Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat film - pity about the DVD presentation.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2009
As other reviewers have noted, Sword of Xanten is a spectacular re-telling of the ancient German legend, the Nibelungenlied. This is an epic story of love, hate, greed, and a magic ring which will give the owner omnipotence in a mythical world populated by gods, humans, including dwarfs and giants, a dragon, and various other entities. Sounds familiar? This was undoubtedly the inspiration for Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, as it was earlier when Richard Wagner adapted it for his epic music dramas, which make up his masterpiece, the Ring cycle. This is a big-budget production. The cast includes Christina Loken, probably more familiar as the female cyborg in Terminator 3, superb here in a very different role as Brunnhilde, Benno Furmann is a somewhat less-than charismatic Siegfried, the ever-reliable Max von Sydow plays his father, while Julian Sands exudes malevolence as Hagen, the scheming evil genius, and Simon West is Gunther. Robert Pattinson, screen `swoon of the moment' at the time of this review(2009) due to his role in the films `Twilight,' and `New Moon', has a supporting role as the King's brother, Giselher, and appears throughout the film. There are some impressive set-pieces; the forging of Siegfried's sword, and a fine clash on the ice between Siegfried and Brunnhilde, with battle-axes. Before rushing out breathless to acquire the film on DVD, however, a word of warning may be in order. I am surprised that there are not more comments re. the format of this film in the DVD release. If you are a besotted fan, you will ignore this, but others should be aware of the somewhat bizarre presentation. The first disc of the 2-disc set is fine up until approx. half-way through, when the picture fades to black, and the end credits scroll down. Following these, the caption `The Story so Far,' appears, followed by flashbacks from the half of the film we've just seen. Next, the opening titles and narration are repeated. After this break (approx. 15 mins.) the film resumes where it left off, the superimposed titles continuing for a while, until the end. Disc 2 consists of 35 min. of the now-indispensible `out-takes,' and interviews. I came to the obvious conclusion that the film was intended to be shown in two parts, and this format had been released on DVD, either intentionally or by accident. You could try to acquire it another way (legally, of course!) However, it will probably be the DVD version. I would suggest that you try to catch it on a TV screening, in a normal presentation, (as first shown here). But there is more! The film has a fine soundtrack, and, as the drama moves to it's tragic end with Siegfried's death, there are some impressive sounds, with dark, louring brass chords, (Wagner is everywhere, but there's not an actual note by him!) You may, then, be tempted to buy the soundtrack on CD, as I was. You would imagine this would be found under the name of the film? - Wrong! First, the film goes under at least three names, and possibly even five! In the UK, it is Sword of Xanten, a.k.a. in Germany as Die Nibelungen, in the U.S.A as Dark Kingdom-The Dragon King. There is no soundtrack CD listed under Sword of Zanten. There are, however, soundtrack CD's under the other two names. These contain similar musical content. HOWEVER! Although designated `Original motion picture soundtrack,' these CD's have very little in common with the music in the film! What you get are 19 tracks of various assorted genres, soft rock, new-age sounds, a taste of `Carmina Burana,' and, most perplexing, a plush version of Purcell's `When I am laid in earth' from Dido and Aeneas! None of these feature in the film. There are just 4 tracks that can be related in some way to the film, a total of less than 15 mins, from a 77 min.CD. A case for the Trades Descriptions Act, if ever there was one! To end; an enjoyable film, pity about the presentation. It may be that subsequent releases will rectify this? Caveat emptor!
P.S. Further to the above, this film has now been released, at a bargain-basement price, on one disc. Picture and sound are excellent, equal to the original. At first glance, then, a bargain. However, amazingly, it is still in the same bewildering format as before! (?!) No comment! David Vickers.