Review

A surprisingly gripping rendition of the Bathory legend, The Legend of Blood Castle opens on just the right note, striking a resonant chord with its jarring opening scene. A mob of angry and superstitious peasants lead a gloomy procession down an old country lane, seen amongst them is a virginal boy riding atop a white steed. This unfortunate character, his eyes downcast in fright, is being led as bait to lure out the supposed Vampire that has plagued the townsfolk. This bizarre and unsettling imagery pulls us right into the paranoid and death obsessed atmosphere of 18th century Europe.

From the high tower of their sprawling manor, Karl Bathory takes in the scene. The look on his face is of a man condemned to death and you can almost see the shivers running down his spine. Across the room we get our first glimpse of the ill-famed Elizabeth Bathory, the aging beauty sits vacantly transfixed by her own reflection. These characters live in a world where all seem delicately placed on the brink of madness and depravity, this first act plays out in silent drama, whetting our appetite for the blood soaked nightmare to come.

Despite some lulls, The Legend of Blood Castle commands attention as we watch the brutal blood-letting of nubile maidens and Karl's own decent into madness as he aids in his wife’s despicable obsession. Aided by a nerve tingling score and some often inspired cinematography, it's definitely worth a late night watch.

 -- Vlad the Inhaler