Synopses & Reviews
Stephen Sommers, the visionary filmmaker who revived Universal's classic Mummy character in the massive blockbusters
The Mummy and
The Mummy Returns, breathes new life into the most time-honored pantheon of classic Universal monsters: Dracula, the Frankenstein Monster, and the Wolf Man. In
Van Helsing, Sommers infuses these screen legends with dimension, characterization and technological wonder in a way that honors their legacy and propels them into the next generation of cinema.
Set in the late 19th century, the film finds fabled monster hunter Van Helsing summoned to a distant European land on a quest to vanquish evil. Starring Hugh Jackman (X2) as Van Helsing and Kate Beckinsale (Underworld, Pearl Harbor) as valiant Anna Valerious, and with awe-inspiring digital effects from Industrial Light & Magic, Van Helsing will thrill moviegoers as they are introduced to worlds never before imagined.
In addition to the complete screenplay, this spectacular Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook features over 150 full-color illustrations, including movie stills, creature and costume sketches, set designs, and special visual effects stills. Sidebars include interviews with the film's cast and crew, and details on the sweeping locations used to create Van Helsing's visionary supernatural world, spanning from 19th century London, Rome, and Paris to Transylvania.
Review
"With a hot star, top visual effects, killer costumes, and cool props, this is almost sure to be a hit. Both the hardcover and paperback editions feature the full script plus 150 color illustrations. Sweet!" Library Journal
Review
"It's thrilling, it's chilling, it's spine-tingling! It's fang-tastic! An exciting ride that harkens back to the monster magic of yesterday!" Greg Russell, WB-TV
Review
"Writer/director Stephen Sommers takes the genre to another level with an amazing vision. Hugh Jackman is a hero for the generations." Jim Ferguson, ABC-TV
Review
"A big-buck, big-bang summer barnstormer." Sam Hallenbeck, NBC-TV
Review
"Exciting....Fun....Classic....What more can you ask for? I loved it...it's the excitement of Raiders of the Lost Ark with a twist of film's most classic creatures. A good, old-fashioned fun night at the movies!" Dean Richards, WGN-TV
Review
"A breathtaking thrill ride. A perfect meshing of non-stop action with super use of top-drawer computer animation." Jeffrey Lyons, NBC-TV
Review
"It's one awesome rollercoaster ride! A great way to kick off the summer movie season." Bonnie Laufer, Tribute TV
Review
"Exuberant, spectacular and exciting! Van Helsing is bound to become an action classic." Maria Salas, NBC-TV
Synopsis
From the maker of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, the long-awaited movie from Universal Pictures (May 2004) starring Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing, the legendary monster hunter born in the pages of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Stephen Sommers, the visionary filmmaker who revived Universal's classic Mummy character in the massive blockbusters The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, breathes new life into the most time-honored pantheon of classic Universal monsters: Dracula, The Frankenstein Monster and The Wolf Man. In Van Helsing, Sommers infuses these screen legends with dimension, characterization and technological wonder in a way that honors their legacy and propels them into the next generation of cinema.
Set in the late 19th century, the film finds fabled monster hunter Van Helsing summoned to a distant European land on a quest to vanquish evil. Starring Hugh Jackman (X2) as Van Helsing and Kate Beckinsale (Underworld, Pearl Harbor) as valiant Anna Valerious, and with awe-inspiring digital effects from Industrial Light & Magic, Van Helsing will thrill moviegoers as they are introduced to worlds never before imagined.
In addition to the complete screenplay, this spectacular Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook features over 150 full-color illustrations, including movie stills, creature and costume sketches, set designs, and special visual effects stills. Sidebars include interviews with the film's cast and crew, and details on the sweeping locations used to create Van Helsing's visionary supernatural world, spanning from 19th century London, Rome, and Paris to Transylvania. 150 color illustrations.
Synopsis
The One Name They All Fear
Illustrated with over 150 movie stills, concept sketches, line drawings, and original art, this fascinating pictorial moviebook reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the thrilling movie starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale. It includes the film's complete screenplay, a foreword by writer/director Stephen Sommers, interviews with the principal cast members and filmmakers, and text that details how Van Helsing was conceived, produced, shot and edited. From an historical overview of the horror movie genre to features on the film's amazing stunts and special effects, this unique book presents and unprecedented insider's view into the creative imagination of the filmmakers.
About the Author
Stephen Sommers directed and wrote the screenplays for The Mummy and The Mummy Returns.