This review is probably going to be shorter than usual, simply because it’s very hard for me to review a documentary that talks about real life history. With this documentary; THE VAMPIRE PRINCESS we get into the science behind the true identity of Dracula and his bloodline, and how the uncovering of a female skeleton might actually be the true inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel.
The Vampire Princess starts out in the Czech Republic where scientists have revealed that it may have been a Princess, not count Dracula, was the inspiration for Stokers tale. Princess Eleonore von Schwarzenberg died in 1741, and during this era villagers said she suffered from “vampire illness.” Superstition set in, and the country went into a panic that people would rise from their graves and seek out the blood of the living. This prompted many of the villagers to bury their dead in a not so pleasant way. Now archaeologists have located the unholy grave of the princess where extensive precautions were taken to keep her from rising from the dead. Follow them as they examine the grave for the first time and document her bizarre lifestyle.
This documentary is full of great history on the legend of Dracula and most importantly the star of this doc. THE VAMPIRE PRINCESS herself, Princess Eleonore von Schwarzenberg. It examines the cause of her death, the type of person she was, her family life and her obsession of being fertile to bear children, which lead her to drink blood and the way in which her life might of ended. It’s a documentary full of interviews with professional archaeologists, folklorists and historians. It also has some low budget reenactments that look like something from the DARK SHADOWS television series.
Overall, The Vampire Princess is an interesting documentary. It has some great historical facts and theories on why the Vampirism was such a fearful thing during the seventeen and eighteen hundreds among many Europeans. It’s a great story about a women who’s story might just be the reason behind the legends of vampires today. It’s well worth the watch for fans of legends and myths, people into vampires or vampires movies and novels; and history buffs.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
