Van Helsing (2004- Hugh Jackman)
Van Helsing (2004)
Gender Roles Regarding Van Helsings Female Characters.
By: Nerymar Cruz R.
Overview of Van Helsing (2004)
The main objectives in both Dracula by Bram Stoker and Van Helsing (2004) is to gain power, terrorize people and feed on the innocent. In the film, Dracula seems to have similar features as the Dracula from Bram Stoker's novel. In both Dracula is pale white with dark hair. We see that Dracula has the ability to turn himself into demonic creatures like a giant bat.
In the movie Van Helsing count Dracula lives in an old hidden castle. It is seen that Van Helsing, Carl, and Anna decipher a code on the wall that leads them to the other side (Count Dracula's castle.) In the book By Bram Stoker, we see similarities to the aspect of having a hidden away life; Draculas home is quite far and hard to get to. It is clear to point out that Van Helsing is an essential character in both the movie and the book. Van Helsing represents the good; a person sent to protect others from evil. Van Helsing possesses qualities in both adaptations that give him an advantage over any other individual. Van Helsing has a piece of vast knowledge on Paranormal activities and demonic occurrences. In the movie, it is mentioned that Van Helsing himself has had a history with Dracula before; he killed Dracula at one point. This demonstrates that in the Movie, Van Helsing seems to have live eternal life himself.
Gender Roles of the Brides in Van Helsing
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| The Brides- Van Helsing(2004) |
In Van Helsing, we see that the three brides do not only feed on kids; they feed on the townspeople. Also in the movie, the brides can go feed as they please without Dracula. On the other hand, Bram Stoker's Dracula is the one that provides his brides with blood. The Brides in Dracula feed off children which is never seen in the Van Helsing movie. This represents a contrast to the bride's role in the movie and in the book. In the movie, they seem to be much more independent than in the book.
The brides in Van Helsing have the goal to bring their babies to life. In the attempts to give life to the eggs a tragedy occurs that prevents the demonic creatures from developing. The brides seem devastated and desperate; the three of them hold on to each other and cry in agony. This opposes Bram Stokers three brides because they feed on children and babies.
Unexpected female gender roles.
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| Aleera and Anna- Van Helsing(2004) |
The brides in Van Helsing also depict bravery and warrior-like attitudes. In the movie, they are seen fighting Anna and Van Helsing in many instances. Dracula sends them out to complete the mission which is getting rid of Anna and Van Helsing. It is clear that Van Helsing brides are capable of protecting themselves, unlike Lucy and Minna.
Anna and the bride's wardrobe may seem a little scandalous and controversial in the movie. The brides are seen wearing see-through dresses that show their legs and abdomen. Anna wears pants and a tight corset throughout the movie; this wardrove accentuated her figure. As to Minna and Lucy, they wear long dresses that cover most of their bodies. Van Helsing the movie seems to sexualize the women in the movie.
I also watched Van Helsing for my blog. I see how you could view the brides as different from those in the book based on their desire to be mothers. However, I interpreted this a little differently. To me, the offspring of Dracula and the brides had the same effect of the children being fed on in the book; they create this image of a monstrous mother. Since their children themselves are evil, their existence serves to present the same idea that the book did, but in a different way.
ReplyDeleteThis adaptation of the 3 Brides is fascinating. I have never seen the "Van Helsing" film, so I can only speak to the conversation discussed here. I agree with your analysis on the 3 Brides being detached from Dracula. They seem to have their own unlinked gravity and worth. They can make their own decisions; they have the ability to feed themselves. In the novel, the 3 Brides are one-hundred percent reactive to Dracula. The 3 Brides are never active on their own accord. Also, the discussion of the 3 Brides being far more motherly is interesting. I do agree with you when you say that them having children and mourning the loss of children presents them in a mothering space. This is not the case in the novel as they literally feed off babies and children. This is definitely an interesting film. I will add it to my queue of films to watch!
ReplyDeleteWhile comparing Van Helsing in the adaptation of Netflix, and seeing an complete blog on one character is amazing to see the differences and similarity, with the characters. While the episode I wrote by blog about which was episode two, i have no depiction of the Three prides of Dracula, so seeing them in this blog shows their true side.
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