Ring of the Nibelungs (2004)

Released to TV in 2004 at 184 minutes and originally titled "Curse of the Ring" or "Ring of the Nibelungs," "Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King" runs 132 minutes on the shortened DVD, meaning its cut by 48 minutes. This is an ancient European tale going back 700-1500 years about a Scandinavian child of noble birth who is reared anonymously by a noble blacksmith (Max Von Sydow) and names him Eric (Benno Fürmann). Eric miraculously meets and falls in love with the Queen of Iceland (Kristanna Loken) before slaying a dragon and becoming a king. Unfortunately, he can't marry his first love because a rival king and blood brother (Samuel West) manipulates him into marrying his beautiful sister (Alicia Witt). O what a tangled web we weave when at first we practice to deceive! For a movie that originally aired on Sci-Fi (now SyFy), this is an impressive film. The casting, locations (South Africa), CGI, score and numerous sword-fighting scenes are all top-notch, especially for a TV movie, which explains that it was released theatrically in some areas. Although this is a fantasy sword & sorcery flick the tone is serious and realistic beyond the magical elements. Witt is likable and winsome while Loken is stunning and tough in a warrioress sense. Fürmann is solid as the main protagonist, Eric/Siegfried, having the requisite noble looks. His fight with the dragon is outstanding and the creature looks formidable and frightening, to say the least.The story struck me as very unique, but only moderately interesting. It could've been more compelling IMHO but, then again, I've only seen the shortened version. The cut scenes include: (1.) the Saxons at the smithy, (2.) Siegfried bringing the Dragon carcass back to Burgund, (3.) the lady saying she would be a pagan again just for tonight, and (4.) Kriemhild confessing her love for Siegfried (Eric) to Hagen, the house villain, played by Julian Sands. It's hard to believe that peripheral scenes like these could turn the movie into a captivating powerhouse, but I could be wrong. Nevertheless, the positives outweigh the negatives and this is a worth seeing if you have a taste for sword & sorcery.GRADE: B

a "simple" Disney-like film. It does not have depth in neither the characters nor the story. Indeed, the story of Sigfried is mixed up with another story, that of Tristan et Isolde, so if you have read either of them (I know, there are several versions) you are a little baffled by the liberty the director mixed both. Its a pity though, that the mix did not result in a great movie but rather in this rather simple, oh-my-hero film. a "simple" Disney-like film. It does not have depth in neither the characters nor the story. Indeed, the story of Sigfried is mixed up with another story, that of Tristan et Isolde, so if you have read either of them (I know, there are several versions) you are a little baffled by the liberty the director mixed both. Its a pity though, that the mix did not result in a great movie but rather in this rather simple, oh-my-hero film. All in all, I would not recommend you to watch the film.

Some rare stories don't lose their appeal no matter how old they get. One of these is the Nibelungelied, which is also called the national epic of the Germans. It was written in the 13th century, but it is much older. This movie states to portray it, but it doesn't. First of the Nibelungenlied has two parts and this movie is only about the more popular first part. Other than that there are some really major differences between the original story and the movie, for example considering the ending. But still you could put that to the freedom of arts. The Nibelungenlied is probably just one version of the story. It exists in a different form in the Scandinavian mythology, so there is not just one way to tell the story. But what really angers me is that the movie tells a very one dimensional story. Siegfried is all around good and Hagen is all around bad. These two characters are one if not the main attraction of the story, and it is just not like that. Hagen is not just this evil selfish person. He is extremely loyal and a great warrior, what the movie doesn't get at all. And Siegfried is not entirely good in the original story. For example he wants to gain the crown of Burgund when he first comes there. A story like this wouldn't have survived the ages if it was as one dimensional as this movie. Other than that the movie doesn't give you the feeling of watching an epic story, as it should. The music and the language are unappropriate in my opinion.The material for this movie is great, because its based on one of the greatest stories ever told. But the movie doesn't leave any room for interpretation and tells the whole story very one sided. Some actors don't really fit their roles. Siegfried who is supposedly a tall blond hero, is portrayed by a dark haired Benno Führmann who isn't even 6 feet tall. The movie just never gets as epic as the story. 3 stars for good material badly formed. I hope the movie will be redone without Hollywood involved.

I've seen this film twice by now with two years in between and I really thought that my opinion about this film would change, after seeing it the second time but fortunately it hasn't. I've read some books since the last time about this Saga and I thought this film picked quite the essences of the story. In fact: every interesting and important detail was mentioned, those who didn't read the books, they will still understand the film very easy because everything is explained and last but not least: The Saga of the Nibelungs provide here the Story and as I said, most of it is shown in the film. So the Storyline is absolutely according with many books and therefor OK. To the characters: Everyone has done his job quite well...but I would have picked another Man for the role of Gunther, King of Burgund and maybe took also another sister, Kriemhild of Burgund...I didn't like them, not because of their acting, but because I didn't like their faces, but that's to everyone himself to decide. And of course, what enriches this film absolutely is the gorgeous Kristanna Loken with his role as Queen Brunhild...I tell you, she's in her coldness as Queen of Iceland such a beautiful person, i wanted her in every scene :)Enjoy it, 9/10!