David Brook Life is too short.This is a fifth rate TV mini-series, with admittedly high production values, hacked together into a really dull, over long (2hour 21 min) feature presentation.Even though Anna Friel is in it, and for some people (me) it's always going to be a draw; but, rose colored memories of leather jackets, patricide, and touching moments of sexual discovery aside, it's still a turd. Abject in most respects.Don't. There are so many better things to spend your time on.Believe me.

legersky-randy Many reviews here find the monks' humor out of place, inappropriate, or they just didn't see the purpose of it. It's my opinion that if you didn't find it amusing, then its most likely more of a cultural difference than a matter of taste. This type of humor is very common in Slovakia and Romania. I'm saying this as a Slovak-American, someone married to a Romanian, and who lived in Romania for five years.I also agree with the reviewers who point out this is a post-modernist historical fiction. It's more of a fantasy than either a horror tale or historical biography.Yes, there are some flaws with the point-of-view at the beginning. The first part was disjointed because it kept switching plot lines and character focus, but the second and third parts worked magically. I'm sure it also seemed complex or confusing if you are not familiar with the inner struggles and politics of the Hungarians, Slovaks, and Romanians at that time. But, I find it interesting and even amusing that the conflicts still continue within these reviews about whose version of history is right (or best) -- the Hungarian Catholics, the Lutherans, the Slovaks, the Romanians in Transylvania, etc. That's basically the point of the movie! We'll never know the "truth" unless we could have had some spies there writing it all down in a record that also verified the other evidence. Every noble family and religion in that space has always had political power motives in presenting their own versions of history. It gets so crazy and sad at a point that all you can do is make a joke (like the monks) and try to laugh so you don't go crazy too.

domenicoart Things that I liked about the movie:The main actress was really good. The music was impeccable. Amazing scoring. Costumes and photography were very good.What I did not like:The story is completely misrepresented. It seems like the whole purpose of the film/plot was to exculpate Bathory from all the crimes is said to have committed. But without any real evidence and proofs. So what's the point? I was looking forward to watching a movie about countess Bathory, and the crimes she committed, not a nonsense beautified version of her personality to the extremes. Bathing in herbs? Yeah, right. The nobles back then could do anything they wanted without consequences, why this movie tries to convince us that Bathory is an angel is out of my comprehension.300 witnesses were questioned and testified about her crimes.So, all in all this movie is a big disappointment. I would really want to see a movie about Bathory with a proper and not misleading plot.

pearlyglass I honestly do not see while people are bashing this movie. Some of their reasons are because they do not understand it and it's more like a series of pictures or that it's not like the "actual Elizabeth Bathory". When honestly... if they had somewhat of a more open mind.. they would have got it. As well.. if they had read the description of the movie.. it clearly says this is the story of opposing the thought of her being an actual serial killer a.k.a Historical Fiction film.Anyways....The flashbacks or dreams or whatever... were showing you the mind of Elizabeth and what she wanted despite the fact she was going crazy and could not tell between reality and dreams. The "green dreams" most of them were showing the future and the moment it happened it showed you again to be reminded. As for the acting... I saw nothing wrong with it at all. It was not B-Rated at all.. and I can tell you this..Anna did one heck of a job compared to some very "famous" actresses like Megan fox who cannot act at all. I do agree some of the comedy with the monks in there was out of place.. but there was a reason behind it I am sure. Other than that... this movie was NOT a waste of time and I'd watch it over and over again.So I rate this 9/10. It is worth a watch... unless your one of those people who always fell asleep during history class and do not know the true story of Elizabeth Bathory. and again this is Historic FICTION film.