this second part depends in large part on the choice of Schön and the intensity she is able to bring to this part.
All in all, quite a long film, but definitely repays the time spent watching.