Relevent Historical Context

Elizabeth Bathory

We are considering taking inspiration from the life of Elizabeth Bathory, a hungarian countess, when making our psychological horror film.

The 'Blood Countess' or 'Countess Dracula'

Sculpture of Elizabeth from McFarlane's toys

• After her husband's death, there were several accusations that Bathory was torturing and killing hundreds of young girls.
• Her victims were the daughters of local peasants, lured into the castle with offers of well paid work.
• She later began to take the daughters of higher classes as well.

• One of Bathory's accusers claimed the number of murders to be 650.
• This became a key feature of Bathory's legend.
• However, only 80 of these deaths were verified at the time.
• She was imprisoned and remained so till she died.
• She was not put to death on account of her rank.

Anna Darvulia in 'The Countess' (2009)

• Further investigation, whilst she was imprisoned, uncovered evidence that she had been bathing in the blood of these girls.
• It is speculated that she believed that bathing in the blood of virgins would allow her to stay young forever.
• There is not enough evidence remaining to confirm or deny these ideas, though there is record of 300 witnesses supporting the story.
• Furthermore, groups of people were found to have aided Elizabeth in her actions.
• One of the most significant figures was Anna Darvulia, who supposedly influenced Bathory throughout.
• She, however, died before the trial.

Taking inspiration from the figure of Elizabeth Bathory, our psychological horror film will perhaps centre around a psychologically disturbed young woman who is obsessed with the idea of staying young forever.

She practices the methods of Elizabeth Bathory, by stalking other young women and draining their blood before bathing in it.