I mean from today's point of view it just seemed like a generic cop movie. Sure, there were a few undertones of racism, and the main character was black, but there was nothing particularly exploitation about it; no gratuitous sex or violence. Plus it had a solid script; it was funny, and the characters were likable. I thought it was great.
-- Exeunt the Wolfe --
[deleted]
Well, I would say only in the sense that it spurred this new genre. FYI, the NAACP coined the term blaxploitation.
shareI've only seen this, and the Samuel Jackson version. I may have only watched this one once, but it wasn't as good as I hoped. I was expecting more action really.
For DEMONIC TOYS and updates on Full Moon Films:
www.freewebs.com/demonictoys/
[deleted]
The second one has a lot more action (I'm assuming because of a bigger budget).
Just my one cent since I can't afford two.
[deleted]
You don't think there is a such thing as a "good blaxploitation movie"? This is certainly one and I would put it into the genre. Black Caesar and Three the Hard Way are others.
Yippee: "For king!"
Yappee: "For country!"
Yahooie: "And, most of all, for 10ยข an hour!"
I agree with the OP, after all MGM put this out. The Blaxploitation movies of the time were made independently. I always felt the black movies to follow were copy-cats, and then created the blaxploitation genre, where they could write, and portray anything they wanted because they footed the bill in making the movies themselves. But hey, whatever, this is an important movie in Hollywood history
shareIn the early Hollywood years, RKO put out mostly westerns. Because big studios started making them, does that mean that their movies aren't true "westerns"?
"I'm in such bad shape, I'm wearing prescription underwear." Phyllis Diller 1917-2012
I don't see this movie fitting that descriptor. But Blacula does fit it, in my opinion. The definition is applied to films that made money off Black actors, who didn't reap the benefits monetarily or professionally. Shaft is a good crime movie, with a Black protagonist was intelligent, street savvy, and knew the system enough as to when he could bend it. A strong Black role. But the movies that followed were not as good, and lined the pockets of the industry. Especially when there was no counter-point image of Blacks. Sure there were comedies, but we had to wait for the Cosby Show to blow up the ceiling.
Blaxploitation is similar to the Slasher genre. Small budgets, unknown or ignored actors, big profits.
If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world
Well it isn't first off Ernest Tidyman's the same night Ike Hayes won the oscar won his oscar for French Connection. Secondly Gordon Parks was a genius proof of which is how many artists have their obituary above the fold? Lastly Ike Hayes' score was his first attempt.
shareAlso too Shaft was edited by the great Hugh Robertson, to my knowledge the first black to be nominated for best editor for his great midnight cowboy work. You must remember that, the film was released in the summer of 1971, and Junius Griffin didn't coin the phrase blaxploitation until 1974.
shareIts not blacksplotation.
Its a detective mystery.