Thomas Mann 's novella , '' The Blood of the Walsungs '' , was adapted into the German drama film '' Wälsungenblut '' , directed by Rolf Thiele . The film stars Michael Maien as Siegmund Arnstatt , Elena Nathanael as Sieglinde Arnstatt , Gerd Baltus as Lieutenant Backerath , and Rudolf Forster as Count Arnstatt . In 1964 , Michael Maien won the Best Young Actor award at the Bambi Awards for his role in the film . The film was entered into the 15th Berlin International Film Festival where it was nominated for the Golden Berlin Bear . At the 1965 German Film Awards , the movie won three awards : Best Production Design , Rudolf Forster for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role , and Gerd Baltus for Best Performance by a Young Actor
15th Berlin International Film Festival
15th Berlin International Film Festival
The Blood of the Walsungs