Shaft

Shaft may not have been the first blaxploitation film, but it stands out for its hero. A hero previous to Shaft's release was notably missing. Even people not able to relate to the main character found the film as a way to escape the reality of racism. Finally seeing high levels of success being accomplished by a black person acknowledged on screen helped boost morale.

I don't agree with Quentin Tarantino about the misuse of the theme. Director Gordon Parks, opens by establishing the main character, as he walks through the city the audience gets a feel for him as a normal guy based on his interactions. A dramatic opening would be too cliche for Shaft. The lyrics back his entrance with describing John Shaft's smoothness, courage, and sex appeal

Trivia

• Was rumored to be written as just another detective movie, with a white detective in the lead, but, after the success of Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971), the film was rewritten and recast as a blaxploitation movie. This story has been told several times by director 'Melvin van Peebles'. The Ernest Tidyman novel which was the basis for the film is about a black detective and not a white one.