A Reel Retro Review: DRACULA A.D. 1972 (1972)

Reel Speak’s Retro Reviews will randomly review a classic film every week, with the intention of introducing some overlooked and perhaps forgotten screen gems from the past to those of us who may be unfamiliar or unawares of their existence. 

October is the time to dust off the old horror favorites; the slashers, the ghosts, the living and walking dead, and the classic monsters and ghouls that have defined the genre from day one. One such blood-sucker that has dominated horror for nearly a hundred years is Count Dracula, who has been portrayed by the late great Christopher Lee seven times…with his sixth outing coming in the 1972 film, DRACULA A.D. 1972. 

 

Dracula (Lee), is staked to death by his nemesis Lawrence Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) in 1872. A hundred years later, he is resurrected by a group of hippies and begins a new reign of terror. 

 

Directed by Alan Gibson and produced by the famed horror factory Hammer Film Productions, DRACULA A.D. 1972 was an early attempt to update the Dracula story for modern audiences. Gone are the familiar settings of castles and graveyards, and in comes the London swinging party scene. The story itself is simple in nature, and as an early film to bring vampires into modern settings, is very familiar by today’s standards; Drac starts his feeding which baffles clueless Scotland Yard, and only a select few who actually believe in vampires understand what is happening. 

 

The film’s story is bolstered by the lineage of Dracula’s old enemies. Standing in his way here are the descendants of Lawrence Van Helsing, including Lorrimer Van Helsing (also Peter Cushing), and his granddaughter Jessica Van Helsing (Stephanie Beacham). This offers a little more meat on the bone; not much, but it is there. 

 

Bringing Dracula into the swinging scene of 1972 London half-works. The group of hippies that bring him back are some of the most annoying characters of all time, and the film uses disco music during many scenes that are supposed to be scary which are then ruined. There also seems to a missed opportunity to capitalize on Dracula in modern times, as he never once leaves his location to mingle with the city. The film also has some of the fakest-looking blood ever put to screen. 

 

Acting is quite good. Christopher Lee looks as menacing as ever, even though his screen-time oddly feels like an extended cameo. Peter Cushing is a delight as always. Stephanie Beacham is excellent. 

 

DRACULA A.D. 1972 has plenty of flaws, but for the most part it provides an easy watch during the season when the nights grow dark quicker and the pumpkins are flaring. It’s not the best Dracula ever, but it’s not the worst. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it 

 

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Reel Facts: This was the first film to feature Lee and Cushing in their respective roles as Dracula and Van Helsing since DRACULA from 1958. The two would reprise their roles once last time in 1973 in THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA. Stephanie Beachman would later star in TV’s THE COLBY’S (1985-1987), and DYNASTY (1985-1989).