Dracula Today (1972)
"Dracula A.D. 1972" (original title)

Johnny Alucard raises Count Dracula(Christopher Lee) from the dead in 1972 London. The Count goes after the descendents of Van Helsing.

Director:

Alan Gibson

Writer:

Don Houghton

Stars:

Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Stephanie Beacham

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Lee	...	Count Dracula
Peter Cushing	...	Professor Van Helsing
Stephanie Beacham	...	Jessica Van Helsing
Christopher Neame	...	Johnny Alucard
Michael Coles	...	Inspector
Marsha A. Hunt	...	Gaynor (as Marsha Hunt)
Caroline Munro	...	Laura Bellows
Janet Key	...	Anna
William Ellis	...	Joe Mitcham
Philip Miller	...	Bob
Michael Kitchen	...	Greg
David Andrews	...	Detective Sergeant
Lally Bowers	...	Matron Party Hostess
Constance Luttrell	...	Mrs. Donnelly
Michael Daly	...	Charles

Storyline

In London 1872 - the final battle between Lawrence van Helsing and Count Dracula on top of a coach results in Dracula dying from a stake made from the remains of a wooden wheel. Lawrence dies from his wounds and, as he is buried, a servant of Dracula buries the remains of the stake by the grave and keeps a bottle of Dracula's ashes and the ring. One hundred years later, the colourful 1972, Johnny, the great-grandson of the servant joins up with a "group" containing Jessica, the grand-daughter of the present vampire hunter, Abraham van Helsing and with their unknowing help resurrect Dracula in the 20th Century who is determined to destroy the house of Van Helsing, but who can believe that The king of the Vampires really exists and is alive - in 20th Century London?

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Plot Keywords:

van helsing | vampire | 20th century | ring | year 1972 | 

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Taglines:

The Count is back -- with an eye for London's young blood!

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

17 November 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dracula jagt Mini-Mädchen

Filming Locations:

Aldenham Country Park, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hammer Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title was changed to "Dracula Today" for its August 28, 1981 airing on The CBS Late Movie.

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Quotes

[Writing Johnny Alucard's name backwards]
Professor Van Helsing: Oh my God. A disciple!

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Horror: Scream Queens (1996)

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Soundtracks

"You Better Come Through"
Written by Tim Barnes
Performed by Stoneground

User Reviews

Hey man , this movie is so far out .........

Been reading the other comments of this film For some reason over the years various film critics and horror film book authors have been unjustly mean to this film. I mean you have Peter and Christopher together which is always a good start. A couple of smashing birds ( note the 70's lingo ) in Stephanie Beacham and Marsha Hunt and an absolute corker in the very sexy Caroline Munro ( who of course also advertised Lamb's Navy Rum , did a Bond Movie and perhaps the pinnacle of her career appeared as one of the hostesses with Ted Rogers and Dusty Bin on 3 2 1 ) I love the music too all very 70's. Christopher Neame's death scene was superb as was the final fight between Pete and Chris ( with that crazy 70's music once again ) is very well staged. Although Mr. Cushing looks as he's going to collapse going up and down those spiral steps.

The hilarious 70's costumes on the blokes look like they might have once belonged to Richard O'Sullivan in Man About the House. One chap spends the whole film dressed as some kind of 'kinky' monk.

The crazy 70's lingo is very funny and the group at the beginning at the party 'Stoneground ' well I'm just lost for words.

All in all I think this film is an absolute corker. If you haven't seen ignore the negative comments sit down and enjoy it.

I think it's a corker.