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      Shaft

      1971, Crime/Drama, 1h 40m

      49 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      This is the man that would risk his neck for his brother, man. Can you dig it? Read critic reviews

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      Shaft  Photos

      "Shaft photo 1" "Shaft photo 2" "Shaft photo 3" "Shaft photo 4" "Shaft photo 5" Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) Shaft (1971) "Shaft photo 11" "Shaft photo 12" "Shaft photo 13" "Shaft photo 14" Christopher St. John as Ben Buford, Richard Roundtree as John Shaft, and Moses Gunn as Bumpy Jonas in a scene from Shaft. Christopher St. John as Ben Buford, Richard Roundtree as John Shaft, and Moses Gunn as Bumpy Jonas in a scene from Shaft. Moses Gunn on the set. Moses Gunn on the set. Al Kirk as Sims, Drew Bundini Brown as Willy, and Richard Roundtree outside of Bumpy's office. Al Kirk as Sims, Drew Bundini Brown as Willy, and Richard Roundtree outside of Bumpy's office.

      Movie Info

      John Shaft (Richard Roundtree) is the ultimate in suave black detectives. He first finds himself up against Bumpy (Moses Gunn), the leader of the black crime mob, then against black nationals, and finally working with both against the white mafia who are trying to blackmail Bumpy by kidnapping his daughter.

      • Rating: R

      • Genre: Crime, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Gordon Parks

      • Producer: Joel Freeman

      • Writer: Ernest Tidyman, Ernest Tidyman, John D. F. Black

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

      • Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Shaft Productions Ltd.

      • Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

      • View the collection: Shaft

      Cast & Crew

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      Critic Reviews for Shaft

      Audience Reviews for Shaft

      • Feb 22, 2012
        This was my first foray into the world of blaxploitation and boy was it an interesting experience. I can see why it was well received in it's day by both black and white viewers. Not only does it fulfill every preconceived notion that potential white viewers may have had about African-Americans, but it also is a movie very focused on blackness. Hell, in one scene Shaft's coffee isn't even black enough for him. It is infuriatingly stereotypical and empowering all at the same time. While this film does feature some rather interesting direction and a fairly engaging story, you cannot help but be mostly entertained by it's charming anachronisms. I mean where else are you going to find classic lines such as: "You got problems, baby?" "Hehe. Yeah, I got a couple of 'em. I was born black... and I was born poor."
        Super Reviewer
      • Nov 29, 2011
        I understand that this is regarded as a classic blaxploitation, and I respect it for that, but I felt that it was all over the place, switching between plots every ten minutes. By the end, I wasn't really sure what to make of it. One thing about it that was great, and I'm sure everyone else will agree, was the score set by Issac Hayes. Now, that's a classic soundtrack.
        Super Reviewer
      • Aug 15, 2011
        I understand that this is regarded as a classic blaxploitation, and I respect it for that, but I felt that it was all over the place, switching between plots every ten minutes. By the end, I wasn't really sure what to make of it. One thing about it that was great, and I'm sure everyone else will agree, was the score set by Issac Hayes. Now, that's a classic soundtrack.
        Super Reviewer
      • Oct 11, 2010
        "They say this cat Shaft is a baaaad muther..." "SHUT YER MOUTH!"
        Super Reviewer

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