Shaft in Africa

Shaft in Africa is a 1973 film directed by John Guillermin, and is the third film of the Shaft series, starring Richard Roundtree as John Shaft. Stirling Silliphant wrote the screenplay. The cost went up to $2,142,000, but the gross fell to $1,458,000. MGM quickly sold the property to television, but the television series was cancelled after just seven episodes.

The film was announced in October 1972. The following month it was reported that Stirling Silliphant was writing the script, which would be about the modern day slave trade, and that John Guillermin would direct.

Silliphant had been inspired by a newspaper article he read in 1971 about a truck crossing from Italy into France which was discovered with 30 Africans being smuggled inside; they were to be used for virtually unpaid labour.

"We felt it was important to get Shaft out of New York for the third picture," said producer Roger Lewis. "But we still had to keep him in an area that had appeal - in a way this picture is a big gamble." Richard Roundtree said "the change in atmosphere is a very good thing, a real shot in the arm. Also, the script's better in this one."

The Soundtrack was written and produced by Johnny Pate, who was bass player for Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith for example and includes some real underrated jams.