CompleteMartialArts.com - Blacula
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Starring: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala, Gordon Pinsent
Directed By: William Crain
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: Video On Demand
Release Date: 2008-10-15
Running Time: 94
Studio: MGM
Theatrical Release Date: 1972-08-24
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: He's Out For Homey-Globin
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I really like this movie!!!
Comment: I've always enjoyed this movie, and pull it out to watch every few years! Enjoyable from start to finish EVERY TIME!! But as I watched it the other night, I had to cringe at the frequent use of the word "FA*GOT" when refering to a couple gay characters, and the N-word tossed about liberally. (I guess those were the times, but I've always found it ironic that one culture- so incensed by name-calling, would so casually refer to another group of people by an equally offensive term.) But what the hell??? BLACULA is an awesome movie!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: My, What Big Fangs You Have!!
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great twist on an old tale
Comment: Being a big fan of classic and modern vampire films, i was a bit skeptical about Blacula when i first heard about it. After watching it, i can say it is one of the better "Vampire in modern times" films. William Marshal plays the creepy count, who, in another life was tricked by the real count Dracula and sentenced to live for eternity with the curse, and i quote"..I curse you with my name, you will be know as...BLACULA"! The film, released back in 1972 was at the time, pretty daring for the horror venue, but it did draw some crowds and has today become a cult classic. Marshall has poise, charm and sophistication and plays the count with gracefull ease. It has it's scary moments and action as well. I enjoyed it and i'm sure that if you are a fan of Vampire films, so will you! And don't forget the sequel...."Scream, Blacula, Scream", also played by marshall....His bite is outta site! Great movie!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Truly an awesome vampire film to date
Comment: One of the most odd but yet, awesome in mind, vampire films out there today. Marshall portrays a very cool hip vamp, but, don't let it fool you, cause it can cause a wonderful great scare as well. This movie, brought back some great memories of my youth and i truly highly recommended it very much.
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