Bathory: Countess of Blood (2008)
"Bathory" (original title)

Bathory is based on the legends surrounding the life and deeds of Countess Elizabeth Bathory known as the greatest murderess in the history of mankind. Contrary to popular belief, Elizabeth Bathory was a modern Renaissance woman who ultimately fell victim to mens aspirations for power and wealth.

Director:

Juraj Jakubisko

Writers:

John Paul Chapple (dialogue), Lubomír Feldek,

Stars:

Anna Friel, Karel Roden, Vincent Regan

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anna Friel	...	Erzsébet Báthory
Karel Roden	...	Juraj Thurzo
Vincent Regan	...	Ferenc Nadasdy
Hans Matheson	...	Merisi Caravaggio
Deana Horváthová	...	Darvulia (as Deana Jakubisková-Horváthová)
Franco Nero	...	King Mathias II
Antony Byrne	...	Pastor Ponicky
Bolek Polívka	...	Monk Peter
Jirí Mádl	...	Neophyte Cyril
Monika Hilmerová	...	Countess Czobor
Lucie Vondrácková	...	Lucia
Jaromír Nosek	...	Miklós Zrínyi (as Míra Nosek)
Marek Majeský	...	Gábor Báthory
Andrew Tiernan	...	Zavodsky
Marek Vasut	...	Bethlen

Storyline

Bathory is based on the legends surrounding the life and deeds of Countess Elizabeth Bathory known as the greatest murderess in the history of mankind. Contrary to popular belief, Elizabeth Bathory was a modern Renaissance woman who ultimately fell victim to mens aspirations for power and wealth.

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Plot Keywords:

bathory | countess | legend | blood | hallucination | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Fantasy | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and torture, sexuality and some graphic nudity

Details

Country:

Slovakia UK Hungary

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 2008 (Slovakia)

Also Known As:

Bathory: Countess of Blood

Filming Locations:

Austria

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eurofilm Stúdió, Film and Music Entertainment (F&ME), Jakubisko Film Slovakia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Famke Janssen was originally signed on for the part of Bathory, but for reasons unknown she backed out. Anna Friel read the script and fell in love with it and sent the director a letter convincing him to cast her. It was written in Slovak language, because her babysitter was from Slovakia and helped her writing it.

User Reviews

A waste of time

This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen (and I've seen "Freddy got fingered"). I found myself cringing over the acting but mostly over the horrible dialogue. Why oh why are they speaking English (or rather, trying to)?! The weird dream and fantasy sequences did not help either. Yes, the scenery and the costumes are very good, but it doesn't help. A turd is a turd even when coated in silk.

The most stupid part, though, had to be the monks sent to spy on the countess. They turn this story into a parody of itself.

It could have been good. I WANTED it to be good, to be a notable reply in the stories, true or untrue, surrounding the countess Bathory, but no matter how hard I try I cannot in good faith recommend anyone to spend two hours on this movie. If you want to know more about Erzsebet Bathory, this is not the movie for you.