The Films (4/5 - A.D. 1972, 3.5/5 - Satanic Rites)

    I don't want to come across as a Hammer apologist, but if you put a film on and it features Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in any configuration of roles, my mouth will shut, and my eyes will be fixated on the screen until the conclusion. I saw the Horror or Dracula on AMC (remember when they showed classic cinema?) at age 11, and at first I was disappointed that it wasn't adapting the book, but then Christopher Lee appeared on the screen and into my life, and I promptly shut up, and declared him my favorite actor of all time, that has not changed in 25 years and dozens of films. This includes the 2 films released this month by Warner Archive, Dracula A.D. 1972 and the Satanic Rites of Dracula.

    It has been quite a battle getting these 2 films released to Blu-ray by Warner Brothers in the U.S., A.D. 1972 has recently had a European release, but neither of these 2 had an inkling of a U.S. release. Then in the last few months Satanic Rites of Dracula had begun to show up in terrible transfers on streaming services, it did not indicate a physical release, but it was something.  Also, as an aside Dracula A.D. 1972 has been alleged to be the worst selling DVD release by Warner Brothers during the DVD era this could be part of the reason it took so long to come out. But, there was the Blu-ray release of Hammer Horror Classics Vol. 1, Vol. 2 could have put these in a box set with the still unreleased  Curse of Frankenstein and Horror of Dracula.

    Both of these 2 Dracula films are the most unique in the series, in the sense that they take place in modern (1970's) times. They feel tonally different from the others, but they are still entertaining and enjoyable when taken for what they are and with expectations in check, and by this point viewers should have certain expectations for the films.

     Dracula A.D. 1972 opens with an amazing chase sequence between Lawrence Van Helsing and Dracula that ends with Van Helsing and Dracula's deaths.  The film then cuts to 100 years later at a swinging London party.  A group of kids meet up with a guy named Johnny Alucard, who wants to have them experience the latest cool and dark thing, a black mass. However,  little do they know that this black mass will bring upon the resurrection of Dracula. After Dracula is resurrected he vamps Johnny, and they begin to kill other members of the gang. Fortunately, one of the members is a Van Helsing, and her Grandfather is Lorrimer Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) who is going to make Dracula's new life very difficult.

    Dracula A.D. 1972 is not considered the finest hour in Hammer's Dracula series, and honestly I wouldn't know myself where to place it.  Christopher Lee himself, said it was his least favorite, but I find myself having fun with it every time I watch it. The opening chase scene in 1872 is huge amounts of fun, and the hippies though  cliche by any standard, are quite a bit of fun. At times the film does feel like 2 films in one, we get the swinging London horror in one half, but we also get the church sequences which feel more like gothic Hammer horror, and Dracula only appears in this one location, so it does have issues with juggling between these 2 tones, but overall handles them well.

    The performances from Lee and Cushing are their usual amazing, and these 2 have chemistry that cannot be explained, it just is. We also have an appearance from a young Caroline Munro as an early victim of Dracula, that doesn't offer much to the overall film, but it's Caroline Munro, and she is always a delight on screen. The film overall is an entertaining experience and I'm glad it's finally out on Blu for the HD generation.

    Satanic Rites of Dracula was sadly the final Hammer Dracula film, but all great things must come to an end, and though like A.D. 1972 it is considered a lesser film, I've always really enjoyed the film.    This film was shot roughly a year after A.D. 1972, but takes place 2 years later according to plot points fed to us in the film. It's not a perfect film, and not exactly the way I imagined the series to end, but it is a fun conclusion to the series.

    The film opens with a Satanic Cult (the best kind), holding a ceremony to resurrect Dracula. A secret agent runs from the ceremony, and informs the police who send in a police officer named Murray alongside Jessica and Lorrimer Van Helsing to investigate. Dracula himself, is resurrected but plays himself off as a businessman named DD Denham, who is trying to unleash a plague upon London. As per usual Van Helsing needs to stop Dracula and also this time the cult who resurrected him.

    This one isn't perfect, but it starts out fun, and drags a bit to the end, but in between it has some fun moments that make up for the occasional pacing issues. That being said the opening Satanic ritual is a great way to kick things off,  and get the whole thing going. The performances from Lee and Cushing are as memorable as ever, and Cushing just owns every scene he is in.

Audio/Video (4/5)

    Warner Archive present Dracula A.D. 1972 and Satanic Rites of Dracula in AMAZING 1:78:1 1080p transfer. Seriously drop what you're doing and get things now, because these films have never looked this good, especially Satanic Rites..., detail is excellent, colors pop, black levels are deep, all bootlegs of this film can officially be retired.

    Audio for both is handled by DTS-HD MA mono tracks and sound quite solid. Dialogue and score and clear and have no issues to report.

Extras (.5/5)

A trailer for each

Overall

    Finally, we get U.S. Blu-ray's of Dracula A.D. 1972 and the Satanic Rites of Dracula. The extras are slim, but they are beautiful to look at, and the sound is great. RECOMMENDED.