Movies Based on Real-Life Serial Killers, Part IV - Countess Elizabeth Bathory

Elizabeth Bathory was a Countess who lived in Hungary in the late 1500s until the early 1600s. She is believed to have murdered more than 600 young women and was thought to be an influence for Bram Stoker's Dracula character in the book of the same name. This is the subject of much debate and it is unlikely that it will ever be resolved. Because of the alleged rumors of influence in crafting the Dracula character she has been dubbed Countess Dracula as well as The Blood Countess. Supposedly she bathed in the blood of her victims to try and retain her youth and beauty but this could all be the subject of myth and legend. In Raymond T. McNally's book: Dracula Was a Woman: In Search of the Blood Countess of Transylvania there is no record in the court documents of her doing this. Still, that hasn't stopped many from believing it and putting these acts on films. Here are some movies based on her and her life.

Countess Dracula

Ingrid Pitt portrays the Countess in this film from Hammer Films. Released in 1970. The movie itself is a bit on the campy b-movie side of things but is still the most complete film on the life of Elizabeth Bathory. It's fun and entertaining and not all that serious and is meant for sheer entertainment value only.

Ceremonia Sangrienta (aka Legend of Blood Castle)

Ceremonia Sangrienta, known in the U.S. as, Legend of Blood Castle, features a character with the original Hungarian birth name of Countess Bathory, Erzsebet Bathory. Released in October of 1974, this Spanish film was a rarity in America until the recent release by MYA Entertainment. Using the legend that the blood from a maid can temporarily retain her youth and beauty, the Countess continues to kill to keep the secret from getting out to the public. The movie itself is very cold and deliberately nihilistic and there is not a single moment of relief from this throughout the duration. It's a nice change from other period pieces of this time that tend to be softcore porn films disguised as distinguished period pieces. Highly recommended but a real downer.

Bathory

Bathory is the longest and most in-depth biography of the Countess that has been released to this date. It started filming in 2005 and was finally released in 2008. It still has not had a U.S. release and is still screening across Europe. Viewing the trailer I see a period piece that appears to be more drama than horror or exploitation the way the Bathory legend was depicted in early years.

The Countess

This is the latest film about the life of Elizabeth Bathory. It is still in the early screening stages but user reviews on imdb.com have been mixed.

Other movies with references to Elizabeth Bathory.

Many other films have used the name of Elizabeth Bathory. Here are a few of them:

Hostel II - A character named "Mrs. Bathory" abuses a girl by slicing her and bathing in her blood.
Immoral Tales - Story No. 3 is titled Erzsébet Báthory and is loosely based on her life.
Night of the Werewolf - Features a character named Countess Elisabeth Bathory played by Julia Salay.
Bram Stoker's Dracula's Curse is a terrible movie with a character named "Countess Bathorly." "Bathorly" might be a typo on imdb.com. I fell asleep watching the movie and have been trying to block the memory of seeing it from my head.

Elizabeth Bathory in Music

Bathory has been referenced more in heavy metal and black metal music than any film. The first reference that I am aware of is on the Venomalbum Black Metal which features a song smply called Countess Bathory. A one man band from Sweden simply called Bathory formed in the early 80's and continued until the death of Quorthon (Tomas Börje Forsberg) in 2004. An album by the UK metal band Cradle of Filth was a concept album based on the life and legends of Elizabeth Bathory and includes covert art of a woman submerged in a bath tub full of blood.

A book was recently released called Dracula: The Undead which introduces the character of Elizabeth Bathory. I personally am really looking forward to seeing the movie simply called Bathory. When I finally see it you can expect a full review.