STORYLINE: John Shaft is the ultimate in suave Black detectives. He first finds himself up against Bumpy, 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.

      When you read I was doing a retro review of 1971’s Shaft did you instantly start singing the Academy Award winning theme song?  Did you pause to remember the recently departed Richard Roundtree’s incredible performance as the title detective? I did both!

   Shaft was released in 1971 and started a franchise that, as of 2019, has five films and all feature Richard Roundtree in one way or another.  None are better then the 1971 original. The movie is a classic detective movie that I feel is often duplicated but never matched, both in its own franchise and genre.

     Shaft is the blaxploitation response to another 1971 classic detective movie, Dirty Harry.  Both films share a genre and few general plot points but are different to stand on their own unique cinematic corners.  Shaft did something that Dirty Harry did not and that was win an Academy Award.  

   Shaft was the second film that Richard Roundtree acted in and he created an incredible character. May the actor rest in peace. 

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!