Die Nibelungen: Siegfried

Plot

Siegfried, the son of King Siegmund of Xanten, is a fearless young hero who forges his own sword and slays a fearsome dragon, bathing in its blood to become invincible except for one spot where a linden leaf fell. He travels to Worms, the capital of the Burgundian kingdom, to ask King Gunther for the hand of his sister, the beautiful Kriemhild. To win Kriemhild, Siegfried agrees to help the weak-willed Gunther win the formidable warrior queen Brunhild of Iceland as his bride, using his cloak of invisibility to overcome Brunhild's superhuman strength in their wedding night contests. The deception is eventually revealed when Brunhild humiliates Kriemhild at a royal gathering, leading Siegfried to confess his role in Gunther's victory. Enraged and feeling betrayed, Brunhild conspires with Hagen von Tronje, Gunther's loyal vassal, to murder Siegfried by discovering his only vulnerable spot and striking him down during a hunt, setting the stage for Kriemhild's devastating revenge in the second film.

Historical Background

The film was produced during the Weimar Republic, a period of intense cultural flowering in Germany despite political and economic instability. 1924 was the year of the Dawes Plan, which helped stabilize the German economy after the devastating hyperinflation of 1923. This relative stability allowed for ambitious artistic projects like Lang's epic. The film emerged from the German Expressionist movement, though it represents a move toward more realistic set design while maintaining expressionist lighting and composition. The Nibelungen legend had particular resonance in post-WWI Germany, as it dealt with themes of national identity, betrayal, and revenge. The film's emphasis on Germanic mythology reflected a broader cultural movement to reconnect with pre-war German cultural heritage. Its production coincided with the golden age of German cinema, when films like 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,' 'Nosferatu,' and 'Metropolis' were establishing cinema as a serious art form.

Making Of

The making of 'Die Nibelungen: Siegfried' was one of the most ambitious film productions of the 1920s. Fritz Lang, known for his perfectionism, demanded unprecedented realism in every aspect. The dragon sequence alone took months to prepare, with the mechanical beast requiring a team of engineers and puppeteers. Lang insisted on shooting the dragon footage in natural light, which meant the crew had to wait for perfect weather conditions. The cast underwent extensive preparation; Paul Richter trained in sword fighting and horseback riding for months, while the female leads learned period-appropriate courtly gestures and movements. The relationship between Lang and von Harbou was reportedly strained during production due to creative differences, though they continued to collaborate. The film's massive scale required the construction of entire medieval villages and castles, many of which were full-scale rather than miniatures. Lang's attention to detail extended to historical accuracy, with researchers consulting medieval manuscripts to ensure costumes and props were authentic to the period depicted in the original epic.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Carl Hoffmann and Günther Rittau was groundbreaking for its time, combining expressionist lighting techniques with epic scale. The film features innovative use of chiaroscuro lighting to create dramatic contrasts, particularly in the Nibelungen cave sequences. The camera work includes sweeping movements and unusual angles that enhance the mythic quality of the story. The dragon sequence utilized multiple cameras and innovative lighting to create the illusion of a massive, living creature. The cinematography employs extensive use of forced perspective and miniature work to create epic battle scenes. The film's visual style influenced the development of the fantasy genre, particularly in its use of lighting to create magical atmospheres. The black and white photography makes exceptional use of tonal range, with deep blacks and brilliant whites enhancing the mythic quality of the narrative.

Innovations

The film pioneered numerous technical innovations that would become standard in later cinema. The mechanical dragon represented a breakthrough in creature effects, using a combination of full-scale puppetry and camera tricks. The film employed innovative matte painting techniques to extend sets and create vast landscapes. The special effects team developed new methods for simulating fire and smoke, particularly in the dragon's breath and forge sequences. The film's use of multiple exposure photography created magical effects, particularly in scenes involving Siegfried's cloak of invisibility. The production developed new techniques for creating large-scale battle sequences using a combination of full-scale action and carefully choreographed miniature work. The film's soundstage sets were revolutionary for their size and detail, establishing new standards for production design. The cinematography employed innovative camera movements, including tracking shots that would influence the development of the moving camera in cinema.

Music

As a silent film, 'Die Nibelungen: Siegfried' was originally accompanied by live musical performances. The original score was composed by Gottfried Huppertz, who created a Wagnerian-style leitmotif system that enhanced the epic nature of the story. Huppertz's score was so integral to the film that it was published as a standalone concert piece. The original orchestral score required approximately 70 musicians and included themes for each major character. Modern restorations have included reconstructions of Huppertz's score, performed by orchestras such as the Munich Radio Orchestra. The music combines late Romantic harmonies with medieval-inspired melodies, creating a sound world that bridges the ancient setting with contemporary 1920s musical language. The score's complexity and ambition matched the visual spectacle of the film, setting a new standard for film music composition.

Memorable Scenes

• The dragon battle sequence, where Siegfried confronts and slays the fearsome beast in its cave lair, featuring groundbreaking special effects and cinematography
• Siegfried bathing in the dragon's blood to achieve invincibility, with the dramatic moment when a linden leaf falls on his back creating his one vulnerable spot
• The contest of strength between Gunther and Brunhild, where Siegfried uses his cloak of invisibility to help Gunther appear to defeat the warrior queen
• The royal wedding feast where tensions escalate and the truth about Siegfried's role in Gunther's victory is revealed
• Siegfried's murder during the hunt, where Hagen discovers his vulnerable spot and strikes him down in the forest

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film as a masterpiece of German cinema. The New York Times called it 'a triumph of the motion picture art' while German critics hailed it as the fulfillment of cinema's potential as a national art form. Critics particularly lauded the technical achievements, especially the dragon sequence and the elaborate sets. Some reviewers, however, found the pacing slow by modern standards and criticized the film's length. Modern critics reevaluate the film as a landmark of silent cinema, with particular appreciation for Lang's visual storytelling and the film's influence on the fantasy genre. The film holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critical reviews, with consensus calling it 'a visually stunning epic that showcases the pinnacle of silent film artistry.' Film historians consider it one of Lang's masterpieces, alongside 'Metropolis' and 'M.'

What Audiences Thought

The film was a box office success upon its release, drawing large audiences in Germany and across Europe. American audiences, who saw it in 1925, were particularly impressed by its scale and technical achievements. Contemporary audience reports indicate that viewers were genuinely frightened by the dragon sequence and emotionally moved by Siegfried's death. The film's length proved challenging for some viewers, leading some theaters to show it in two parts with an intermission. Modern audiences at revival screenings and film festivals continue to be impressed by the film's visual spectacle, though some find the pacing slow compared to contemporary films. The film has developed a cult following among silent film enthusiasts and remains popular at classic film festivals worldwide.

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