Cult film night BAR TRASH continues our 13th sensational season — SCREAM FOR YOUR LIVES! — with a wayward sequel in a once-revered franchise, Hammer Horror’s DRACULA A.D. 1972 (1972) in a rare presentation with its original HorroRitual gimmick.

How do you bring an ageing horror franchise starring two revered actors in their most iconic roles (toe-curlingly) up to date? You set it in the modern era and give the film one of the worst (best?) taglines in horror film history: “The Count is back, with an eye for London’s hot pants… and a taste for everything!”.

Dracula (Christopher Lee) is brought back to life in modern London and preys on a group of young partygoers that includes Jessica (Stephanie Beacham), the descendant of his nemesis, Lawrence Van Helsing (Peter Cushing). This 1970s swingers’ edition of Hammer’s once-seductive DRACULA saga combines gothic horror with a more contemporary fascination for the occult and would be the penultimate pairing of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing as the vampire and his foe. Throw in Christopher Neame going completely OTT as the vampire's servant, and the result is a potent BAR TRASH cocktail of pure cinematic mayhem.

To help sell the film in the USA, Warner Bros. promoted an exclusive fan club — the COUNT DRACULA SOCIETY — in a short film before the main feature. The ‘HorroRitual’ (aka ‘The Oath’) required audiences to pledge their allegiance to promoting the film “so help me Christopher Lee” and will be revived from beyond the grave by our effervescent BAR TRASH host tonight!

Polite notice: We are showing DRACULA A.D. 1972 with subtitles from the best available digital source.

/// BAR TRASH is a celebration of cult and curious cinema, hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo and friends. Films are served with themed drinks, introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles / captions where possible. Tickets from £3.50 + fees. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo or visit tokenhomo.com for all the gory details ///