Van Helsing (2004)

The notorious monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula who is using Dr. Frankenstein's research and a werewolf for some sinister purpose.

Director:

Stephen Sommers

Writer:

Stephen Sommers

Stars:

Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh

3 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Jackman	...	Van Helsing
Kate Beckinsale	...	Anna Valerious
Richard Roxburgh	...	Count Vladislaus Dracula
David Wenham	...	Carl
Shuler Hensley	...	Frankenstein's Monster
Elena Anaya	...	Aleera
Will Kemp	...	Velkan
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Igor
Alun Armstrong	...	Cardinal Jinette
Silvia Colloca	...	Verona
Josie Maran	...	Marishka
Tom Fisher	...	Top Hat
Tom Fisher	...	Top Hat
Samuel West	...	Dr. Victor Frankenstein
Robbie Coltrane	...	Mr. Hyde

Storyline

Van Helsing is in the world to rid all evil, even if not everyone agrees with him. The Vatican sends the monster hunter and his ally, Carl, to Transylvania. They have been sent to this land to stop the powerful Count Dracula. Whilst there they join forces with a Gypsy Princess called Anna Valerious, who is determined to end an ancient curse on her family by destroying the vampire. They just don't know how!

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Plot Keywords:

van helsing | dracula | monster | vampire | transylvania | 

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Taglines:

The One Name They All Fear

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nonstop creature action violence and frightening images, and for sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Central Partnership [ru] Official Facebook

Country:

USA Czech Republic

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

7 May 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kallarai Manithan

Filming Locations:

Downey Studios - 12214 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$160,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,298,365 (Japan) (3 September 2004)

Gross:

$7,606,691 (Japan) (15 October 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Sommers Company, The, Stillking Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The role of Igor was written specifically for Stephen Sommers's friend and frequent collaborator Kevin J. O'Connor.

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Goofs

When Anna is running away from the Wolf Man she is wearing felt shoes but when Velkan pushes her out of the way she is back wearing her high heeled boots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. Victor Frankenstein: It's alive. It's alive. It's alive!

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Crazy Credits

There are no opening titles, save the film studio logo. The title of the movie and the credits only appear in the end credits, which are seen as part of the portal to Dracula's lair.

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Connections

Featured in Bad Movie Beatdown: Brows Beat Down: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2012)

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Soundtracks

Soundtrack on Decca/UMG Soundtracks

User Reviews

Silly, Fun Adventure

Many, many people have seen "Van Helsing" and said it is trash, a waste of time, etc, etc. But what they don't understand is that sometimes, with so much happening in the world, people need to let it all go so they can get some thrills from movies.

The plot of Van Helsing is somewhere between simple and complex. The back story is that Count Dracula and his three brides have given birth to countless offspring throughout the hundreds of years they've been living as vampires. They themselves were created from the living, but their children were not. They were born of the undead, and have never had the chance to come to life... or the afterlife vampires live. They simply are dead.

Then, Dracula comes upon a mad scientist named Dr. Frankenstein, whom wants to discover the secret of creating life. He helps the doctor in his sort-of admirable task of creating life, hoping to use his creation to bring life to his children. But it is not to be. As the film opens, Dr. Frankenstein is killed by Dracula, who no longer needs him, and his monster, whom Dracula needs to give the essence of life to his children, appears to perish in a fire.

A year later, Gabriel Van Helsing, a tortured man without a past is sent to Transylvania by the "Holy Order"... An organization of all of the religions of the world. With the assistance of a trusty sidekick, the still living monster of Frankenstein and a beautiful young woman, he must hunt down and destroy Dracula before he can give life to his thousands of children.

The reason I gave this movie a 9 out of 10 is that is never seems to get the recognition it deserves. It has great action, great actors, and a great story. (At least for a summer film) It's not the type of movie to be taken seriously, it's the type to sit down with some friends, have some popcorn, and get ready for a silly, scary, fun ride. I love it!. 9/10