Blacula (1972)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Awesome Movie

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

At the end of the 18th century, the African prince comes to Europe to negotiate the abolition of slavery. After receiving, he remains a guest at the Count Dracula's castle, who kills his wife and turns him into a vampire. Two centuries later, in Los Angeles, he encounters a girl he believes is the incarnation of his wife. The story is quite original, full of interesting details and well-told, but everything else in the movie is cheap (budget $ 500,000), lousy and unconvincing. There is a lot of idling and a good part of the movie we watch club performances of the soul band "The Hues Corporation." The film was, at least to me, mostly boring, and it does not deserve more than four, but for the quality story I will honor it with5/10

Blacula (William Marshal-creator of the M-5 Multitronic system) comes back to life in the United States two hundred years later and does typical vampire stuff.The film wasn't as camp as I thought it would be. It took itself too serious and in spite of what I may think has gone on to be a cult classic. I do have a few questions like how someone born in the 18th century, dormant for nearly 200 years would know their image would not show up on film. And what was with the randomly placed Brooke Shields' eyebrows and Elvis chops? Elisha Cook Jr. plays a "Sam" again, the same name he used to defend James T. Kirk. Denise Nicholas who was very popular with the TV series "Room 222" consented to star in the film.The Soul Cinema version is light on extras.Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.

SPOILERS! This was a film I had heard about for years. I recalled J.J. describing it as "a brother gives a bunch of foxy mammas hickeys," or something of the sort on Good Times.I actually found it quite entertaining. It stacks up well with other 1970s vampire films. I never quite got the "Blaxploitation" tag for films about black characters in the 1970s. The very name of the genre indicates blacks are being taken advantage of. If films with primarily black casts, aimed largely at black audiences is exploitation, what is the rap/hip hop industry?In any case, I found it an enjoyable film. Bass-voiced and classically-trained William Marshall was perfect for the role of Prince Mamuwalde, who came back after 200 years as Blacula. Thalmus Rasulala, a frequent face in TV shows, was outstanding as police detective Dr. Gordon Thomas. (Again, a black cop with an M.D., solving crimes & apparently well-respected by at least part of a large metropolitan police force in the early 1970s is exploitation?)Vonetta McGee and Denise Nicholas are strong as the two female leads, especially McGee in the dual role as the 18th-century princess and the modern-day Tina. No doubt, 99 percent of the audience was rooting for Mamualde to make her a vampire in time to escape and join him in vampiric matrimony. Mamuwalde is the only case I can think of in film history of a vampire suicide, at the end.Overall it is worthwhile watching for anyone who loves the vampire genre, "blaxploitation" films or who is a fan of any of the primary cast members.

I think it's pretty obvious that a blaxploitation horror movie that goes by the name "Blacula" is not to be taken completely seriously. Indeed, there are some humorous moments to be found here and there, though some gags (like the treatment of the gay antique dealers) come across as quite dated more than forty years later. There are other flaws to be found in the movie, like the fact that the title character actually becomes a secondary character for significant portions of the movie. As well, the screenplay has some plot flaws like why no one opened Blacula's coffin back in Transylvania, or why Blacula is not the least bit confused when he awakens and goes around 1972 Los Angeles.Despite flaws like these, I think the movie is worth a look. For starters, it's one of the first black-themed horror movies, and the movie is also kind of a time capsule for black culture of its era. The star feature of the movie, however, is William Marshall playing the title character. He gives a very commanding performance, giving this particular vampire character an intelligence and dignity that's rarely found in vampire movies, and his appearances make it worth your while to sit through the movie's occasional lulls.