Shaft in Africa is practically a black Bond film. Since John Shaft is taken out of New York and sent straight to Africa. Despite Shaft in Africa being another sequel released the following year, Richard Roundtree is the only returning cast member. Now the director is British and the budget is so big that they can now afford the new location. Along with many supporting characters.
Shaft is pretty much turned into a spy complete with gadgets who must learn African customs in order to infiltrate a slave labor ring. It’s similar to Bond, but this is still an R rated Blaxploitation film. Shaft is completely naked when he faces an assailant with an African fighting stick. Violence is a bit more intense with Shaft’s enemies being more merciless than before. He tries to blend in, but his cover is blown several times. Until an explosive climax that brings Shaft and his ring of fellow laborers to France.
Nudity is also more graphic than before with women both African and white wanting to sleep with Shaft. Similar to the previous movies, but at least some of the actresses get more character development. Shaft in Africa sounds like the most exploitative Blaxploitation movie for its title alone, but the scenery change at least makes it more memorable than Shaft’s Big Score! Despite a number of book appearances, this was the original Shaft’s last big screen adventure. Aside from a short lived TV show, Shaft in Africa retired the icon in over-the-top fashion.
John Shaft takes aim
Preceded by: Shaft’s Big Score!
I’ve only seen Shaft and the remake with Samuel L Jackson. I actually liked both films–especially the original. (I may be the only one on the planet who liked the remake. Ha!) I like some blaxploitation films–Across 110th St, Sweet Sweetback’s Badassss Song, Coffy, Superfly, Slaughter–but for the most part, I’m not a fan of genre and the lack of character development, especially female character development is a big reason why I don’t appreciate it more. I do like the Guerrilla filmmaking movement that Blaxploitation represents so boldly. Melvin Van Peebles is a genius.
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Some of those are on my radar, but apart from the Shaft series, Foxy Brown was the only other Blaxploitation movie I’d seen. I respect your opinion on them. In regards to the remake, stay tuned.
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