Dracula A.D. 1972

• Director: Alan Gibson
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Horror
• Movie Type: Costume Horror
• Themes: Devil Worship, Vampires
• Main Cast: Stoneground
• Release Year: 1972
• Country: UK
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• MPAA Rating: PG

Plot

Hammer Studios attempted to inject new blood into their Dracula series by setting their next installment in ultra-mod '70s London, where the Count is revived after 100 years by a gang of devil-worshipping swingers led by the not-so-cleverly-named Johnny Alucard (Christopher Neame), and later joined by Jessica (Stephanie Beacham), granddaughter of the legendary vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing, returning to the role after more than a decade). After the group manages to resurrect the Count, he sets about the task of destroying the house of Van Helsing once and forever, leading to a battle in a de-sanctified cathedral. Despite some well-staged scenes, a thrilling prologue (involving a tense battle between Lee and Cushing aboard a runaway coach) and the presence of the stunning Caroline Munro, this is definitely one of the weaker entries in the series, and the script gives Lee very little to do with the hissing, red-eyed villain. Lee may have been bored with reprising the role altogether, as he would only return for one more sequel, The Satanic Rites of Dracula. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Cast

Stephanie Beacham - Jessica Van Helsing; Lally Bowers - Matron; Michael Coles - Inspector; Peter Cushing - Prof. Van Helsing; William Ellis - Joe Mitchum; Marsha Hunt - Gaynor; Janet Key - Anna; Michael Kitchen - Greg; Christopher Lee - Count Dracula; Philip Miller - Bob; Caroline Munro - Laura; Christopher Neame - Johnny Alucard; Stoneground - Rock Group; David Andrews - Detective Sgt. Pearson

Credit

Robert Lynn - First Assistant Director, Alan Gibson - Director, James Needs - Editor, Mike Vickers - Composer (Music Score), Sal Valentino - Songwriter, Tim Barnes - Songwriter, Jill Carpenter - Makeup, Don Mingaye - Production Designer, Dick Bush - Cinematographer, Josephine Douglas - Producer, Les Bowie - Special Effects, A.W. Lumkin - Sound/Sound Designer, Don Houghton - Screenwriter

Similar Movies

Taste the Blood of Dracula; Count Dracula and His Vampire Bride; The Scars of Dracula