Amazon Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Interesting alternative take on the legend,
This review is from: Bathory [DVD] (DVD)
I actually agree with nearly all of the
reviewers whether they liked this movie or not. Each reviewer has a
perspective that is hard to argue with -- simply because the facts in
this case -- the historical records -- are too meager to know the truth
for certain. This is a lavish costume piece, European style, and is a European movie. Many North American
viewers may not warm to it because it was not what we expected. There
were moments of boredom and moments of excitement. No vampires, no
grotesque spectacles of blood, but a few decent-enough battles. The
unusual inventions of the monks seem outlandish at first pass;
however, similar inventions had cropped up from ancient Greece forward.
These were one-off inventions referenced throughout Europe and the
Middle East. Lacking the machine-tooling and production lines of the
modern industrial age,these inventions survived the death of their
inventors only as a memory or sketch. Noble women had access to the
highest education and possessed the privilege of money and time to
develop themselves and so Elizabeth Bathory's
skill even as a swordswoman did not phase me either. As a PhD in
European Military History, I thought the political intrigue and dynastic
rivalries were spot on, as well as how a noblewoman was portrayed in
that vortex with all of the strengths and weaknesses
that were representative of the times. I had read the books and legends
associated with Bathory, but do not claim to be any expert. I bought
the legends at face value. Now I wonder where legend and reality begin
and end. This is exactly what the central European director and
scriptwriters were trying to achieve. Two considerations cause me to
pause and not dismiss this movie as fantasy in whole or part. First,
thirty-four years either as a military officer or a modest government
official have taught me much about how administrations, personal greed,
power elites, and machinations can take a good person -- or an unfavored
person -- and demonize them, even if innocent. With so much land and
wealth at stake, and situated in the middle of major rivalries
encompassing the Imperial, Hungarian and Turkish elites, Elizabeth
Bathory made an excellent and profitable target. Second, there is at
least one other figure, Richard III of England who was similarly
portrayed as a monster for over 400 years. I studied Richard for a year
and find myself in complete accord with the Ricardian Society that has
almost entirely vindicated his reign. All of Richard's supporters were
either killed in battle or supressed politically, almost all records
attesting to his good kingship were destroyed by the succeeding dynasty,
the Tudors, legends replaced reality -- of course written by the
victors -- and his portraits were altered to present a man of evil. Why
are the records about Elizabeth Bathory so meager? The testimony of paid
or tortured witnesses are abundant enough. Hopefully, one day, we may
come closer to the truth, whether she was the monster of legend, or the
heroine that this film suggests. And the truth shall set us free.
A visual experience that takes its time
Author: Sammy Jankis from Prague, Czech Republic
16 July 2008
Fields stained with Turkish blood. Villages and witches burned. High castles and deep catacombs. Bleak life full of vivid imagination. Such is the world Bathory, The Bloody Lady of Cachtice.
Elizabeth Bathory lets you see the film through the eyes of a mother, lover and ruler rather than the legendary serial killer. Throughout the film she strives to protect her children, love and land while ignoring her tainted reputation. The intrigues escalate. Blood is spilled. And a false myth is born.
Although there is a complex epic plot, the film feels more
like a
series of still pictures. There is a lot of symbolism and the plot
slows down so that you can fully enjoy it. Apart from the story, the
Bathory also takes some time to explain how myths are created and
abused to serve one’s needs. The acting is outstanding but does not
stand out as much as the Hungarian costumes that make the film look
fresh.Unfortunately the movie is significantly flawed by repetitive comic relief in which two monks use various inventions to spy on the countess. They seem to have come from another movie and make you question the taste of the writers. Should there be a version without those comedians a 9/10 rating would be appropriate.
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