The film is known to be based on the story of Elizabeth Báthory, a 16th/17th century Hungarian countess, whose story takes place in what is now Slovakia which at the time was a part of the Kingdom of Hungary. She is infamous for killing many young girls and according to legend, using their blood to preserve her beauty. Báthory was a real person and was responsible for the death of many young girls. However, doubts have been articulated by some contemporary historians regarding the exact details of the crimes attributed to her. In particular, the total number of her victims fluctuates wildly, from several dozen to several hundred. Also, the seeking of blood to preserve her beauty motif has la...

The film is known to be based on the story of Elizabeth Báthory, a 16th/17th century Hungarian countess, whose story takes place in what is now Slovakia which at the time was a part of the Kingdom of Hungary. She is infamous for killing many young girls and according to legend, using their blood to preserve her beauty. Báthory was a real person and was responsible for the death of many young girls. However, doubts have been articulated by some contemporary historians regarding the exact details of the crimes attributed to her. In particular, the total number of her victims fluctuates wildly, from several dozen to several hundred. Also, the seeking of blood to preserve her beauty motif has largely been discredited. The contemporary and more banal theory is that she simply was sadistic and killed mostly for the sheer pleasure of the act. Furthermore, historians suggest less sensational ways to see the whole story. The Báthory family was one of the wealthiest in Central Europe, their influences touched Poland, Bohemia, Lithuania, Hungary, and Transylvania. The rivalry of the Habsburg family at that time, is considered a potential reason for sensationalizing any charges against her. After being placed under house arrest for her crimes and by the assassination of her cousin, Gabriel Báthory prince of Transylvania, the political influence of the family was eliminated in the region only to be revived variously during the Hungarian independence movements of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The film is said to opt for this more pragmatic version of the facts.