the later Sigurðr cinema.

While Fritz Lang's two-part, nearly 5-hour Die Nibelungen will remain the first amazing silent film breakout Norse mythological screen achievement, there are actually a few later adaptations of The Saga of the Volsungs/The Song of the Nibelungs, some of which are fairly derivative of Lang's adaptation, and others that show more proto-Sword & Sorcery plotting. Here are three notable cinematic NorsePlays:



Treasure Of The Petrified Forest, (aka The Stone Forest, 1965 CE) is more Wagner than Volsungs, setting up hero Sigmund & love interest
Princess Siglinde as committed to protect the secret of the forest and its mound of treasure. Unfortunately a hostile Viking king figures out from a defecting jealous sister what that secret is and battle amongst the glitterbombed stucco trees ensues. There's definite fantasy roots here, and more build on the antagonist, but if you're looking for Norse Lore served Spaghetti Viking style, this delivers with some fun narrative remixing.


Sigfrido (1958 CE) is nearly a talkie version of Fritz Lang's Siegfried. While the costumes aren't the same, and the Italian performances given with degrees more expressive aplomb, the sets seem to be almost exactly the same and the shots are taken in a near identical frame-by-frame manner. It sort of gives you an idea if Lang had the technological edge of sound & colour what his film might have been with those facets, which makes watching it an interesting contrast/compare exercise.



Die Nibelungen: Siegfried von Xanten (part 1, 1966 CE) splurged on an Iceland location sequence, shot some in Spain, and used the same "Burgundian" castle in Yugoslavia, Smederevo Fortress. Austrian director Harald Reinl was chosen after Lang reversed his decision in 1959 to remake his originals.


Die Nibelungen: Kriemhilds Rache (part 2, 1966 CE) is the wonderfully tragic bloodbath of revenge & woe you would expect presented to a mid-'60s audience, and the performances embody the stubborn web of oaths & honor that are unflinchingly followed to the bitter end.

Any of the three above offerings will be a cost & time-effective substitute to getting tickets for the 17-hour Ring Cycle. No matter how Sigurðr's story & aftermath is depicted, this saga will always hold our fascination with the brutal car crash of deceit, envy, greed, and betrayal, versus deeds of ultimate heroism.

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Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires' Norse Gods and Giants at age seven. Since then he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the Map of Midgard project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay. If you have employment/opportunities in investigative mythology, field research, or product development to offer, do contact him.

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