My bloody Valentine: The strange origins of a romantic holiday (2024)

Valentine's Day chocolate treats are displayed at the Le Chocolatier as they prepare for a Valentine's day rush on February 12, 2014 in North Miami, Florida.

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Strange but true: For a day swaddled in romantic imagery and love, Valentine's Day has a history literally drenched in blood, one seldom mentioned in the context of gifts and edibles.

The day most people around the world mark with candy, dinner and outings with their spouses and loved ones has long been associated with St. Valentine. Yet the holiday can be traced back to historic England and ancient Rome, according to The History Channel, a mix of both religious and secular traditions.

As it happens, the patron saint of all things romantic was actually a martyr. The channel points out that a swirl of legends surround Valentine, one of the most popular being that he was a priest who defied the orders of Emperor Claudius II, and that the Catholic Church actually recognizes at least three separate figures known as Valentine. All of them died violent deaths.

According to some accounts, Claudius outlawed marriage for young men, prompting Valentine to marry young lovers in secret, The History Channel writes. When his actions were revealed to the emperor, Claudius had him killed. Separate legends claimed that Valentine was actually killed for helping extricate Christians from Roman prisons.

Wait, there's more: Valentine's Day is also linked to a complex ancient ritual celebrated by pagans. According to some, a fertility festival called Lupercalia—which sought to honor Fanus, the Roman god of agriculture—sacrificed goats and dogs for purification. The animal hides would then be stripped, dipped in blood and used in a ceremony that was said to make women more fertile. The whole event would culminate in eligible bachelors picking the name of a young woman from a large urn, then marrying them.

Over time, these customs gradually evolved into the modern day retail fest to which most people have grown accustomed. The Daily Beast points out that the very first Valentine's Day card appeared in 1415—but the legend of St. Valentine didn't actually emerge until nearly 80 years after that fact.

My bloody Valentine: The strange origins of a romantic holiday (2024)

FAQs

Why is My Bloody Valentine rated R? ›

The extreme violence, foul language, sex, and nudity make for an abhorrent combination.

What is the story behind My Bloody Valentine? ›

The plot tells about a group of young adults who decide to throw a Valentine's Day party, only to incur the vengeful wrath of a maniac in mining gear who begins a killing spree.

Who killed Red in My Bloody Valentine? ›

While Red wasn't looking harry locked Tom before going on to attacking Red. Red tried to kill him with a pickaxe, but Harry used his foot to lodge the pickaxe into Red's head, killing him, and he proceeded to stab him multiple times.

Is MBV named after the movie? ›

My Bloody Valentine

They've never confirmed where exactly they took the name from, but the Irish noise rock band has the same title as a 1981 Canadian slasher film, which is set in a mine. It was remade in 3D in 2009.

How gory is My Bloody Valentine? ›

Several people are hit with an axe in several scenes, sometimes it's offscreen but most of the time it's graphically on the screen with lots of blood and gore usually resulting in mutilation. We see a very bloody/gory dead woman's body, her whole body is bloodied up.

Is there anything worse than R rated movie? ›

NC-17. The NC-17 rating is the highest rating (even higher than the R-rating) that a film can be given, and it means the movie is for adults only (ages 18 and older) and no one age 17 or younger will be admitted.

Is Tom or Axel the killer in My Bloody Valentine? ›

"Tom" Hanniger is the main antagonist of the 2009 remake of the 1981 slasher film My Bloody Valentine. After being nearly killed by Harry Warden, Tom develops some serious mental problems that makes him dress in mining gear and kill people.

Who is the villain of My Bloody Valentine? ›

Harry Warden, colloquially known as the Miner, is a fictional character and the overarching antagonist of the Valentine's Day themed horror films My Bloody Valentine (1981) and My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009).

What are the allegations against My Bloody Valentine? ›

In 2022, My Bloody Valentine accused music streaming service Spotify of showing "fake lyrics" which the band called "completely incorrect and insulting".

Was Tom possessed in My Bloody Valentine? ›

Character Introduction. Tom Hanniger is one of the main characters of My Bloody Valentine 3D, played by Jensen Ackles. He is the son of the owner of the Hanniger mine, and after being traumatized by Harry Warden, likely develops Dissociative Identity Disorder, though this interpretation is up for debate.

Does Tom survive in My Bloody Valentine? ›

Sarah, Irene, and Axel escape but Tom is left behind with Warden. Sheriff Burke arrives and shoots Warden before he can kill the severely traumatized Tom, but Warden staggers away deeper into the mine. Ten years later, Tom returns to Harmony after his father dies.

Who is the final girl in My Bloody Valentine? ›

Sarah in both counts of the original and its remake is shown not ending up with Axel weather he is a serial killer or a cheater whom she has broken it off with. In the one count, she ends up with Tom and the other helps stop his murderous rampage. Sarah is the final girl of both films.

Is My Bloody Valentine based on a true story? ›

No, “My Bloody Valentine” is not based on a true story. Although it may have been inspired by real events or urban legends, the movie itself is a work of fiction.

What happens at the end of My Bloody Valentine? ›

In addition to its mine setting, My Bloody Valentine distinguishes itself with a twist ending (MY BLOODY SPOILER!): the bad guy who murdered everybody the first time around is actually dead, and our hero really is a delusional schizophrenic who has convinced himself he's not the murderer.

Who was the killer in My Bloody Valentine 1981? ›

Axel Palmer is the main antagonist of the original 1981 slasher film My Bloody Valentine. He was a miner for the Hanniger Mining Company, until one year past trauma causes him to go on a killing spree dressed like the town's legendary murderer.

Why is Valentine rated R? ›

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Plenty of kissing and sexually frank discussions.

Why is bleed for this rated R? ›

“Bleed for This” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian) for language, violence, nudity and everything else that makes boxing great.

Why is R-rated R? ›

An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the board, contains some adult material. The film may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously.

What age is appropriate for rated R? ›

R: Restricted – under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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