Blacula

Blacula

Year: 1972

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: William Crain

FantasyHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsCreepy chilling and terrifying horrorBloody vampire horror

An 18th‑century African prince becomes a vampire after a fateful encounter in Transylvania. Two hundred years later he awakens in modern Los Angeles, prowling the streets and preying on locals. He becomes obsessed with Tina, a young woman he believes to be the reincarnation of his long‑lost wife, and pursues her while terrorizing the city.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Blacula yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Blacula (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Blacula (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1780, 1972

The film unfolds across two eras: the late 18th century in Transylvania, where a vampire curse is born, and the 1970s in Los Angeles, where that curse resurfaces amid clubs, murders, and urban drama. The origin sequence explains Blacula's backstory, while the contemporary half follows the vampire's presence in a crowded cityscape. This juxtaposition highlights the clash between ancient superstition and modern crime.

Location

Transylvania, Los Angeles

In 1780, Mamuwalde travels to Count Dracula's castle in Transylvania, where he is cursed and imprisoned in a crypt beneath the castle. In 1972, a coffin containing Blacula is shipped to Los Angeles, bringing the curse into a modern, urban city. The story contrasts ancient vampiric lore with 1970s urban crime and nightlife.

🏰 Gothic 🗺️ Exotic setting 🧛 Vampire myth 🌆 Urban atmosphere

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:50

Main Characters – Blacula (1972)

Meet the key characters of Blacula (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dracula — Charles Macaulay

A centuries-old vampire who rejects Mamuwalde's plea and curses him, imprisoning him in a sealed coffin beneath the castle. His arrogance and supernatural power set the dark tone for the film and unleash the vampire threat into the modern world.

🧛 Vampire lord 🗝️ Dark magic 👁️ Cruelty

Blacula / Prince Mamuwalde — William Marshall

A tragic vampire who seeks revenge after being cursed by Dracula. He falls for Tina, transforms her into a vampire, and becomes a figure of doomed passion and violence, ultimately ending his life after loss and despair.

🧛 Vampire king 💔 Tragic fate 🗡️ Revenge

Tina Williams — Vonetta McGee

A woman who resembles Luva and becomes the object of Blacula's obsession. She navigates fear and allure as she is drawn into a supernatural world, ultimately facing vampiric transformation and tragedy.

🧛 Vampire liaison 💖 Romantic tension 🌆 City woman

Dr. Gordon Thomas — Thalmus Rasulala

A LAPD pathologist who investigates the murders and gradually uncovers the vampire truth. He helps lead the effort to identify and stop Blacula, combining scientific reasoning with tenacity.

🧪 Science 🕵️ Investigation 🧛 Supernatural

Lt. John 'Jack' Peters — Gordon Pinsent

A determined LAPD lieutenant who pursues Blacula across Los Angeles. He coordinates with Thomas and the police to confront the vampire's nest and stop the killings.

🚓 Police 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation 🧛 Supernatural threat

Nancy — Emily Yancy

A photographer who captures evidence of Blacula's presence and becomes a victim, her photograph becoming a key clue in the investigation.

📸 Photographer 🩸 Victim 🕰️ Witness

Juanita Jones — Ketty Lester

A coffin-bound victim turned into a vampire who later attacks with Blacula's fledgling; she is ultimately destroyed by sunlight after being exhumed.

🧛 Vampire ⚡ Undead 🌞 Sunlight destroyer

Sam — Elisha Cook Jr

Funeral home attendant who handles a deep-freeze body and inadvertently aids the undead rise; he is attacked during the ensuing chaos.

⚰️ Funeral worker 🧟 Undead 🩸 Victim

Bobby McCoy — Ted Harris

An interior decorator who purchases Blacula's coffin, becoming one of the first victims of the vampiric outbreak.

🏢 Victim 🧩 Catalyst 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation

Billy Schaffer — Rick Metzler

McCoy's partner who shares in the coffin-opening gamble and falls victim to Blacula's hunger.

🧛 Vampire victim 🕊️ Tragic figure

Michelle — Denise Nicholas

Friend and confidant who aids the investigation and ultimately faces the climactic confrontation with Blacula.

🕵️ Investigator 🧠 Intelligence 💪 Resilience

L.A. Cop — David Westberg

A police officer who appears in the LA pursuit of Blacula, contributing to the containment of the vampire threat.

👮 Police 🧭 Authority

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:50

Major Themes – Blacula (1972)

Explore the central themes of Blacula (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧛 Vampire

Vampirism drives the plot, turning Mamuwalde into Blacula and unleashing a deadly hunger in a bustling city. The curse corrupts relationships and provokes fear, linking desire, violence, and the supernatural. The film uses vampiric lore to explore how immortality obsesses and endangers those around the victim.

✊ Oppression & Revenge

Mamuwalde's origin is rooted in the slave trade and racial oppression, fueling his anger and thirst for vengeance. The vampire myth becomes a metaphor for the long shadows of colonialism and social injustice. The LA portion juxtaposes this past with contemporary fears of violence and exploitation.

🎭 Dual Identity

Characters juggle humanity and monstrous hunger, often concealing primal impulses behind social facades. Romantic entanglements and loyalties are tested as vampiric urges surface. The tension between appearance and reality drives the suspense and tragedy.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:50

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Blacula

Don't stop at just watching — explore Blacula in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Blacula is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Blacula Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Blacula, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Blacula Summary

Blacula Timeline

Track the full timeline of Blacula with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Blacula Timeline

More About Blacula

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Blacula: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Blacula