Blacula
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Movie Reviews of Blacula
Movie Review: FANTASIC AFRO
Summary: 5 Stars
Kids, this movie is brilliant. I have waited an eternity to find this on DVD, and here it is. It's trash...but good trash.
mike
Movie Review: Blacula Bytes!
Summary: 4 Stars
A 1970's twist on the vampire cliché, BLACULA (1972) rises above its modest budget and "blaxploitation" genre to become a well-made cult-movie horror flick that has its share of the shocks, scares, and cheesy gore that endear movies of the era to contemporary horror fans. And fans of cult films and B-movies can now rejoice, as Dracula's "soul brother" has been resurrected once again--this time getting his "bytes" in digitally via DVD from MGM.18th-century African prince Mamuwalde and his wife meet with the original Count Dracula to seek his aid in abolishing the burgeoning slave trade. But Dracula isn't the least bit interested in aiding the oppressed, and he instead puts the bite on Mamuwalde and turns HIM into a vamp--it is the Count himself who dubs Mamuwalde with the moniker BLACULA--then seals the prince in a coffin so that he will suffer through eternity with his new, and now unquenchable, thirst for blood. Fast forward nearly two centuries, where a couple of Los Angeles antique dealers are examining a batch of recent acquisitions, one of which is the "box" in which Mamuwalde is imprisoned. As expected, the two inadvertently free Mamuwalde and loose the bloodsucking brother to the ghettoes of L.A. (i.e., L.A. á la the 1970s). For the most part, Mamuwalde's "meals" are comprised of the city's low-lifes, but when he encounters a woman who resembles his long-dead wife and tries to win her affections, he crosses swords with mainstream society and starts down the path towards his inevitable defeat and destruction.
The film is elevated above its meager budget and exploitative script by the excellent and believable title-role performance of the late William Marshall. The deep, rich voice and Shakespearean training of this dynamic African-American actor brings dignity and intelligence to any role he plays, even an off-beat character like the vampire Blacula. Horror and SF fans are likely to recognize Marshall in guest-star parts on TV shows like the original THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., classic STAR TREK (Dr. Richard Daystrom in the episode "The Ultimate Computer"), and THE WILD WILD WEST; and in starring or supporting roles in other genre films such as SKULLDUGGERY (1970), ABBY (1974), AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON (1987), and SORCERESS (1995). Those who spend time in front of "the tube" on Saturday mornings might also remember seeing Marshall on PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE, on which he portrayed The King of Cartoons from 1987 to 1991.
Some of the actors filling supporting roles in BLACULA also add to the film's quality and charm. These include Thalmus Rasulala, a ubiquitous character actor of TV and film; the lovely Denise Nicholas, probably best known for being one of the stars of the 1970s TV comedy-drama ROOM 222; Gordon Pinsent, a Canadian actor who has appeared on numerous TV shows and films; Vonetta McGee, who has starred or guest-starred in numerous TV shows and several films, including the genre flick REPO MAN (1984); and Elisha Cook, Jr., a familiar character actor who is often recognized from his portrayal of hoodlum Wilmer Cook in the classic noir film THE MALTESE FALCON (1941).
The DVD from MGM--released as part of the company's "Soul Cinema" line, though it could have just as easily fit in with their "Midnite Movie" series--offers an anamorphic widescreen copy of BLACULA in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and it appears that the print used for the transfer was in great shape. No extras are offered other than the theatrical trailer, but the very reasonable price makes BLACULA painlessly accessible to any horror-film collector.
Movie Review: He's Out For Homey-Globin
Summary: 4 Stars
It was only a matter of time, wasn't it? There were many Blaxploitation flicks being made at this time, most of them by AIP, and it was inevitable that the genre would cross paths with the horror genre. After all, AIP had most of it's success in the B horror films it produced.
I'm not sure there's a single human being that can utter the title of this movie and not chuckle. It's almost genius in it's childishness. Oddly enough, the film isn't camp nor is it at all played for laughs. This was definitely an attempt to make a true horror film. Granted it's looked at by today's audiences as unintentionally funny, but that's only really due to the fashions, music and lingo of the time period.
In the film, African Prince Manuwalde is bitten by Count Dracula in the late 1700s and put under the vampire curse because Manuwalde wasn't gonna put up with Dracula's racist crap(Dracula was a strong supporter of slavery and even had the hots for Manuwalde's wife. Learn something new every day, huh?). So, Blacula is finally set free in the 70s and wastes no time in grabbing a bite to eat-in this case it's two gay antique dealers, one black, one white. This film certainly has equal opportunity exploitation. Soon he crosses paths with Vonetta McGee, who is the spittin' image of his late wife(McGee played his wife in the prologue). The rest of the film is his pursuit to woo and reunite with her while keeping his identity a secret...and feeding of course. Yes, yes, this a very cliched plot device and we've seen it in countless other vampire movies-the ol' My Wife From Hundreds Of Years Ago Has Been Reincarnated And I Must Win Her Back Again plot. Meanwhile a doctor played by Blaxploitation regular Thalmus Rasulala is investigating the strange deaths and finally stumbles upon the truth. He becomes a kind of modern(modern being the 1970s), black Dr. Van Helsing.
Yes, there's nothing terribly original about the film's plot. The originality is all in the way the plot is presented. Though I really liked how the film ended. As a horror film it's solid enough, but not very scary or suspenseful. Some might even think of it as boring, but I wasn't bored. What really kept me interested and in my opinion made the movie was the performance of William Marshall. He never made it very big after this role, though he was the King of Cartoons on Pee-Wee's Playhouse. Too bad coz he's quite a good actor. With his handsome yet sinister looks, deep voice and sophisticated demeanor, he was a fantastic choice. I'd have to say he reminds me of a black Christopher Lee.
So, while it may not be the gigglefest you hoped it would be, or very effective as an outright horror film, the movie is much better than it probably should have been with a title like Blacula. I think we can blame this fact on Marshall's performance, which definitely makes the movie.
Movie Review: The vampire Count is back in Black !
Summary: 4 Stars
Wonderfully theatric & entertaining "blaxploitation" vampire film from 1972 occupies a special place in the hearts of many horror aficionado's for William Marshall's grand performance as the first notable black vampire, Blacula / Prince Manuwalde ! Shakespearian trained Marshall adds prestige and style to this film with his towering stature, ( at six foot five inches tall, Marshall was the same height as one of the screen's other great vampires, Christopher Lee ) his magnificent, baritone voice and dominating on screen presence.Cashing in on the huge popularity of "blaxploitation" cinema of the early 1970's ( kick started the previous year by Melvin van Peebles controversial "Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song" ), American International Pictures resurrected the vampire genre into contemporary Los Angelos complete with gay interior decorators, jive talking dudes in groovy threads and swarms of white LAPD officers being defeated by an African American hero !!
Although Marshall is the film's stand out, both as the lead character, and the glue holding the film from sliding into too many clichés & stereotypes, credit must be given to the other key cast members for their contribution. Thalmus Rasulala is excellent as the puzzled doctor thrust into the role of vampire hunter, spunky Vonetta McGee contributes the movie's love interest, firstly as Prince Manuwalde's ill fated wife, Luva, and then as her reincarnation, Tina. And sad faced character actor, and eternal fall guy, Elisha Cook Jnr playing a morgue attendant ends up on the sharp end of a set of vampire fangs ! Arguably, the funniest line of the movie is uttered by the undertaker Swenson ( Lance Talyor Sr ), after he meets with Dr Gordon Thomas ( Thalmus Rasulala ) at the funeral home. After the inquisitive doctor leaves, the undertaker sighs and remarks " That has got to be the rudest ****** I have ever met !".
"Blacula"was highly successful upon release, spawning an unfortunately inferior sequel the following year, "Scream, Blacula, Scream". Although the movie boasted William Marshall back in the cape and 1970's African American film heroine, Pam Grier, it just couldn't recreate the same formula. To gain a wonderful insight on "blaxploitation" movies, grab the fantastic book "What It Is.....What It Was ! The Black Film Explosion of the 1970's in Words & Pictures"...it includes a tremendous interview with William Marshall and his thoughts on the "Blacula" movies !!
One of my preferred vampire films, "Blacula" is a unique, intelligent & satisfying contribution to the vampire genre
Movie Review: My, What Big Fangs You Have!!
Summary: 4 Stars
In 1972, when I was a child, I saw the trailer for "Blacula" at the theatre and always wanted to see it. Years later, I finally have and was not disappointed. I don't care if it's considered a "blaxploitation" film. It is merely a horror movie with characters who are primarily African-American. Count Dracula's depiction as a racist was a great idea; it is not farfetched considering that he has little respect for human life. Prince Mamuwalde begs Dracula to help him end the slave trade. Instead, Dracula curses him with vampirism and gives him a new name; the prince of darkness wants Prince Mamuwalde to be a "black version" of himself, thus he deems him "Blacula." I don't care for the name myself. It sounds racist and Dracula must've intended it to be that way. Mamuwalde is released from his coffin with an incredible hunger that he can't control. He makes a meal out of two gay interior decorators and the nightmare begins. Soon the vampires are multiplying in L.A, threatening to become an epidemic. (This reminds me of Stephen King's "Salem's Lot," which involves an entire town infested with vampirism.) If the police don't act fast, a plague of vampires will overcome L.A. This fast-paced movie has a great deal of action from beginning to end, and a high body count. The acting is good; the cast is composed of attractive African-Americans who were popular in the seventies. The vampires in this movie are extremely ghoulish and grotesque. They gave me the creeps. Some of those vampire women had fangs that would have shamed a sabre tooth tiger. They were long!! The movie also a strong romantic element. Mamuwalde is pursuing a beautiful, young woman who reminds him of his deceased wife. If only that meddlesome coroner wasn't getting in the way. My favorite scene: When the coroner and the police are tricked into going into a warehouse where they are trapped and beset upon by numerous vampires that are simply hideous. "Blacula" would be fun to watch as a double feature with "Dracula A.D. 1972." Both have a lot of hippie music and slang. "Blacula" is a welcomed addition to anyone's collection of vampire movies or Hammer films. I would've given it five stars if not for the overuse of certain prejudice terms that may have been appropriate for the seventies but are considered rude and offensive today.