Die Nibelungen: Siegfried (1924)

In the grand epic of noble lineage and legendary valor, we follow the saga of Siegfried, the gallant son of King Siegmund. This timeless tale unfolds in seven mesmerizing cantos, each a stepping stone in Siegfried's heroic journey. Intrigued by tales of the enchanting Princess Kriemhild, Siegfried forges a sword of unparalleled sharpness and embarks on a quest to win her heart. His journey is marked by a fateful encounter with a dragon, whose blood grants Siegfried invincibility when he bathes in it. The narrative then shifts to the dwarf king of the Nibelungen realm, Alberich. A stirring battle ensues, wherein Siegfried, wielding his mighty sword, overpowers Alberich, who possesses a wonder cap with the power to grant invisibility or any desired form. In exchange for his life, Alberich surrenders the Nibelungen treasure and the mythical Balmung sword to Siegfried, who later establishes his dominion over twelve kings. The path to Princess Kriemhild's heart, however, isn't as straightforward as Siegfried had hoped. Her weak-willed brother, King Gunther of Burgundy, proposes a bargain: Siegfried's assistance in winning over the formidable Queen Brunhild of Iceland. Using his invisibility, Siegfried aids Gunther in a series of trials, ultimately securing Brunhild's hand for him. Yet, Brunhild declares herself Gunther's captive, not his bride, leading to a series of events that intertwine the fates of the four. The arrival of the Nibelungen treasure in Worms stirs tension between the two queens, Kriemhild and Brunhild, leading to a shocking revelation about Brunhild's wedding night. A misconstrued tale of deceit and betrayal ignites a spark of vengeance in Brunhild's heart against Siegfried. This sets in motion a tragic series of events, involving a treacherous boar hunt, a fatal secret about Siegfried's vulnerability, and a spear that seals his fate. As the saga reaches its poignant climax, Kriemhild, mourning her beloved Siegfried, swears to avenge his death. The air is thick with regret and revenge as Brunhild confesses her lie, and Gunther realizes the grave mistake he made in betraying his loyal friend. This spellbinding tale of love, valor, and betrayal, steeped in myth and legend, is a testament to the enduring allure of epic sagas.

Die Nibelungen: Siegfried is an adventure movie featuring Gertrud Arnold and directed by Fritz Lang.

Die Nibelungen: Siegfried is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Die Nibelungen: Siegfried on Kino Now.