Shaft (1971)

 

Release Date: July 2, 1971

Director: Gordon Parks

Writer(s): Ernest Tidyman (screenplay), John D.F. Black (screenplay), Ernest Tidyman (novel)

Starring: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn

Estimated budget: $1.1 million

U.S. Box office: $18,289,763

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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.