Original subtitles

Wondorous are the tales, still told from the olden times.

Tales of glorious heros, knights ...

Strong and bold,

Of joyous celebrations,

Tears and lamentations,

Of brave struggles and of treason.

The Nibelungen

In the town of Worms upon the Rhine ruled a mighty prince

With servants and vassals and knights at his beck and call.

Burgundy is the name of this favored land.

Nowhere on earth did a finer kingdom stand.

Their king was a man of honor and wealth.

A reasonable man and without blame.

A man without peer.

Gunther is his name.

The throne had no heir.

No queen yet had he taken.

The king has two brothers, Gernot and Giselher.

They were young and strong, with sword and spear.

In Burgundy, there lived a maiden, the king's sister, young and pure.

Throughout the land, no greater beauty shines.

The sister of the three brothers. Kriemhild was her name.

- I am going to mass. - I'll come later, Mother.

There was also Hagen von Tronje, the uncle of the king of the Rhine,

And his valiant brother Dankwart and Ortwin of Metzenter.

The dogs are eager and impatient, but here you sit.

I'm not going to hunt.

I do not want to kill on Easter Day.

Is the King of Burgundy afraid of the Lamb?

- Wotan does not prohibit hunting. - He is the god of the Heathens.

I will not offend Rome.

Attila is on the Danube and is already dreaming of crossing the Rhine.

His dream shall be cut with this sword.

- And with this! - And with this!

And mine too!

And I count on you.

But the Pope's power is strong. I'll have need of it someday.

So today, the day of the Lamb, I will not hunt.

But come closer, listen ... I have news.

I announce the visit of Siegfried of Xanten.

- Siegfried von Xanten? - The Dragonslayer?

- Volker, play us Siegried's ballad. - Yes, sing to us of Siegfried.

And Brunhildee, the lovely queen of Iceland. That's what you desire ...

Or is it allowed on Easter?

Hagen von Tronje, your bride is battle, your child is death!

But Uncle it will not do for a king.

I seek a wife who will give me a son and heir.

Pluck the strings and sing us the song of Siegfried.

- Yes, the ballad of Siegfried! - And of Brunhilde.

In the Netherlands ...

They sing of the son of a wealthy king.

Siegfried was his name, and glorious is his fame.

To seize the gold of the Nibelungen,

Siegfried bravely galloped north, into the land of Clouds, the nebulous realm.

The Lady Ute says you're to come to church.

Mime the Blacksmith was his teacher.

He learned the blacksmith's secret. How to meld fire and steel.

He forged a sword, as no hand has ever held.

- No, no! - Traitor!

I was looking the other way, I could not see.

- You knew! You told him to! - No!

Envy of your might blinded him.

- Lie! - No!

You have made the hardest of steel.

You plunged it in his blood, You know what you have done?

The Alben's blood is cold, colder than the freezing water.

I will show you.

Let me show you. Siegfried, We'll try the blade

And prove its sharpness now!

Hold the sword in the stream.

Prove its fullest strength by hitting iron against iron.

Iron against iron!

Iron against iron!

You will be my trusty sword. Nothung I'll call you.

The earth trembles.

The dragon Fafner is awake.

Such quaking amd trembling caused by a mere dragon.

His poisonous breath will choke you!

No one can not defeat Fafner.

No one!

With Nothung I'll kill Fafner and win the treasure of the Nibelungs!

Alberich, king of Albes, someone goes to kill the guardian of the hoard.

You came to steal the gold, you thief!

But I'll strangle you.

Night and fog.

Like to no one.

Fafner! Someone comes to kill you.

Fafner! Fafner! Fafner!

When Siegfried tasted the blood of the dragon,

He understood the songs of the birds.

They said:

"Put that blood on your skin. Hard as steel will be your skin to"

"the tips of the sword, spear or javelin."

"Bathe in blood of the dragon."

So the birds sang in Siegfried's ear.

If there is someone there, Come out!

I know who you are.

Siegfried of Xanten, how dare you tread in Nibelhein,

For the treasure of the Nibelungen.

Now it's mine, Alben! My sword took care of Fafner.

Your sword has killed an old dragon, Go!

Alberich, king of Albes, is before you!

With Balmung, the sword of the Nibelungen.

Come here and fight!

Night and Fog, Like to no one.

Show yourself, show yourself!

Here I am, find me!

I'm here. Here! Strike me!

Catch me! You Can't!

Come here! Not here!

Here, come and get me!

Dwarf block the entry!

Show yourself at once dwarf!

- At last I have you, now die! - Have mercy!

- Die! - The Treasure!

The treasure of the Nibelungen!

I'll take you there. You can not find it without me.

You swear you'll be my loyal vassal, Alberich.

I swear! I swear!

Go on!

The treasure of the Nibelungen.

Siegfried of Xanten, take it in exchange for my life.

I already have both.

Do not waste it. It is yours already.

The King of Albes will be your servant.

- This ring, where does it come from? - It is the Ring of the Nibelung.

Wotan gave it to Brunhilde.

To protect the treasure.

- Brunhilde? - The Valkyrie queen of Iceland.

But she fell asleep and the Nibelungen stole the treasure.

Which we safeguard here.

- What of Brunhilde? - Wotan punished her.

To sleep in the castle of Isenstein

Until they return to put the ring on her finger.

- What if it's me? - Don't do it!

It'll bring bad luck!

- I'll go Isenstein. - You can not awaken Brunhilde.

The circle of fire protection is impassable.

Will not stop me.

Prepare a boat. We're sailing to Iceland!

Iceland.

Look, horses.

I'll take one for myself.

The Fates are watching us, take care.

Don't worry, I'll be back soon.

I am Siegfried, Siegfried of Xanten.

The fire has gone.

You are free, Brunhilde, free!

My land ...

Born of fire and ice.

Now I know the North.

- Now I know your land. - It's yours.

My boat is waiting for me.

The Fates are waiting to predict our destiny.

Let us return to Isenstein.

Let's go. I will hear your decision.

North or South?

I cherish Xanten. I must return with the treasure. My land is south.

The sun shines in the South, but never at night.

In my North, the sun revolves endlessly.

Stay here, Siegfried.

The long night following the long day.

Spend it with a queen.

I'll return.

Stay.

- Stay here, Siegfried. - I'll be back.

A man like you must see the world and conquer it.

Do not be weighed down at the foot of a woman.

A wedding bed of stone and ice? No!

We will go south.

- Go back, I'll stay in Iceland. - No, no, we sail to the South.

There awaits your fortune and honor!

- Do as I say! - No, it's decided.

To the South.

Do not look back, always look forward. Look Forward!

That's the story of Siegfried.

Lord of the realm of Xanten.

Sailing to the South, in search of a queen.

I do not believe in dragons.

But I believe in gold.

And Brunhilde.

Iceland is far but Xanten is near.

Xanten and Worms are on the Rhine.

And the owner of the treasure is looking for a queen.

You've come in vain. No hunting on Easter Day.

- I'm not here to hunt. - What for then?

No need to ask who he is... it is him!

Siegfried of Xanten, King of the Netherlands,

Challenges Gunther, king of Burgundy, in single combat.

The winner will rule the earth and the vanquished.

What young upstart wants my kingdom?

Let me fight for you.

Why reply with the sword?

His thirst for battle may hide the real reason for the visit.

Aspirants always betray their real motives.

You mean Kriemhild?

Also conquered lands.

The Netherlands and the treasure of the Nibelungen,

A beautiful gift for the bride.

Or, Burgundy, a beautiful gift for the groom.

Who will win?

That certainly makes it more interesting, a marriage.

Bring the guests.

I am Hagen von Tronje.

I'll accompany you to King Gunther.

Do not go, sir.

Let him come to you.

Are you going to make the king wait?

I'm coming.

What did I say?

I wish you a warm welcome, King and neighbor.

I want to honor you.

I will award you whatever you want.

- Win by the sword. - No.

No.

Prepare rooms for the guests.

I want to share all I have with you.

- Are you baptized? - In the name of the Trinity.

Great, we're brothers.

Let the sword down and let us go to Easter Mass in peace.

My sister never fails to go to mass.

Forgive me, know I'm not a coward,

I do not fear the fire of hell,

but incense makes me sneeze.

Stay here.

The incense also irritates my nose.

- You dropped your handkerchief, ma'am. - Thanks.

Burgundy and the Netherlands

In peace and hope on this day of Easter.

- Brothers, Happy Easter. - Happy Easter.

They're all dead!

We've been attacked!

Defend Burgundy!

It's Ludegast, the king of Saxony.

Thus spake Siegfried to Gunther:

"Gather your best men"

"and have your brave knights follow me."

"You stay in Burgundy. "

"I will defeat King Ludegast and he will kneel before you."

Show yourself, Ludegast!

Show yourself, Gunther of Burgundy!

I am Siegfried of Xanten!

I fight for the king of Burgundy!

Here is Ludegast, ready to fight!

My life belongs to Gunther of Burgundy.

Now swear, King of Saxony,

That peace will reign between us, now and forever.

I swear in the name of the Lord.

See that the King of Saxony has everything he needs.

- And let him go. - As you say, sir.

The Lion of Xanten does not hurry back.

He must have some reason.

Siegfried of Xanten,

My king has a need.

Question is whether he can meet any desire of yours.

Yes.

I have a wish.

I will satisfy his desire.

If it helps me get Brunhilde's hand.

Aspiring to the hand of Brunhilde is equivalent to death.

A magical belt protects her virginity.

Beauty, strength, and all lands of the North.

Is there a better queen for Burgundy?

I will keep my word, and grant you what you ask.

- Tell me then, what do you want? - Kriemhild as my wife.

It would be my pleasure but ...

- A condition? - No.

But is the law of our land.

The king's sister can not marry before the king.

But you're lucky because I also want to get married.

Tell me about Brunhilde of Iceland.

Siegfried has kept his promise.

I know I can not resist.

What do the runes say, Frigga?

What do they say?

There are men on the way. To fight with you.

- They will beat you. - I know.

The belt that protects you is removed.

I know.

We will go to distant lands.

I'll be the queen of Siegfried and will follow.

No. Not him.

What babbling, what nonsense is that?

They say it is another king.

You're getting old, Frigga. You can't read runes anymore.

The queen of Iceland.

Go on and talk about your king.

- Siegfried! - Queen.

Your song did not lie, she is the most beautiful of queens

But what of her power.

- It is thin and feminine. - It is magic.

Wotan is the source of her power.

For someone else?

Yes, for the king Gunther of Burgundy.

Why apply on his behalf? Are you his vassal?

Greetings, Brunhilde, beautiful queen of Iceland.

Gunther of Burgundy?

I'm Gunther of Burgundy.

Siegfried has told me of your request.

I challenge you.

A man of Burgundy does not fight against women...

Just loves them.

We are in Iceland. The queen of Iceland only submits

If it is done with stone, spear and sword.

With stone, spear and sword?

Night and Fog, Like to no one.

With the power of Wotan, her stone will fly farther.

Your spear will fall closer than hers

And her sword will get you.

You can still back out.

Would you surrender the king of Burgundy to a woman?

- Her power is not human. - It is too late.

Surrender to god and you won't lose your honor.

It's too late.

I've seen ...

And if I can not overcome, I do not want to be king.

To Worms never again.

I'm with you, this madness is useless.

I fear the king's life is threatened.

Gunther.

Tomorrow will be a very important day.

If I fall defeated, I have played my life.

- But I will honor my promise. - Do not worry.

Her sword will hit your shield three times, but it will not break.

I will help with a supernatural force.

Magic against magic, Both invisible?

Look, I snagged Alberic's mesh.

I know the magic words.

I will be invisible and tomorrow I'll be by your side.

I'm ready.

It is honorable for the King to face death with courage.

It is honorable for the Queen to risk her freedom.

Siegfried hides in fear of his king dying?

He's standing by in the dragon boat.

Doesn't want to witness the fight with a woman.

I'm here beside you.

- It was the strength of Wotan. - Do not be afraid.

The king of Burgundy talks to himself?

Yes, it's a habit of mine, childish perhaps, but useful.

Well, what are you waiting for?

- Burgundy! - And Xanten.

Brunhilde, my Queen.

Here is your kingdom of Burgundy.

The Rhine slows our progress, the men do not deceive.

But the wind pushes us fully to the coast of Burgundy.

Give a smile to your vassals.

Prisoners do not smile.

We are all prisoners of those who govern.

- Kriemhild. - Siegfried.

- Who is that girl? - My sister Kriemhild.

Siegfried's bride.

They will be married at the same time as us.

Brother! Welcome queen.

They are my brothers, Giselher and Gernot.

I wish you the best, my daughter.

Welcome to Burgundy.

I present Brunhilde, Queen of Burgundy.

Since when does a king deliver a princess to a vassal?

Siegfried is not a vassal, He is a King just like me.

And besides, my best friend.

- I'm glad to be your sister. - And I be your queen.

Come, the journey has been long. We are tired.

She wears a strange belt Is it that which gives her strength?

It gives them great joy to see you want to be my wife.

Your missus perhaps, but your lover, never.

The first day of summer, a march to the altar for the Valkyrie,

And Wotan gives his blessing.

The Cross governs now. Wotan send his curse.

I hate this smell.

Will curse us.

Watch the horses.

Come Hildegund.

Rudiger.

The Margrave of Bechlam, What a great joy.

My good friend.

- Where are you coming from? - From the Danube, from far away.

But the reason for the trip made it seem short.

My daughter Hildegund further shortened it.

Why have you come here, Rudiger?

I come on behalf of Attila the Hun, my liege and master.

This is Bleda, his brother.

We bring gifts for the King Gunther and Kriemhild.

Everyone fears Attila but her brother brings present.

Because Bleda comes in the name of the Atilla.

To demand the hand of Kriemhild.

Kriemhild's hand?

Attila's wife died more than a year ago.

The fame of Kriemhild has reached to the ears of Attila.

- I have ... - You have no luck.

He seems to count favor with the gods.

What do you mean?

Siegfried of Xanten is ahead of your king.

I ask you, Princess Kriemhild,

Will you marry Siegfried of Xanten

And live as his wife til death do you part?

Yes.

The treasure of the Nibelungen is yours.

- Yes? - Yes

- Come on. - Yeah!

Hildegund.

Giselher and Hildegund have known each other since childhood.

She is beautiful. I have never seen such beauty.

- Tell me, have you chosen? - Yes, Ortwin, and I did.

Drink, my queen.

It's the best wine of Burgundy, there is nothing better.

This wine will warm you.

Here's to your beauty.

To your strength.

Harald Halbagar's envoy, the King of Norway.

A golden harpoon for the queen.

For remembering her home in the North Sea.

My thanks to King Harald Halbagar.

Long live the Queen of Burgundy!

Long live the Queen of Burgundy.

Gifts of Attila, King of the Huns.

The black steed for the Queen of Burgundy.

White, for the Queen of the Netherlands.

Send his excellency my best wishes.

I'll talk to my brother King

Of beauty, Madame de Xanten.

This necklace is my gift, queen.

Give it to Kriemhild.

You have given me enough.

In Burgundy, nobody leaves the party...

Before the king does.

Maybe the bride of the wind enjoys your wedding.

But soon a a big storm will blow.

Let it blow, the walls of Burgundy will resist.

How are you to conceive the sons of kings tonight.

The storm sings a nuptial hymn.

Stone, spear and sword, these were the weapons of Iceland.

Burgundy is given to other tricks.

Good evening, friends, until tomorrow.

My queen.

Leave me alone.

No, love has brought me here.

The strong love I feel longs to hold you in my arms.

Then hug me.

Take off the belt, if you can!

No, you're not the daughter possessed of Wotan.

I won.

It is mine!

You are not the strong king that defeated me.

I have been deceived.

I do not know what magic you did use.

But I know it was not your strength.

I am your wife ...

But I will not be anything else.

Do not forget, Hildegund.

Now, now, not forever.

You must come and visit us. You are welcome anytime.

Thanks, Margrave.

Pray thee, give thanks to the Queen on my behalf.

Gunther told me she is not feeling well.

It was a stormy night.

Send well to your sister and her husband.

Yes, I will wish well on your behalf.

Come, there's nothing keeping us here.

Kriemhild is honeymooning with the Dutchman.

My beautiful Queen, my beloved Queen.

Get up! it's a beautiful morning!

Let's see if the horse of Attila is faster than mine.

Siegfried, does Brunhilde have any reason to hate me?

Hate you for what?

She hates me or loves me?

She insulted me by saying you were a vassal of Gunther.

Why?

Siegfried of Xanten, King Gunther wants to see you.

- You look worried. - I have been punished.

What you did in Iceland, What you did ...

What I did in Iceland was for you, Gunther.

- You wanted Brunhilde. - I know.

It was also for your happiness with Kriemhild.

Yes.

Now I ask you another test of your friendship.

I beg you to help me.

You must help me again.

Listen to me now.

Burgundy has a Queen,

But the king of Burgundy has no wife.

Brunhilde retains her strength while having the belt.

I'm your friend, I'll help you.

Wotan's horses gallop over bodies, while wolves howl.

Do you hear the croaking of the ravens?

Hugin and Munin across the night.

Bringing great misfortune!

Siegfried!

Siegfried!

Go on, Guzzle up, guzzle the wine of Burgundy.

Booze the wine until you burst!

Pride will kill you, Burgundian!

What would Burgundy do without Siegfried of Xanten?

Without Siegfried of the Netherlands?

The captor of the treasure, the fire damper,

The winner of Saxony, the winner of Iceland.

By this sword of mine,

I swear I'll kill anyone who betrays my king.

Wake up, Siegfried, wake up. The sun is shining.

You still have not answered my question.

But I thought about it.

Brunhilde does not hate you.

She loves you.

Why love me or hate me? She loves Gunther.

If it comes down to magic,

What power could Gunther defeat?

He is not as strong as you.

But he did and the defeated is here.

You said that her magical powers are in her belt.

Brunhilde had the belt when she came to Worms.

And yesterday she had it also. Do you believe someone might take it?

Why deny it?

She loves you.

Your making a mistake, Kriemhild.

Brunhilde loves Gunther. Believe me!

I'm going to church.

- The Queen. - Greet the Queen of Burgundy.

The Queen of Burgundy.

Good morning, my dear sister.

Now I am your sister?

Do you not share the fate of women?

How long have you been a woman?

Do you know cooking, sewing?

My skill with the needle is not comparable to yours.

I reach out to you and you prick me with thy sting.

How can you hurt hundreds and complain a bit about anything?

It is punishable to be so unseemly.

What?

So far you have refused to love, and yet today love blinds you.

I'm not blind.

In Iceland we learn to see in the dark.

Do you still think Gunther won you?

In a fair fight and in the marriage bed?

You lie.

Out of the way of your queen.

I will not listen to your tawdry lies.

Liar, you say? Look here, this is not your belt?

What are you doing with my belt?

Siegfried took it and gave it to me.

You are the lover of my husband. Follow me three steps behind!

Tronje and Iceland are in the North.

Will you be my knight, Hagen von Tronje?

I've always have been, ma'am.

Holy water and Christian humility fall before my shield.

Kriemhild uses my belt.

Siegfried has betrayed the king.

Where is the belt, where?

The other night I saw you come from Brunhilde's with the belt.

I thought of dying of jealousy.

- I don't believe it. - Just ask the Queen.

One word often taken for another.

It is better not to get involved with women and their brawls.

Kriemhild could only know by Siegfried.

Kriemhild insulted the Queen in front of all.

Open the door, Queen.

Let me enter.

Please!

Of course not.

Forget about it.

- I can swear. - Why?

I believe you.

Jealousy and foolish vanity are responsible for these fights.

Men are more intelligent. We're above that.

Go to Kriemhild. She needs your comfort.

Thank you, sir.

This has led to scandal. The traitor deserves death.

I do not want to hear any more about it.

- Do not think about it. - I'll think about it.

What proves that it wasn't said?

Ridicule for you and the queen?

Only the dead know quiet.

Of course.

Indeed, only Kriemhild is heir to the treasure.

Burgundy is the richest kingdom across the Rhine.

But he's my brother.

And, moreover, is invulnerable.

They say there is a spot where a linden leaf fell.

You need to know where.

I am against this.

I'm sure Kriemhild can tell us where that spot is.

Now I know who beat me.

A silly girl.

Yes, a girl in love but no more.

No stain, lady, you can not wash ...

with blood.

Well, we'll go hunting in Odenwald.

Health!

A good hunt takes away all worries.

- Yes! - Yes, brother.

The ship is preparing to take you and my sister to Xanten.

And with you, lots of gold.

Tomorrow at dawn,

We will hunt!

They can hide some Saxon rebels in the forest.

Siegfried defeated their king and may be in danger.

I know that no one can win against Siegfried, but ...

If an arrow or spear pierced his back ...

- Siegfried is invulnerable. - I know, I know.

But he dropped a piece of linden on the back.

I could protect Siegfried.

I would be at his side and would cover him with my shield.

If I knew where.

I've seen it. It seems utterly burned with fire.

I can not see it. Take the doublet.

Now while you're busy with needle and thread,

It would be a good time for sewing a brand.

It is better not to say. It would hurt his pride.

That's good advice, Hagen.

Hagen.

Can I trust you?

This morning begins with the great hunt.

Yells from the dogs and men.

Bears and deer fleeing everywhere.

Horns sounding cheerful of hunters.

- Where is Siegfried? - I could not follow him.

- I lost sight of him. - Me too.

Maybe he missed something?

What the invulnerable Siegfried?

The greatest hero of ​​Burgundy?

To which all obey and praise?

- I'll find Siegfried. - Let's put an end to the hunt.

Siegfried's horse.

Comes alone?

- Behold what I bring! - Siegfried!

I did not want to believe I was stronger.

But I have shown it.

- What weighs this beast! - I believe you.

Now I'm tired and thirsty.

Wine! I need a barrel to myself.

The wine has not found us yet, but there is water.

You can quench your thirst just over there.

No need to go on horseback. It's near.

I'll run it.

- Stay here, Siegfried. - What are you doing?

Let him go.

It's just as well.

Hagen, what have you done?

Siegfried of Xanten is dead.

You are the murderer.

Listen to what I have to say.

I swear on my unborn child,

The murderer of Siegfried will not go unpunished.

Nor any who may have helped.

END OF PART I