10 More Horror Films That Tried Something Different (And Failed)

During the 1950s, Hammer Film Productions started remaking classic frightfests, including The Mummy and Frankenstein, which successfully reinvigorated the creature feature sub-genre. But if any Hammer film deserves to be singled out, it's Horror of Dracula, starring Christopher Lee as the vampiric count. So, when Horror of Dracula made a sizeable profit, it was no surprise when the studio franchised the hell out of it.

Watching Lee as Dracula tearing through Transylvania was entertaining at first, but it wasn't long before it felt like the sequels were being cranked out for a quick buck. As a result, it was reassuring to learn the sixth entry would try something different by plonking the Prince of Darkness in the modern day.

However, Dracula A.D. 1972 barely commits to its premise. Though the time period is clear, most of Dracula's scenes take place in his Gothic castle. For this reason, there's no feeling of the story taking place during the 1970s while watching these sequences (except when funk music is played during the final battle).

Also, it's unintentionally hilarious to see an intense moment involving Dracula followed by a sequence in a disco or a jazz show. If there was more focus on the titular bloodsucker terrorising the modern world, Dracula A.D. 1972 could've turned out much better.