Episode 6: Alan Gibson’s Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 27%
Welcome aboard the chilling ride that is Screams and Streams' episode on the 1972 horror film 'Dracula AD 1972.' We, your hosts Mike Carron and Chad Campbell, recount the thrilling fight atop a coach between Lawrence Van Helsing and the notorious Count Dracula. We also take you through the story line, its twists and turns, and guide you on how to best savor this classic film that's very much a relic of its time.
The enigmatic character Johnny Alucard, Dracula's servant's great-grandson, forms the crux of our critique this week. We address the questionable costuming, the less-than-stellar music, and the melodramatic sun-burn scene, all in our quest to dissect this iconic horror offering. Don't miss the discussion on the film's problematic elements, including the black mass scene, and the confrontations between Professor Lorrimer Van Helsing and Count Dracula.
The final act of our episode delves into the eerie references to past cult and horror murders and the connection to the 1972 film, 'Tales from the Crypt.' We tackle the physical aging of Peter Cushing due to his personal tragedies and its impact on his performance. Listen in as we dissect the experimental space age rock music used in the church resurrection scene and the confrontational scene between Johnny Alucard and Van Helsing. Join us as we navigate through the good, the bad, and the ugly of 'Dracula AD 1972.'
Plot Summary:
Johnny Alucard raises Count Dracula from the dead in London in 1972. The Count goes after the descendants of Van Helsing. (Taken from IMDb)
Watchability Scale
Chad gave the film a score of 4, Mike gave it a 2 on the Watchability Scale, but later adjusted it to a 4. We placed at a 4 on the scale. It’s worth a viewing to get an idea of Hammer Films and what they were about; or, if you are a Dracula completionist.
Links
Further discussion of Hampstead Heath murder
White Noise: Black Mass, An Electric Storm In Hell (YouTube)
Burke & Hare murders (Wikipedia)
Christopher Lee rolling his eyes (YouTube)