Blacula – The Complete Collection

Today, a torturous pun in the title usually indicates a horror with tongue lodged tightly in cheek (see this month’s undead rodent feature Zombeavers). So it’s something of a surprise to discover the kitschy qualities of iconic Blaxploitation horror Blacula don’t eclipse some unexpectedly serious undertones, with a plot that sees African prince Mamuwalde (William Marshall) petition Count Dracula for an end to the slave trade, only to wind up shackled and damned. Awakening two centuries later in superfly 70s LA, Mamuwalde spies the double of his deceased wife, and sets about re-claiming his reincarnated bride.

Despite pedestrian direction, Blacula remains eminently watchable thanks to classically trained thespian Marshall, whose natural, dignified gravitas shines through shoddy post-transformation makeup. Sequel Scream, Blacula, Scream (also included) is a slicker outing, offering a more innovative, voodoo-laced take on vampire lore, and while neither film is particularly scary, they’re much more enjoyable than the gimmicky premise implies. [Chris Buckle]