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:

Rising From the Echoing Corridors of Hell, An Awesome Being of the Supernatural - With Satanic Power of Sheer Dread. Chained Forever to a Slavery More Vile Than Any Before Endured...

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blacula - den sorte vampyr

Filming Locations:

6501 Yucca St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,180,000

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The group performing in the club is The Hues Corporation, best known for their 1974 hit song "Rock the Boat."

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Goofs

Blacula has only just been released from a 200-year-long imprisonment yet when Nancy takes his picture at the club, he knows what a camera is.

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Quotes

Waitress: [to Mamuwalde] Hi! What'll you have?
Mamuwalde: Make it a Bloody Mary.

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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

Spoofed in Lust of Blackula (1987)

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Soundtracks

I'm Gonna Get You
Performed by The Hues Corporation
Written by Wally Holmes
Produced by Wally Holmes and Norman Ratner

User Reviews

Notable Classic

It seems that a lot of people dislike this film due to weak contextual restraints. Superficical gripes towards the actors' fashions or the homosexual lampooning in the film are myopic at best. This film came out in 1972- before Halloween, before Star Wars, and before the postmodern scare irony of the Scream franchise. It also seems that people do not take into account that this film is from the Black filmic canon, which is important to note when comparing it to other horror films.

Blacula was an early entry into the non-action field of 70's Black film. Forays in different directions were rare and notable entries few and far between. However, in the Black horror subgenre, Blacula is probably the most notable. It's a straight up vampire story with some well-conceived twists. The intro depiction of Mamuwalde as an African prince contesting slavery makes for a solid grounding and entry into the modern day. And then it's clear that AIP spent more than usual to grace this film just by the opening credits. The outstanding montage, with a considerable Saul Bass influence, are striking and instantly memorable. So too is the score, provided by Barry White collaborator Gene Page and his brother. The Hues Corporation contribute what could be one of their best songs, "There He Is Again", alongside 2 others. The act even sings them live in the movie to the characters ala "Superfly".

The superb acting and sturdy plot cannot be glossed over. The classically trained William Marshall proves a genteel, suave yet emotional main character. Vonetta McGee is graceful as the beauty easily swayed into Mamuwalde's charms. And staple actor Thalamus Rasulala's strength and authority are in full impact here as the skeptical doctor on the case. The plot might not break too many horror conventions, but it doesn't have to- who would have imagined a Black vampire story in 1962, just 10 years earlier? The love theme in the story provides excellent character development, something that many genre screenwriters skimp on.

A great film for the 70's and still a worthwhile viewing. Avoid the sequel, where Pam Grier is the only attraction.