"The First Black Action Hero" Shaft Blaxploitation Pressbook

Shaft Film

Ephemera and pamphlets

[Blaxploitation] Original large scale pressbook for the 1971 hit Shaft starring Richard Roundtree. Measures 12" x 17", 12pp. Cover shows Shaft in his leather jacket in full action with a gun in one hand. The pressbook contains information regarding the director, writers, actors, and even an article about the Black Power movement and it's impact on the film. Many pages show diagrams of marketing advertisements to be produced. The film was an adaptation of Tidyman's novel of the same name and explores themes like hyper masculinity and sexuality, with some emphasis on Black Power. It was filmed in part in location in Harlem allowing black audiences to have a deeper connection to the film . The plot revolves around an African American private detective named John Shaft who is hired by a Harlem mobster to rescue his daughter from Italian mobsters. Shaft played a crucial part in the development of African-American advancement in Hollywood. In the creation of Shaft, aside from the main role, there was also a significant African-American presence, with director Parks, editor Hugh A. Robertson, and musical composer Isaac Hayes playing crucial roles. Both a critical and commercial success, Shaft is considered one of the most important films in the "Blaxploitation" genre. Some minor wear to corners but in overall excellent condition.

Item #20094

Price: $125.00