SHAFT (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating—2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Shaft seems like a take-off from the Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry series with fairly graphic portrayals of sex and violence. It is interesting that both movies were released in the same year. The difference between the two movies seems to be in timing and portrayal. The timing in Shaft seems to be poorly done and there is a certain amateurish quality that is difficult to ignore and detracts from its potential. Richard Roundtree is tough looking for the part, but doesn’t follow through on that toughness in the acting. However, that being said, the music is good via Isaac Hayes. The film began Richard Roundtree on a long-standing and successful acting career. The movie is culturally significant and an outstanding academic study for that reason.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Shaft (Richard Roundtree), a cool and suave detective from Manhattan Borough, New York City, gets a job to retrieve Bumpy Jonas’ (Moses Gunn) daughter from the Italian mafia.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Gordon Parks for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Stirling Silliphant and Ernest Tidyman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Vic Androzzi (Charles Cioffi), Ben Buford (Christopher St. John), Ellie Moore (Gwenn Mitchell), Tom Hannon (Lawrence Pressman), Charlie (Victor Arnold), Marcy (Sherri Brewer), and Rollie (Rex Robbins).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. For a hard-core Richard Roundtree fan, this film works.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers