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Released by: Arbelos Films
Released on: April 1st, 2025.
Director: Viktor Kubal
Cast: Jela Lukesová
Year: 1980
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The Bloody Lady – Movie Review:
Viktor Kubal's 1980 animated film, The Bloody Lady (Krvavá pani), presents a fascinating and darkly whimsical take on the notorious legend of Countess Elizabeth Báthory. At first, it paints a picture reminiscent of Disney, showcasing a young Báthory living in perfect harmony with people and nature. However, the story takes a sharp turn after she is rescued by a woodsman. Her poignant gesture of giving away her heart transforms her into a cold and ruthless figure, fixated on maintaining her youth through sinister means with the help of an accomplice.This newfound cruelty finds its horrifying purpose when an incident involving a maid leads Elizabeth to a shocking discovery: she believes the maiden's blood has a rejuvenating effect. Fueled by this obsession with eternal youth, she and her accomplice begin a horrific campaign, murdering young virgins to bathe in their blood. As Báthory's cruelty escalates, disappearances plague the nearby village, and her monstrous reputation grows. Eventually, word of her terrifying deeds reaches the young man who once saved her; his attempt to appeal to her former self is met with cold, ruthless rejection.
The film is framed by short live-action segments and features very little dialogue aside from the opening narration. It brilliantly showcases Kubal's signature animation style, which is both simple and expressive, paired with an atmospheric sound design that enhances the storytelling. There are creative touches like drawing a character as a simple white outline when in the dark and having the same character's hair and beard suddenly turn white out of fright, which was a nice touch. The film cleverly weaves together dark themes and folklore, centering around the motif of the 'heart' while also sprinkling in unexpected moments of cartoonish humor. This creates a dynamic tone that shifts from innocence to despair, all while maintaining a sense of empathy for its anti-heroine.
Despite tackling mature themes, including brief nudity and blood, the film approaches the legend in a thoughtful manner, prioritizing visual storytelling over sensationalism. This captivating piece stands out as a remarkable example of Slovak animation, highlighting Viktor Kubal's unique artistic vision on a haunting tale.
The Bloody Lady – Blu-ray Review:
Arbelos presents The Bloody Lady and Other Works on a 50 GB Region Free disc. It features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The animation quality of the films and the bonus shorts is outstanding, all thanks to the 4K digital restoration of the original 35mm camera negative by the National Film Archive of the Slovak Film Institute. The film grain remains intact, which really enhances the animation, making those vibrant colors shine in high definition.
The audio is presented in the Slovak language with a LPCM 1.0 Mono mix, complete with optional English subtitles. The dialogue is pretty sparse, but the audio quality is fine. The sound design shines through beautifully, making for a clear listening experience.
The disc is packed with extras. There is another feature-length bonus film: Jurko the Highwayman (1976). As an early Slovak animated feature, the film relies more on visuals and sound than dialogue. It has also been painstakingly remastered by the Slovak Film Institute. The story follows Jurko and his colleagues as they try to steal from the rich and give to the poor, much like Robin Hood and his Merry Men. On top of that, we get a plethora of short films by Kubal (over 20 in total), ranging in length from 4 minutes to 42 minutes. The disc also includes an informative eight-page booklet featuring an essay by Rastislav Steranka, director of the National Cinematographic Centre at the Slovak Film Institute, titled "A Dot and a Line (Everything is Possible)," which covers the life and career of Viktor Kubal.
The Bloody Lady – The Final Word:
If you're into dark animation, Eastern European films, or creepy fairy tales, the Blu-ray release of The Bloody Lady is definitely one to check out. This 1980 animated film is based on the legend of the infamous Countess Báthory, and it’s packed with haunting visuals and a surreal, gothic vibe. The remastered Blu-ray really brings the film’s eerie color palette and detailed animation to life. It also shines a light on the work of Viktor Kubal, a key figure in Slovak animation, making it a great way to dive into his unique style and legacy. The Bloody Lady is a spooky little masterpiece that’s worth adding to your shelf. Recommended.
