Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- stylized
- sexy
- propulsive
- retro action night
- blaxploitation double feature
What critics said
Critics generally found the film entertaining and competently scripted as escapist action, but less daring, culturally sophisticated, and exciting than its premise and predecessors suggested.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Shaft travels from Paris into Africa while confronting a trafficking racket exploiting African migrants.
Shaft assumes the identity of a native-speaking itinerant worker to penetrate the immigration-smuggling operation.
The racket smuggles immigrants into Europe and exploits them, while the film frames the crime through white exploitation of Black people abroad.
The film expands the Shaft formula beyond Harlem into Paris and Africa with globe-trotting action, sex, and criminal intrigue.
Films like Shaft in Africa, and why
Shaft
shared blaxploitation crime-thriller framework, charismatic Black protagonist, and international espionage adventure
Live and Let Die
shared blaxploitation style, action-driven crime narrative, and globe-trotting undercover premise
The French Connection
shared neo-noir crime plotting, physical action, and socially charged exploitation themes
The Black Gestapo
shared James Bond-influenced spy adventure, sexualized atmosphere, and international criminal conspiracy
Movie Details
- Director
- John Guillermin
- Release Date
- 1973-06-20
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (86)
Cast
- Richard Roundtree
- Frank Finlay
- Vonetta McGee
- Neda Arnerić
- Debebe Eshetu
- Spiros Focás
- Jacques Herlin
- Jho Jhenkins
- Willie Jonah
- Adolfo Lastretti
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Shaft in Africa about?
- John Shaft takes his streetwise investigative skills across Paris and Africa to infiltrate a ruthless migrant-smuggling racket.
- What is Shaft in Africa like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shaft in Africa as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Shaft in Africa violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Shaft in Africa as brutal.
- What did critics think of Shaft in Africa?
- Critics generally found the film entertaining and competently scripted as escapist action, but less daring, culturally sophisticated, and exciting than its premise and predecessors suggested.
- Which films are like Shaft in Africa?
- Films with a similar feel include Shaft, Live and Let Die, The French Connection, and The Black Gestapo.
- How long is Shaft in Africa?
- Shaft in Africa runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shaft in Africa?
- In United States, Shaft in Africa is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
