That’s exactly how the 1972 trailer introduces him, and William Marshall makes Prince Mamuwalde much more than just another version of Dracula.
Mamuwalde is an African prince who travels to Count Dracula’s castle with his wife, hoping to enlist Dracula’s help in fighting the slave trade. Dracula refuses, attacks him, turns him into a vampire and gives him the insulting name “Blacula.”
What I found especially interesting is that Marshall helped shape the character into the dignified, tragic prince we see on screen. The original concept was reportedly much more stereotyped, and Marshall wanted Mamuwalde to have intelligence, history and real stature.
Marshall was a classically trained actor who had earned acclaim playing Othello, and that deep voice and commanding presence gave the character a seriousness the title alone probably wouldn’t lead you to expect.
Blacula was also a financial success. Made for roughly $500,000, it earned about $1.2 million in U.S. and Canadian theatrical rentals and did well enough to bring William Marshall back for Scream Blacula Scream the following year.
The soundtrack is another great part of it. Gene Page created the funky soul-horror score, and The Hues Corporation performed three songs for the movie, calling Blacula their first big break before “Rock the Boat” went to number one in 1974.
Blacula even became the first winner of the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film.
And if you want to see the whole movie, it’s still available on several streaming services today.
Do you remember Blacula — or did “Dracula’s Soul Brother” get your attention first?
BLACULA — DRACULA’S SOUL BROTHER
