Filmbeschreibung Dark Prince

Rudolf Martin plays the leading part as Vlad Dracula.

In 1446 Vlad and Radu, the sons of the Prince of Romania, Dracul, are taken captive by sultan Mohamed who supplies a warlike discussion with the prince.

While the sultan takes a liking to Radu, Vlad spends several years in the dungeon before he is released and sent back to Romania. He finds out that while he was imprisoned, his father was murdered by the noble people of his own country, who have dealings with the Turks.

With the support of the Hungarian King Janos and the catholic church, Vlad succeeds in reclaiming his country as the rightful heir to the throne. He has given himself three goals: Revenge against the aristrocrats who were responsible for his father’s death, the eviction of the Turks from Romania, and the liberation of his brother from the sultan.

To reach his goals he goes forward with unimaginable cruelty, death and blood pave his way and he is given the name “Tepes” – the Impaler. But his men remain loyal to him.

His wife Lydia gradually begins to understand the terrible truth and tries unsuccessfully to take her son away from the influence of his father. At last she breaks under Vlad’s cruelty.

Not only do the Turks cause difficulties, but also the mental leaders of the orthodox church in his own country. They no longer want to accept that Vlad has taken the help of catholic Hungary and the pope to claim the power of the throne. Father Stefan turns out as an intriguer who would rather have a more calculable monarch on the throne than Vlad, the sooner the better.

	Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula Vlad – the Impaler

	Country: USA/Romania (2002) Genre: Historienfilm Directed by: Joe Chapelle Screenwriter: Tom Baum Released: 22.01.2002
Description:
	Rudolf Martin plays the leading part as Vlad Dracula. In 1446 Vlad and Radu, the sons of the Prince of Romania, Dracul, are taken captive by sultan Mohamed who supplies a warlike discussion with the prince. While the sultan takes a liking to Radu, Vlad spends several years in the dungeon before he is released and sent back to Romania. He finds out that while he was imprisoned, his father was murdered by the noble people of his own country, who have dealings with the Turks. With the support of the Hungarian King Janos and the catholic church, Vlad succeeds in reclaiming his country as the rightful heir to the throne. He has given himself three goals: Revenge against the aristrocrats who were responsible for his father’s death, the eviction of the Turks from Romania, and the liberation of his brother from the sultan. To reach his goals he goes forward with unimaginable cruelty, death and blood pave his way and he is given the name “Tepes” – the Impaler. But his men remain loyal to him. His wife Lydia gradually begins to understand the terrible truth and tries unsuccessfully to take her son away from the influence of his father. At last she breaks under Vlad’s cruelty. Not only do the Turks cause difficulties, but also the mental leaders of the orthodox church in his own country. They no longer want to accept that Vlad has taken the help of catholic Hungary and the pope to claim the power of the throne. Father Stefan turns out as an intriguer who would rather have a more calculable monarch on the throne than Vlad, the sooner the better.

	(Description: Anja N.) Special thanks to Nika for translating this part into english and to Nicole!