Shaft (1971)

Shaft
Directed by Gordon Parks
Written by Ernest Tidyman and John D.F. Black from Tidyman’s novel
1971/US
IMDb page
First viewing/Amazon Prime rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Who’s the black private dick / That’s a sex machine to all the chicks? / SHAFT! / Ya damn right!
Who is the man that would risk his neck / For his brother man? / SHAFT! / Can you dig it?
Who’s the cat that won’t cop out / When there’s danger all about? / SHAFT! / Right On!
They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother… / SHUT YOUR MOUTH! / I’m talkin’ ’bout Shaft. / THEN WE CAN DIG IT! – Theme from Shaft, Lyrics by Isaac Hayes

Solid but routine crime/thriller is lifted by its attitude, its photography, and its iconic score.

John Shaft (Richard Roundtree) is a private detective working the streets of Harlem.  He has a quick wit and attitude to spare.  He’s not good at tolerating BS or following orders.  Some of his clientele need to stay as far away from cops as possible.  So a gang lord in Harlem hires Shaft to rescue his teenage daughter, who has been kidnapped by people who did not leave a ransom note.  Shaft’s first lead is to members of a black radical organization. This does not pan out but the group is in need of money and agrees to help Shaft locate and rescue the girl.

Then NYPD Lieutenant Androzzi, with whom Shaft frequently wrangles, wants info on Shaft’s case. Androzzi finally reveals that the Mafia is trying to take over territory run by black organized crime in Harlem.  Androzzi fears that a mob war will be perceived by the public as a race war.  There is plenty of bloodshed on the way to the crime’s solution.

We’ve seen this story hundreds of times but not with this film’s cool.  The parts I liked best were gazing at Roundtree, the streets of New York from around the time I first saw the city, and that wonderful score.

Isaac Hayes won the Oscar for Best Music, Original Song.  He was nominated for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score.

Amazing fully orchestrated and live