Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

While I am familiar with the myth or legend of Countess Bathory, then I sat down to watch this 2008 movie for entertainment only, not really putting anything more into it. So whether how much or not this movie was true to the actual Countess and the events that took place in her life, I do not know, nor do I really care; a movie is a media for entertainment.The story in "Bathory" is centered around Erzsébet Báthory, notorious Countess, in the mid-1500's Hungary. Married to a formidable warlord and conqueror, Bathory is at the seat of power in Hungary, caught in the game of power and influence. But rumor and dark stories circulate about her bathing in the blood of virgins, having consorted with the devil and having a witch as her right-hand maiden.Right, well, entertainment-wise then "Bathory" was adequate, albeit nothing extraordinary. However, it was a long, long movie, running at two hours and twenty-one minutes. So keep that in mind, especially because the movie is not a non-stop action-filled ride. There are ups and downs throughout the movie, of course. I was adequately entertained, although at times I found the movie to just be too slow-paced and too long.The acting in the movie was quite good, as they had some nicely talented actors and actresses on the cast list. Anna Friel (playing Erzsébet Báthory) and Karel Roden (playing Thurzo) carried the movie quite nicely.One thing that didn't really sit well with me, was the two Catholic monks, or spies as they actually were. They were just too much of a comical relief, and were sticking out like a sore thumb from the rest of the movie. And their array of out of place gadgets were just too much.There are better movies that deal with the Erzsébet Báthory character and story. This 2008 movie at the hands of director Juraj Jakubisko scores a lukewarm, mediocre five out of ten stars from me only.

A long, rambling, shambling, doddering, staggering chaos of a film, blighted by (amongst other things): (1) impenetrable Middle European accents, most of them genuine but three put on ~ by Miss Friel, her husband, and her lover; (2) a narrative style that was very much like listening to a boring drunk recounting a shaggy dog story; (3) a schizoid attitude toward the countess herself ~ ambiguity is all very well, but to switch sides several times in the course of one story just makes the storyteller appear 'flakey'; (4) a sub-plot about two spying monks which ... well, which beggared description in its absurdity; (5) visual imagery and editing which frequently resembled pop videos; (6) so on and so forth.

Bathory tells the interesting story of Bathory, which they say, she killed young women for her own health and youth. The story has so so much potential, to make a good film of it, but they really ruined it.What comes in my mind, when I think about the way, they made the film? MTV! First you see how Bathory is promised CUT suddenly you are on her marriage - CUT you are on a battlefield - CUT, CUT, CUT.No scene really gives you a deeper seek into the story. You just hop from here to here, there to there and back again. SO you really cannot identify someone with yourself or feel with someone from the film. It is really a crappy MTV style.The story is interesting although. SO, please someone, who knows to make good films should read in the old tellings of the story and make a good film of it. Bathory really deserves that.In my mind, the film was a big waste of time.

This version about the famous countess Barthory is a big mistake in all aspects. Although the finest art direction, the film is fake in many ways and the rhythm is unstable.The storyline is confused with too many characters and the director didn't decide what to do with Barthory reputation (at the end are a ridiculous notice about the crimes of the countess)The introducing of the Italian painter, as well as the stupid spies and the English version misrepresent the historical facts. After 30 minutes the plot is boring and uninteresting. Frankly: the countess Barthory deserve something better. Let's wait for Julie Delpy's version 2009.