The 1970s were one of the best decades for filmmakers and audiences alike, being described as the Golden Age for modern cinema. The ’70s saw work fromsome of the best directors ever, such as Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese,setting the standard for films and forever changing the way that movies were thought of, enjoyed, and experienced. Creative storytelling, advances in technology, modern acting techniques, and the social and political landscape of the decade all combined to create films that are legitimately timeless masterpieces that are still beloved to this day.
Some films are so popular that they transcend cinema as a whole and leave a lasting mark on pop cultureand the zeitgeist, and it feels as though they should be appreciated by everyone. Culturally significant and acclaimed works such asThe Godfather,Star Wars, andJawsall elevated and redefined their respective genres, setting a new benchmark for all the films that came after.The 1970s produced many thrilling filmsthat not only shaped the cinematic landscape of the decade but the future of filmmaking itself, with their effects still felt as prominently today as back then.
Chinatown
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Chinatown is a 1974 neo-noir film featuring Jack Nicholson as private investigator Jake Gittes. Tasked with investigating an alleged extramarital affair in pre-World War II Southern California, Gittes is drawn into a complex web of duplicity, unraveling a series of intertwined personal and political scandals.
This neo-noir masterpiece can almost be thought of as the pinnacle of the genre, directed by Roman Polanski(The Pianist) and starring Jack Nicholson as private investigator Jake Gittes.Chinatownfollows the story of Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), a woman who hires Gittes to track and surveil her husband, who she believes is having an affair, which leads to the pair uncovering a web of corruption, lies, and conspiracy. The film expertly weaves motifs from film noir, as well as from mysteries, thrillers, and psychological dramas, creating a complex and multi-layered story that is powered by incredible lead performances.
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Nicholson, Dunaway, and John Huston all deliver knockout portrayals of their characters, with their chemistry and energy bouncing around the screen and confidently unraveling the mystery that surrounds them.Chinatownwas released to widespread critical acclaim, being nominated for 11 Academy Awards, with particular praise for the direction, the script, and the complex storytelling that went on to influence practically every noir film that came out after. Though the pace of the film may be considered slow by modern standards, the payoff for undivided attention, especially in the incredible climax, is more than worth it.
Jaws
Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the residents of Amity Island as they face terror from a menacing great white shark. The town’s police chief, a marine biologist, and a seasoned shark hunter join forces to track and kill the predator threatening their coastal community. Released in 1975.
Directed by one of the most influential directors of all time, Steven Spielberg,Jawsis a thriller based on Peter Benchley’s 1975 novel of the same name. It tells the relatively simple story ofa killer shark that attacks and terrorizes a small beach town,with a marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and shark hunter (Robert Shaw) brought in to help stop the frenzy. The film’s straightforward premise and relaxed location are punctuated with moments of extreme terror and violence, perfectly balancing the story and action into a masterpiece of cinema.
Jawsis often referred to as the first summer blockbuster, which took advantage of heavy marketing to develop a smash hit at the box office and set a new business model for Hollywood at the time. The performances of Dreyfuss and Shaw are excellent; combined with the most iconic score in cinema and Spielberg’s creative direction, it’s an incredible feat to have some of the scariest moments in the film when the Shark is never actually visible.Jawswas not only a massive influence on filmmaking, but for the whole industry, and is as electric today as it was back then.
Rocky
Rocky tells the story of Rocky Balboa, an underdog boxer from Philadelphia who gets an unexpected shot at the world heavyweight title. The film explores Rocky’s personal and professional struggles, his romance with Adrian Pennino, and his journey toward self-respect and determination.
In one of the most iconic underdog stories in film history,Rockytells the story of a down-on-his-luck boxer-turned-loan shark debt collector, directed by John G. Avildsen. The film was written by and stars Sylvester Stallone in the titular role, where journeyman Rocky surprisingly climbs up the boxing ranks until he reaches a tight fight with champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). The film crosses over from a simple sports story into a film about personal growth, resilience, and an unstoppable will that captured the hearts and minds of a nation.
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Stallone held off on selling his script, instead insisting he played the iconic role himself, and it has turned into one of the most shrewd moves in cinematic history.Rockywent on to win three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and its cultural impact can not be understatedwith Stallone’s one-of-a-kind performance, epic soundtrack, and underdog narrative that audiences could relate to. Though it’s a film that launched many imitations, the raw essence captured was lightning in a bottle at the time and is one of the most acclaimed and referenced sports films of all time.
The Exorcist
The Exorcist is a supernatural horror film based on the novel released in 1971 and was directed by William Friedkin. When a young girl is passed by a powerful demon, two Catholic priests are brought to her home to attempt an exorcism to expunge the demon.
At a time when filmmakers and creators were pushing the boat out in terms of storytelling, innovation, and provocative work,The Exorcistmay exemplify this more than most. Written by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel,it follows the story of a young girl who has been possessed by a demon and the attempts of those close to her to help defeat the evil forcesthrough a hellish exorcism performed by two Catholic priests. The film is harrowing and hard to watch, often described as the scariest movie of all time, with electric performances from all those involved.
Directed by the masterful hand of William Friedkin,the film saw widespread critical acclaim and became the first horror film in history to receive a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. Though on the surface, it’s a gruesome horror that keeps viewers glued to the screen, it also has many intricate layered themes, touching on themes such as faith, religion, and familial guilt, all of which help elevate it to its iconic reputation. Impeccable performances, combined with unique and horrifying special effects and a controversial story, all work seamlessly to create one of the most genre-defining films in history.
Taxi Driver
Martin Scorsese’s classic 1976 film stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, a Vietnam veteran turned New York City cab driver whose increasingly disturbed mental state due to his PTSD begins to drive him to more and more violent actions as he attempts to rid the city of what he sees as the “scum” on the streets. Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, Cybill Shepherd, and Albert Brooks also star in the film.
Martin Scorsese’sTaxi Driveris an infamous psychological drama that sees a young Robert De Niro play disillusioned and unraveling Vietnam War veteran Travis Bickle. Travis starts working as a night-shift taxi driver to help with his chronic insomnia,though seeing the tragic nightlife, prostitution, crimes, and destruction of the city furthers his descent into mental illness, and he soon plots a mission to save the world, starting with assassinating a presidential candidate. The film features an ensemble cast, with many acting greats who perfectly support the intricate character study that the film blossoms into.
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Scorsese and De Niro both pull no punches at producing a gritty look atNew York’s underbelly and its social issues, political landscape, and portrayal of urban decay. De Niro gives an impeccable portrayal of a man who is caught in a spiral of mistaken ideals and a damaged psyche, with iconic dialogue delivered flawlessly, like the infamous ‘You talkin’ to me?' scene.Taxi Driverhas exceptional work in front of and behind the camera and is a film that horrifies and captivates in equal measure, and one whose cultural significance has only grown more important in recent years.
Alien
Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, is a science fiction horror film that follows the crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo. Upon investigating a distress signal on a distant moon, they discover a deadly extraterrestrial lifeform. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley and became a seminal work in both the sci-fi and horror genres, known for its atmospheric tension and groundbreaking visual effects.
In another film that set a new standard for its genre,Ridley Scott’sAlienis a sci-fi horror that follows a seven-member crew of the spaceship Nostromowho investigate a derelict alien ship on a nearby planet. Starring Tom Skerritt and Sigourney Weaver, as well as a fantastic ensemble cast, the crew’s mission quickly turns into a horrifying disaster as they are infected and hunted by a vicious extraterrestrial alien being. The film’s tense atmosphere and slower-paced approach perfectly suit the narrative that sees a steady progression into terror and doom that creeps over the characters and the audience simultaneously.
The 10 Best 1970s Films That Must Be Watched At Least Once:
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The Godfather(1972)
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Aliensaw widespread acclaim for its groundbreaking use of technology and special effects, producing a film that is both out of this world and one that feels grounded in reality. The performances, particularly those of Skerritt and Weaver, are all excellent, providing a sense of realism and genuine fear, and with an expert hand in Scott guiding the direction and pacing of the film. The film is claustrophobic, captivating, and legitimately terrifying. While it initially received mixed reviews,Alienis now considered one of the most influential and superb science fiction films of all time.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a 1975 film directed by Miloš Forman, stars Jack Nicholson as a petty criminal who manipulates his way into a mental institution to avoid prison. Amidst clashes with a controlling nurse, he becomes an influential figure among the patients.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestis a psychological comedy-drama that sees Jack Nicholson give a break-out performance, marking him as one of the best actors of his generation. It follows the patients and systems of an intimidating mental institution run by the vindictive Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), with Randle Murphy (Nicholson) being a man who feigns mental illness in order to avoid prison. Directed by the talented Miloš Forman, it follows Randle as he provides a rebellious and positive spirit to the institution before succumbing to its barbaric rules and conditions in a film that critiques oppression and tyranny.
The film wasbased on Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel and was shot in a real Psychiatric Hospital, which explains the richness of the narrative and charactersas well as the authentic look and feel of the work. The movie has a masterful feel throughout every element, with impeccable performances of mental illnesses punctuated by the combative portrayals by Nicholson and Fletcher; the direction, score, and story all weave to create a compelling and disturbing masterpiece. It is only the second film ever to win all five major Academy Awards, and is widely regarded as one of the best films ever.
Apocalypse Now
In Francis Ford Coppola’s classic Vietnam War film, loosely based on Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness, an army Captain is tasked with assassinating a rogue Colonel who has created a cult-like compound in the Cambodian jungle and is currently waging his own war outside the army’s purview. Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando star as Captain Willard and Colonel Kurtz respectively, with an ensemble cast that includes Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, and Dennis Hopper.
Directed by a filmmaker who was at the peak of his powers,Francis Ford Coppola’sApocalypse Nowis, for good reason, widely regarded as the best war film of all time. The film’s plot follows Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) as he is tasked to find and murder the rogue Colonel Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has derelict his duty and created a commune for himself in the middle of the jungle. The film’s ensemble cast sees stars like Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest, and Harrison Ford join in supporting roles in a film that shows a surreal and violent journey into the heart of the Vietnam War.
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Apocalypse Nowjoins many other films from the 1970s in helping reshape and redefine its genrewith an incredible and unique take that shifts the expectations of a generation. It is a truly haunting and nightmarish look into a situation that commands that level of introspection and respect, shining a spotlight on human portrayals in some of the most inhumane conditions imaginable. The cinematography, the score, the directing, and the acting are all pieces in a perfect puzzle, with one leading and elevating the other to create another cinematic masterpiece from the 1970s.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Star Wars is a seminal science fiction film released in 1977 that follows the quest of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo to rescue Princess Leia from the oppressive Imperial forces. They are aided by the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, as they strive to restore peace to the galaxy.
There are some films where hyperbole can go too far, but George Lucas’sStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hopeis one where sometimes all the superlatives and acclaim can still feel like they fall short of representing its true significance.The film tells the story of a group of freedom fighters known as the Rebel Alliance that must fight against the oppressive Galactic Empirewith iconic roles that saw Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford become internationally famous for their portrayals in a timeless narrative that tells the age-old story of good versus evil.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hopeis the fourth highest-grossing film of all time (when adjusted for inflation), only losing out toTitanic,Avatar, andGone with the Wind.
Episode IV - A New Hopewas also unique in its nonlinear release order, being the firstStar Warsfilm series and the fourth chronological chapter of the “Skywalker Saga.“The film’s visuals, effects, characters, and world-building were all groundbreaking and game-changing, creating a piece of film, part of a larger fantasy adventure saga that truly transcended its medium. Star Wars went on to become one of the biggest films of all time in virtually every metric and became a worldwide phenomenon, launching comics, toys, and merchandise that went on to become the blueprint for every mega-franchise.
The Godfather
The Godfather chronicles the Italian-American Corleone crime family from 1945 to 1955. Following an assassination attempt on family patriarch Vito Corleone, his youngest son Michael emerges to orchestrate a brutal campaign of retribution, cementing his role in the family’s illicit empire.
IfApocalypse Nowwas one of Francis Ford Coppola’s best-ever films,thenThe Godfatherwas his Magnum Opus, which laid the groundwork for his career of visionary and iconic direction. The story that Coppola co-wrote with Mario Puzo - based on Puzos best-selling 1969 novel - follows the rise of the crime family of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) and the tension that follows when his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), reluctantly joins his family in the criminal underworld. The performances throughout the ensemble cast are some of the finest in all cinema.
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The Godfather, without exaggeration, is routinely listed as the greatest film of all timeand one that every crime and gangster, as well as any film in general, is measured against. Coppola’s direction is simply flawless, with the portrayals by Brando, Pacino, and James Caan all effortlessly capturing the essence of the era with a marvelous score and cinematography that binds the generational narrative. It’s a film that can be revisited again and again, forever improving and gaining appreciation with the layers of details and nuance that make it a film that must be seen, more than once.
