''The Dragon's Blood'' ( it, Sigfrido) is a 1957 Italian fantasy film co-written and directed by

Giacomo Gentilomo Giacomo Gentilomo (5 April 1909 – 16 April 2001) was an Italian film director and painter. Biography Born in Trieste, at very young age Gentilomo moved to Rome, where at 21 years old he entered the cinema industry, working as a script survivo ...

. It is based on Richard Wagner's ''

Der Ring des Nibelungen (''The Ring of the Nibelung''), WWV 86, is a cycle of four German-language epic music dramas composed by Richard Wagner. The works are based loosely on characters from Germanic heroic legend, namely Norse legendary sagas and the '' Nibe ...

''.

Plot

The dying Siegland reaches the house of the dwarf Mime, begging him to raise her baby, called Sigfried, and giving him in custody the sword of Sigfried's father. Years later, the grown up Siegfried leaves in search of the , and kills a dragon thanks to his invincible sword. Bathing in its blood, the resulting almost invulnerability makes him the bravest fighter of his time. He discovers a

magic ring A magic ring is a mythical, folkloric or fictional piece of jewelry, usually a finger ring, that is purported to have supernatural properties or powers. It appears frequently in fantasy and fairy tales. Magic rings are found in the folklore of ...

and obtains Alberich's magic hat, which can make him invisible. He then goes to the court of the King Gunther of Burgund, where he wins the tournament for the hand of the beautiful princess Kriemhild, but finds an implacable opponent in Hagen von Tronje, who was defeated by him in a duel. Thanks to his magic hat, Siegfried helps Gunther to subjugate the beautiful Brunhild, the queen of Iceland, and to make her Gunther's wife. However, after she learns of his tricks, Brunhild rejects Gunther and swears revenge against Siegfried. Hagen, meanwhile on Brunhild's side, discovers Siegfried's secret from Kriemhild: he has a vulnerable spot on his shoulder. He manages to kill Siegfried during a hunting trip, but he perishes as well in the collapsing grotto, while trying to get hold of the treasure. Upon learning of her involuntary role in Siegfried's death, Brunhild commits suicide.

Cast

Production

''Dragon's Blood'' giant dragon was one of the earliest creatures created by special effects artist

Carlo Rambaldi Carlo Rambaldi (September 15, 1925 – August 10, 2012) was an Italian special effects artist, winner of three Oscars: one Special Achievement Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 1977 for the 1976 version of ''King Kong'' and two Acade ...

. Rambaldi would alter be responsible for the special effects on ''

King Kong King Kong is a fictional giant monster resembling a gorilla, who has appeared in various media since 1933. He has been dubbed The Eighth Wonder of the World, a phrase commonly used within the franchise. His first appearance was in the novelizat ...

'' (1976) and '' E.T.'' (1982).

Release

''Dragon's Blood'' was released in 1957. It was released in the United States with a longer 97 minute running time.

References

Bibliography

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dragon's Blood, The 1950s fantasy adventure films Films directed by Giacomo Gentilomo Sword and sorcery films Italian fantasy adventure films Films about dragons Films based on Norse mythology Films based on poems Films set in the 5th century 1950s Italian films Films based on the Nibelungenlied