Van Helsing (2004)

The famed monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula, who is using Dr. Frankenstein's research and a werewolf for nefarious purposes.

Director:

Stephen Sommers

Writer:

Stephen Sommers

Stars:

Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh

3 wins & 21 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
Samuel West	...	Dr. Victor Frankenstein
Robbie Coltrane	...	Mr. Hyde
Stephen Fisher	...	Dr. Jekyll (as Stephen H. Fisher)

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:

werewolf | van helsing | dracula | vampire | creature | 

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Taglines:

The One Name They All Fear

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2007, Shuler Hensley also played the Monster in Mel Brooks' Broadway musical adaptation of his comedy, "Young Frankenstein (1974)".

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Goofs

When Van Helsing and Anna flee Frankenstein's castle, it's full moon. Their trip to Budapest then takes them better part of a month, since by the time they get there, it's only two days to the next full moon. And yet it only takes them a day to get back to Anna's home castle.

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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

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

User Reviews

Monsters mix from Universal

The film is a monstrous cocktail : Dr. Jekill and Mr.Hyde , Frankestein, werewolf , Dracula ,Igor.

The starring is Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) , the monster hunter . The first fight with Mr. Hyde (Robbie Coltrane)in the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris is breathtaking .

After that , he is assigned by Vatican to track down Dracula . He's helped by an action woman (Kate Beckinsale) and an assistant friar (David Wedham) who provides him anything gadgets as "Q" in James Bond's serials . He will have to confront werewolf , Frankestein (Shular Hensley) and specially Dracula (Richard Roxbough) and his brides (Elena Anaya, Silvia Colloca and Joshie Marian) .

The film is spectacular , the action-packed is fascinating and computer generator effects specials (FX) are overwhelming though excessive .

The movie mingles monsters action , suspense, terror , gore , rip-roaring, tongue-in-cheek , a little bit of humor and is amount bemusing but the plot is ridiculous .

Direction by Stephen Sommers is average , Alan Daviau's cinematography , set design by Alan Cameron and Alan Silvestri's musical score is outstanding.

Rating 6/10 . Passable .

Details

Official Sites:

Van Helsing Official site

Country:

USA Czech Republic Romania

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

7 May 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Van Helsing

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$160,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$51,748,040, 9 May 2004

Gross USA:

$120,177,084

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$300,157,638

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, The Sommers Company, Stillking Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS DTS (DTS: X)

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1