Barnes & Noble

Bram Stoker's vampire legend has proven a reliable cinematic source over the years, but never has an undead bloodsucker seethed with soul as convincingly as William Marshall in 1972's Blacula. This American International blaxploitation classic, directed by TV journeyman William Crain, casts Marshall as an African prince, Mamuwalde. In the late 18th century, Mamuwalde travels to Transylvania to meet with Count Dracula (Charles McCauley) about stopping the slave trade, only to wind up under Drac's spell while his lovely wife, Luva (Vonetta McGee), is sealed in a chamber to die. The film then jumps ahead to the 1970s in Los Angeles, where two interior decorators have taken control of the Count's estate, coffins and all, including the prince, who awakens and sets off after the reincarnation of his former bride. Despite the film's tongue-in-cheek approach, Marshall makes Mamuwalde both wicked and sympathetic, a complicated genre hero oppressed into immortality by the Man. As forensic investigator Dr. Gordon Thomas, Thalmus Rasulala interprets the von Helsing role as John Shaft with a silver bullet: His appeal translated into other plum roles, most memorably the lead in 1972's Cool Breeze. With a groovy score by Gene Page and the Hues Corporation, Blacula is at once funny and frightening, a standout effort both among its blaxploitation brethren and horror films in general. Marshall returned to star with Pam Grier in 1973's below-par sequel Scream, Blacula, Scream. Jason Bergenfeld

All Movie Guide

Advertised as the 100th production of American International studios, Blacula stars actor/singer William Marshall in the title role. An 18th century African prince, Blacula is transmogrified into a vampire while visiting Transylvania. Two centuries later, he rises from his coffin to wreak havoc in the Watts district of Los Angeles. Blacula's particular target is Tina (Vonetta McGee), whom he thinks is the reincarnation of his long-ago lady love. Thalmus Rasulala assumes the "Van Helsing" role as the vampire hunter who can't convince the authorities to cooperate. Yes, that is the same William Marshall who later played "The King of Cartoons" on TV's Pee-wee's Playhouse. A sequel, Scream, Blacula, Scream!, appeared not long after. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 883904126324
• Source: MGM (VIDEO & DVD)
• Time: 1:32:00

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Blacula/Scream, Blacula, Scream!