Kriemhild’s Revenge / Kriemhild’s Rache / She-Devil, The (1924)

Kriemhild’s Revenge / Kriemhild’s Rache / She-Devil, The (1924)

“Earth, you were once soaked in Siegfried’s blood. One day I shall come and drench you with the blood of Hagen Tronje!”

Synopsis:
Grieving widow Kriemhild (Margarete Schon) agrees to marry Attila the Hun (Rudolf Klein-Rogge) when he promises to defend her name at any cost. After the birth of their son, Kriemhild invites her brother (Theodor Loos) and the murderous Hagen Tronje (Hans Adalbert von Schlettow) for a visit, intending to have Tronje killed; but when Attila refuses to harm his guests, the single-minded Kriemhild enlists the help of local Huns in seeking bloody revenge on the man who killed her husband.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Fritz Lang Films
  • Revenge
  • Royalty and Nobility
  • Silent Films
  • Strong Females

Response to Peary’s Review:
This sequel to Fritz Lang’s Siegfried was filmed at the same time, and originally intended to fit the second part of a double-bill. Unfortunately, while it efficiently completes the story told in the early 13th-century epic poem Nibelunglied, it lacks the magical fantasy elements of its precursor, instead presenting a much darker, bloodier story “geared for adults”. With that said, as Peary notes, “the visuals are equally impressive,” and it’s satisfying to watch “the character of Kriemhild, so passive in part one, become one of the most formidable heroines in film history”. Indeed, Kriemhild overpowers even her notoriously autocratic husband Attila the Hun, who is presented here as “a sympathetic figure” — someone who “respects women, plays with babies, cries, and wants his guests to have a good time” (!). It’s too bad we’re not given more scenes between these two newlyweds; instead, Lang pads out the narrative with far too many lengthy — albeit impressively staged — battle scenes. Nonetheless, this classic silent epic remains must-see viewing for all film fanatics.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Margarethe Schon as Kriemhild
  • Rudolf Klein-Rogge as Attila
  • Wonderfully expressive costumes and make-up
  • Lang’s “geometric” framing of characters and buildings
  • Evocative set designs
  • Carl Hoffman and Gunther Rittau’s cinematography
  • The Huns emerging from their insect-like caves

Must See?
Yes. While not as enjoyable as Siegfried, this bloody sequel remains must-see viewing as well.

Categories

  • Foreign Gem
  • Historically Relevant

Links:

One thought on “Kriemhild’s Revenge / Kriemhild’s Rache / She-Devil, The (1924)

  1. First viewing. A must, and a worthy follow-up to ‘Siegfried’ (though, again, I watched it at a slightly faster speed; which personally I recommend, while apologizing to purists).

    Agreed, the fantasy elements have all but vanished here. And, with part two’s thick ‘loyalty’ plot, it can be a little difficult keeping track of who’s being loyal to whom. Still, by the time we get to the last staggering sequence (Canto 7), the payoff is considerable.

    This film seems to have been quite an influence on several of Kurosawa’s period films (‘The Hidden Fortress’, ‘Throne of Blood’, esp. ‘Ran’). As well,
    as Schon makes her startling transformation (from within and without – check out those costumes!) from her more docile character in part one, one sees the possible roots of Uma Thurman’s character in ‘Kill Bill’.

    Fave scene: the entire sequence in which Kriemhild first meets Attila.

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