Sword Of Xanten Details

German director Uli Edel delves into Nordic and Germanic mythology for this ambitious fantasy adventure that was originally made for television. Based on the age-old tales that inspired both Wagner's Ring Cycle and JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga, it's a simple account of betrayal and tragedy. Prince Siegfried (Benno Fürmann) is raised as a blacksmith's son and only discovers his true heritage after slaying a ferocious dragon. The beast is hoarding stolen gold that belongs to the ghostly Nibelungs, and when Siegfried claims it, he unleashes a terrible curse. An enthralling though badly acted story, the film is adequately executed, but is neither slick nor action-packed enough to escape its low-budget roots. Nevertheless, the feature has occasionally enjoyable moments — especially when Terminator 3's Kristanna Loken is in fighting mode as the apparently invincible Queen Brunhild.