Dracula AD 1972 (1972)

 

Groovy.

You can't fault Hammer Studios for trying something different. I mean, they already had several stories concerning the archfiend set in historically (more or less) accurate settings, so why not go all out and set the Count in present day? It could work. 

Well, it doesn't entirely, but for the most part this take is refreshing, even if the 'modern' is so '70s through and through. 

The opening scene is most excellent: back in 1872, Van Helsing (Cushing) and Dracula (Lee) are locked in mortal combat in Hyde Park atop a carriage, that crashes spectacularly and impales Dracula. Van Helsing makes sure the fiend is gone before succumbing to his own wounds. However, an acolyte of Dracula arrives to gather up some of that sweet vampiric dust and the signet ring, thus letting us all know that it isn't over yet.

Jump to a swinging 1972 and we meet a group of friends who are pretty much every variation of hipsters during that era. They sure are a colourful bunch, but as with most twentysomethings playing teenagers, they get bored rapidly. Luckily, one of their circle, Johnny Alucard (oh boy, now thàt is clever. Yes, that was sarcasm, why do you ask?) has a new idea: why not have a black mass in a desanctified church? 

If you have guessed this is the same acolyte from the beginning, give yourself an extra cookie. 

Of course, he manages to resurrect the Count and sacrifices the first of the friends, which happens to be the goddess Caroline Munroe herself.

There are beautiful women throughout history, and then there's Caroline Munroe. *sigh*

Anyway...

Turns out one of the girls happens to be Jessica Van Helsing, a descendant (of course!) and Dracula has his fangs set on her to destroy the Van Helsing family once and for all. But Jessica's grandfather is rather knowledgeable about the dark arts and because he is also played by Peter Cushing, you know stuff's going to go down. Van Helsing hunts for Johnny Alucard together with a police officer who surprisingly isn't of the cynical unbeliever variety for once. More victims fall, so will they be able to save at least Jessica from a fate worse than death?

This one is at least heaps of fun again after the rather dismal 'Scars of Dracula'. Christopher Lee feels more like a threat and it is always a joy to see both him and Peter Cushing on screen. Especially Cushing is a true delight and a consummate professional. The other characters are fine, but only Johnny Alucard jumps out as he has most of the screentime and because he is clearly having fun with the role. Jessica is a bit of a letdown though, as she amounts to no more than a damsel in distress. 

Also: the amount of cleavage and hotpants on display can be a little distracting.

The biggest letdown has to be that they didn't opt to have Dracula truly roam the streets of London. He is confined to the church, which could be because Lee only had a few days on set, but imagine how much more fun this would have been to see Dracula hang out in Soho, swinging along in one of the clubs.

All in all, it's a decent entry. It's not the best, but it isn't the worst either. It's exceedingly 70s, though. 

Dig it, man.