Blacula (1973) Review and retrospective!

In honor of Black History Month, what better way to review  one of the forebears of Black Horror?

I curse thee with thy name; Blacula!

Director: William Crain
Writers: Joan Torres (screenplay), Raymond Koenig (screenplay)
Stars: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas , Thalmus Rasula

Synopsis

African Prince Mamuwalde along with his wife Luva was dispatched to Transylvania as ambassadors of the Ubani tribe for the sole purpose of having Dracula put an end to the barbaric slave trade. unfortunately for them, the count himself refused to play ball as demonstrated in his nonchalant manner, believes it has "merit”! Too add insult to injury, he makes a very condescending remark to the African Princess. Mamu (For short) abruptly ends the meeting as he finds Dracula's manners as distasteful as his cognac.  Dracula refuses to allow them to leave and immediately dispatches his henchmen. Despite fighting the good fight, Mamu is knocked unconscious and suddenly cursed with Dracula's bite, while a horrified Luva bears witness to her husband given the name that matches his curse, "Blacula" as both her and the African Prince are entombed for all eternity! 

Even Vampires can be racist, WTF!

"You shall pay, black prince. I shall place a curse of suffering on you that will doom you to a living hell. I curse you with my name. You shall be... Blacula"!

After spending centuries in hibernation, Blacula is awaken from his slumber thanks to two flamboyant Gay antique collectors who became his first victims. What's scary about Blacula, is whenever he has that need to feed or if someone pisses him off, he transforms into a menacing figure complete with thick eyebrows and sideburns bigger than your Porkchop pastor! There's that dynamic as far as alter egos are concerned. Mamuwalde bears a charming persona and is the perfect gentleman, however, should anyone piss him off, as both the Club's photographer and a Cab driver found out the hard way, things tend to get rather "Bloody"!

Sometime later, through accident or fate, Mamuwalde runs into Tina, a young beautiful sista who is easily mistaken as his long dead wife especially when the striking facial similarities are more than obvious. Well, it is obvious since both roles were played by actress Vonetta McGee.

Dr. Thomas using detective work, gathers several clues about the mysterious killings which leads him to believe that the assailant is none other than Count Mamuwalde himself. Can he put an end to Mamuwalde's curse once and for all, and more important, save his Girlfriend's sister who has fallen hard for the African Prince of Vampires?

In the trend of Blaxploitation films of old, Blacula was more than just some novelty project. Compared to what the original concept was, I tip my hat to the late great actor William Marshall who refused to have his character mistaken for one of the many stereotypical tropes often found we within the subgenre. It was Marshall's suggestion that Mamuwalde would come from a 3rd royal aristocratic background (Like Marvel's Tchalla) Marshall delivers a very Shakespearean performance as far as the film's narrative goes, there is a modicum of Shakespearean elements to accompany and complement his acting talents. Crain utilizes exceptional camera work especially during the scary moments. 

The coroner and photographer death scenes was just as sample at how this film delivers when it comes to fright.

The one hit wonder soul band, called the Hues Corporation makes an appearance during the club scenes.

The prologue was impressive but the cheesy animated intro, not so much however, I enjoyed listening to Blacula's theme and the soundtrack was up to standards especially for a lower budgeted movie.

Despite losing a lot of money,American International Pictures spared little to no expense when producing Director William Crain's movie and their lil investment paid off, big time! Blacula not only shattered low expectations by raking in over 2 million in box office receipts, but became the defining staple of Black Horror which no other film from that genre, including the sequel, Scream Blacula Scream could outdo its status and one of the best offerings from the era of Blaxploitation. 

Sure, I have a few nitpicks like for example, how was Tina so easily convinced after Mamuwalde told her that he was over a century old along with his backstory?

I believe most Women, especially Black Women, would either get out or tell him to get the fuck out!

In an era where of Political correctness, this kind of film cannot be made today due to offensive tropes like the two flamboyant homosexuals, especially after watching Billy prance around as a vampire, who lures potential um, paramours only to fall prey to his vampiric tendencies.

GLAAD will have a shitfit after watching Billy's scenes!

How would this scene work within the 80's during the AIDS epidemic, where blood is the most dangerous factor? I found the use of pejoratives, “Faggot" and "Nigger" more laughable than offensive because its apparently obvious that those were the days when the social climate was heavily desensitized.  By no means is it acceptable but again, things were a bit different back then.

These previously mentioned critiques withstanding, does not take much away from this underappreciated Horror classic. The pacing is satisfying, there's a prominent black cast that does not consist of stereotypical tropes often found in Blaxploitation films and the story itself takes a Machiavellian approach near the film's end, thus solidifying Blacula as this tragic villain long before Coppola's Dracula. Even the warehouse raid against the vampires may have been influential when compared to the final confrontation scene from Lucio Fulci's Zombie. Anyone would be a bit foolish to dismiss Blacula as just a cheap one off in order to capitalize from Blaxploitation films because underneath its layer is an ill-fated love story that was missing from most Blaxpoiltation films.

For a solid introduction to Black Horror cinema, you can do no worse than Blacula.

Down one for the Count!