Sometimes a movie perplexes the senses and boggles what little mind we have left.
The unwary, first-time viewer may respond, "What vision is this?" Never fear. The clunking noise in the background is only Bela Lugosi spinning in his grave.
This serving of unlikely camp is a treat. Before you flee the culture shock, take time to see the gothic horror in the forest of dashikis, exaggerated hairstyles, and platform shoes.
William Marshall is smooth and menacing as Blacula, the bad '70s vampire.
As bloodlust rages, he is hirsute and bestial.
In calmer moments, Marshall's dignified demeanor and deep voice is the right touch.
His resurrection, of thunder and voodoo juju, rivals the best of Christopher Lee.
Pam Grier is cast as a reluctant shaman. Blacula seeks her help in releasing him from eternal torment. The moans and sweaty faces of their exorcism ritual suggest snarling sexuality.
Two jive-talking, tacky turkeys accost Blacula on the street and demand "bread."
His response bloodies the sidewalk. Blacula commands a coven of undead victims, all with identical, peculiar neck wounds.
Blacula and his minions hole up during the day in a mansion that one of his funky disciples is house-sitting.
In a bizarre development that mortifies a meek amazon reviewer, a nearby broken fence provides an ample supply of wooden stakes.
A battle of cops and vampires rages, and it takes days to count the dead.
Legendary B movie mogul Samuel Z. Arkoff is the executive producer of this American International epic.
Director: Bob Kelljan
Format: Color, Closed-captioned, NTSC
Rated: PG
Studio: Mgm/Ua Studios
DVD Features:
NTSC format (US and Canada only)
Color, Closed-captioned, NTSC