Culture

Directed by: William Crain. Staring: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Thalmus Resulala.


Long before Edward, Bill and Eric graced us with their undead presence there was Blacula. African Prince Mamuwalde (Marshall) meets with the one and only Count Dracula to arrange the end of slave trade. Dracula is less than convinced this will be a good idea and decides to turn him into a vampire instead, branding him Blacula. Imprisoned for 200 years, Blacula is transported from Transylvania to “modern day” 1970s Los Angeles where his desire for human blood can finally be fulfilled. At the funeral for one of his first victims, Blacula encounters Tina (McGee) who he is convinced is a reincarnation of his wife, imprisoned and left to die by Dracula centuries before. Tina’s brother in-law Dr. Gordon Thomas (Resulala) investigates the rather mysterious deaths that are occurring, all related by the presence of puncture wounds on the neck. As Blacula begins to turn more and more victims, Tina begins to be charmed by Blacula’s dulcet tones and luxurious cape. As Thomas investigates the increasing number of related deaths he begins to suspect that a vampire might be the cause.
 
The action is a bit less slick than what we might be used to with our Hollywood blockbusters, and there is not as much blood and gore as you might expect from a vampire movie, but if you put this to one side then you can happily enjoy this romp through the early 70s L.A. with a pretty funky score courtesy of Gene Page.
 
As well a sequel “Scream, Blacula, Scream” (1973), “Blacula” also spawned more black action horror films such as “Blackenstein” (1973), the Exorcist-esc “Abby” (1974) and “Dr Black, Mr Hyde” (1976).