Blacula

1972 Directed by William Crane

Horror Marathon Day 25 Film 40

The funk comes eternal with the soundtrack- but sadly most of the film is meandering. A lot of investigation, but really hammy makeup and silliness for a blaxploitation. To set this up an African prince Mamuwalde asks Dracula to help against the slave trade- of course Dracula refuses and turns him into a vampire. While Blacula has a grandiose quality - the film doesn't really add any spooky sensibility to LA or the musical interludes. The final act fighting is choreographed badly with extras flinging boxes at each other in a warehouse- with the makeup and costumes being very plain- not living up to the intriguing origin story.