Peter Sasdy directed "Countess Dracula," a 1971-1972 drama/horror film, which tells the story of events in medieval Hungary centered on the aging Countess Elisabeth (Ingrid Pitt) and her Steward, Captain Dobi (Nigel Green). The Countess discovers that bathing in the blood of young women restores her youthfulness and orders her staff to find victims. Posing as her daughter, Ilona, she attempts to win the affection of a young Lieutenant, Imre Toth (Sandor Elès). Maurice Denham portrays Master Fabio, the castle’s wise old scribe, while Lesley-Anne Down appears as the actual Ilona, who is being held captive by a mute peasant. The historical Elizabeth Báthory resided in Čachtice Castle, which was then—and still is—surrounded by a village and farmland, situated near bluffs within the Little Carpathians region of Hungary. One of her chief servants practiced witchcraft and encouraged Bathory’s cruel actions. Patience Collier plays this role in the film, though she isn't depicted as a witch. Over 300 individuals provided testimony regarding Bathory’s crimes; Priests, noblemen, and commoners were all questioned. Her offenses involved brutal beatings, burning hands, mutilation, biting flesh from faces and limbs, freezing victims to death, and starvation. Initially, her targets were young girls between the ages of 10 and 14—often relatives of local peasants who had been lured to the castle with promises of employment. Later, she allegedly targeted daughters of lesser nobility, which ultimately led to her downfall. During that era, Hungarian nobles were permitted to punish their servants by any means they chose, even death, without facing repercussions; this undoubtedly facilitated Bathory’s actions. Several of her closest servants were executed, and she was confined to house arrest, restricted to a single room for the final four years of her life. She died at age 54 in 1614. While some believe she was framed due to political reasons—a possibility that can't be ruled out—there is extensive documentation confirming her crimes, making it difficult to dismiss them. The reported number of victims (650) is likely an exaggeration, and the story about bathing in blood probably originated as folklore long after her death. The film’s somewhat cheesy title is figurative because there’s no vampirism; "Dracula" was a popular name at the time, so producers aimed to capitalize on its recognition. However, there's a supernatural element involving regaining youth and beauty—an appealing theme since many aging individuals desire to recapture their former appearance. Have you ever noticed how some women in their late 50s or older act like they’re college students on spring break? It can be quite sad. Regardless, this is a quasi-historical drama with gothic horror elements. I appreciate the castle and sets, along with the costumes and torch-lit hallways; they effectively evoke the late Medieval Age. Certain plot points are predictable (like what happens at the wedding), but the story remains compelling and provides a glimpse into feudal life in central Europe during that period. On another note, Lesley-Anne Down was one of the most beautiful women alive during the 1970s through the 1990s, and she was only about 16 and a half years old when filming took place. While her screen time is limited in the first portion of the movie, she becomes more prominent in the final act and is certainly a standout. The film runs for 1 hour and 33 minutes and was filmed in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England. Jeremy Paul wrote the screenplay, while Alexander Paal created the story inspired by Valentine Penrose’s book “The Bloody Countess: Atrocities of Erzsébet Báthory.” GRADE: B+

Source on TMDB