Count Dracula (1977 TV Movie)

Frank Finlay: Abraham van Helsing

Photos 

Quotes 

• Abraham Van Helsing : First, I must ask you, are you willing to believe what John Seward and myself have told you?

  Quincey P. Holmwood : I'm sorry, Professor. I reckon I find it impossible.

  Abraham Van Helsing : The wounds on the throat of that child; do they suggest nothing to you, concerning the death of Miss Lucy?

  Quincey P. Holmwood : Are you saying that those small holes, in the child's throat, were made in the same way as Lucy's?

  Abraham Van Helsing : Alas, no, I am not.

  Quincey P. Holmwood : Well, what in Pete's name are you saying?

  Abraham Van Helsing : They were made *by* Miss Lucy!

  Quincey P. Holmwood : You're insane!

  Abraham Van Helsing : She has already joined the ranks of the undead.

  Quincey P. Holmwood : The... undead?

  Abraham Van Helsing : The nosferatu. The walking dead. Those who cannot die. Who are cursed with immortality. Who must go on, age after age, adding new victims, multiplying the evils of the world!

  Dr. John Seward : You see, Quincey, she became the prey of a vampire.

  Abraham Van Helsing : She is now a vampire herself.

  [gently, to Quincey] 

  Abraham Van Helsing : And now, I must tell you the terrible thing I propose to do.

• Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : I know you must fight. But it must not be a fight of hate. That poor soul whose brought about all this misery is the saddest one of all.

  Jonathan Harker : Mina, how can you say such things? If I could send his soul to burning hell forever, I would do it.

  Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : Hush, Jonathan. You must be pitiful to him, just as some day you may have to be pitiful to me.

  Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : [pausing]  Also, I believe the Count can, somehow, force me to tell him what I know, and be in league against you.

  Jonathan Harker : I don't believe it.

  Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : No?

  [tearfully, her small fangs showing] 

  Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : Do you think that I don't look at myself in the mirror?

  Jonathan Harker : Dearest, don't.

  Abraham Van Helsing : Yes, yes, we must face facts, however unpleasant.

  [to Dr. Seward] 

  Abraham Van Helsing : Tell me, how many boxes did you find at Burnhamtree?

  Dr. John Seward : Eight.

  Abraham Van Helsing : And at the Mile End?

  Dr. John Seward : Four.

  Abraham Van Helsing : And sanctified them all?

  Dr. John Seward : Yes.

  Abraham Van Helsing : One box left. Madam Mina, you are the wisest of us all. So tell us, where do you think the last box is?

  Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : There's only one place he'd feel *really* safe.

• Abraham Van Helsing : Yes, I agree using garlic seems like nonsense, but I sense something evil and I must try everything to combat it. Evil will not disappear simply because we disapprove.

  Dr. John Seward : But what is evil?

  Abraham Van Helsing : I believe there is a monster in our midst. Who it is, or where it comes from, or what form it takes, I know not. But of one thing I am certain: we must find out. Even then, heaven knows if we are in time to stop it.

• Abraham Van Helsing : My books tell me that he was an extraordinary man. A soldier, a cunning statesman - no branch of study was too difficult for him. And the power of his brain has survived his death.

  [Says a prayer over the coffin as he drops the holy wafer in] 

  Abraham Van Helsing : But, he shall not escape. We shall corner him, and we shall drive the stake through his heart.

  Jonathan Harker : Pray God that I may do the deed.

  Abraham Van Helsing : God will act in His own way, and in His own time.

• Count Dracula : I am bound to this earth, I make it my domain. You will die, in your miserable allotted span. I have centuries before me.

  Jonathan Harker : Why in God's name did you ever leave your castle?

  Count Dracula : We must recruit disciples - just as your leader has done.

  Abraham Van Helsing : You shall not capture anymore souls.

  Count Dracula : Souls?

  [laughs scornfully] 

  Count Dracula : There is no blood to drink from souls - - if there be such things.

  Abraham Van Helsing : We are pledged to rid the world of you.

  Count Dracula : It will not be easy. I do not die like the bee when I string once - - I become stronger.

• [last lines] 

  Abraham Van Helsing : Thank you God, for protecting us, and for all Your mercies - and for choosing us to be Your instruments for good.

• Abraham Van Helsing : We guard ourselves from your touch.

  Count Dracula : Using a cross as a talisman. A symbol of torture, and of humiliation.

  Abraham Van Helsing : A symbol of trial, and trouble... by which our Christian Faith is tested.

• Dr. John Seward : [watches as Van Helsing is preparing to open Lucy's coffin]  What are you doing?

  Abraham Van Helsing : As you see.

  Dr. John Seward : And then?

  Abraham Van Helsing : Cut off her head

  Dr. John Seward : [aghast]  What? Mutilate her body? Why...? Why, it's... It's monstrous.

  Abraham Van Helsing : Friend John, I know you loved her. But there are certain things of which you have little knowledge. I do nothing without good cause. Come.

  [lifts up lid to reveal an empty coffin] 

  Dr. John Seward : [shocked]  The body's not there.

  Abraham Van Helsing : [not surprised at all]  That is good logic as far as it goes. Come.

  [replaces lid and fastens it back down] 

  Abraham Van Helsing : Now, I will tell you what I believe. And then, we must speak with Quincey.

• Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : Yes. Yes. You are safe here.

  Abraham Van Helsing : It is for you I fear.

  Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : For me? None safer from them than me. I too am their sister!

• Abraham Van Helsing : It is over. She is dead.

  Quincey P. Holmwood : Oh God!

  [sobbing] 

  Quincey P. Holmwood : Why, why?

  Dr. John Seward : Quincey!

  Abraham Van Helsing : Come, come, Quincey, look at her. Now look at her well.

  Dr. John Seward : She doesn't look sick anymore.

  Abraham Van Helsing : God is merciful.

  Dr. John Seward : She's at peace. It is the end.

  Abraham Van Helsing : Not so, alas, - it is only the beginning.

• Abraham Van Helsing : The hour has come, Madame Mina - are you afraid?

  Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra : No, of course not. I'm in your hands.

  Abraham Van Helsing : We are both of us in God's hands.