#elizabethbathory

[uncannyfantastic]

Elizabeth Bathory by Salvador Larroca @salvadorlarroca . #elizabethbathory #báthoryerzsébet #bloodcountess #bloodyladyofcsejte #hungary #bloodbath #vampire https://www.instagram.com/p/CWWQORnrc7V/?utm_medium=tumblr

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Countess (2009)

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)

[criminol]

The Blood Countess

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. 

Elizabeth was convicted of 80 counts of murder although evidence points to her having at least 650 victims, she was imprisoned for life in her own castle which was boarded up leaving only tiny slits for food and air.

[ofgraveconcern]

So which historical figure connects Pocahontas to Elizabeth Bathory? Did you guess it? Don't worry if you didn't, it's a strange and unexpected connection. 6th January 1580, birth of English explorer John Smith, leader of the Virginia Colony and one of the establishers of the colony at Jamestown, Virginia. (The Jamestown settlement would be destroyed by a fire on 7th January 1608). Smith also became the first English explorer to map the coast of New England. Smith recorded in 1616, that nine years previously in December 1607, he was captured by the Powhatan Indians, and met their chief, his life being spared by the chief’s daughter Pocahontas. In his earlier life Smith fought in Hungary against the Turks, legend says that he dueled and killed three Ottoman challengers in single-combat. For his service he was knighted by the Prince of Transylvania Sigismund Báthory, a relative of the "Blood Countess" Elizabeth Bathory. #historymystery #historymysteries #newenglandhistory #johnsmith #jamestownsettlement #strangehistory #weirdhistory #macabrehistory #hiddenhistory #historicalmystery #historicalmysteries #pocahontas #powhatan #ottamanempire #transylvanian #16thcentury #elizabethbathory #countessbathory #darkhistory #oddhistory #jamestown #jamestowndiscovery #historicalstories #historicalstory https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ3gxV8nq9p/?igshid=84th3a6wm2yn

[greendevilartwork]

Six Fan Arts Challenge #2 #vladtepes #SpringheelJack #elizabethbathory #RobertJohnson #hplovecraft #marielaveau #sixfanarts #sixfanartschallenge #nostalgia #comicart #popart #horror_sketches #artcreeps #stayhome #staythefuckhome #brutsubmission #mhb #monstersholdingbitches #greendevil #thegreendevil https://www.instagram.com/p/B_bYNkGFsb0/?igshid=514bjue8fq7q

[black-griffel]

Моя иллюстрация для EVILBOOK2 Illustration for #EvilBook2 (Inspired by "Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids" - Cradle of Filth) Многие помнят, что я рисовал нечто другое, но в итоге было решено перерисовать) Первую версию выложу чуть позже. Так же, возможно, получится смонтировать процесс создания этих иллюстраций. #bathory #elizabethbathory #cradleoffilth @cradleoffilth https://www.instagram.com/p/B5kHcM1j597/?igshid=s1nu6b9g6hpu

[lizdejesus23]

View this post on Instagram

Looking for something spooky to sink your teeth into this month? Why don’t you give ‘Morgan’ a try? In an instant, Detective Morgan Carbone's life changes from day to night. Sociopath, serial killer and charmer, David McAllister won't reveal where the bodies of several young women are located but Morgan is determined to get answers. She gets more than she bargained for when during an interrogation he attacks her by sinking his teeth into her hand. Though the wound heals quickly and perfectly, it leaves her with an insatiable bloodlust as she has now turned into a werewolf like her serial killer nemesis. With her world no longer as she knew it, she is propelled into a dramatic, action-packed journey that includes being forced to leave the country to kill an ancient vampiress. However, when Morgan sees her intended target, she finds that not only does the woman remind her of her one true love whom she lost years before, but she is falling for her as hard as she did with her former lover. Now Morgan must decide whether to complete her mission or risk her own life by giving in to her heart's desire. @ndgypsy #horror #horrornovel #indiepublishing #indiepub #bookstagram #bookishfeature #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #elizabethbathory #vampires #werewolf #werewolves https://www.instagram.com/p/B3mUu2jgkW0/?igshid=1vot5qlte59ev

[monthoffearart]

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

Portrait of the infamous “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Báthory. On the surface she was a respected noblewoman, but in reality a sadistic serial killer. She lured young daughters of peasants into Čachtice castle by offering well paid work as maids and servants in the castle. These young women were victims to unspeakable atrocities, including severe beatings, burning or mutilation of hands, biting the flesh off the faces, arms and other body parts, freezing or starving to death. Torture and bloody orgies were supposedly carried out to accompany family celebrations, including her daughter's wedding, and holidays.