"Blacula" - can there be a title that would sound more promising for fans of 70s cult-material? And cult-stuff this is indeed! While "Blacula" of 1970 is certainly no highlight of 70s blaxploitation cinema, this is about as entertaining as it gets for lovers of cult-cinema, and an absolute must-see for all the blaxploitation enthusiast's out there. Plot and suspense are secondary, of course. This film is pure style and coolness, which is delivered in a highly entertaining manner.

In 1780, the African Prince Mamuwalde (William Marshall) is on a visit at Count Dracula's castle in Transsylvania with his wife Luva (Vonetta McGee). Mamuwalde, who wants to put an end to slave trade, falls on deaf ears with the evil Count who supports slavery. After a subsequent argument, Dracula bites Mamuwalde, turning him into a vampire, and locks him in a coffin for eternity. Almost two centuries later, a black/white couple of (very) gay interior decorators buy several pieces of furniture from Dracula's castle, including the coffin in which Mamuwalde was locked. Back in the United states, they open the coffin, releasing Mamuwalde, who has become a vampire... Blacula! And he subsequently runs into the beautiful Tina (also Vonetta McGee) who is the spitting image of his wife...

I did not expect extreme suspense, but what i was (a bit) disappointed with was the lack of gore. Whenever Blacula bites someone, I thought to myself that the whole thing wold be quite a bite cooler if he'd rip little pieces of flesh out (or do something else of the kind). The make-up is very cool, however. The atmosphere is generally very cool and typical for the funky 70s. William Marshall fits perfectly in the role of Blacula, and so does Thalmus Rasulala, who plays the hero character as a super-cool Shaft-style forensic specialist. For me personally, however, the absolute highlight is the sexy Vonetta McGee. I've been a fan of Vonetta McGee since I first saw her in Sergio Corbucci's Italian Western masterpiece "The Great Silence" of 1968 (one of my all-time favorite movies),and she sure is amazing here. Denise Nicholas is equally sexy as her sister. The movie is as sleaze-less as it is non-gory, however, so don't expect the amount of sex and nudity that you're probably used to from blaxploitation cinema. All things considered I have only one regret with "Blacula" - it should have been nastier! With more sex and violence, this could have been a great blaxploitation flick, but it is sadly too mild for my tastes. It is still a classic, however, and the funky soundtrack and super-cool 70s style make it even more enjoyable. Highly recommended to all the fans of blaxploitation and cult-cinema out there!

If you take this film very seriously, you'll no doubt hate it and turn it off after a few minutes. However, if you have an open mind and are willing to just accept the cheesy aspects of this movie without criticism, then you'll probably find that beneath its silly plot is a moderately interesting horror film/blaxploitation film. My wife thinks I am crazy to have watched it several times (as well as the sequel, SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM),but I think it's a silly little trip back to the 70s and a welcome relief from many movies that take themselves way too seriously.

The sad thing about these two movies is that William Marshall was a really good actor with a beautiful voice--it's a shame he didn't get more starring opportunities in Hollywood other than this, an episode of Star Trek and a few other odd jobs.

Among the films of the Seventies that were classified as black exploitation Blacula still has quite the cult following. No doubt due to William Marshall's voice and commanding presence in the title role. Marshall outside of the two Blacula films is best known for an appearance on Star Trek as Doctor Dengstrom who invents a super computer. Had he come along a little later Marshall would have been giving James Earl Jones stiff competition for the roles Jones got.

Marshall plays an African prince who comes over with his wife Vonetta McGee and is entertained by the famous Count Dracula. Marshall is on a mission to stop the African slave trade, but Charles Macauley who plays the infamous count defends the institution and then he and his vampire minions attack the visiting prince and make him a vampire in a sealed coffin with McGee locked in a sealed tomb.

Two centuries go by and a pair of gay and flamboyant antique dealers buy the contents of Dracula's castle and unloose Marshall on 20th century Los Angeles. Marshall is one hungry vampire and after 200 years of no feeding.

Worst of all he spots Vonetta McGee who is a reincarnated version of his bride. Worse for Marshall she's the sister of Denise Nicholas who is the wife of his Van Helsing Thalmus Rasulala.

My reaction to the two stereotypical gay guys was at first to be offended. But on further reflection these two stereotypes and all represent a hopeful future.

Blacula follows along the lines of the Dracula legend with all the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of the vampire. In the end one of those weaknesses bring his demise about, but not after he wreaks havoc in Los Angeles.

And the film is quite a picture of seventies culture, especially black culture. The voice of Marshall, simply marvelous.