Overview
A legendary hero confronts treachery and vengeance in a world steeped in myth.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- mythic
- solemn
- ominous
- classic cinema evening
- mythology movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Fritz Lang's silent epic as a visually monumental and influential achievement in expressionist fantasy cinema.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Fritz Lang stages the dragon, enchanted forest, castle interiors, and courtly confrontations as imposing, highly stylized spaces.
Siegfried's dragon-slaying and supernatural triumph give way to conspiracy, murder, and Kriemhild's vow of revenge.
The magic helmet grants invisibility and illusion, allowing Siegfried to manipulate Gunther's contest with Brunhild.
The production presents Germanic legend through grand castles, ritualized courts, fantastical creatures, and imposing group compositions.
Films like Die Nibelungen: Siegfried, and why
The Thief of Bagdad
mythic fantasy adventure, stylized spectacle, and tragic dynastic conflict
Metropolis
German expressionist visual design, legendary heroism, and fatalistic drama
The Adventures of Prince Achmed
epic folklore, supernatural trials, and tragic romance rendered through silent-era spectacle
Jason and the Argonauts
mythological adventure, heroic quests, and heightened tragic storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- Fritz Lang
- Release Date
- 1924-02-14
- Runtime
- 148 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (167)
Cast
- Gertrud Arnold
- Margarete Schön
- Hanna Ralph
- Paul Richter
- Theodor Loos
- Hans Carl Mueller
- Erwin Biswanger
- Bernhard Goetzke
- Hans Adalbert Schlettow
- Hardy von Francois
Common questions
- What is Die Nibelungen: Siegfried about?
- A fearless legendary hero wins supernatural power and royal love, only to become the target of a treacherous courtly conspiracy.
- What is Die Nibelungen: Siegfried like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Die Nibelungen: Siegfried as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Die Nibelungen: Siegfried violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Die Nibelungen: Siegfried as brutal.
- What did critics think of Die Nibelungen: Siegfried?
- Critics broadly regard Fritz Lang's silent epic as a visually monumental and influential achievement in expressionist fantasy cinema.
- Which films are like Die Nibelungen: Siegfried?
- Films with a similar feel include The Thief of Bagdad, Metropolis, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, and Jason and the Argonauts.
- How long is Die Nibelungen: Siegfried?
- Die Nibelungen: Siegfried runs 148 minutes.
