| Year of Release | 1972 |
| Director | William Crain |
I didn’t go into Blacula with any great expectations. I’d read about the film being a “blacksploitation” peice of B grade crap. With that in mind I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Not to say that it’s a classic, because it definitely isn’t, but it is a rather watchable movie. In my humble opinion is worth the time taken to watch it.
THE PLOT
The plot focuses in on Mumawale (spelling?) an African prince who travels into Europe with his wife to meet up with Count Dracula. Mumwale is trying to convince him to stop the slave trade he his involved in. Dracula does not see any reason to give up his slaves or pay them and the meeting degenerates into a brawl and the Count subsequently turns Mumawale into a vampire. His wife is imprisoned and eventually dies, while Mumawale spends the next 200 years in an undead slumber.
As fate would have it the coffin that housed Mumwale’s body is purchased by a couple of American antique hunters and shipped to America (well the 1970’s America) where he awakens to find new victims. Mumwale persues a young lady who he believes is the re-incarnation of his dead wife from 200 years ago. Is it his wife re-incarnated? I guess you’ll have to watch the film to find out!
Like I said, Blacula is quite watchable with a low level of horror so pretty much anyone can watch it. Some very funky 70’s style wardrobe choices do add to the eye-candy aspect of the film. Special attention must be given to the great facial hair that Mumawale grows when the blood lust takes him. I dare say Samuel Jackson took a leaf out of his book in “Pulp Fiction”.
Overall a great spin off on the Dracula Legend and an enjoyable watch.
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