BLACULA

Director: William Crain
Stars: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala
Year: 1972
Rating: N/R

The death of blaxploitation film actress Vonetta McGee was a wake-up call that I had never even seen Blacula, though I have heard so much about it over the years. Finally sitting down to watch this early 70's hit, the film definitely proved to have its flaws ... yet remains a fun, very entertaining, suspenseful and seductive film to this day (largely due to its star).

Classically-trained actor William Marshall stars as an African statesman named Mamuwalde, who centuries ago visited the castle of Count Dracula with his wife, Luva (Vonetta McGree), as a sort of ambassador of good will. Unfortunately, Dracula had a thing for Luva, and in expressing both his lust and racism caused the angered Mamuwalde into attacking him. As punishment, Dracula bites Mamuwalde, turning him into a vampire ... but then seals the great man in a coffin forever, so that he would always know the vampire's hunger for blood but never get to quench it.

Flash forward to modern-day (the early 1970's), where a pair of effeminate male interior decorators buy up what's left of Dracula's castle from an estate sale (Dracula was, supposedly, killed off long ago). The decorators have everything shipped back to the States, where of course they accidentally set Mamuwalde - now a bloodthirsty vampire - free. Blacula, now loose in Los Angeles and on a killing spree, soon come across the surprise of his unending life, however, when he comes across a beautiful young woman named Tina (again, Vonetta McGee) - the image of his beloved Luva, now dead for centuries, whom quickly becomes Mamuwalde's obsession.

That's pretty much the plot, but this is definitely an old-school vampire flick that's a lot of fun to watch; humans turn into vampires soon as being bitten for the first time, all blue-tinged and clawing like zombies for their victims in a film that's most definitely campy yet never takes itself seriously enough to be anything other than fun. William Marshall, as Mamuwalde/Blacula, is as sensual a vampire as they come with his good looks and baritone voice; you sort of feel sorry for him, hoping he finds his Luva, even as he has to feed on and kill those in his way! Even the wonderful Denise Nicholas, as Tina's sister Michelle, is wonderful in the film - and even if the word "fag" is thrown around too offhandedly regarding the interior decorators, or the makeup (especially on Dracula's brides in the prologue) and "special effects" are overdone to the point of being a bit silly, there is just something so involving and exciting and fun when Blacula is at its best, the film becomes a must-see for anyone claiming to be a vamp-fan.

Old school for sure, but surprisingly enjoyable even in 2010, Blacula should be watched in the dark with a big bowl of popcorn, on a chilly night when the moon's full. Lots of fun with just a touch of suspense! **** - Reel Awesome