A landmark "blaxploitation" film stylishly directed by none other than Gordon Parks. Richard Roundtree, redefining swagger, is John Shaft, a private eye hired by an uptown mobster to find his missing daughter. It's a no-holds barred action film carried by Roundtree, abetted greatly by Parks's particularly fetid view of 1971 New York. The street garbage and head- scrambling barrage of movie marquees are given hefty supporting roles. Moses Gunn is terrific as Bumpy Jonas and the cast also includes Charles Cioffi & Lawrence Pressman. The iconic music score and dynamite theme song is by the legendary Isaac Hayes. The film spawned two decreasingly entertaining sequels.
Review of Shaft
