Sword of Xanten

[karohemd]

I'm going to leave part 2 for tomorrow but so far, it isn't that bad, actually, if you discount some rather blatant liberties they took with the Nibelungenlied.
The cast isn't bad, the acting is quite good, sets and costumes are adequate (if a bit too fantasy-like), I even quite liked Fafnir, the Lindwurm as it was quite close to the way a dragon in Nordic/Germanic myth is usually described and they did some good work on the CGI. For a film made for TV, it's not too shabby at all.

One thing, though, Julian Sands (Warlock) as Hagen doesn't quite work. I've always figured Hagen as a big hairy brute, not a cowardly, conniving bastard (although he was that, too, but less of a Wormtongue character). Might just be the version of the Nibelungenlied my gran used to read me when I was little (I need to have a look if I can find it when I'm home again, it had wonderful etchings as illustrations). Like with many sagas, there are always variations.

Comments

[serpentstar.livejournal.com]

We really enjoyed it when it was on TV (over Xmas IIRC). I think it was the shorter version we saw, though -- apparently the 2-disc version is even better....

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Ah, that's why I missed it, I was in Germany then.

It's two parts, a bit over 90 minutes each. The second disc is only bonus features so I didn't bother renting it.
The DVD description on play.com seems to suggest it has one hour of extra footage.

Yeah, I'm quite enjoying it, too. There's a lot worse out there.

[surje.livejournal.com]

you do JS no favours to connect him with warlock, which was an awful film! :) although to be fair it's probably his best known lead performance. he's much better in naked lunch, and it's as yves cloquet that i will always remember him.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Heh. I liked Warlock for its cheese value but only the first one. :o)

It's been ages I've seen Naked Lunch, I really ought to watch it again at one point.

[surje.livejournal.com]

i also just got stereo and crimes of the future, so maybe it's time for another cronenberg season :)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Will your cinema be ready for your next camgothfilmclub?

[surje.livejournal.com]

haven't even started planning the cinema. long way to go yet!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I guess you have other priorities. :o)