Warner archive have announced the upcoming release of SHAFT'S BIG SCORE 1972 and SHAFT IN AFRICA 1973, the sequels to the groundbreaking 1971 film directed by Gordon Parks. The original SHAFT Blu had been released back in 2012, so these nicely fill out the series. Based upon a book by Ernest Tidyman (who also wrote SHAFT and SHAFT'S BIG SCORE), the first movie along with Melvin Van Peebles SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAADASSSSS SONG (also released in 1971) kick started the Blaxploitation explosion in the coming decade
Directed by Parks, the first sequel is less of an urban detective film and more of an action-oriented film with even a touch of James Bond thrown in along with an amp up in the sex & violence quota. Because of the massive success of the first film, Parks was given a much larger budget which resulted in some great action sequences the highlight of which is an extended speedboat/helicopter chase. While first film has more of a gritty NYC feel, SHAFT'S BIG SCORE seems a bit more polished as it both literally and figuratively moves the action out to the suburbs. The film is still anchored by Richard Roundtree's magnetic presence and nobody can shoot NYC in the 70's like Gordon Parks.
Written by Sterling Sillipant, SHAFT IN AFRICA leaves NYC completely as Roundtree head to Africa and Europe to break up a present-day slavery ring. Getting even more away from the detective genre and closer into the spy realm, it was directed by John Guillermin (THE BLUE MAX) and once again feature Roundtree in the title role. After the relative box office failure of SHAFT IN AFRICA the property was passed on to TV where a short-lived series (again featuring Roundtree and available from Warner archive) was produced but cancelled after seven episodes.
No comments:
Post a Comment