Dracula A.D. 1972

1972 - Hammer Films
Directed By Alan Gibson


SYNOPSIS


A group of hippies are bored so they hold a black mass and resurrect Count Dracula (Christopher Lee.) Dracula arranged the whole thing to get revenge on the Van Helsing family. Jessica Van Helsing (Stephanie Beacham) is one of the hippies. When some of her friends turn up dead and then she goes missing, her grandfather and occult expert (Peter Cushing) goes looking for her.

MY THOUGHTS

Should have been called Drek-ula.


I know Hammer's films tended to be on the cheesy, campy side, but this goes TOO FAR. It's in Limburger territory.


The closest thing to creativity in the screenplay is the lead hippie's name is Johnny Alucard - yes Alucard is Dracula spelled backwards. Far out man... Some of the hippie lingo and one-liners are so bad it's amazing the actors didn't wince while saying them ("Laura will be there. A bit drained, but she'll be there.") Plot-wise its the same old tired Dracula story.


Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing are both fine actors, and in their signature roles, Dracula and Van Helsing. They deserve much better than this steaming pile. They also hold the distinction of being the only two actors in the film who don't give a completely embarrassing performance.

The music seems to be from an entirely different film or it could be made up of rejected theme songs from 1960's game shows. They should have just used the theme from the Benny Hill Show - it would have been just as effective.

If you do decide to see Dracula A.D. 1972, make sure you have some holy water, garlic and a crucifix or you may not survive.