Shaft poster & wallpaper

Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn

Follows the investigations of legendary, black private detective--one baaaad muthuh--Shaft! Doned in a turtleneck and leather jacket, he's not only an undercover hero, Shaft's also a lean, mean, sex m...( read more  read more... )achine, for all to admire...

Flixster Users

68% liked it

8,933 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

31 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Gordon Parks

Release Date: January 1, 1971

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DVD Release Date: June 6, 2000

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Stats: 438 reviews

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richard roundtree as john shaft in 1971 "shaft" Shaft
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Flixster Reviews (438)

  • stopitgoaway
    October 17, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    John Shaft is a private detective in Harlem. He is hired by pimp and drug dealer Bumpy Jonas to find Bumpy's daughter who has been kidnapped by an unknown party. Shaft investigates the local Panther organisation but ultimately finds that an Italian mob is trying to move in on Bum...( read more)py's territory. With all parties at conflict Shaft must keep his cool to get the girl back.

    Ay the start of a decade filled with cheap movies aimed at getting the black audience a product aimed at them in particular. Many of these were poor but Shaft stood out because it could have been a film in it's own right. The story is a normal detective movie with a black twist and that helps ? because it's not forced at all. The story is gritty and tough as befits the setting and the hero.

    Shaft is tough but hadn't yet turned into 007 (as he did in Shaft's Big Score), this makes him tough but also keeps him down to earth. Roundtree handles himself sexily and looks great ? the film very much revolves around his performance and he holds the attention easily.

    The film eventually gets into gun fights and an exciting conclusion but really this is all about mood and funk. And it delivers both.
  • Chiefilms
    March 1, 2008
    Chiefilms
    Along with Superfly, top Blaxpoitation films, memorable lines for days.
  • clooneyfan
    April 15, 2007
    clooneyfan
    This was a pretty tough movie when it first came out in the 70s (I was 11) but now it's laughable.
  • mjgildea
    November 12, 2006
    mjgildea
    One of the best movies from the 70s.
  • dhetteix
    June 24, 2007
    dhetteix
    What makes Shaft impressive isn't the mere stylization of the blaxploitation era it depicts. Rather, the movie is actually a bona-fide private-eye flick, with serious attempts at portrayals of race-relations in New York. The lack of thoughtless stereotyping manages to elevate thi...( read more)s movie past it's blaxploitation roots.
  • SageSlowdive
    September 26, 2009
    SageSlowdive
    Didn't much like it.
  • lesleyanorton
    August 30, 2009
    lesleyanorton
    Top film. Richard Rountree as Humphrey Bogart, PI, quick with the retorts and a hit with the ladeeze. Classic Isaac Hayes score. .
  • smj111
    August 13, 2009
    smj111
    Great soundtrack One of the best of that genre
  • jackass001
    April 16, 2009
    jackass001
    richard roundtree as john shaft but it just like an black "dirty harry" to me. there 2 next sequel 1972 "big score!" & 1973 "in africa".
  • GustafAronsson
    March 30, 2009
    GustafAronsson
    A really nice flick. What makes this movie great is Richard's performance as detective Shaft and of course the novelty value.

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Critic Reviews

October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Parks isn't especially good at action direction, but the heart of a private-eye movie is in the mood scenes, anyway, and he supplies a scene in a bar and another one with the Harlem rackets boss that ... full review

View more Shaft reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • samjohnstone
    March 25, 2007
    samjohnstone
    ...whos the black private dick whos a sex machine to all the chicks..Shaft!,damn right
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Shaft Trivia

  • Who was originally going to play Shaft but ended up being replaced by Richard Roundtree?  Answer »
  • Who played Shaft in the remake?  Answer »
  • In Star Wars Episode IV, A New Hope, the rebels found a weakness in the deathstar, an exhaust shaft that was...  Answer »
  • What Oscar did the original "Shaft" (1971) win?  Answer »
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