← Back to results
Blacula
1972 93 min United States of America PG 6+
★5.9
Horror, Fantasy
Director: William Crain
Trailers
Description
An 18th century African prince is turned into a vampire while visiting Transylvania. Two centuries later, he rises from his coffin attacking various residents of Los Angeles and meets Tina, a woman who he believes is the reincarnation of his deceased wife.
Budget:
$500,000
Starring
William Marshall
Actor
Vonetta McGee
Actor
Denise Nicholas
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1973
— Golden Scroll – Best Horror Film
Key opinion
Blacula is a polarizing cornerstone of 1970s blaxploitation cinema, widely recognized for its cultural significance despite its uneven execution. While some viewers view it as an inspired and charismatic genre entry, others criticize it for being a low-budget production that fails to balance its serious tone with campy narrative elements.
| Acting | William Marshall delivers a commanding, charismatic performance that anchors the film’s central premise. | |
| Originality | The film’s opening animation sequence serves as the most distinctive and effective creative element. | |
| Production | The budget limitations and standard exploitation-era tropes result in a production that feels technically inferior to its horror predecessors. | |
| Score | Viewers are split on the score; some enjoy the funky soul aesthetic, while others find the music generic and uninspired. | |
| Direction | Opinions on the film's tone diverge sharply, as some appreciate the serious portrayal of the titular character while others find the juxtaposition with cop subplots and horror tropes unintentionally absurd. |