Shaft's Big Score
| Shaft's Big Score! | |
|---|---|
 Original theatrical release poster by John Solie | |
| Directed by | Gordon Parks |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Ernest Tidyman |
| Based on |
characters created by Ernest Tidyman |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Gordon Parks |
| Cinematography | Urs Furrer |
| Edited by | Harry Howard |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 104 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,978,000 |
| Box office | $10,000,000[1] |
Shaft's Big Score! is a 1972 American neo-noir action crime–drama film starring Richard Roundtree[2] as the private detective John Shaft. Directed by Gordon Parks,[2] this is the second film in the trilogy. Ernest Tidyman once more supplied the screenplay. The first film's composer Isaac Hayes was unavailable, so Parks, the returning director, did the score himself. The film was produced on a budget of $1,978,000. Shaft's Big Score! also stars Moses Gunn, Drew Bundini Brown, Joseph Mascolo, Julius Harris, and Joe Santos.[2]
Plot
While New York is never at a loss for criminal activity, things take a turn for the worse when the corrupt co-owner of a funeral parlor and insurance agency kills his partner, a personal friend of John Shaft, only to discover that the money he was planning to steal to pay his gambling debts is missing. He makes a deal with the mobster he owes (Joseph Mascolo) to split the business but also makes the same deal with crime lord Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gunn). The bullets start flying when the hoods find they've been played against each other, and Shaft is forced to clean up the mess.
Cast
- Richard Roundtree as John Shaft
- Moses Gunn as Bumpy Jonas
- Drew Bundini Brown as Willy
- Joseph Mascolo as Gus Mascola
- Kathy Imrie as Rita
- Wally Taylor as Johnny Kelly
- Julius Harris as Capt. Bollin (as Julius W. Harris)
- Rosalind Miles as Arna Asby
- Joe Santos as Pascal
Reception
Shaft's Big Score! earned estimated North American rentals of $4 million.[3]
Critical response
Shaft's Big Score! received a lukewarm reception from critics,[4] although Roger Ebert awarded the film 3 stars out of 4.[5]
Release
Shaft's Big Score! was released in theatres on June 8, 1972. The film was released on DVD initially on June 6, 2000, then August 30, 2005, and finally January 31, 2006 by Warner Home Video.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ "Shaft's Big Score, Box Office Information". The Numbers. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
- 1 2 3 "Shaft's Big Score!". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Updated All-time Film Champs", Variety, 9 January 1974 p 60
- ↑ Greenspun, Roger (1972-06-22). "Something Happened on Way to the Sequel:Roundtree Returns in 'Shaft's Big Score". The New York Times. New York City: The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ↑ "Shaft's Big Score". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicagodate=: Sun-Times Media Group. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ↑ "Shaft's Big Score!". Warner Home Video. Burbank, California: Warner Bros. June 6, 2000. Retrieved December 10, 2016.