Blacula (1972)

An ancient African prince, turned into a vampire by Dracula himself, finds himself in modern Los Angeles.

Director:

William Crain

Writers:

Joan Torres (screenplay), Raymond Koenig (screenplay)

Stars:

William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Marshall	...	Blacula / Mamuwalde
Vonetta McGee	...	Tina / Luva
Denise Nicholas	...	Michelle
Thalmus Rasulala	...	Dr. Gordon Thomas
Gordon Pinsent	...	Lt. Jack Peters
Charles Macaulay	...	Dracula
Emily Yancy	...	Nancy
Lance Taylor Sr.	...	Swenson
Ted Harris	...	Bobby McCoy
Rick Metzler	...	Billy Schaffer
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Skillet (as Jitu Cumbuka)
Logan Field	...	Sgt. Barnes
Ketty Lester	...	Juanita Jones
Elisha Cook Jr.	...	Sam (as Elisha Cook)
Eric Brotherson	...	Real Estate Agent

Storyline

An 18th century African statesman is transformed into a vampire, cursed with the name Blacula, and entombed in Dracula's Castle after he fails to convince the Count to support him in his cause to end the slave trade. Two hundred years later, a pair of interior decorators transport his coffin to L.A. where he awakes with an unquenchable thirst for human blood. As Blacula pursues a woman who resembles his long dead wife, her brother-in-law, a pathologist, investigates the string of carnage that follows in the vampire's wake.

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Plot Keywords:

trailer narrated by adolph caesar | first part | electronic music score | 18th century | 1780s | 

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Taglines:

His bite was outta sight!

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place in 1780 and 1972.

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Goofs

The film was set in Los Angeles, but a map of Staten Island (New York City) is hanging on the wall in the police station during a close-up shot of the Doctor meeting with the police.

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Quotes

Swenson: That is the rudest n*gger i've ever seen in my life.

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Alternate Versions

When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure an 'X' rating. All cuts were waived in 1998 when the film was granted an '15' certificate for home video.

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Connections

Referenced in Rel: Halloween (2018)

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Soundtracks

Blacula (The Stalkwalk)
Composed, arranged, performed and Orchestra conducted by Gene Page
Produced by Billy Page

User Reviews

William Marshall lifted this film...

...from the standards of Blaxploitation movies of the time. The movie itself is more comical than scary (which is why I love it), but William Marshall brought a sense of dignity to his role of Mamawalde. In fact, it was his idea to change the main character from a jive-talking Black vampire to a tormented former king with a rich and tragic past. In the end, you actually feel sorry for him. This is an underrated film that is much better than it's avertizements would suggest. Though it may not be the best vampire/horror flick in the world, and it takes liberty with historical facts (a slave trade in Transylvania?!) it does contain a rather touching love story. With that being said, I have to admit that this movie also contains some of the most hilarious dialogue I've heard in a monster movie.

"Hey, man, that's a baaad cape!"

"A bat! A BAT! A GIANT BAAAT!!"

"Hey, where's that big dude with the cape?......AAAAH!"

"Suddeny I find your Congnac to be as...distasteful as your manner!"

And a load of others that, for censorship reasons, I probably cannot repeat here.

I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to have a spooky, retro good time.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blacula

Filming Locations:

6501 Yucca St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP), Power Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Ryder Sound Services)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1