Bathory (film)
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Báthory is a working title of a Slovak co-production movie written and directed by the Slovak filmmaker Juraj Jakubisko. Recently also the new working title Love Story Báthory appears in some sources. The filming was started in December 2005, and it is planned to be released in 2008. This will also be Jakubisko's first English-language film.
Plot
The film is known to be based on the story of Elizabeth Báthory, a 16th/17th century Hungarian countess, whose story takes place in what is now Slovakia which at the time was a part of the Kingdom of Hungary. She is infamous for killing many young girls and according to legend, using their blood to preserve her beauty. Báthory was a real person, however, doubts have been articulated by some contemporary historians regarding the crimes attributed to her. They suggest less sensational ways to see the whole story. The Báthory family was one of the wealthiest in Central Europe, their influences touched Poland, Bohemia, Lithuania, Hungary, and Transylvania. The rivalry of the Habsburg family at that time, is considered a potential reason for intrigues and conspiracy against her. After being placed under house arrest for her alleged crimes and by the assassination of her cousin, Gabriel Báthory prince of Transylvania, the political influence of the family was eliminated in the region only to be revived variously during the Hungarian independence movements of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The film is said to opt for this more pragmatic version of the facts.
Cast
- Anna Friel, as Countess Elizabeth Báthory
- Karel Roden, as Juraj Thurzo
- Vincent Regan, as Ferenc Nadasdy
- Hans Matheson, as Merisi Caravaggio
- Franco Nero, as King Mathias II
- Deana Jakubisková-Horváthová, as Darvulia
- Bolek Polívka, as Monk Peter
- Antony Byrne, as Pastor Ponicky
- Jiří Mádl, as Neophyte Cyril
- Lucie Vondráčková, as Lucia
- Marek Majeský, as Gábor Báthory
- Hana Vagnerová, as Margita
