Original subtitles

Behold - The Castle of Cachtice.

An unconquerable stronghold

that time will turn into stones and dust.

The last witness to the mysterious story...

of Hungarys wealthiest noble woman

Countess Erzsebet Bathory.

Here, as the legend says, she tortured

and killed innocent virgins...

and bathed in their blood to stay young and beautiful forever.

The fewer the facts, the plentiful the legends.

The truth will remain forgotten in this forgotten dungeon,

from where the countesses desperate wailing and sobbing

could be heard night after night.

Until the devil himself took pity on her

and setting her on his firey steed carried her away,

to the darkest depths of hell.

Or was it an angel?

And was the story rather different perhaps?

I trust my daughter Erzsebet Bathory,

in marriage to Ferenc Nadasdy.

That our families may be united!

This union will be the most powerful in Hungary.

Erzsebet! Erzsebet!

Look! I have my own horse!

Now I am a man.

Marriage is a duty and love a sin.

Ferenc will increase the family fortune,

your job is to manage and preserve it.

And look after the servants.

The can�t work if they are ill.

Erzsebet!

Viva young couples!

Dear Countess, we have a duty to our families, to conceive a son.

How are we going to accomplish this?

My uncle told me, do not worry, my dear.

For centuries, the Turks and Tatars devastated

and plundered the kingdom of Hungary.

Killing and destroying everything that Hungarians held sacred.

Erzsebet.

Finally, the Protestant lord set aside their dispute with the Catholics,

and together rows to wage war against the Muslims.

The fate of this vast land,

which people spoke 13 different languages,

fell into the hands of some powerful, led by Ferenc Nadasdy.

Look at the Habsburgs. Always the first to flee.

I like to see the infidels kicking Catholics.

I told you will not be bored for long.

For God and Hungary!

Guide your people to victory!

Hungary!

The Turks.

Count Nadasdy...

fearless warrior and commander,

always stood in the front of the brave son of Hungary.

The bleeding Hungarian kingdom,

became the last bastion

protecting Christian Europe against the infidels.

History is written by winners, and the Chronicles,

by fools like me a humble monk named Peter.

My testimony is not a legend about heroes like Ferenc

but about life and death of his beautiful wife Erzsebet.

The three dragon teeth from her family crest

represent the three names that marked his life

and, ultimately, fulfilled her destiny.

- Countess. - Thurzo?

Where is Ferenc? - Don�t worry, he is safe.

It was a great victory.

Here sends a list of war trophies.

He sends you a gift.

Look out the window.

The best gift would be to have Ferenc home.

My little fairy.

he is an Italian painter we stole from the Turks.

Come.

He should be painting roses shutters to the Pasha of Budin,

but in exchange for this portrait,

Ferenc promised him freedom.

- Move, miserable! -Let me go!

I�m a protege of Cardinal Del Monte.

Move!

Maybe he can capture your beauty.

Come on, Maria. Faster! You so sweet.

Ferenc, my beloved black horse.

Perhaps you could stop by after the Sunday service

to sign your agreement for the next half year.

Don�t worry, pastor, I�ll sign it in Ferences name.

- Wait! -Yes, Istvan?

Our painter hast ordered half the forest for his paints.

And he still wants more.

What else does he need, Istvan?

What kind of rose is this?

a Venetian.

Blue as a Venetian sky.

Three days mourning our dead comrades.

We have been living close to death.

Ferenc...

you are drunk.

Tomorrow, I am conquering the Fortress near the Eger.

Tonight, I am conquering you. - Ferenc. Ferenc.

Ferenc, no! Ferenc, no!

- I beg you. My baby! - Love can not hurt the baby.

Ferenc!

No!

My baby!

This war without end, turned me into a brute.

Even when I am with you, I act like a barbarians.

Erzsebet Honey, forgive me the pain that I caused you.

I never forgive myself the loss of our unborn son.

My... Damn. That was close.

See Nadasdy, cannon balls, arrows, everything mises him.

Is the luck of the devil.

God gave Nadasdy courage and strength. That's all.

Yes, Bathany. And wealth... And a beautiful woman.

You envy him? -Of course.

Beautiful women are hard to find.

When the master get drunk,

they become as strong as horses,

and then they just go and hunt a defenceless orphan, like me.

We�ll be out here

if we get pregnant and the Countess finds out.

But you�re sweet.

No!

You can have me for nothing.

Come on, Merisi! Possess me as does the master!

Leave me alone! Get out!

- Open the door, Merisi. Who? By God...

Why is it locked?

I�m mixing paints.

See that red...

as our blood.

Symbolizes life and love.

Erika

I was drawing from memory.

See?

Tomorrow you�ll begin painting me and my daughters.

You preserve what I have left.

Praise God! Our Countess is well again.

Countess is taking their young man to the manor house.

Now she�s gonna have all the fun she wants.

- Yes! -Shut up!

It�s the only thing you think of.

Do you know how many children

her herbs have saved?

I can�t capture the curves of your body.

I need a naked model.

An honest woman shows her body to no one.

Not even her husband.

See this skull.

I never painted any creature without knowing its skeleton.

In Florence painters dissect the dead.

What this place? A torture chamber?

My hospital.

Use this to cauterize the wound.

This is what I use to let blood on your leeches.

- Dio mio. - Shut up or cut your leg off!

- What this? - Drawings of medicinal herbs.

God, please don�t let me die in this horrible place

You are the only one who paints?

What's this? A list of all his victims?

Subjects I have cured.

Here it is. Hang on the sinner, Dora.

No, no, no...

No worry

That will teach you to paint naked women.

- Move, Erika. -Let me go.

She wanted to flee madam.

God, help me!

There were five of them. Overthrew the all doors and raped us.

They were drunk. Waving their sabres and shouting.

There was nothing we could do.

Which one attacked you?

I think it was the officer, with a scar on his forehead.

Thurzo?

Every night some man tries to enter my room.

Even the old Istvan.

Put out your hand.

For your protection.

BATTLE ESZTERGOM

There is only one God.

But the world stands divided by the ways

each of this flock comes on to him.

Why Turks dropped suddenly?

They got scared coward Muslims.

- What the Habsburgs are doing? They don�t care about the orders.

There are two harems on this was

and they are celebrating already.

The battle is not over!

Go back to the battle, you lazy bastards.

The commander enjoy the spoils of war as well.

This can be a trap!

The Turks surrendered too fast.

These whores Turkish so good.

Attack!

These Turks pigs.

Thurzo, let�s back up, to get out of here alive.

Lets get out!

Why not paint my face?

I am waiting that you smile.

Why hide such beauty?

Leonardo da Vinci said that a a painting is a poem for the eyes.

To me, this land is a poem, Merisi.

Hungary stretches from Moravia

all the way down

to the Adriatic Sea.

I own third of the country.

Which is more land than the king has.

16 castles, thousands of servants and 20 times more animals.

- And those deer? -Belong to Thurzo.

a friend of the family.

Ferenc gave him this land, but he always wants more.

Now he wants my lakes.

A charming man.

But hi slicks around me like a dog on feed.

You will be in haven this day, my men! The lord will avenge us.

- Courage, men! -For God and Hungary!

You�re lucky the have no idea who you are.

For God and Hun...

- What did he say? - What is our turn tomorrow.

Hey!

a message from my uncle, Prince of Transylvania.

Bad news?

My uncle Sigmund has invited me to his birthday.

I have work for you.

Andiamo.

Wait here.

It took ten year of marriage, before I had my first child.

It was a girl.

But the boy I lost, would be called Andrasz.

I want you to paint him.

But you must be quick.

We will travel to Transylvania tomorrow.

No can do it one night only.

Oh, Madonna mia!

I want to return him to the earth where he belongs.

Use both hands.

Carefully, Ferenc.

Who is there? Erika?

Why Dio!

Dio mio!

Christ!

You saved my life. Thank you.

I won�t forget it.

Your hand.

It�s an honour commander.

There must be stables near by.

Count Nadasdy will be angry. I haven�t finished your painting yet.

One you haven�t finished. The other you have burned.

What will I do with you? I�ll give you away...

to my uncle.

I�m not a slave, you just give away!

When do you get it?

Your faith is in my hands you�re the spoils of war.

Nothing less than a slave.

Slave, slave, slave! Trophy!

Erzsebet, good to see you!

GYULAFEHRVR MAJOR TRANSYLVANIA

Uncle Sigmund.

Count Bethlen, my right arm.

I think I remember his nephew, Gabor.

Gabor.

Now that the Transylvania joined the war against the Turks,

we need new blood.

You became very handsome.

You get better every day, Aunt Erzsebet.

But the Bathorys have hot and wild blood running through their veins.

Uncle Miklos, when he was bishop,

he killed more men than all Turks together.

Cardinal Andrasz Bathory, a true saint.

Was ashamed of he beheaded four.

Great aunt Arnica Bathory.

As the Vikings, she believed

stay young beautiful forever

if your soul purify in fire

and incorporate in another body.

She got what she wanted, when he burned her castle.

And now, the most charming niece of the prince...

The woman, whose beauty and youth seem eternal.

A woman richer than all of us together.

Brings us a delightful gift: a painter from Milan.

Music!

Sigmund - profile!

Excellent! The best on earth! Prince of Transylvania!

- Yes! -No, no, no.

Fox!

Too boring for you, Erzsebet?

Thurzo? Where is Ferenc?

The war is a priority for him, as usual.

Do we play chess or dance?

Battle-or hug? -Definitely, battle.

Ferenc sent in any news?

He sent gifts to his uncle, and sent me to entertain you.

Then, entertain me.

Who wins, chooses the dance.

You don�t like me Ersebeth, do you?

I always wanted a woman as smart as you.

women more attractive all Hungary.

A smart woman can be a problem in the life of her husband.

The knight!

Watch your king.

I can�t concentrate on this with Italian Clown watching.

If I were your husband, I would castrate him.

Clown? Complete game for me, Merisi.

Certainly.

Checkmate, Mr. Thurzo!

Should spend more time practising chess

than going behind my set up.

Wait, Countess!

I forgot to say something about Ferenc.

Thurzo an idiot. That pig messed up.

That pig saved the life of Ferenc.

That�s what he says. But I don�t believe him.

Stay awhile, Erzsebet. I�ve been looking forward to see you.

My husband and wounded and I stay with him.

I am sorry. Thanks for everything.

Gotta go.

I must go to Sarvar. We will meet at home, little angels.

SARVAR WEST HUNGARY

The count is in Pressburg

by order of King Rudolph.

- And the wounds that he had? His wounds have healed.

Haven�t even cleaned the room, lazy loafers.

I want every maid in this castle whipped.

I am lonely, Merisi.

I miss tenderness.

Kiss me.

Its an order!

I never kissed a woman.

Then this shall be your first time.

Paint me.

You have the eyes and smile of Da Vincis Mona Lisa.

I�ve never been in love.

When I was studying painting,

I met a beautiful young man. His name was Luca.

He became my model.

It was a passion for his his physical perfection.

It was not love.

You must keep this only in your mind.

You have the same brand as you aunt Arnica.

- Are you afraid of aging? -No. It is the law of God.

Everything must grow old. - Except the faces in the paintings.

A painting preserves what time destroys.

People will admire

your pale beauty long after you will leave this world.

I�m pale because I�m ill.

There�s something wrong in my blood.

Sometimes I hear a rolling inside my head,

as if the sea were calling to me.

I feel death in my bones.

But no one should know not even Ferenc.

- Do you love your husband? - No.

Marriage is something about love.

Alarm! Alarm!

Ficzko, what was that?

A man spying. But ran away.

It all to clear was is in this town.

A vampire. Let us pray.

No, their not teeth marks.

Take the body to the castle.

This my gift for you.

So you can paint like masters of Florence.

I can�t do it.

You said you wanted to understand the human body.

Its like... It feels like murder.

Let do it together.

I am afraid, Merisi. The Countess is a vampire.

If we don�t run away, she�ll kill us and drink our blood.

Come with me.

God, please help me!

No!

How it is when a man loves a man?

The same as when you love a woman.

Out, Merisi!

I want to see if you are a full man.

Out!

Undress now!

"I understand" Countess.

I understand, Countess. I am a handsome man, no?

I understand.

- Go! -No! No!

- No! -Bye, Merisi!

I swear! I will only make love to women from now on.

Did you know that your behind is prettier than your face?

I know! I know!

You were running away because of Istvan?

Every night that pig try to get into my room.

So you killed him? I didn�t kill him.

Don�t you dare lie to me!

I saw the wounds! From the dagger

I gave to you defend yourself.

Put out your hands.

Both.

Where did you get that ring?

Where did you get that ring?

- Where did you get that ring? Merisi!

Your bitch Liar and bitch

- He�s obsessed with me! -Liar!

He comes to me every night!

He begged me to ran away with him.

- No! -I wish you dead!

No!

No!

Please, God, forgive me I didn�t mean this to happen.

Oh, God!

Leave me alone! Out! Ficzko! Out! Everyone!

Go! Out!

I haven�t seen you for five days.

Why are you avoiding me?

You betrayed me.

I couldn�t betray you. I love you.

Liar!

- Wait, please. - You�re a liar!

You�re right, I lied. I�m not who you think I am.

Go!

I am not as innocent as I appear.

A year ago I killed a man.

Knifed him in the heart, in a duel, so I had to flee my home.

The Turks took me on the way to Vienna.

And then your husband...

Merisi my real name.

But I sign my paintings as Caravaggio.

Caravaggio?

I thought the only thing important for me was the painting.

But the only thing I can�t live without...

is you.

Run to your room. Ferenc is back. Fast!

I�m not going anywhere. - Ficzko!

If Ferenc finds you here, he�ll kill you.

Ficzko!

Yes!

Where�s your mistress?

He hasn�t left her chamber for three days.

Three days?

Is she sick? My god.

Since when the husband enters his wife�s bedroom through the window?

Since they can not live without them.

I�ve been so lonely, Ferenc.

Archduke Mathias, brother of King Rudolph

has honoured us with his visit.

Let him wait.

Why are you crying?

Come.

My painter did it?

I want you to send him away.

Send him away, Ferenc.

Please. I don�t want to see him again.

Archduke Mathias is having fun.

But Ferenc, you should be more at his side.

I hate to rush,

My throne will wait for me. That is my philosophy.

Bravo!

I don�t understand. Erzsebet is drunk. She never gets drunk.

She having fun. That�s not a sin?

That Italian prick is wearing her favourite ring.

How did you get it?

Did I tell you?

About our visit in Transylvania.

They spent the night in the Sarvar, on the way home.

I will kill him. -Wait!

In front of the kings brother?

I don�t care.

Leave it to me.

He wants freedom. Why not give him?

Come here, painter!

I have a reward for you.

Drink! You�ll be a free man again.

To your freedom, painter.

- Freedom! - Freedom!

Erzsebet!

Don�t touch her!

Go!

Water! Send for the old healer!

Did you hear what I said? Send for Darvulia!

She�s a witch! - I don�t care if she�s the devil incarnated!

I have to save my wife.

Open your eyes.

Leave the darkness, come to the light.

Welcome back to the world, Countess.

Who is she?

A healer. And a seer.

Darvulia.

Caravaggio?

Where is he?

The count ordered his prison, a week ago.

Drink it.

Merisi?

Merisi is not here. The rats have eaten his bones?

No, he�s alive.

Do you feel it? A draft...

He escaped.

He didn�t even wait to see if I lived.

I know why you hear the roar of the sea.

You are ill,

but I can cure you.

I know the secret of healthy blood.

And more!

My medicine will keep you as young and beautiful as you are in the painting.

But you have to make a sacrifice.

Love...

and reputation.

You will give birth to Ference�s son,

and for ten years you will live a happy and full life.

And?

See for your self...

I will show you evil that you can�t avoid without my help.

The time will come when you must choose for yourself.

Who is this man?

Your enemy, paving your way to hell.

Before I die I will write his name on the wall

in my own blood.

There is only one god,

yet people keep dying in this war against the Muslims

But neither live the Christians in peace with one another

When The Green Reaper increased his toll on the battlefield.

His eminence, Cardinal Forgach

sent me on a secret mission to upper Hungary.

Rumours from Cachtice spread throughout the kingdom.

That its wealthiest noble woman was under the spell of and old seer

named Darvulia her black magic with blood.

Helped by a young novice called Cyril

seek to discover truth of this bastion of Protestant believe

became a focus of forces of evil.

Cyril, we must give them a hand. Start bringing water.

I can�t believe it.

Our own soldiers kidnapping our servants

and selling them to the Turks, as slaves.

Lift me up, mommy. I want to see.

We�ll be safe. They won�t dare attack the castle.

It was a mistake to postpone our marriage.

Darvulia said the stars don�t favour it.

We discussed this often, Anna.

I�m glad, lord Zrinyl will be joining us,

but not in time of war. It would be inappropriate.

Why do you always do what that old witch says?

Because she saved me from death.

Only Darvulia found the cure for my illness.

Now that is enough.

You�re nothing but a laughing stock, mother

Everyone knows that you leave her here, so you can stay young.

I�ll kill you.

Stop!

Sara, stop!

You�re good with the hands.

I was a wood cutter before I became a monk.

And you?

When are getting married, Lucia?

When she saved for a good dowry.

Next week, she will work in the castle.

Yes, yes, mother!

Christian brother.

I�m Father Peter. This Cyril, a Novice.

My name is Ponicky, am the new pastor.

What brings you here?

The Church is making a map of Upper Hungary.

You�ll find this a strange place.

Ever since the old hag the witch Countess Erzsebeth

castle maid keep dying one after another.

Is it the plague?

Plague...

God save you!

God save you!

Where the devil can�t go, he sends a catholic.

Out of the way. - Another body!

Darvulia.

We have the chance to send the first message to the monastery.

A body.

Father, I hope that next time it�s not yours!

The Cardinal was right to send us here.

Write what I say.

Countess Bathorys male servant Adreovic

buried bodies in the garden.

The plague with a blade...

Death and blood surrounds me, another made is now gone.

I�m afraid, dear Ferenc.

Our daughter seem quite eager to marry.

Soon, I will be even more alone.

I praise god that Pal is still to young

and that I have the faithful Darvulia by my side.

Always think of those that I miss.

Her potion a herbs a curing me. It is a miracle.

We pray together for God to help you defeat the Turks

a have you return safely home to me.

This war against the Turks lasts more than 10 years.

Only God knows when it will end.

Praise be to God that all of you will be safe.

I count the days until we can be together, my love.

Your Black bey.

Buda Castle

For Hungary!

Win!

Thurzo, my brother, watch my back!

Black bey, black bey!

- Easy! Conceal-gold! Hurry!

Where is the gold?

My gold. -Get out.

For Hungary!

What is it?

Death is here.

My lord...

its turned black.

Go to the Countess, Lucia.

Tell her to prepare for a trip to Sarvar.

Ferenc! Ferenc!

Somebody help me!

Somebody help me!

Help!

You scared us.

When I grow up, I�ll be like you, Father!

I promise

In the spring you�ll have a real horse.

Now go

Erzsebet.

Yes?

Be careful.

The Habsburgs are attempting to destroy Hungary.

There will be traitors when the time comes.

Protect yourself.

Join forces with Bathany.

Why?

Because I trust him.

Marry Pal to their family,

or get married yourself.

Our swords will protect us.

Viva!

SARVAR, 1604

Come, noble gentlemen of this proud land.

We will provide our ultimate tributes

who so bravely took the stabs.

He fought the Turks, as the dreaded black bey.

He fought for Christ until his death.

His ear is frost bitten.

S God knows what witches did to him.

Message! Message!

Cardinal Forgach! Your Eminence, message for you.

Thank you.

Erzsebet, we need to talk.

I know this is not a good time for you,

but when I helped Ferenc to flee,

he promised me the lakes in the west of my states.

He wanted to make sure that there will be no problems with that.

It is no mention of this in his will.

I hope you won�t doubt the word of a soldier.

Please.

I�m only claiming what's mine.

Find another to steal from.

Don�t think you can fool me like you fooled Ferenc.

He never knew what happened in Sarvar.

How many times that Italian painter and you slept,

while he was protecting his country.

How dare you?

How dare you?

I�ll think that is a little piece of foreplay.

You bastard! Dirty piece of scum.

You pig, run to your Habsburg friends!

She will soon give me what's mine.

I will protect you, aunt Erzsebet.

When I become prince of Transylvania,

I can crush anyone, even the king.

Sir, we have to go. -Yes.

Almost forgot, I have a letter for you.

Thank you, Gabor.

Caravaggio.

He�s alive.

Madame. Hey!

May I come in, my lord?

It seems you've lost sleep over her wealth.

She started the game, she can�t win.

She must give you what's yours The bitch.

Let me join this game. I can be very useful.

I can turn Darvulia.

You�re more useful giving birth to my children.

And don�t forget: I know herbs

that can turn even Popes black.

Don�t play with fire.

You could lose your head.

Don�t worry

no one will suspect me or you.

We found her on the road near the manor house

Some monster cut off her head.

And your family crest is carved in her chest.

Are any of your maids missing? Not that I know of.

Enough for today.

I want to sin! I burn in the flames of fornication!

I want to be consumed by you.

Arnica?

I�m Erszebet. You are Arnica.

In don�t want to die in flames like you.

If you die now, you stay young forever.

As shouldn�t travel alone. Its not safe,

especially during the war.

I have all the protection I need.

I represent the interests of the king.

I hope you don�t want to assault me.

You are lucky, I haven�t the strength for it.

Rumours about your healer have reached the Viennese court.

She�s hurting your reputation. Get rid of her!

Darvulia in not your concern!

Erzsebet, you should think about the future of Pal.

If we both join forces with the Habsburgs, they will win the war,

and we become fabulously wealthy.

The Bathory family will never, never convert to Catholicism.