Blacula

Blacula is a 1972 blaxploitation horror film produced for American International Pictures. It was directed by William Crain and stars William Marshall in the title role.

It's plot is simple. In 1780, Prince Mamuwalde (Marshall), the ruler of an African nation, seeks the help of Count Dracula (Charles Macaulay) in suppressing the slave trade. Dracula, who along with his other evils, is revealed here as a racist, not only refuses to help but also transforms Mamuwalde into a vampire ( denigrating him with the name "Blacula" into the bargain, the cad ) and imprisons him in a sealed coffin to suffer the un-ending thirst of the damned. Mamuwalde's wife Luva (McGee) is also imprisoned but, not being a vampire, dies in captivity. Almost two centuries later, in 1972, the coffin has been purchased as part of an estate by two gay interior decorators, and shipped to Los Angeles. The men open the coffin, becoming the vampire's first victims and starting the ball rolling, cinematically speaking.

The film was not reviewed by most mainstream critics of the time, but those that did were typically unfavorable toward the film. Despite this, the film has a strong cult following, and Marshall's performance in the lead has been widely praised. It was a financial success when it was originally released, and was immediately followed by a sequel, Scream Blacula Scream (1973), in which the vampire is made corporeal again by a Voodoo practitioner played by Pam Grier. Voodoo? Pam Grier?? Blacula??? Yes, this is as good as it sounds.

The success of the film also inspired the making of several other blaxploitation/horror crossovers in the mid-seventies, including Abby, Blackenstein, Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde, Ganja and Hess, The House on Skull Mountain, J. D.'s Revenge and Sugar Hill, although none of these films were as successful commercially as Blacula. Rumors circulated that Brides of Blacula and Son of Blacula were to have been made as well. But it was not to be.

Not only a look back into the kitschy 70's. These films remain enjoyable, and surprisingly well acted, with especially good performances from Marshall who at times is working with far from the best material. Even with the script sometimes letting him down, he is picture perfect as the lonely and sympathetic Mamuwalde. The plot might not break too many horror conventions, but then again, it doesn't have to. These films are well worth the hunt.

As one character says during the film, "Hey, man... that's a baaad cape!"