This 98 minute feature film is a DVD starring Samuel L. Jac kson and Richard Roundtree.
In this quintessential blaxploitation film, Richard Roundtree is Shaft: a good looking, tough-talking private detective hired to rescue a gangster's daughter from kidnappers.
Following the breakout success of Melvin Van Peebles's SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAADASSSSS SONG, Gordon Parks' SHAFT would officially launch the historic Blaxploitation movement. Based on the novel by Ernest Tidyman, the film stars Richard Roundtree as John Shaft, a debonair, tough-talking private detective, who became a full-fledged American archetype after the film was released. Combining street smarts and sharp wit, Shaft is the quintessential black action hero. After battling against Harlem gang kingpin Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gunn), Shaft decides to help rescue Bumpy's daughter from the Mafia. What follows is an action-packed thrill ride through the rough-and-tumble streets of early 1970s New York City.
Featuring one of the most recognizable theme songs in movie history (for which Isaac Hayes' won a Best Song Oscar in 1972), Parks' follow-up to his critically acclaimed, though monetarily disappointing, drama THE LEARNING TREE remains the definitive Blaxploitation film. Roundtree delivers a legendary performance as the ultra-cool detective, in this groundbreaking film that would spawn two sequels (SHAFT'S BIG SCORE! and SHAFT IN AFRICA) and a big-budget remake in 2000.
Theatrical release: July 2, 1971
SHAFT was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2000.
The film was remade in 2000 with Samuel L. Jackson in the lead role, as John Shaft's nephew; Richard Roundtree stars in the film as the original Shaft.
Isaac Hayes auditioned for the role of Shaft before accepting the position of film composer.
Shaft Reviews:
"...Gordon Parks remains one of the past century's great still photographers....[The film] still surprises with a visual shoddiness that's ultimately part of its off-the-cuff charm..."
-- Mike Clark, USA Today
"...It's cool legacy hasn't mellowed..."-- Entertainment Weekly Staff, Entertainment Weekly
"John Shaft was an in-charge, blatantly virile hero, with attitude to spare."
-- Premiere Staff, Premiere
"...The last 25 minutes are an object lesson in the art of ending a movie with a bang..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
-- Ceri Thomas, Total Film
Color; Mono Sound; Dolby Noise Reduction; Digital Sound; Warner Home Video; Special Edition
Shaft Movie Review
Customer Shaft Reviews Customer Shaft DVD Reviews
Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)
Great Film Having this film on DVD is as good as going to the theatres years ago,and was a pure joy to relive the days of the 1970's,if you are a fan and enjoy Shaft I recommend this film. Submitted by slysicca (Jacksonville,FL) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
GOOD MOVIE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE Shaft is one of my favorite all times
movies.
Gotta say it to Issac Hayes he did
a very good job on the sound track:
Shaft VERY good.I still listen to that song to this day.
Submitted by Blackgurl (Alabama) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great to have on DVD!!! This incredible movie from 1971 is wonderful to watch. The color scheme is great to see on both standard and widescreen. I have noticed that the audio quality is slightly dull, but that doesn't mean that the movie is not worth watching. Think of it this way; any loud sounds heard in the film are not loud enough to cause you to decrease the volume. I love watching this movie on DVD. With this movie on DVD, you have the option of watching it in either standard screen or widescreen. I also love the added features on the DVD. These features include the featurette of the movie being filmed on location, and you get to see how some of the scenes were shot. And, you get to see the original theatrical trailers for not just this movie, but the two sequels that followed. However, the VHS of this movie does not have these added extras. This is a real treat for anyone who loves the original Shaft!!! Get it and see for yourself!! Submitted by Matt (Macomb, IL, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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Shaft DVD
Shaft DVD Features
Region 1 Snap Case Single Side - Single Layer Special Edition Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.78 Full Frame - 1.33 Letterbox - 1.78 Audio: Dolby Digital Mono - English, French Subtitles - English, French - Optional Additional Release Material: Audio Commentary: Gordon Parks - Director Making Of: SOUL IN CINEMA: FILMING 'SHAFT' ON LOCATION Trailers:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer 2. Bonus Trailer - SHAFT'S BIG SCORE! 3. Bonus Trailer - SHAFT IN AFRICA Interactive Features: Interactive Menus Scene Access Text/Photo Galleries: Biographies: Richard Roundtree
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