About movie
Anotation
Newest film of slovakian director Juraj Jakubisko has began production in winter of year 2005, post production work are currently in progress.
Historical epic motion picture in production of companies Jakubisko film, Film and Music Entertainment (UK) and Eurofilm Studio (HU) is a 16th feature film of Juraj Jakubisko. Main character is Erzsebet Bathory, known as "bloody countess", which was murdering and torturing her dependants on her manor for a long time. Countess Bathory is even mentioned in Guinness book of records as a most prolific murderess of all times. But the legend about these brutalities were created couple of years after her death. It began to evolve throughout century and Erzsebets alleged crimes were gaining monstrosity. Official documents about her guilt were never found. There are existing statements of witnesses, however witnesses were never direct and their authenticity was infirmable. Erzsebet was never standing at a court and she died without a process, imprisoned on Cachtice castle.
Several historians started to investigate her story during past few years, they infirmed the theory about her character as a homicidal monster and they have presented new evidence according to historical research, that she has become a victim of a conspiracy because of her enormous wealth. As a lonely widow, she could have been a target of many people, lusting for her fortune, leaded by at the time palatine Gyorgi Thurzo.
Director Juraj Jakubisko is offering this new perspective on life of Erzsebet. Her film story begins in a time when she is 32 years old. Her Husband, Ferenc Nadasdy, is fighting in wars with Turks and she alone is taking care of children together with wide family wealth. The film is not supposed to be a documentary, neither an accurate reconstruction of history. Director is following historical facts and fills in unexplored parts – so-called "blank" spots with his fantasy. That is how famous Italian painter Caravaggio or Monteverdi author of first opera, are getting to the story.
Director invited and cast many international, Czech and Slovakian actors. We will see British actress Anna Friel as Erzsebet, as her husband Ferenc Nadasdy – Vincent Regan, Italian painter Caravaggio is played by Hans Matheson and four main characters is closing Karel Roden as Gyorgi Thurzo. In other parts from international talents Franco Nero, Tim Preece and from Czech and Slovakian we will introduce Deana Horvatova, Bolek Polivka, Marek Vasut, Jiri Madl, Lucie Vondrackova, Andrej Hryc, Monika Hilmerova, Marek Majesky and many others.