#elizabethbathory

If you’re going to bring a familiar story or well-known historical figure to life on the big screen, you’ve got to bring something new to the table. That's what The Countess does. You may not know Erzsébet Báthory, but you probably recognize "Elizabeth Bathory", the notorious 16th-century serial killer.

This psychological gothic horror/drama details the life of the countess (played by Julie Delpy), from her birth in 1560 to her death. After her husband’s passing, she rules over his estate. As her army keeps the Turks out of Hungary, the kingdom grows increasingly indebted towards her. Today, she is known for abducting, murdering, and then bathing in the blood of virgins to keep herself young. Were these accusations based on real events, fabrications by her political rivals, or somewhere in between?

Julie Delpy (who stars, writes, and directs) offers a wholly original take on the history of Bathory. I never thought twice to question the stories of the woman who lived in a castle and murdered virgins so that she could feed on their youth. Why not? Isn't it just as likely the stories we've heard are wild exaggerations or even full-blown folklore? Let's keep in mind the period. The 16th Century is not particularly well-known for its gender equality. Is it possible that a scheming, jealous rival of Báthory could have framed her and that other men joined in to remove a powerful woman from her position? It sounds more plausible than a real-life vampire, that's for sure. Alternatively, I'd believe Báthory did murder all of those young women but that her accusers wouldn't have cared unless they saw something to gain from her conviction. Complex ideas and differing interpretations can be drawn from individual scenes and the film as a whole. Once those floodgates are opened, you wonder what other historical monsters might've been created by those who outlived them.

This angle is the most interesting part of the film, but there is plenty else to like. This is a passion project; a great-looking period piece with elaborate, authentic-looking costumes and sets (I’m no expert on mid to late 16th Century Hungary). It gets ghoulish and unsettling, but never too much that someone who isn’t accustomed or drawn to horror couldn’t bear to sit through it. The characters are well developed and the relationships compelling to follow. I enjoyed seeing as Daniel Brühl as István Thurzó and Sebastian Blomberg as Dominic Vizakna. The way those two play in the story adds a whole lot of complexity.

Keep in mind, this isn't a documentary. Many events are depicted in a deliberately ambiguous way, and it's all told in flashback by someone who wasn't present for many of the events. You shouldn't criticize its authenticity. Actual flaws include the pacing during the early years of Báthory’s life and some of the performances by the young cast. There are extensive flashback sequences that could've been dropped for time, particularly when it seems like later years are merely touched upon, even when multiple murders are committed. Perhaps spreading those out to bridge the seasons would have worked better and made the film more digestible for audiences who are not familiar with gothic storylines. The bad acting is self-explanatory. Whenever you see a kid on-screen, get ready to cringe.

Small flaws aside, The Countess is a horror/drama with a brain. It's about much more than a singular character we're "getting to know for the first time"; it'll make you wonder about women of the past, and any historical figures that seem too good (or rather, bad) to be true. (On DVD, October 2, 2015)

Thought to be the world’s worst female serial killer and an inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Erzsébet Báthory, more commonly known as Elizabeth Bathory, is thought to have killed and tortured at least 650 young women.

Known as the Blood Countess, Elizabeth married at 15 to Count Ferenc Nadasy becoming the mistress of his estate. The pair had a reputation as harsh masters to their slaves, sharing punishment ideas but it was not until his death that Elizabeth really began inflicting her torturous ways.

One day an attendant girl was brushing Elizabeth’s hair when she pulled it too hard, the countess then struck the girl who bled, getting blood on Elizabeth’s hand. Later that night Elizabeth noticed the skin on her hand where the blood had been looked more youthful and beautiful. This led to Elizabeth’s madness beginning and she began to bathe in the blood of virgin girls to attempt to keep a youthful appearance.

Young women and girls were lured into the castle with the promise of work. They were then tortured, much of which Elizabeth carried out herself. She would sew girls’ mouths closes, force them to eat their own flesh, bite their faces and cute their skin. Soon Elizabeth ran out of young women, she had already taken so many and the locals began to lock away their daughters. The countess began to kill noble girls, a decision that led to a police investigation. Police raided the castle finding an overwhelming number of bodies, some missing limbs and eyes. Elizabeth was taken to trial and many testified against her, one servant testifying that Elizabeth had placed her fingers in a girls mouth and pulled until the sides split open. 

“Vileblood” by Jorge Mascarenhas for the “Lies” challenge.