The Sword of Xanten is a wonderfully realised sword and sorcery romp based on the ancient Nordic myths that also inspired JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Benno Furmann plays the humble Eric the Blacksmith, who is unaware of his true destiny as the hero Siegfried, until he wields the sword that will slay Fafnir, the dragon that threatens his people. With the dragon's blood giving him mythical strength, he is promised both the hand of Queen Brunnhild of Iceland and a golden hoard. But he is seduced by Kriemhild, who feeds him a magical potion that brings out his darker side; can Brunnhild's love and his nobler nature save him? Uli Edel's film, with special effects from the team responsible for Independence Day and Godzilla, also stars Max Von Sydow as Eyvind.
The Sword of Xanten is a Film programme that first aired in 2004 and has been classified a 12 certificate.
