Dracula A.D. 1972 [DVD] [1972]

Best Hammer Horror (I heard that gasp of horror!) film imo. The whole cast (love Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee) are charming and often hilarious, especially ‘Johnny ALUCARD’ (uncontrollable laughter whenever I think of this character creation and his name), played wonderfully by Christopher Neame. I love the 70s London setting too…very nostalgic. This setting and period was also highly effective in the classic horror film ‘Theatre of Blood’, starring the charismatic Vincent Price and Diana Rigg. Dracula A.D. 1972, fun for the whole classic horror loving family…’’Dig the music, kids!!’’.

good old dracula

Seeing this film again on DVD brings back fond memories as this was one of the first horror films I ever saw. Nowadays this film seems very tame indeed (it was made before The Exorcist, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Freddy & Jason etc) but it is still a lot of fun. For starters it has a terrific cast. Christopher Lee is of course Count Dracula and Peter Cushing plays Lorimar Van Helsing, a modern day descendant of Lawrence Van Helsing. The Hammer Glamour is mainly provided by Stephanie Beacham (as Lorimar Van Helsing's grand daughter, Jessica) and the amazing Caroline Munro. The movie begins with an all-action prologue with Lawrence Van Helsing (also played by Cushing) battling Dracula onboard a speeding horse-drawn coach in Hyde Park. The coach eventually crashes and Dracula is impaled on the spokes of a broken wheel (ouch!!!). Van Helsing also dies but not until he has witnessed the evil Count (no Carry On-Style gag intended there) reduced to a pile of dust. However, someone else has also witnessed the Count's demise... The opening credits roll and we are then transported 100 years forward to the present day (well 1972, anyway). Dracula is resurrected by one of his disciples Johnny Alucard (hmmm... I wonder what you get if you spell that surname backwards?) in a black mass ceremony involving lots of blood and Dracula then sets out to wreak revenge on the Van Helsings by planning to make Jessica his vampire bride. There are some wonderful set pieces in this film - the opening sequence is very well done and the showdown between Lorimar Van Helsing and Johnny Alucard is memorable. I have to say though that Dracula is dispatched quite easily at the film's climax (something which is not uncommon in the Hammer Dracula films) but before this happens Cushing and Lee at least get to indulge in a battle of wits with Cushing using a variety of "weapons" against the Count. I know some Hammer fans are not over-enthusiastic about this film but I have always found it very enjoyable and it is good to see this film released on DVD.

Good quality dvd. Brilliant old film.

Campy fun. Not scary but always fun. Cushing and Lee masters of the genre

Some 14 years and five sequels on from `The Horror of Dracula', the original and best Hammer film starring Christopher Lee as the anaemic Count and Peter Cushing as his stake wielding nemesis Van Helsing, comes this rather interesting attempt at reviving the ailing series. Following from the success of the original film, a whole series of sequels followed. The quality got steadily worse, until the absolute nadir was reached with camp and terrible `The Scars of Dracula', which preceded this film. None of the films repeated the pairing of Lee and Cushing, until this one. Deciding to try and recapture some of the old magic, and trying to take the series in a new direction, the producers brought back the classic double act of Lee and Cushing, and took the brave decision to update the series from the eighteenth century Gothic settings that had made Hammer's name, and set it in contemporary London. Largely, it works well. Dracula is an undead being, with unlimited lifespan, so why not? The presence of Van Helsing 100 years after his last appearance is easily and believably explained by his being the grandson of the original. Lee and Cushing are both, as usual, excellent value for money, and in their scenes together the old magic does show through a bit. Stephanie Beecham is pretty good as Van Helsing's granddaughter, who is unwittingly involved in the resurrection of you know who, and becomes the target of his vengeance on the Van Helsing line. And Michael Cole is excellent as the police officer investigating a series of strange killings in which all of the victim's blood has been drained from their bodies - sound familiar to anyone? The bad points are that the depictions of `Swinging London' have dated terribly, and some of the actors playing the thrill seeking young people are a bit wooden. And Johnny Alucard's name isn't exactly a subtle clue... In general, this is exactly what the producers had intended - 90 minutes of entertaining fun. It's always interesting seeing how Hammer are going to bring back the fanged one this time, and the scenes are nicely built up and well done here. The general plot is quite good, and certain scenes, especially Alucard's destruction, are highly entertaining. Not quite as good as the original, but not a bad attempt. This DVD presents the film in the original 1.78:1 aspect ratio, with a mono soundtrack. The print has not undergone any restoration, but nonetheless is pretty good with a minimum of artefacts. DVD extras are sparse, consisting of the original theatrical trailer. Recommended to any fans of the genre - just don't be put off by the very dated feel of contemporary London.

The idea of Rock music included from the good quality band Stoneground was a novel add - this time. And Hammer kept up their usual rivetting opening sequences to their Dracula films. I love all of Hammer's Dracula films. And was hooked on those sharp teeth right from Chris Lee's debut as The Count from 1957s'Horror Of Dracula onwards. Peter Cushing is back again too here. Christopher is the BEST EVER screen Count (although I do like Bela too). Peter Cushing meanwhile, is not only the best ever VAN HELSING - but in addition - also the best Sherlock Holmes of TV & Film & the finest ever Baron Frankenstein as well. Peter is a magnificent actor and I would have loved to have met him. Me and couple of Hammer & Amicus horror film buddies too right from schooldays. Here in this story from AD72. The Count is as just as sinister as ever, oozing & dripping genuine evil. I Didn't like the silly back to front "Alucard" reference. But hey a minor complaint - for another great entry into the series. Very Best things Hammer Ever Did:-"Horror Of Dracula" & "The Devil Rides Out". All Hail Hammer Films.

Spot on exactly as advertised