Die Nibelungen: Kriemhilds Rache

Kino on Video is proud to announce that on November 19, 2002, it will release the full five-hour, two-part German saga DIE NIBELUNGEN on VHS and DVD. Directed by Fritz Lang (METROPOLIS) from 1922 to 1924 and restored by the Munich Film Archive, this version of DIE NIBELUNGEN brings never-before-seen footage, re-translated intertitles and the original 1924 orchestral score from METROPOLIS composer Gottfried Huppertz. With a total of 135 minutes added to both films, partially due to the correction of the film's projection speed, the DIE NIBELUNGEN saga can be finally seen in all its photographic splendor. The Kino release is made possible by a special arrangement with Transit Films / Murnau Foundation of Germany. Released as two separate VHS tapes, DIE NIBELUNGEN is also available as a special two-disc set on DVD that contains a host of special features organized with the help of the Berlin Film Museum. These DVD extras include: footage of Fritz Lang on the film set, production design and special effects sketches by Erich Kettelhut (intercut with scenes from the film) and a photo gallery with rare behind-the-scenes images. Together with METROPOLIS, Fritz Lang's DIE NIBELUNGEN is considered a cinematic watershed in German filmmaking and one of the most influential films ever produced by the famous UFA studios. Based on the 12th century German and Norse epic poem Die Nibelungenlied (The Song of the Nibelungen), DIE NIBELUNGEN is an epic tale of love, death and revenge in a fantastic world populated by dragons, kingdoms and the valiant Siegfried. A myth of central importance to the history of Germany's national culture, the story of DIE NIBELUNGEN has been also adapted by Richard Wagner into the celebrated opera known as THE RING. The first film of the series tells the story of SIEGFRIED and his travels through the mystical Woden Wood, a land of imposing darkness and death. Along the way, Siegfried acquires magical weapons and treasures after confronting ogres, dwarfs and a giant fire-breathing dragon. Arriving triumphant in Burgundy, he struggles to win the hand of the beautiful Kriemhild, sister of King Gunther. The second film of Lang's DIE NIBELUNGEN saga, KRIEMHILD'S REVENGE, centers on Kriemhild's attempt to avenge the death of Siegfried. Consumed by hatred and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance, Kriemhild enlists the aid of Attila the Hun and plans to tear apart her brother's kingdom until Siegfried's murderer is handed over to her. As the film races toward its frightening climax, there is little to distinguish between the man who killed Siegfried and the woman who pits army against army and brings about the slaughter of her countrymen in the name of "justice." For more information about Kino's release of DIE NIBELUNGEN, visit their web site in November at Kino International. To purchase a copy of DIE NIBELUNGEN, visit Movies Unlimited.