Watch Blackenstein

Blackenstein is a 1973 horror film that brings an updated, contemporary twist to Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein. Directed by William A. Levey, the movie is one of the earliest attempts to feature a black character in a prominent role in a horror movie. The film revolves around Dr. Winifred Walker, a brilliant scientist who has created a serum that can regenerate damaged body parts. She is determined to use her groundbreaking invention to help war veterans who have lost limbs in battle. Her project catches the attention of a wealthy, egocentric retired army general, who commissions her to use the serum to regenerate his son, who has lost both of his legs in combat.

Dr. Walker eagerly accepts the request and embarks on the daunting task. She collects the necessary samples and uses them to create a serum for the general's son, Eddie. However, things go terribly wrong during the treatment, and Eddie instead transforms into a monstrous creature.

Eddie's physical transformation into Blackenstein, the creature, is depicted in gruesome detail. His skin takes on a mottled, greenish tint, and he becomes massively muscled. His face twists into a grotesque mask, complete with protruding forehead and jagged teeth.

As the local police struggle to contain the danger posed by Blackenstein, Dr. Walker continues to work tirelessly to try and reverse the damage done to Eddie. She enlists the help of her former mentor, Dr. Stein, a brilliant scientist in his own right.

Together, the two scientists attempt to reverse the bizarre transformation that has taken hold of Eddie. But they soon discover that they are not the only ones interested in the mysterious serum that turned Eddie into Blackenstein.

A group of shadowy figures, who are not quite human, have their own designs on the serum. They stalk the doctors and their patients, seeking to obtain the serum for their own sinister purposes. As the situation spirals out of control, Dr. Walker must race against time to save Eddie from his monstrous fate.

The film is a fascinating exploration of the timeless themes of science gone awry and the dangers of playing God. It also raises complex questions about the ethics of bioengineering and the pursuit of scientific progress at any cost. The horror elements of the film are noteworthy, with scenes that are genuinely creepy and disturbing.

Overall, Blackenstein holds up as a unique and thrilling entry in the horror genre. Its historical significance as one of the first horror movies to include a black protagonist, and its commentary on social and medical issues, make it an important artifact from the 1970s.

Blackenstein is a 1973 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.4.