Dracula A.D. 1972

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Dracula A.D. 1972

June 16th 2010 04:55

To be honest I was never too much of a Hammer Horror fan; their productions were all too self-conscious, with layers of Stilton and Spam, although I didn’t mind their first production, Horror of Dracula (1958), where Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing deliver their most convincing performances as the Count and the Professor, respectively. But I must say, watching a lush 35mm print of Dracula A.D.1972 (1972) on the big screen as part of the SFF Immortal Seduction retrospective was a hell of a lot of fun!

Christopher Lee as Count Dracula

As the 60s ended, a modern sensibility was creeping steadily into the production of horror movies, both in the thematic and moral content. Hammer made the decision for its next vampire installment to stage the action in contemporary London, where it was all swingin’, man. Dracula A.D. 1972 sported the working title of Dracula Chases the Mini-Girls (!), all-too camp indeed, however they retained the groovy element with references to drugs, nightclubs, fashion, and hip vernacular.

Peter Cushing as Abraham Van Helsing

Directed by Alan Gibson, whose career was primarily in television crime dramas and televised theatre, with little flair, leaving the bulk of the movie’s charisma resting on the velvet-lined shoulders of Christopher Neame who plays Johnny Alucard (yup, that’s Dracula backwards). Christopher Lee is looking decidedly bored, having now played the Count in at least seven features, but he doesn’t have a hell of a lot of screen time. Peter Cushing returns again for Van Helsing, although he’s Abraham, the descendent of the original Lawrence.

Christopher Neame as Johnny Alucard

The movie begins with a prologue set in London of 1872 and a stagecoach is hurtling along through Hyde Park with Van Helsing and Dracula fighting hell for leather upon its roof. The coach crashes and Dracula is speared through the chest by a splintered wheel spoke (already the unintentional comedy level has been spruiked). Van Helsing is also mortally wounded. At the subsequent funeral, one of Dracula’s servants whom had collected the ash remains of his master surreptitiously buries them close by Van Helsing’s grave.

Stephanie Beacham as Jessica

Dracula AD 1972 Caroline Munro and Christopher Lee

The Count enjoys the lovely neck of Laura (Caroline Munro)

One hundred years later and a group of party-loving young adults that include the wicked Johnny, great grandson of the master’s servant, and Jessica (Stephanie Beacham), the grand-daughter of Professor Abraham Van Helsing, find themselves looking for a little further mischief, after escaping the police’s clutches following a raucous party. Johnny has a plan that involves a little black magic at a nearby Church demolition site, where Larry Van Helsing’s tomb is situated. Yes, it is quickly apparent young Johnny is keen as hot English mustard in resurrecting his descendant’s evil master. Sexy Caroline Munro is first to go.

... whilst Johnny enjoys the lovely neck of Gaynor (Marsha Hunt)

... and Van Helsing makes a startling discovery

Despite it’s trappings and inherent silliness there is much to enjoy from Dracula A.D. 1972 on a purely deep trash level; the Inspector (Michael Coles) with his big fur-lined jacket, and the classic executive toys he and his Detective Sergeant (David Andrews) have proudly displayed on their office desks. Johnny drives a Triumph Stag convertible, a very cool vehicle even they were dreadfully unreliable. There’s Marsha Hunt, the dusky jewel whom bore Mick Jagger’s love child, sporting a massive afro wig in the party scene, there’s the hilarious lingo thrown around, the classic London fashion stores such as uber-trendy Chelsea Male, and then there’s the battle for attention between Stephanie Beacham’s ridiculous hair-dos and her groovalicious cleavage; my, my, what a huge pair of eyes young Stephanie had!

Dracula Ad 1971 Stephanie Beacham and Christopher Lee

Can the evil Count be stopped?!

But who can forget the vampire death by showering, what a guffaw! Peel back your turtle-neck, expose that soft lavender-scented neck, and let the sharp pearly-white incisors of Dracula A.D. 1972 sink in, so you can turn on ... and drop dead out! This vamp’s a real corker pork pie freak out!

The awesome French poster where the title was changed due to a later release date

The equally stylish Italian poster

Here's the original trailer:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

2 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by JohnDoe

June 16th 2010 20:52

Film & TV on DVD

Hi Bryn,

Totally agree that Hammer tend to go over the top trashy, but then that is also due to casting. That being said I do enjoy em sometimes and Dracula A.D was one I remember liking as a kid. Will have to revisit it now as an adult and see if the fangs still penetrate.

[ Previous - HORRORPHILE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 57th SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL ]

[ Next - Wai Dor Lei Ah Yut Ho (Dream Home) ]