Hagen (2024) Movie Script
1
They sing the song of two warriors.
As different as light and shadow.
A song of friendship ... and betrayal.
It is the song of Siegfried,
the dragon slayer,
who while hunting
stopped to rest at a spring.
And it is the song of Hagen of Tronje,
the Burgundians' Marshal.
Who set a trap for the hero.
And fatally stabbed him
in a cowardly act.
But the truth is different.
! know it.
Because I loved one of them.
But you took him from me.
And you will all pay for that.
HAGEN
IN THE NIBELUNG VALLEY
EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE AGES.
HOSTILE HUNS ADVANCE INTO THE WEST.
SINCE THEN, WAR AND DISPLACEMENHAVE REIGNED AMONG THE PEOPLES.
THE PROUD KINGDOM OF BURGUNDY
IS ALSO FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL.
THEIR KING MUST GO OUTO PROTECT THE BORDERS OF HIS COUNTRY.
They were surprised in their sleep.
Don't get too close.
The man needs water. Bring him water!
Here. Drink.
Yes, drink.
Here. Help me.
The king!
Don't let him get away!
The king has been hit!
Father!
Be careful.
WORMS
CAPITAL CITY OF THE KINGDOM OF BURGUNDY
Look at his scars.
I don't know anyone
who has survived such an attack.
This boy escaped the beast.
Now he has passed our test.
That makes him one of us.
You lasted longer than anyone else.
You will become a great warrior.
Hagen of Tronje.
There are those
who say you are responsible.
I am the Marshal.
You are also part of this family.
Father always saw it that way.
I'll do everything in my power
to protect this family.
Everything.
The king is dead.
Long live the King of Burgundy.
King Gunther!
King Gunther!
The people are afraid, my King.
They know
that war can break out at any time.
Your crown weighs heavily, brother.
We are surrounded by enemies
who are waiting for us to show weakness.
We need allies.
What about the Lombards?
Alboin lost his wife in childbirth.
And Kriemhild is now
of marriageable age.
Why not give her to the Danish king?
If I may ...
The Danes will not attack us.
Their king always respected your father.
Yes.
Our father.
We Burgundians will remain strong,
as long as we do not
fight among ourselves.
We'll make the Lombards our allies,
strengthening our borders in the East.
It /s decided.
In the summer,
Alboin will get my sister as his wife.
Or does anyone have an objection?
For Burgundy.
Go ahead. And tell Mother.
King Alboin?
I saw him once when I was a child.
A long time ago.
And when?
This summer.
Are the Lombards the best choice?
They have good warriors.
Father always sought
an alliance in the East.
He would be happy.
Close the gates!
Bring in the horses!
Easy.
Foreign horsemen
are camping at the gates.
Eleven armed men. No banner, no crest.
-They are travelling warriors.
-Their leader?
They wouldn't let me through to him.
! know your scars.
Let's set out.
We shall ride 10 Worms!
-Foreigners outside the gate.
-Hold the archers ready!
Take him to the king.
What is your name?
Siegfried.
Then you three are these brothers.
We are the sons of Dankrat.
And where are you from?
Xanten.
Siegfried of Xanten?
Son of King Siegmund?
Our fathers were allies in the Old Wars.
Our fathers murdered industriously.
They didn't leave much
of the Old World behind.
What exactly do you want here?
Yesterday was stormy,
today the sun is shining.
And I want to fight you.
A fair duel. King against king.
My crown against yours.
You may have roamed widely,
but different laws apply here.
And what are these ... laws?
When a king comes as a friend,
he receives protection and hospitality.
When he comes as an enemy ...
And who are you?
Just a servant.
Then have the servant fight for you.
We Burgundians stand together.
No one fights alone here.
A big family ...
I don't want to spoil that happiness.
My men and I accept your offer.
We'll stay as guests.
Then we welcome you here.
Put them in our guest quarters.
We are now guests of the Burgundians!
I'm not worried about their weapons.
There is a child riding with the men.
It looked at me ...
But they were not the eyes of a child.
It was something else. An Old One.
I know the stories about Dark Elves,
creatures of the night,
who crawl into our dreams.
My brother should have sent
the strangers away.
-Your brother knows what he's doing.
-My brother never met the Old Ones.
But you know what they're capable of.
The faithful servant.
This morning, don't take it amiss. I ...
Sometimes I don't know
what's wrong with me.
Where's the dwarf?
You never really know.
He lives in the shadows.
Creeps into your dreams.
Are you afraid of him?
Do you even know what fear is?
There is no room for you in Worms.
Get out of here.
What are you looking for,
Hagen of Tronje?
I know what you are.
They're afraid of you and your kind.
I'm not.
You Old Ones took everything from me.
Even my fear.
! know your scars.
! know the one
who inflicted them on you.
! know what happened back then.
Master? Come quickly.
Careful. Come here. Go on.
The servants
saw the EIf here last night.
-Come here!
-I'll close the gate.
The horses went mad afterwards.
What's happened here?
-Let me through.
-Stay back!
-I cannot let you through.
-This is my horse.
-I can calm him.
-Kriemhild, stay back!
Hold him.
Hold the horse!
Stay back!
Watch out!
Close the gates!
Come.
It's just me.
Stay here!
What's happening, Hagen?
You're right.
They're crawling into our dreams.
But we mustn't give them power.
I will miss Burgundy.
Mother.
-I'm here for the king.
-He has a visitor.
They spit fire?
-Visitor?
-You're joking.
They're not like the mountains here.
The smoke darkens everything.
It burns in the eyes like shake venom.
Is it true they make their women fight?
Are you a warrior?
I will be soon.
Those women will cut your head off
before you reach for your sword.
Why did you travel all that way?
All the way to Isenland,
across the North Sea?
-She called to me.
-Who?
Their queen.
Brunhild.
-The Valkyries are Old Ones.
-Yes.
And they are mightier than any man.
Brunhild has the power to cast a spell
on a man at the other end of the world.
Even if she has never met him.
And did you meet her?
What are you gawking at
with such reverence?
This isn't mass and I'm no priest.
Where are your women? You have a sister.
Are you hiding her from me?
Our women are in their chambers,
as is proper here.
And what about you?
Were you injured in battle?
Gernot is my brother
and a most valued advisor.
That often outweighs a sword or shield.
That's debatable.
But I am tired.
Thank you for the food and drink.
That's what happens
when you hide your women from us.
We have to make do with you.
I'll catch up with you.
You should not be here.
-If my brother finds out, then ...
-I like your brother.
More than I thought I would.
I see why he hides you.
You are beautiful.
Go now, please.
Or else I'll have to call the guards.
You come to this city as a stranger.
You challenge the king,
without reason.
You have no respect.
You are a lost soul.
Then I'll fit in well here.
Kriemhild's marriage gives us security.
A marriage is the most stable pact
between two powers.
You know that better than anyone.
Or what is this really about?
I promised your father
to protect this family.
The price mustn't be Kriemhild's life.
Our army is strong, even without allies.
I trust you.
You are the Marshal.
But make certain
that our army is strong enough.
She's not a legend.
-Who?
-Brunhild.
Siegfried saw her with his own eyes.
We mustn't trust Siegfried of Xanten.
He has an Old One with him.
The boy from Dragon Island.
That is what they called you.
When the fishermen brought you to us ...
there wasn't much life left in you.
I know you have changed my son's mind.
People think they serve the king ...
but in truth, the king is the servant.
We have to make the sacrifices.
Kriemhild was ready to do so.
Are you ready ...
to make your sacrifice?
Two! Three!
Four!
Left turn!
One! Two! Three!
Left turn!
-Attack me!
-One! Two!
Let me go!
My men are too tired to fight.
Too much wine.
Which of you wants to fight me?
The Marshal himself.
I'm preparing men for war.
Go play somewhere else.
-Out of the way!
-Make way!
He comes from a settlement
further north.
From Morbach.
At the border to Saxony.
The Saxons and Danes turned against us?
Now, of all times?
The scouts say they are at the Rhine.
We have no allies. We stand alone.
How long could we withstand a siege?
We would be secure for now.
But the rest of Burgundy would burn.
We need to fight them on the ground.
Our army is ready.
What about Siegfried?
Giselher says Xanten and his men
are the best fighters he has ever seen.
Yes, but he brings chaos to our ranks.
Why doesn't he finally move on?
Siegfried of Xanten!
You have scars on your body
that cause you pain.
I won't talk to you, dwarf.
I know the one who gave you those scars.
Where is your master?
My Marshal wanted to speak with you.
-Didn't you see him?
-Marshal!
Siegfried fought against him.
He was alone.
One man against a Great Old One.
You should be glad
to have him as your servant.
Our hospitality ends now.
You will move on.
The fight is over.
The Great Old One has fallen.
His blood spilled.
His murderer bathes in it.
He wears his skin now,
and that makes him invulnerable.
Except for one spot.
He brought me a part of him.
He wants me to forge
him a sword from it.
I'll name it Balmung.
I'm no servant.
But show me your enemies, King,
and I will bathe in their blood.
Just like I bathed in his blood.
Why didn't you send him away?
-He will leave.
-It's too late.
You gave him what he was looking for!
A family!
... Siegfried, King of Xanten,
will also help us in this battle!
For Burgundy!
For Burgundy!
Do you see the sword that slays dragons?
It is forged
from the bones of the beast.
Siegfried wields the sword for us!
-For Burgundy!
-For Burgundy!
When will you set out?
I know there's a war.
Yes.
Why did you change my brother's mind?
Now we lack allies
against the Saxons and Danes.
That was not wise.
Why did you do it?
Why?
Why did you want me to stay?
Please.
Many of you
won't return from this battle.
I want us to have said
everything beforehand.
Everything there is to say between us.
-Hagen ...
- must make Burgundy safe again.
That's all that matters.
Burgundy will never be safe.
An army of that size
must use the Rhine Valley
to advance as quickly as possible.
The river on one side.
The forest begins here.
Where it narrows, here, we attack.
In two columns.
When the first retreats into the forest,
the other will press the attack.
Saxons and Danes fight without fear,
but they also fight without order.
The most important thing
is to maintain our discipline.
I'd like to join you.
Drink. We may be dead tomorrow.
You can talk.
You're invulnerable.
Everyone has a vulnerable spot.
I need to ask you something.
Brunhild.
Ever since you told me about her ...
I think of her constantly.
Every night,
I fall asleep thinking of her.
Every morning,
I awake still thinking of her.
Is that what this is?
Her call?
She's calling to the warrior in you.
A horseman!
Who are you?
I'm your death!
Out of the way!
This is the Saxon king, Luediger.
His men followed me.
They'll be here soon.
Fear is marching in their ranks now.
Who will follow me?
-Who'll follow me?
-Follow! He'll lead us to victory.
No, wait!
No one stays behind!
Archers.
Gunther!
Giselher!
My helmet!
My helmet!
Stay calm.
Get him out of here!
Come on, get up.
My King.
You must show yourself to the people.
Gunther! Gunther! Gunther!
Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!
Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!
Let it out. Scream it out!
You are the brother of the king.
This is no place for you.
Giselher, look at me.
Go.
How dare you disturb the peace
of those who fell in battle.
-Death is part of every battle.
-Have you no shame?
We do not honour
our warriors with silence.
We celebrate them, as loudly as we can.
I will bury her together with my men.
Outside the gates.
She belongs to Hagen.
Nobody belongs to anyone.
That may be the case in your world.
Not in mine.
How is he?
He's fighting for his life.
I think he's dying.
Alberich can help him.
I know who you are.
And where you come from.
Hagen of Tronje.
They told you
the dragon brought fire.
But that's not true.
It was men who destroyed your home.
Men took everything from you.
The last Great Old One.
He pulled you out of the fire.
He saved you.
It's good to see you alive.
It seems I have you to thank.
Alberich brought you back
from death, not me.
You should never have called him.
She was a good warrior.
You disobeyed my order.
I'm not one of your soldiers.
I don't follow orders, I fight ...
when I want to fight.
I ventured out that night
simply because I felt like it.
I saw the Saxon king and I killed him.
I'd do the same next time.
Or perhaps something different.
There won't be a next time.
I never called him.
Alberich.
It was Kriemhild.
Sit on it.
They're not comfortable, thrones.
A land cannot be ruled in comfort.
You will be overrun
like the others before you.
My brother will find a solution.
Sooner or later, every empire collapses.
It's not worth fighting for.
That's why I never wanted
my father's throne.
That's a pity.
The people adore you.
They want to be like you.
You could make their lives better.
When will you move on?
Soon.
The surgeons say you must rest.
The Burgundians are grateful to you.
They've been
celebrating the victory for days.
The victory or him?
They say the Dane king had his axe over
your head when Siegfried killed him.
Siegfried slew both leaders.
The people believe
he brought them victory.
What do you believe?
He saved your life.
For that, I'm grateful to him.
He's giving the people false hope.
Perhaps false hope
is better than none at all.
Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!
Five! Six! Seven! Eight!
We shall ride alone.
Humans and Old Ones lived together here.
Long before the Old Wars.
Alberich told me about it.
Why does he accompany you?
He follows me
because I took his master away from him.
So it is true what they say?
You killed the last dragon.
How did you find him?
I was a blacksmith's apprentice.
He was supposed to teach me discipline.
He sent me to the Nibelung Valley.
He hoped I'd never come back.
I don't know how long I spent there.
Days, weeks ...
Then one morning
I suddenly saw him in front of me.
He was asleep.
What did he look like?
His eyes ...
That one moment.
It was
the most beautiful moment of my life.
Then why did you kill him?
You need to stop asking questions now.
Kriemhild ...
If you stay calm, it won't hurt you.
-What?
-Just keep walking.
Kriemhild ...
Look at me.
Look at me.
It was my father.
I can no longer remember ...
It's gone.
What's gone?
His face.
It's fading.
They just wanted to give me away.
To sell me.
To some stranger.
I hated them for it.
Death rides in the East, brother.
The Huns have united.
They are moving in closer.
Their leader is called Etzel.
He and his men
have overrun the Lombards.
Our scouts report
that most of them are dead.
We're recruiting new men.
Hagen is already training them.
Men who are scared
will never be good warriors.
That's why they need a strong king.
One ... who breaks new ground.
One who makes the impossible possible.
He really means it.
He's poring over maps of the North Sea.
Your brother is right.
-We need a new alliance.
-But not with the Old Ones.
Father drove them from our land
so they would lose their power.
You were there.
You risked your life.
Now he's bringing them back ...
to be at his side?
-Brunhild, a Valkyrie?
-He is our king.
Yes, and we are
only doing our duty. Nonsense.
Our duty is to act now.
I have already taken the first step.
He says she calls out to him
in his dreams.
Who do you think whispered into his ear?
I've had that cursed dwarf put in chains
before he causes any more mischief.
-He belongs to Siegfried.
-Yes.
And where is he?
The two of them went
out riding three days ago.
Alone.
Unaccompanied.
Brunhild and Siegfried.
Tell me everything you know
and I'll let you go.
She is invincible.
That is what they say.
That excites him.
As everything unattainable tempts him.
He hears her voice.
She lures him across the great water
to Isenstein.
Brunhild takes a liking to him.
She feels the same fire.
It burns in her too.
They spend one year together.
And across the land,
it is said that they are inseparable.
But one day, despite everything,
he leaves her behind.
Without a word ...
he disappears ...
as suddenly as he came.
He breaks her heart.
Along with his own.
He still loves her?
More than ever.
In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
We were worried.
Nobody knew where you were.
We were in the woods, behind the river.
He showed me places where the Old Ones
and humans lived in peace.
You must not trust him.
-He will make you unhappy.
-Hagen ...
-He will leave and abandon you.
-Stop it.
Siegfried will ask for my hand.
I know you don't trust him.
He is different from us.
But that's exactly why
I want him to become one of us.
Because with him,
we can change Burgundy.
This land and this family mean
as much to you as they do to me.
That is why you must
put in a good word for us.
My brother listens to you like no other.
Kriemhild?
Siegfried will ask
for your sister's hand at Pentecost.
Burgundy loves him.
He is a hero to them.
-A hero?
-Siegfried is of royal blood.
How can I refuse him?
Do not refuse him.
Set him a condition.
In times like these,
we are lucky to have such
a loyal and strong friend at our side,
Siegfried of Xanten!
Siegfried has asked
for the hand of my sister Kriemhild.
I will grant him this wish.
On one condition.
He shall accompany me on my journey.
A journey to Isenland.
I want to ask
for their queen's hand in marriage.
Brunhild.
Daughter of the Gods.
Isenland is no threat.
It is our hope.
Siegfried knows the way there.
He will help us
bring a queen to Burgundy
who is worthy of our kingdom.
A Valkyrie.
And she will bring warriors with her.
Warriors who are
as brave and courageous as you are.
With this marriage,
we will send out a signal ...
showing our new, unrivalled strength!
The Huns' blood will run cold!
-To our new queen!
-To our new queen!
-For Burgundy!
-For Burgundy!
Your king doesn't know
what he's got himself into.
Pull!
Woah.
Rocks!
Hold on tight!
Gunther!
Man overboard!
Gunther!
Siegfried?
And the others?
Siegfried.
The Elf is gone.
Lay down your weapon.
Your weapon.
Take me to her.
Gunther!
Don't touch him!
Where is my king?
-Do you follow him?
-Unto death.
Then you will be out for blood
when the Soennun is over.
-Soennun?
-The fight.
We're not here to fight.
My king wants to ask
for your queen's hand.
Then he has to fight.
Like all those before him.
And like all those before him,
he will die.
You have until the sun
touches the mountain.
Gunther.
What happened?
She isn't as they say she is.
She's completely different.
I feel as if...
as if I've known her for a long time.
She's always been here.
Close to me.
She gave me this sword.
I will fight for her with it.
It has been waiting for me.
Where is Siegfried?
You came back ...
Only as a companion.
As a servant to a king,
a king who wants to court you.
They will lay his helmet on the others.
I want to take his sister as my wife ...
And yet you are here.
I am no longer the same man.
You've known all along
what awaits us here.
Do you really think
I'll let her kill him?
I didn't want to come.
My king and I
will leave this place today.
You'll have to go alone, Hagen.
I'm staying.
I have to fight for her,
whatever it takes.
No man alone can defeat her.
Not even me.
We have an agreement.
You gave me your word
to bring a queen to Burgundy.
Do you want my sister as your wife?
We can only beat her together.
The EIf can make it possible.
Drink!
If your blood touches the snow,
she will take your head.
If her blood touches it,
she will go with you.
The Huns were faster than you were.
-They come from everywhere.
-And there are too many of them.
We could no longer hold the borders.
There are new raids every week.
-At first, in the East.
-But now from the North too.
And across Roman borders in the South.
We repelled them twice,
but shortly after, there were raids
on settlements near Worms.
The will of many is broken.
Your men are deserting, Hagen of Tronje.
How dare you talk like that?
We will impose harsher punishments.
And recruit new warriors.
The men in the villages
are hiding to avoid being conscripted.
They don't need harsher punishments.
-They need hope.
-Enough!
Hagen will recruit new men.
And with the Isenland warriors,
we will be stronger than ever.
They are our hope now.
The Isenlanders
will only fight with Brunhild.
You are wounded.
And our men lack a king.
This is Burgundy, not Isenland.
Our new queen with soldiers
on the battlefield?
I defeated her.
-Our rules apply now.
-You didn't defeat her.
You deceived her.
We deceived her.
If you let her fight ...
you won't be able to control her.
That's not my intent.
She will lead us.
That is Worms.
You have defended your country
these past weeks.
Time and again,
you've beaten back the Huns.
But tomorrow ...
Tomorrow, we will follow our queen
into an important battle.
Tomorrow, we will meet their leader.
Etzel.
He is revered by his men
and feared by his enemies.
But he is only human.
Our queen is more.
She is a daughter of the gods.
A Valkyrie.
An Old One.
Like the Elves, the Dragons, the Norns.
They are more powerful than any man.
And that is why we fear them.
But I have seen her light.
/It comes from the mountain.
It spits fire again.
It shines in colours
for which there are no words.
She arose from that mountain.
And now she leads you.
A Valkyrie protects those men
who are willing to die.
With her,
you are invincible.
Whoever falls ...
she will take with her ...
to the Hall of the Gods.
Siegfried!
Yes?
My King, they have chased
the last Huns across the border.
The queen is returning.
The war is over.
You ran away from your home.
Mine was taken from me.
Neither of us has a homeland.
When we return,
we must protect the peace.
This family is all we have.
Siegfried.
You gave Kriemhild your word.
She is your wife now.
Why don't you say it?
Why don't you say
how much she means to you?
When we're in Worms ...
you will be faithful to her.
Don't make her unhappy.
Let us leave this place. Today.
We'll take our horses,
leave everything behind.
I'm not one of your Nibelungs.
I'm the sister of a king.
I want you to be one of us.
The time of bad dreams is over.
There is still a lot to do,
but I see hope in people's faces again.
What about you?
I carry on. Like everyone else.
And your husband?
I know.
Give him time.
Why did you never marry?
I know there are many
who would consider themselves fortunate.
You should hear
the women in my entourage.
I thought ...
there were more pressing matters.
But now that we finally have peace ...
Sometimes people
don't realise what's real.
Even when it's right in front of them.
I have to take the falcon back.
The Huns have burnt down our farms.
There is no one left to do the work.
I need men, my King.
The war has just ended.
There are many like you. Be patient.
I know you.
The Battle of the Blue River.
You lost a son.
You'll get what you need.
I did not give you permission to speak,
Siegfried of Xanten.
Get back in line.
Get back in line.
She sees through me.
As if I were made of glass.
She needs more time.
She looks at him differently than me.
You were there, Hagen.
What happened out there?
We fought and won.
Stop it.
Tell me the truth.
The war is over.
You are hailed by the Burgundians.
That is all, Hagen.
What is wrong with your hand?
You're too weak to fight.
It can't be from that.
My brother isn't answerable to you.
It just doesn't fit the image
of the proud Burgundians
-Silence.
-A cripple in your ranks!
Siegfried!
Take off the glove.
Take it off.
No.
Don't touch him! He's my brother!
So?
I married your sister.
-I'm one of you.
-No, you're just her husband.
And my vassal. You do what I say.
-You can't talk to him like that.
-I can.
-Yes, you can talk ...
-Siegdfried.
But I do all the things
you're not capable of.
Or have you already forgotten?
It was her blood in the show.
But I didn't win the battle.
And I lose it anew every day.
What does she see in him?
He behaves like an animal.
-He has no decency.
-He's your sister's husband.
-He humiliates the king.
-We knew who he was.
Who are you, then?
The boy from Dragon Island?
What has become of you, Hagen?
My father took such pains
to make a faithful servant of you.
You will become a great warrior.
So you would swear
eternal loyalty to him.
Loyalty unto death.
And to whom
does your loyalty belong now?
To me?
Siegfried?
Or my sister?
Gunther.
Gunther!
He is waiting.
I offended you.
No.
Lately, the queen
has taken to riding out.
Alone.
She doesn't want anyone
to accompany her.
Last night I followed her.
They meet, Hagen.
At night. Outside the gates.
Where is he now?
He comes and goes as he pleases.
Not even my sister knows where he is.
Even her tears
hold no significance to him.
They want to be like him.
But he doesn't care about them.
He doesn't care about the people.
And yet they worship him.
He doesn't abide by any of our rules,
and many follow his example.
They revere him.
They revere him, as if he were our king.
He makes me look ridiculous
in front of my own people.
Why does he make me hate him so much?
I'm sorry.
It will never end.
For Burgundy.
For Burgundy.
-For Burgundy.
-For Burgundy.
Let us drink.
Not today.
I know, Hagen ...
From now on ...
I'll be there for her. I'll be faithful.
I'll be different. I promise.
On my honour.
A white stag was seen
on the edge of the forest.
14 points.
I shall go hunting tomorrow.
We should have done that long ago.
I'll fetch the horses.
Where is he?
Siegfried.
His horse is gone. So is Hagen's.
I don't know.
That was a good hunt.
Gunther.
Ride on ahead.
No one can know you were here.
No one.
I killed him in a duel.
There was no other way.
He would have destroyed everything.
He humiliated the king.
He betrayed you.
And he loved me ...
as I loved him.
But you will never understand that,
Hagen of Tronje.
One word from you ...
and my men will kill me.
Yes ...
but you shall live ...
long enough to see his child grow.
You shall live ...
as a loyal servant to your king.
You will pay for this.
A greater price than your death.
No Limits Media 2024
They sing the song of two warriors.
As different as light and shadow.
A song of friendship ... and betrayal.
It is the song of Siegfried,
the dragon slayer,
who while hunting
stopped to rest at a spring.
And it is the song of Hagen of Tronje,
the Burgundians' Marshal.
Who set a trap for the hero.
And fatally stabbed him
in a cowardly act.
But the truth is different.
! know it.
Because I loved one of them.
But you took him from me.
And you will all pay for that.
HAGEN
IN THE NIBELUNG VALLEY
EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE AGES.
HOSTILE HUNS ADVANCE INTO THE WEST.
SINCE THEN, WAR AND DISPLACEMENHAVE REIGNED AMONG THE PEOPLES.
THE PROUD KINGDOM OF BURGUNDY
IS ALSO FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL.
THEIR KING MUST GO OUTO PROTECT THE BORDERS OF HIS COUNTRY.
They were surprised in their sleep.
Don't get too close.
The man needs water. Bring him water!
Here. Drink.
Yes, drink.
Here. Help me.
The king!
Don't let him get away!
The king has been hit!
Father!
Be careful.
WORMS
CAPITAL CITY OF THE KINGDOM OF BURGUNDY
Look at his scars.
I don't know anyone
who has survived such an attack.
This boy escaped the beast.
Now he has passed our test.
That makes him one of us.
You lasted longer than anyone else.
You will become a great warrior.
Hagen of Tronje.
There are those
who say you are responsible.
I am the Marshal.
You are also part of this family.
Father always saw it that way.
I'll do everything in my power
to protect this family.
Everything.
The king is dead.
Long live the King of Burgundy.
King Gunther!
King Gunther!
The people are afraid, my King.
They know
that war can break out at any time.
Your crown weighs heavily, brother.
We are surrounded by enemies
who are waiting for us to show weakness.
We need allies.
What about the Lombards?
Alboin lost his wife in childbirth.
And Kriemhild is now
of marriageable age.
Why not give her to the Danish king?
If I may ...
The Danes will not attack us.
Their king always respected your father.
Yes.
Our father.
We Burgundians will remain strong,
as long as we do not
fight among ourselves.
We'll make the Lombards our allies,
strengthening our borders in the East.
It /s decided.
In the summer,
Alboin will get my sister as his wife.
Or does anyone have an objection?
For Burgundy.
Go ahead. And tell Mother.
King Alboin?
I saw him once when I was a child.
A long time ago.
And when?
This summer.
Are the Lombards the best choice?
They have good warriors.
Father always sought
an alliance in the East.
He would be happy.
Close the gates!
Bring in the horses!
Easy.
Foreign horsemen
are camping at the gates.
Eleven armed men. No banner, no crest.
-They are travelling warriors.
-Their leader?
They wouldn't let me through to him.
! know your scars.
Let's set out.
We shall ride 10 Worms!
-Foreigners outside the gate.
-Hold the archers ready!
Take him to the king.
What is your name?
Siegfried.
Then you three are these brothers.
We are the sons of Dankrat.
And where are you from?
Xanten.
Siegfried of Xanten?
Son of King Siegmund?
Our fathers were allies in the Old Wars.
Our fathers murdered industriously.
They didn't leave much
of the Old World behind.
What exactly do you want here?
Yesterday was stormy,
today the sun is shining.
And I want to fight you.
A fair duel. King against king.
My crown against yours.
You may have roamed widely,
but different laws apply here.
And what are these ... laws?
When a king comes as a friend,
he receives protection and hospitality.
When he comes as an enemy ...
And who are you?
Just a servant.
Then have the servant fight for you.
We Burgundians stand together.
No one fights alone here.
A big family ...
I don't want to spoil that happiness.
My men and I accept your offer.
We'll stay as guests.
Then we welcome you here.
Put them in our guest quarters.
We are now guests of the Burgundians!
I'm not worried about their weapons.
There is a child riding with the men.
It looked at me ...
But they were not the eyes of a child.
It was something else. An Old One.
I know the stories about Dark Elves,
creatures of the night,
who crawl into our dreams.
My brother should have sent
the strangers away.
-Your brother knows what he's doing.
-My brother never met the Old Ones.
But you know what they're capable of.
The faithful servant.
This morning, don't take it amiss. I ...
Sometimes I don't know
what's wrong with me.
Where's the dwarf?
You never really know.
He lives in the shadows.
Creeps into your dreams.
Are you afraid of him?
Do you even know what fear is?
There is no room for you in Worms.
Get out of here.
What are you looking for,
Hagen of Tronje?
I know what you are.
They're afraid of you and your kind.
I'm not.
You Old Ones took everything from me.
Even my fear.
! know your scars.
! know the one
who inflicted them on you.
! know what happened back then.
Master? Come quickly.
Careful. Come here. Go on.
The servants
saw the EIf here last night.
-Come here!
-I'll close the gate.
The horses went mad afterwards.
What's happened here?
-Let me through.
-Stay back!
-I cannot let you through.
-This is my horse.
-I can calm him.
-Kriemhild, stay back!
Hold him.
Hold the horse!
Stay back!
Watch out!
Close the gates!
Come.
It's just me.
Stay here!
What's happening, Hagen?
You're right.
They're crawling into our dreams.
But we mustn't give them power.
I will miss Burgundy.
Mother.
-I'm here for the king.
-He has a visitor.
They spit fire?
-Visitor?
-You're joking.
They're not like the mountains here.
The smoke darkens everything.
It burns in the eyes like shake venom.
Is it true they make their women fight?
Are you a warrior?
I will be soon.
Those women will cut your head off
before you reach for your sword.
Why did you travel all that way?
All the way to Isenland,
across the North Sea?
-She called to me.
-Who?
Their queen.
Brunhild.
-The Valkyries are Old Ones.
-Yes.
And they are mightier than any man.
Brunhild has the power to cast a spell
on a man at the other end of the world.
Even if she has never met him.
And did you meet her?
What are you gawking at
with such reverence?
This isn't mass and I'm no priest.
Where are your women? You have a sister.
Are you hiding her from me?
Our women are in their chambers,
as is proper here.
And what about you?
Were you injured in battle?
Gernot is my brother
and a most valued advisor.
That often outweighs a sword or shield.
That's debatable.
But I am tired.
Thank you for the food and drink.
That's what happens
when you hide your women from us.
We have to make do with you.
I'll catch up with you.
You should not be here.
-If my brother finds out, then ...
-I like your brother.
More than I thought I would.
I see why he hides you.
You are beautiful.
Go now, please.
Or else I'll have to call the guards.
You come to this city as a stranger.
You challenge the king,
without reason.
You have no respect.
You are a lost soul.
Then I'll fit in well here.
Kriemhild's marriage gives us security.
A marriage is the most stable pact
between two powers.
You know that better than anyone.
Or what is this really about?
I promised your father
to protect this family.
The price mustn't be Kriemhild's life.
Our army is strong, even without allies.
I trust you.
You are the Marshal.
But make certain
that our army is strong enough.
She's not a legend.
-Who?
-Brunhild.
Siegfried saw her with his own eyes.
We mustn't trust Siegfried of Xanten.
He has an Old One with him.
The boy from Dragon Island.
That is what they called you.
When the fishermen brought you to us ...
there wasn't much life left in you.
I know you have changed my son's mind.
People think they serve the king ...
but in truth, the king is the servant.
We have to make the sacrifices.
Kriemhild was ready to do so.
Are you ready ...
to make your sacrifice?
Two! Three!
Four!
Left turn!
One! Two! Three!
Left turn!
-Attack me!
-One! Two!
Let me go!
My men are too tired to fight.
Too much wine.
Which of you wants to fight me?
The Marshal himself.
I'm preparing men for war.
Go play somewhere else.
-Out of the way!
-Make way!
He comes from a settlement
further north.
From Morbach.
At the border to Saxony.
The Saxons and Danes turned against us?
Now, of all times?
The scouts say they are at the Rhine.
We have no allies. We stand alone.
How long could we withstand a siege?
We would be secure for now.
But the rest of Burgundy would burn.
We need to fight them on the ground.
Our army is ready.
What about Siegfried?
Giselher says Xanten and his men
are the best fighters he has ever seen.
Yes, but he brings chaos to our ranks.
Why doesn't he finally move on?
Siegfried of Xanten!
You have scars on your body
that cause you pain.
I won't talk to you, dwarf.
I know the one who gave you those scars.
Where is your master?
My Marshal wanted to speak with you.
-Didn't you see him?
-Marshal!
Siegfried fought against him.
He was alone.
One man against a Great Old One.
You should be glad
to have him as your servant.
Our hospitality ends now.
You will move on.
The fight is over.
The Great Old One has fallen.
His blood spilled.
His murderer bathes in it.
He wears his skin now,
and that makes him invulnerable.
Except for one spot.
He brought me a part of him.
He wants me to forge
him a sword from it.
I'll name it Balmung.
I'm no servant.
But show me your enemies, King,
and I will bathe in their blood.
Just like I bathed in his blood.
Why didn't you send him away?
-He will leave.
-It's too late.
You gave him what he was looking for!
A family!
... Siegfried, King of Xanten,
will also help us in this battle!
For Burgundy!
For Burgundy!
Do you see the sword that slays dragons?
It is forged
from the bones of the beast.
Siegfried wields the sword for us!
-For Burgundy!
-For Burgundy!
When will you set out?
I know there's a war.
Yes.
Why did you change my brother's mind?
Now we lack allies
against the Saxons and Danes.
That was not wise.
Why did you do it?
Why?
Why did you want me to stay?
Please.
Many of you
won't return from this battle.
I want us to have said
everything beforehand.
Everything there is to say between us.
-Hagen ...
- must make Burgundy safe again.
That's all that matters.
Burgundy will never be safe.
An army of that size
must use the Rhine Valley
to advance as quickly as possible.
The river on one side.
The forest begins here.
Where it narrows, here, we attack.
In two columns.
When the first retreats into the forest,
the other will press the attack.
Saxons and Danes fight without fear,
but they also fight without order.
The most important thing
is to maintain our discipline.
I'd like to join you.
Drink. We may be dead tomorrow.
You can talk.
You're invulnerable.
Everyone has a vulnerable spot.
I need to ask you something.
Brunhild.
Ever since you told me about her ...
I think of her constantly.
Every night,
I fall asleep thinking of her.
Every morning,
I awake still thinking of her.
Is that what this is?
Her call?
She's calling to the warrior in you.
A horseman!
Who are you?
I'm your death!
Out of the way!
This is the Saxon king, Luediger.
His men followed me.
They'll be here soon.
Fear is marching in their ranks now.
Who will follow me?
-Who'll follow me?
-Follow! He'll lead us to victory.
No, wait!
No one stays behind!
Archers.
Gunther!
Giselher!
My helmet!
My helmet!
Stay calm.
Get him out of here!
Come on, get up.
My King.
You must show yourself to the people.
Gunther! Gunther! Gunther!
Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!
Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!
Let it out. Scream it out!
You are the brother of the king.
This is no place for you.
Giselher, look at me.
Go.
How dare you disturb the peace
of those who fell in battle.
-Death is part of every battle.
-Have you no shame?
We do not honour
our warriors with silence.
We celebrate them, as loudly as we can.
I will bury her together with my men.
Outside the gates.
She belongs to Hagen.
Nobody belongs to anyone.
That may be the case in your world.
Not in mine.
How is he?
He's fighting for his life.
I think he's dying.
Alberich can help him.
I know who you are.
And where you come from.
Hagen of Tronje.
They told you
the dragon brought fire.
But that's not true.
It was men who destroyed your home.
Men took everything from you.
The last Great Old One.
He pulled you out of the fire.
He saved you.
It's good to see you alive.
It seems I have you to thank.
Alberich brought you back
from death, not me.
You should never have called him.
She was a good warrior.
You disobeyed my order.
I'm not one of your soldiers.
I don't follow orders, I fight ...
when I want to fight.
I ventured out that night
simply because I felt like it.
I saw the Saxon king and I killed him.
I'd do the same next time.
Or perhaps something different.
There won't be a next time.
I never called him.
Alberich.
It was Kriemhild.
Sit on it.
They're not comfortable, thrones.
A land cannot be ruled in comfort.
You will be overrun
like the others before you.
My brother will find a solution.
Sooner or later, every empire collapses.
It's not worth fighting for.
That's why I never wanted
my father's throne.
That's a pity.
The people adore you.
They want to be like you.
You could make their lives better.
When will you move on?
Soon.
The surgeons say you must rest.
The Burgundians are grateful to you.
They've been
celebrating the victory for days.
The victory or him?
They say the Dane king had his axe over
your head when Siegfried killed him.
Siegfried slew both leaders.
The people believe
he brought them victory.
What do you believe?
He saved your life.
For that, I'm grateful to him.
He's giving the people false hope.
Perhaps false hope
is better than none at all.
Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!
Five! Six! Seven! Eight!
We shall ride alone.
Humans and Old Ones lived together here.
Long before the Old Wars.
Alberich told me about it.
Why does he accompany you?
He follows me
because I took his master away from him.
So it is true what they say?
You killed the last dragon.
How did you find him?
I was a blacksmith's apprentice.
He was supposed to teach me discipline.
He sent me to the Nibelung Valley.
He hoped I'd never come back.
I don't know how long I spent there.
Days, weeks ...
Then one morning
I suddenly saw him in front of me.
He was asleep.
What did he look like?
His eyes ...
That one moment.
It was
the most beautiful moment of my life.
Then why did you kill him?
You need to stop asking questions now.
Kriemhild ...
If you stay calm, it won't hurt you.
-What?
-Just keep walking.
Kriemhild ...
Look at me.
Look at me.
It was my father.
I can no longer remember ...
It's gone.
What's gone?
His face.
It's fading.
They just wanted to give me away.
To sell me.
To some stranger.
I hated them for it.
Death rides in the East, brother.
The Huns have united.
They are moving in closer.
Their leader is called Etzel.
He and his men
have overrun the Lombards.
Our scouts report
that most of them are dead.
We're recruiting new men.
Hagen is already training them.
Men who are scared
will never be good warriors.
That's why they need a strong king.
One ... who breaks new ground.
One who makes the impossible possible.
He really means it.
He's poring over maps of the North Sea.
Your brother is right.
-We need a new alliance.
-But not with the Old Ones.
Father drove them from our land
so they would lose their power.
You were there.
You risked your life.
Now he's bringing them back ...
to be at his side?
-Brunhild, a Valkyrie?
-He is our king.
Yes, and we are
only doing our duty. Nonsense.
Our duty is to act now.
I have already taken the first step.
He says she calls out to him
in his dreams.
Who do you think whispered into his ear?
I've had that cursed dwarf put in chains
before he causes any more mischief.
-He belongs to Siegfried.
-Yes.
And where is he?
The two of them went
out riding three days ago.
Alone.
Unaccompanied.
Brunhild and Siegfried.
Tell me everything you know
and I'll let you go.
She is invincible.
That is what they say.
That excites him.
As everything unattainable tempts him.
He hears her voice.
She lures him across the great water
to Isenstein.
Brunhild takes a liking to him.
She feels the same fire.
It burns in her too.
They spend one year together.
And across the land,
it is said that they are inseparable.
But one day, despite everything,
he leaves her behind.
Without a word ...
he disappears ...
as suddenly as he came.
He breaks her heart.
Along with his own.
He still loves her?
More than ever.
In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
We were worried.
Nobody knew where you were.
We were in the woods, behind the river.
He showed me places where the Old Ones
and humans lived in peace.
You must not trust him.
-He will make you unhappy.
-Hagen ...
-He will leave and abandon you.
-Stop it.
Siegfried will ask for my hand.
I know you don't trust him.
He is different from us.
But that's exactly why
I want him to become one of us.
Because with him,
we can change Burgundy.
This land and this family mean
as much to you as they do to me.
That is why you must
put in a good word for us.
My brother listens to you like no other.
Kriemhild?
Siegfried will ask
for your sister's hand at Pentecost.
Burgundy loves him.
He is a hero to them.
-A hero?
-Siegfried is of royal blood.
How can I refuse him?
Do not refuse him.
Set him a condition.
In times like these,
we are lucky to have such
a loyal and strong friend at our side,
Siegfried of Xanten!
Siegfried has asked
for the hand of my sister Kriemhild.
I will grant him this wish.
On one condition.
He shall accompany me on my journey.
A journey to Isenland.
I want to ask
for their queen's hand in marriage.
Brunhild.
Daughter of the Gods.
Isenland is no threat.
It is our hope.
Siegfried knows the way there.
He will help us
bring a queen to Burgundy
who is worthy of our kingdom.
A Valkyrie.
And she will bring warriors with her.
Warriors who are
as brave and courageous as you are.
With this marriage,
we will send out a signal ...
showing our new, unrivalled strength!
The Huns' blood will run cold!
-To our new queen!
-To our new queen!
-For Burgundy!
-For Burgundy!
Your king doesn't know
what he's got himself into.
Pull!
Woah.
Rocks!
Hold on tight!
Gunther!
Man overboard!
Gunther!
Siegfried?
And the others?
Siegfried.
The Elf is gone.
Lay down your weapon.
Your weapon.
Take me to her.
Gunther!
Don't touch him!
Where is my king?
-Do you follow him?
-Unto death.
Then you will be out for blood
when the Soennun is over.
-Soennun?
-The fight.
We're not here to fight.
My king wants to ask
for your queen's hand.
Then he has to fight.
Like all those before him.
And like all those before him,
he will die.
You have until the sun
touches the mountain.
Gunther.
What happened?
She isn't as they say she is.
She's completely different.
I feel as if...
as if I've known her for a long time.
She's always been here.
Close to me.
She gave me this sword.
I will fight for her with it.
It has been waiting for me.
Where is Siegfried?
You came back ...
Only as a companion.
As a servant to a king,
a king who wants to court you.
They will lay his helmet on the others.
I want to take his sister as my wife ...
And yet you are here.
I am no longer the same man.
You've known all along
what awaits us here.
Do you really think
I'll let her kill him?
I didn't want to come.
My king and I
will leave this place today.
You'll have to go alone, Hagen.
I'm staying.
I have to fight for her,
whatever it takes.
No man alone can defeat her.
Not even me.
We have an agreement.
You gave me your word
to bring a queen to Burgundy.
Do you want my sister as your wife?
We can only beat her together.
The EIf can make it possible.
Drink!
If your blood touches the snow,
she will take your head.
If her blood touches it,
she will go with you.
The Huns were faster than you were.
-They come from everywhere.
-And there are too many of them.
We could no longer hold the borders.
There are new raids every week.
-At first, in the East.
-But now from the North too.
And across Roman borders in the South.
We repelled them twice,
but shortly after, there were raids
on settlements near Worms.
The will of many is broken.
Your men are deserting, Hagen of Tronje.
How dare you talk like that?
We will impose harsher punishments.
And recruit new warriors.
The men in the villages
are hiding to avoid being conscripted.
They don't need harsher punishments.
-They need hope.
-Enough!
Hagen will recruit new men.
And with the Isenland warriors,
we will be stronger than ever.
They are our hope now.
The Isenlanders
will only fight with Brunhild.
You are wounded.
And our men lack a king.
This is Burgundy, not Isenland.
Our new queen with soldiers
on the battlefield?
I defeated her.
-Our rules apply now.
-You didn't defeat her.
You deceived her.
We deceived her.
If you let her fight ...
you won't be able to control her.
That's not my intent.
She will lead us.
That is Worms.
You have defended your country
these past weeks.
Time and again,
you've beaten back the Huns.
But tomorrow ...
Tomorrow, we will follow our queen
into an important battle.
Tomorrow, we will meet their leader.
Etzel.
He is revered by his men
and feared by his enemies.
But he is only human.
Our queen is more.
She is a daughter of the gods.
A Valkyrie.
An Old One.
Like the Elves, the Dragons, the Norns.
They are more powerful than any man.
And that is why we fear them.
But I have seen her light.
/It comes from the mountain.
It spits fire again.
It shines in colours
for which there are no words.
She arose from that mountain.
And now she leads you.
A Valkyrie protects those men
who are willing to die.
With her,
you are invincible.
Whoever falls ...
she will take with her ...
to the Hall of the Gods.
Siegfried!
Yes?
My King, they have chased
the last Huns across the border.
The queen is returning.
The war is over.
You ran away from your home.
Mine was taken from me.
Neither of us has a homeland.
When we return,
we must protect the peace.
This family is all we have.
Siegfried.
You gave Kriemhild your word.
She is your wife now.
Why don't you say it?
Why don't you say
how much she means to you?
When we're in Worms ...
you will be faithful to her.
Don't make her unhappy.
Let us leave this place. Today.
We'll take our horses,
leave everything behind.
I'm not one of your Nibelungs.
I'm the sister of a king.
I want you to be one of us.
The time of bad dreams is over.
There is still a lot to do,
but I see hope in people's faces again.
What about you?
I carry on. Like everyone else.
And your husband?
I know.
Give him time.
Why did you never marry?
I know there are many
who would consider themselves fortunate.
You should hear
the women in my entourage.
I thought ...
there were more pressing matters.
But now that we finally have peace ...
Sometimes people
don't realise what's real.
Even when it's right in front of them.
I have to take the falcon back.
The Huns have burnt down our farms.
There is no one left to do the work.
I need men, my King.
The war has just ended.
There are many like you. Be patient.
I know you.
The Battle of the Blue River.
You lost a son.
You'll get what you need.
I did not give you permission to speak,
Siegfried of Xanten.
Get back in line.
Get back in line.
She sees through me.
As if I were made of glass.
She needs more time.
She looks at him differently than me.
You were there, Hagen.
What happened out there?
We fought and won.
Stop it.
Tell me the truth.
The war is over.
You are hailed by the Burgundians.
That is all, Hagen.
What is wrong with your hand?
You're too weak to fight.
It can't be from that.
My brother isn't answerable to you.
It just doesn't fit the image
of the proud Burgundians
-Silence.
-A cripple in your ranks!
Siegfried!
Take off the glove.
Take it off.
No.
Don't touch him! He's my brother!
So?
I married your sister.
-I'm one of you.
-No, you're just her husband.
And my vassal. You do what I say.
-You can't talk to him like that.
-I can.
-Yes, you can talk ...
-Siegdfried.
But I do all the things
you're not capable of.
Or have you already forgotten?
It was her blood in the show.
But I didn't win the battle.
And I lose it anew every day.
What does she see in him?
He behaves like an animal.
-He has no decency.
-He's your sister's husband.
-He humiliates the king.
-We knew who he was.
Who are you, then?
The boy from Dragon Island?
What has become of you, Hagen?
My father took such pains
to make a faithful servant of you.
You will become a great warrior.
So you would swear
eternal loyalty to him.
Loyalty unto death.
And to whom
does your loyalty belong now?
To me?
Siegfried?
Or my sister?
Gunther.
Gunther!
He is waiting.
I offended you.
No.
Lately, the queen
has taken to riding out.
Alone.
She doesn't want anyone
to accompany her.
Last night I followed her.
They meet, Hagen.
At night. Outside the gates.
Where is he now?
He comes and goes as he pleases.
Not even my sister knows where he is.
Even her tears
hold no significance to him.
They want to be like him.
But he doesn't care about them.
He doesn't care about the people.
And yet they worship him.
He doesn't abide by any of our rules,
and many follow his example.
They revere him.
They revere him, as if he were our king.
He makes me look ridiculous
in front of my own people.
Why does he make me hate him so much?
I'm sorry.
It will never end.
For Burgundy.
For Burgundy.
-For Burgundy.
-For Burgundy.
Let us drink.
Not today.
I know, Hagen ...
From now on ...
I'll be there for her. I'll be faithful.
I'll be different. I promise.
On my honour.
A white stag was seen
on the edge of the forest.
14 points.
I shall go hunting tomorrow.
We should have done that long ago.
I'll fetch the horses.
Where is he?
Siegfried.
His horse is gone. So is Hagen's.
I don't know.
That was a good hunt.
Gunther.
Ride on ahead.
No one can know you were here.
No one.
I killed him in a duel.
There was no other way.
He would have destroyed everything.
He humiliated the king.
He betrayed you.
And he loved me ...
as I loved him.
But you will never understand that,
Hagen of Tronje.
One word from you ...
and my men will kill me.
Yes ...
but you shall live ...
long enough to see his child grow.
You shall live ...
as a loyal servant to your king.
You will pay for this.
A greater price than your death.
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