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Shaft (1971)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
9/05, 3/17, 3/25
9/05:
Shaft is a rare example of a soundtrack being better than the movie per se.
That's why Isaac Hayes won the Oscar for composing the iconic theme song. In fact, he's the first black person
to do so in any category besides acting. Also, this is the film that made newcomer Richard Roundtree famous.
All in all, I'll have to watch Shaft later to formulate a better opinion.
3/17:
Shaft is the poster child of the Blaxploitation genre.
Last time, I was dismissive because it was slow, there was hardly a plot, and Richard Roundtree didn't make an
impression on me. Now, I like it better. There's style, and I love the gritty realism, especially the wintry
conditions of New York City.
It's not a flashy picture, and the set-up is simple enough that anyone can do the
same thing. On top of it is the Oscar-winning theme song by Isaac Hayes that has almost compelled me to say the
music is better than the movie. But Shaft is actually good.
The other example I can think of is Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack for Super Fly
which is ironically another Blaxploitation film that was directed by Gordon Parks, Jr. You can see his father
Gordon Parks, who's the first black director ever to direct a major motion picture which is this one, in the
apartment when Shaft asked for Ben Buford. By the way, the actor who had the answer is Antonio Fargas who'll end
up as Flyguy in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka.
Richard Roundtree will always be famous for playing John Shaft, the first non-stereotypical black hero. I like his
performance: just something different with no fancy stuff. His co-star Moses Gunn is also great. In comparison to
the remake with Samuel L. Jackson, the original is better with a less convoluted plot. Some of the dialogue is
funny, but at least, everything flows well. Richard Roundtree makes for a better Shaft than Samuel L. Jackson, but
I like both, regardless.
Interestingly, Isaac Hayes auditioned for the title role, but the filmmakers went with the obvious choice. Yet
they were so impressed with Isaac Hayes that they asked him to compose the music. It's how people win in different
ways. Ron O'Neal also auditioned but was turned down for not looking black enough. No matter what, he went on
to be the man in Super Fly.
All in all, armed with a budget of a bit over $1 million that resulted in the box-office take of $13 million,
Shaft is a historic film that jump-started the Blaxploitation genre which saved MGM from financial ruin.
3/25:
A strong neo-noir black picture, Shaft holds up well and is unique.