Sword Of Xanten [DVD] [2004]

RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £2.95 (subject to change)

Great Film
Review date: 2010-02-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

Thought this film was great although it was strange that the film was split into two halves on one disc! Half way through the credits come up and when the film begins again it recaps the first half you have just watched.

Reviews

Great film - pity about the DVD presentation.
Review date: 2009-11-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

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, with an impressive cast, including 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 fine Siegfried, Max von Sydow is 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. He does bring an individual presence to his scenes. But before you all rush out breathless to acquire the film on DVD, 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 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; a very enjoyable film, pity about the presentation. It may be that subsequent releases will rectify this? Caveat emptor!
David Vickers.

started well but faded
Review date: 2009-06-29 Rating: 4 out of 10

Not so much a film more a two part TV series made with limited funds. I was impressed by the opening scenes but soon disapointed. Despite good costumes and scenery there are too many amateur aspects dragging this saga down. A dim dragon, a villain dressed in black (with a scar on his cheek!), terrible continuity errors, and 'wooden' acting that only totem poles should appreciate. The much respected Max von Sydow tries to install a bit of class as the old blacksmith, but fails. At the end of part one he dies of old age and frankly I'm not surprised. If you like Scandinavian swashbuckling watch Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, and Janet Leigh in The Vikings.The Vikings [DVD] [1958]No dragons, but lots of class.

epic stuff!!!
Review date: 2009-06-02 Rating: 8 out of 10

if you like lord of the rings type adventure you will love this. the script is a bit cheesy in places but overall its a good entertaining film. the look of the film is not cheep like other sci-fi chanel stuff and there is a good cast as well.
also they are about to release j.r.r tolkins version of this legend, so it will be worth watching this movie.

Not quite up the with Beowulf but watchable
Review date: 2009-05-22 Rating: 6 out of 10

This is a made for TV movie that will not leave many disappointed if that is what you were expecting. Think Hercules or Xena Warrior Princess but with better acting and more accuracy given to the myth.

Everything about this film is good........but not great. It's not likely that Hollywood would make it into a proper feature film so if you like your folklore and legend buy it and give it a watch.

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Benno Furmann
Kristinna Loken
Alicia Witt
Julian Sands
Samuel West

Creators:
Benno Furmann (Primary Contributor)
Kristinna Loken (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

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Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822587137
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Anamorphic, Box set, Dubbed, PAL,
Release date: 2005-12-26
Aspect ratio: 16:9 - 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 190 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Hindi (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)