Blacula

PG

Released Apr 25, 1972

1h 32m

Horror

List

46%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

44%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

During a visit to Transylvania, an African prince (William Marshall) gets turned into a vampire by Count Dracula (Charles Macaulay). Sealed in a coffin for several lifetimes, "Blacula" reawakens in 1970s Los Angeles. Leaving a trail of bloodless victims in his wake, he pursues Lina (Vonetta McGee), a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his dead wife. Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) and top cop Lt. Peters (Gordon Pinsent) are hot on the bloodsucker's trail.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

It was only a matter of time before we got round to a black Dracula too. But Blacula is a pretty tatty first attempt.

Jun 14, 2022

Full Review

Scott Tobias

The Dissolve

The placement of an old-fashioned Dracula in a modern black neighborhood is a great idea, but amateurish production leaves Marshall stranded in the film.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 2, 2015

Full Review

Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

Blaxploitation meets vampire movie that's formulaic and full of holes.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 19, 2009

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The potential for a clever urban black twist on the European vampire myth is lost in a thoroughly conventional tale.

Oct 15, 2022

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

...the implied Black Power politics are otherwise pretty cool, as is the inevitable funk-soul original score. We also get some excellent nightclub-scene performances from The Hues Corporation...

Aug 26, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The film possesses a lively sense of humor and is very much a product of its time, but those seeking PC comfort cinema had best steer clear.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 28, 2020

Full Review

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Pure L

The best horror movie ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

June M

Satire? No. Low budget? Yes. Acting? Poor. Music? Great. Over acting? Yesss. Save your time and watch Firebite...incredible on all fronts.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/23

Full Review

Michael C

After seeing clips of "Blacula" on television over the last thirty or so years, I finally decided to see the movie in its entirety thanks to the great Svengoolie. While the movie is not all that great, it does have moments that make it worth seeing at least once. One of such reasons is the performances by the late Willaim Marshall as the title character and the late Thalmus Rasulala as Dr. Gordon Thomas. Their performances were actually very good. "Blacula" also has some genuinely scary moments. The best being the scene where the cab driver/vampire Juanita Jones (Played by Ketty Lester.) attacks and kills Sam the morgue attendant. The scene where Dr. Thomas exhumes the body of one of Blacula's first victims is also well done. One other thing, you have to like a movie that features a cameo by The Hues Corporation. In the end, while "Blacula" is a not a great movie, it does have its moments and is very entertaining. It's worst seeing at least once.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/12/23

Full Review

John S

Although a bit exploitive and dated this is a genuinely frightening film. William Marshall is wonderful in the role.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/07/23

Full Review

damian l

It was good and scary and charming

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

LOL, the funniest R-rated horror parody ever!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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William Crain

Director

William Marshall

Blacula

Denise Nicholas

Michelle

Vonetta McGee

Tina

Thalmus Rasulala

Dr. Gordon Thomas

Gordon Pinsent

Lt. Jack Peters

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Blacula: Official Clip - The Only Imbecile on the Street

1:43

Blacula: Official Clip - Blacula’s Revenge

2:20

Blacula: Official Clip - You Must Come to Me Freely

2:09

Blacula: Official Clip - The Curse of Dracula

1:46

Blacula: Official Clip - Blacula Transforms

0:56

Blacula: Official Clip - Juanita Wakes Up!

1:26

Blacula: Official Clip - Turning Tina

1:08

Blacula: Official Clip - Blacula Lives!

3:00

Blacula: Official Clip - Blacula Dies

3:01

Blacula: Official Clip - Digging up the Grave

1:55

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Synopsis

During a visit to Transylvania, an African prince (William Marshall) gets turned into a vampire by Count Dracula (Charles Macaulay). Sealed in a coffin for several lifetimes, "Blacula" reawakens in 1970s Los Angeles. Leaving a trail of bloodless victims in his wake, he pursues Lina (Vonetta McGee), a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his dead wife. Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) and top cop Lt. Peters (Gordon Pinsent) are hot on the bloodsucker's trail.

Director: William Crain
Producer: Samuel Z. Arkoff, James H. Nicholson
Screenwriter: Raymond Koenig, Joan Torres
Distributor: American International Pictures, Orion Pictures, MGM Home Entertainment
Production Co: American International Pictures (AIP), Power Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 25, 1972, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 32m

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