Shaft: The TV Movie Collection

This long forgotten TV spin off from the 3 Shaft Movies - Shaft (1971), Shaft's Big Score! (1972) and Shaft In Africa (1973) - comes at last to DVD courtesy of Warner's Archive Collection.Why long forgotten? Many fans of the movies complained that the TV version of Shaft was toned down too much from the character on the big screen - his prickly relationship with Lt Vic Anderozzi was replaced by a buddy buddy friendship with Lt Al Rossi, his trendy turtleneck sweaters and leather jackets were ditched in favour of conservative shirts, ties, suits and even pullovers!, and worst of all, he was no longer an in-your-face-up-yours tough black private eye, but merely a private eye who happened to be black. The violence was toned right down and the sex was reduced to zero.Is this, fans asked, really our Shaft?Well this series was made in 1973 and in those days American TV was ultra-conservative. Richard Roundtree himself, in response to these criticisms, said that the movie Shaft could not be reproduced on TV.Once you accept that, this series is very enjoyable for anyone who likes the movies and Roundtree himself is on top form. I saw this myself back at the time and it was my introduction to the Shaft character. I've wanted to see it again since the 70s and here it is.Don't expect the rawness of the movies, but enjoy 7 more adventures of John Shaft.

very pleased with product

Very good

As a fan of the late Richard Roundtree and remembering the series it’s a must have, not as Badd as the Movie but you will never be Shafted!!!

Exactly as described and brand new!

item arrived on item and as described.

I've watched the first three of these Shaft TV movies from the 70s, and I must say I've found them more interesting than most of the detective shows from that era; and I've seen them all. It's fascinating to see so many character actors from that period getting work in these Shaft TV movies. Also, these shows give Richard Roundtree an opportunity to demonstrate that he has a wider acting range than he was allowed to exhibit in the theatrical films. Yes, he is much more buddy-buddy with Lt. Al Rossi than he was with Lt. Vic Androzzi; but that is more realistic because in reality one hand washes the other. The way Shaft treated Lt. Androzzi was something that stretched credulity in the theatrical films. As for getting in people's faces, the TV Shaft is still very hard on criminals, once even killing two of them with a handgun he had bought illegally while under suspension! This Shaft shows more emotional intelligence because he's able to get along with a wider range of people. The character of John Shaft is much more well-rounded and human here than the trash-talking tough guy in the films. One more thing, as a native New Yorker, I love all the exteriors of on-location street scenes from the Big Apple back in the 1970s. Wow! The city really has changed! I am glad I bought this set and look forward to watching the remaining TV movies in this collection.

Great DvD's