The Ring of the Nibelungs

Kristanna Loken and Benno Furmann star in this fantasy tale based on the European legends that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, in which an orphan becomes a blacksmith and, later, a warrior., The Sword of Xanten is a wonderfully realised sword and sorcery romp based on the ancient Nordic myths that also inspired JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Benno Fürmann plays the humble Eric the Blacksmith, who is unaware of his true destiny as the hero Siegfried, until he wields the sword that will slay Fafnir, the dragon that threatens his people. With the dragon’s blood giving him mythical strength, he is promised both the hand of Queen Brunnhild of Iceland (Kristanna Løken from Terminator 3) and a golden hoard. But he is seduced by Kriemhild (Alicia Witt), who feeds him a magical potion that brings out his darker side; can Brunnhild’s love and his nobler nature save him? Uli Edel’s fearsome film, with graphic special effects from the team responsible for Independence Day and Godzilla, also stars Max Von Sydow as Eyvind, the sage who advises Eric; Julian Sands as Hagen, the suitably evil villain determined to rob him of his birthright and Sam West as King Gunther. Edited for violence., Orphaned in a battle, a blacksmith rises to become a legendary warrior.