Fritz Lang: Die Nibelungen (The Nibelungs, 1924)
Fritz Lang (1890 – 1976) was one of the main directors in the so called film expressionism in Germany in the early twenties. Together with his wife Thea von Harbou (1888-1954), who wrote the manuscripts, they made several films which is standard repertoire for film students.
Films like Metropolis (1925-26) and M (1931) among others, make Fritz Lang one of the greatest film directors of all time.
Die Nibelungen was in 1924 Lang’s most ambitious work and has its basis in the German epic from the 13th century. The film is in two parts: Siegfrieds Tod (Siegfried's Death) and Kriemhilds Rache (Kriemhild's Revenge). Thea von Harbou based her scenario on Das Nibelungenlied and Norse sagas.
The film is very beautiful with many spectacular and dramatic scenes. The expressionistic elements are found in the stylished nature created in the UFA-Studios in Tempelhof and Neu-Babelsberg. The film has lots of special effects, which were spectacular at the time, created by Günther Rittau.
Die Nibelungen
The Nibelungs
German 1924
Director: Fritz Lang
Director of photography: Carl Hoffman
Music: Gottfried Huppertz
Actors: Paul Richter, Margarete Schön, Rudolf
Klein-Rogge, Hanna Ralph
In the first part we follow Siegfried through the making of the magic sword, his slaying of the dragon, his bath in the dragon's blood and the killing of Alberich. Siegfried then helps Kriemhild's brother, Gunther, in his effort to marry the warrior maiden Brunhild.
When Brunhild find out about Siegfried's help she order Siegfried killed. In part two Kriemhild achieves revenge. Part two has less fantasy elements and is more violent and more action filled, but like part one, part two also contains classical Lang themes like the unalterable destiny, the woman as a destructive power and his recurring claustrophobic feeling.
The film is beautifully shot by Carl Hoffman. The mise-en-scène is marvellous and lots of the figures and scenery are spectacular with lots of atmosphere, many of them similar to Arnold Böcklin's (1827-1901) paintings, which were very popular among intellectuals at the time. The decor is on the whole terrific and spectacular It must be said that it is helped by the beautiful restoration work.
The costumes are fascinating and have a medieval touch, and fits perfectly to the mythical figures. For modern viewers the film will probably feel to slow, but keep patient, while it grows on you. Also Gottfried Huppertz's music, is very powerful, and makes the film more accessible.
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