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:

Adventure lives forever.

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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

While preparing for the ballroom scene, Stephen Sommers had Richard Roxburgh, Kate Beckinsale and Elena Anaya practice dancing for hours every day so their performance would be flawless.

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Goofs

At one point in the opening, Dr. Frankenstein is packing a trunk. When the scene cuts to the villagers and then back to Dracula and the Doctor, the trunk seems to disappear. It can in fact be briefly seen off to Dr. Frankenstein's left when he and Dracula are looking over the monster. Since it is implied that Dracula and the Doctor had a conversation between shots, they would have had time to move away from the trunk.

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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

The Universal logo turns black and white, then catches on fire to dissolve into the traditional Angry Villager's torch.

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Connections

Version of Dracula (1980)

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Soundtracks

Soundtrack on Decca/UMG Soundtracks

User Reviews

It's Just Camp

I'm really baffled at the hateful negative response to this film. No it's not Oscar material, it's just good campy fun. If you're a fan of old monster movies, James Bond and Indiana Jones flicks, and over-the-top humor in an action/horror movie, then you get it. I guess if you're looking for a summer action flick that takes itself too seriously, then you're out of luck with this one.

I admit that the film runs a little to long, the chemistry between Beckinsale and Jackman leaves something to be desired, and the Frankenstein "monster" (though well-intentioned to give a nod to "Young Frankenstein") is really annoying. But the entertainment spawning from the hokey fun that "Van Helsing" is all about, makes these flaws so forgivable.

For me, I'll take the over-acting screaming Brides of Dracula, the silly homages to dozens of classic action and horror movies, the cheesy one-liners, and the not-so-convincing special effects. Isn't that what monster movies are all about?