Blacula
 For those of you who have not seen it, the 1972, “blaxploitation” film
Blacula, is a horror classic. The cast led by William Marshall
as Mamuwalde / Blacula is a virtual cornucopia of 1970’s stereotypes
from everyone’s favorite flashy decade I ask you what could be
a better setting for a Vampire movie?
The
plot takes us back to the 1700’s, where Mamuwalde, an African Prince
is bitten by Count Dracula while visiting his castle. He is nailed
into a coffin there to stay for eternity, and his beautiful wife Luva
(Vonetta McGee, who also plays Tina) is left to die in a dungeon. Fast
forward to 1972, Los Angeles two antique collectors find the coffin,
and because it’s the 70’s they are so affectionately referred
to as “faggots”. The two men open the coffin, and that’s
when the fun begins. Blacula is turned loose, bites them, and takes to
the streets of Los Angeles. To the common eye, he is mild-mannered, gentlemanly,
Mamuwalde, but once he is angered he turns into Blacula. This can
difference can be seen by the extra facial hair, including some sweet
sideburns. Mamuwalde finds himself in a swinging club where he
meets up with “Tina,” who is really “Luva” reincarnated.
There is a gem of a scene at the nightclub where Mamuwalde is introduced
to Tina. Not only do we meet a great character named “Skillet”,
who comments on Blacula’s “crazy threads”, but we get
treated to a performance by the Hues Corporation (you may remember them
from the Classic “Rock the Boat”). That’s right,
no horror movie is complete without booty shaking, but I digress.
A love story ensues, but let’s be real, that’s not
why we’re here. Dr. Gordon, Tina’s brother-in-law, soon figures
out he’s a vampire after he’s been  investigating a rash of
strange killings throughout the city. These are obviously the work of
a Blacula. There are some memorable scenes, including, street thugs
harassing Blacula, who eventually kicks their ass and turns them. Of
course, these people end up turning others. There’s impaling,
burnings, and Dr. Gordon protecting himself with a cross is really just
priceless. As for the effects, you must keep in mind the time it
was made. The gore was there. The other vampire killings were pretty
brutal and bloody at times. Not to spoil, but watch out for the
ending, that’s the piece de resistance. I’m not giving
it away in case you heed the call and rent this campy, yes, however spectacular
DVD.
Overall, not real scary..this is NOT Texas Chainsaw Massacre. However,
for the vampire and even kitsch factor alone it’s worth it. By
the way, if you like this, there is always the sequel with William Marshall
and the lovely Pam Grier “Scream, Blacula, Scream” I
love vampires…I love blood and I love to laugh…and that
and no jive!
Talk about the Blacula
Movie Review. |
