Cool black private eye John Shaft is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Richard Roundtree | ... |
John Shaft
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| Moses Gunn | ... |
Bumpy Jonas
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| Charles Cioffi | ... |
Vic Androzzi
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| Christopher St. John | ... |
Ben Buford
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Gwenn Mitchell | ... |
Ellie Moore
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| Lawrence Pressman | ... |
Tom Hannon
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| Victor Arnold | ... |
Charlie
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Sherri Brewer | ... |
Marcy
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Rex Robbins | ... |
Rollie
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Camille Yarbrough | ... |
Dina Greene
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Margaret Warncke | ... |
Linda
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Joseph Leon | ... |
Byron Leibowitz
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Arnold Johnson | ... |
Cul
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Dominic Barto | ... |
Patsy
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George Strus | ... |
Carmen
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| Edmund Hashim | ... |
Lee
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Drew Bundini Brown | ... |
Willy
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| Tommy Lane | ... |
Leroy
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Al Kirk | ... |
Sims
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Shimen Ruskin | ... |
Dr. Sam
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| Antonio Fargas | ... |
Bunky
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Gertrude Jeannette | ... |
Old Lady
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Lee Steele | ... |
Blind Vendor
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Damu King | ... |
Mal
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Donny Burks | ... |
Remmy
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| Tony King | ... |
Davies
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Benjamin R. Rixson | ... |
Bey Newfield
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Ricardo Brown | ... |
Tully
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Alan Weeks | ... |
Gus
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Glenn Johnson | ... |
Char
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Dennis Tate | ... |
Dotts
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| Adam Wade | ... |
Brother #1
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James Hainesworth | ... |
Brother #2
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Clee Burtonya | ... |
Sonny
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Ed Bernard | ... |
Peerce
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| Eddie Barth | ... |
Tony
(as Ed Barth)
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Joe Pronto | ... |
Dom
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Robin Nolan | ... |
Waitress
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Ron Tannas | ... |
Billy
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Betty Bresler | ... |
Mrs. Androzzi
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Gonzalo Madurga | ... |
Counterman
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Paul Nevens | ... |
Elevator Man
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Jon Richards | ... |
Elevator Starter
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Gordon Parks | ... |
Apartment Landlord (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Gordon Parks | ||
Written by
| Ernest Tidyman | ... | (screenplay) and |
| John D.F. Black | ... | (screenplay) |
| Ernest Tidyman | ... | (novel) |
Produced by
| Joel Freeman | ... | producer |
| David Golden | ... | associate producer |
| Roger H. Lewis | ... | producer (uncredited) |
| Stirling Silliphant | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| Ernest Tidyman | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| Isaac Hayes | ||
| J.J. Johnson | ||
Cinematography by
| Urs Furrer | ... | director of photography |
Film Editing by
| Hugh A. Robertson | ||
Editorial Department
| Paul L. Evans | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Judith Lamb | ||
Art Direction by
| Emanuel Gerard | ||
Set Decoration by
| Robert Drumheller | ||
Costume Design by
| Joseph G. Aulisi | ... | (as Joe Aulisi) |
Makeup Department
| Martin Bell | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Steven P. Skloot | ... | unit production manager (as Steven Skloot) |
| David Golden | ... | production supervisor (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Ted Zachary | ... | assistant director |
| Kurt Baker | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
| Alan R. Green | ... | dga trainee (uncredited) |
| Allan Wertheim | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Hal Bock | ... | chief carpenter (uncredited) |
| Robert Hart | ... | chief construction grip (uncredited) |
| Jack Wright Jr. | ... | props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Lee Bost | ... | sound |
| Hal Watkins | ... | sound |
| Charles Geller | ... | sound recordist (uncredited) |
| Robert Rogow | ... | boom man (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Bob Herron | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Tommy Lane | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Joe Pronto | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Louis Gerolomi | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
| Ronald M. Lautore | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Randy Munkacsi | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Larry Orlick | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Ed Quinn | ... | second grip (uncredited) |
| Robert Royal | ... | key grip (uncredited) |
| Jack Volpe | ... | dolly grip (uncredited) |
| Ron Zarilla | ... | second assistant camera (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Sylvia Fay | ... | extras casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Celia Bryant | ... | wardrobe supervisor (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Tom McIntosh | ... | technical assistant to composer |
| Mayuto Correa | ... | musician (uncredited) |
| Charles 'Skip' Pitts | ... | musician (uncredited) |
Transportation Department
| James Fanning | ... | transportation captain (uncredited) |
Other crew
| Bud Brown | ... | auditor (uncredited) |
| Ozzie Brown | ... | unit publicist (uncredited) |
| Cle Kent | ... | script supervisor (uncredited) |
| Tom Miller | ... | unit publicist (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1971) (United States) (theatrical)
- Inex Film (1971) (Yugoslavia) (theatrical)
- MGM-EMI (1971) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1971) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1972) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1972) (United States) (theatrical)
- Neue Visionen Filmverleih (1974) (Germany) (theatrical) (re-release)
- CBS (1975) (United States) (tv)
- MGM/UA Home Video (1983) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB (2001) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2001) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Living Colour Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Audio Visual Enterprises (1985) (Greece) (VHS)
- MGM/UA Home Video (1983) (Australia) (VHS)
- Turner Entertainment (1987) (United States)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- MGM Home Entertainment (VHS package design)
- Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick & Associates Casting (extras casting)
- Turner Entertainment (VHS package design)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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.
Written by John Vogel |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The mob wanted Harlem back. They got Shaft...up to here. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $1,125,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Isaac Hayes auditioned for the title role. Producers cast Richard Roundtree, but were so impressed with Hayes that they asked him to write the now legendary score to the film. See more » |
| Goofs | A passerby walks out of and back into the frame when he spots the film crew during a scene where Shaft and his friends are sneaking into a building to try to rescue Bumpy Jones' daughter. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Soul in Cinema: Filming Shaft on Location (1971). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Theme from Shaft See more » |
| Quotes |
Theme:
Who's the black private dick / That's a sex machine to all the chicks? / SHAFT! / Ya damn right! Theme: Who is the man that would risk his neck / For his brother man? / SHAFT! / Can you dig it? Theme: Who's the cat that won't cop out / When there's danger all about? / SHAFT! / Right On! Theme: They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother... / SHUT YOUR MOUTH! / I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft. / THEN WE CAN DIG IT! See more » |