Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

I saw the 2 disc DVD at the store and bought it and I was not disappointed. Sure it's no LOTR (but what is? LOTR is in a class of its own) but it is superior to some other films of the genre. Like many film adaptations of literature it's easier to enjoy if you aren't familiar with the subject matter. When I first watched it I admit to only a passing knowledge of the legends of Siegfried, afterwards I read up on it so if nothing else it made me broaden my horizons.Yes, the screenplay bore precious resemblance to the original legends but there were some gems. Siegfried's challenge to the two Saxon kings is classic: "It takes more than a treasure to make a man worthy to fight a King" - "It takes more than crown to make a man BE a King".The acting was average for the most part although it was refreshing to see Max Von Sydow in a somewhat different role than normal. The Special Effects were okay for the most part and didn't look cheesy. Being a history buff it is always nice to see a reasonable effort to get some of the weapons and costumes period-correct to the point where it didn't jar sensibilities too much (it almost makes me cry to see things like late medieval dress and weapons in a 6th Century setting).Not without it's faults it is still an entertaining watch although it would really be something to see the story put in the hands of someone of Peter Jackson's caliber.

Rating a movie cannot simply ignore the budget and the production values. This is a TV product (mini-series, whatever )with B or C-lead actors and it is EXTREMELY GOOD for what it is, compared to billionaire Hollywood productions with (supposedly) AAA+ actors paid millions each. Photography is the best thing I suppose; Uli Edel does another very good job. For what it is, it ought to get 10/10. Lead actor Furmann gives me the feeling of a young Liam Neeson ( I wouldn't be surprised if that resemblance had impressed casting directors ); Julian Sands seems a re-edition of the Nottinghan sheriff from Robin Hood (the scar,the slimy demeanor etc ); the first scenes (the castle under siege, the medieval armors etc ) seem right out of Excalibur and a great liberty for times when a Roman Emperor was supposed to still be in power. Samuel West as king Gunther is unconvincing...his face doesn't fit the character...completely miscast. Loken is one of the most credible, along with Witt. A great TV product worth rubbing elbows with AAA+ productions like Lord of the Rings. Great courage in filming and adaptation of the real legend, instead of fantasy junk books 'inspired' by the same (originality is dead, eh?). I just dream of what would Edel have come up with with a LOTR budget... Von Sydow does a nice cameo part and he's among the best of the bunch. Overall, I recommend it.

This two-part made-for-TV film claims to be the inspiration for Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, when in fact, Tolkien has proclaimed many times that the only similarity between the two is that both have a ring. Just to get to that before heading further on. Tolkien's inspirations came from all over the place, and for this trash to claim it is the main source (though not declaring itself the main, only implying) is entirely dribble.Now, Dark Kingdom is a very lackluster production, though it's easy to watch, and it makes for something good to watch when nothing else is on. I recommend watching it on TV, but if it gets to you that much that you HAVE to have it, then buy the DVD -- but be warned, the cut for the DVD is shorter than the one televised; much of the scenes that actually made this film deeper is now edited to seem more rushed, a h-u-g-e mistake on whomever the choice came from.As for the acting, Dark Kingdom is full of bad accents and monotone deliveries. From the poor job by Benno Furmann as the main hero to the ever-crying performance of Alicia Witt. Everyone else tries and tries, but all it eventually adds up to is... dull and lack of enthusiasm. Kristana Loken is okay, but she has too deep a voice to play some parts -- though she may be a barbaric queen in this film, she needs to work on her tone.The music is really overbearing at points. It takes our focus off of events so many times, that it doesn't add to the mood, but just distracts. The themes work here and there, even if it gets redundant and with little, if any, evolution in sound or composition.The ending is pathetic in terms of faithful to the source material. The story has actually been cut in half... all the deaths of everyone is fit into about 6-minutes of yelling and sword fighting. The further mishaps that occur in the writings is basically thrown out the window, so that the budget could fit in with a four-hour slot. Then why bother making it? Also, Benno Furmann's portrayal of Siegfried as he is killed by Hagan is so laughable, my sides were splitting -- which I'm hoping is the opposite affect they were going for with their audience.Overall, there's a lot that works and doesn't work in Dark Kingdom. While the film has some nice visual effects, the story as a whole is too rushed and trimmed to provide any satisfaction as to what this truly could've achieved in terms of being better. This is really a film worth watching when nothing else is on or as background noise, so I'd only recommend it to you under those conditions.

This movie is just fantastic as many fantasies really are. Part fantasy part mythical part adventure but it's no war movie. So don't compare it to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I really enjoyed the movie. Let the critics say anything about the movie.It's true the movie deviates from the original story line or the actual Teutonic legends but it's worth watching. Special effects can be praised seeing the budget of the movie.The story line is nice. As it was on TV second part contained the synopsis / recap of previous show which was little boring. But you will enjoy it if you are a Teutonic legend fan. Enjoy it