Popular Movies In The 70s

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is an American crime drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel of the same name. The film tells the story of the powerful Corleone crime family in New York City, led by patriarch Vito Corleone. As the aging Don's health fails and his youngest son Michael steps into the family business, rival crime families, corrupt government officials and treacherous associates threaten to destroy the Corleone family. The Godfather is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest films of all time and is seen as a classic of the gangster genre. It has won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola).

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather Part II is the epic sequel to The Godfather, directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola. It follows Michael Corleone, the new head of the Corleone crime family, as he expands the family business into Las Vegas, Cuba, and New York. Alongside this main plot, the film follows the backstory of the Corleone family's early years, detailing the story of Vito Corleone's struggles as an Italian immigrant as he rises to become Don of the Corleone family. As Michael's family slowly unravels around him due to his ambitions and the machinations of his enemies, tensions within the family come to a head in an explosive climax. The Godfather Part II is a powerful and gripping film that stands alone as an iconic piece of cinema.

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Miloš Forman and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a hospital patient who fakes mental illness in order to get away from a prison work farm. Once he is admitted to the psychiatric hospital, he rebels against the oppressive Nurse Ratched and rallies the other patients around him to take back their right to make their own decisions. The film also stars Louise Fletcher, Brad Dourif, William Redfield, and Danny DeVito. The film is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jack Nicholson.

From George Lucas, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is the first installment of the iconic Star Wars saga. It follows a young farm boy named Luke Skywalker as he embarks on an epic journey to save the galaxy from an oppressive empire. With the help of rebel forces, daring space pilots, and a wise old Jedi knight, Luke must confront his destiny and face off against the dark lord Darth Vader. Along the way, he discovers the power of the Force, the secrets of the Jedi, and the heroic potential within himself. With a stirring score and thrilling action, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is a timeless classic.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest
Rated R

Apocalypse Now is a 1979 American epic war film directed, produced and co-written by Francis Ford Coppola. It stars Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Sam Bottoms, Laurence Fishburne and Dennis Hopper. The film follows the story of a U.S. Army special Forces officer, Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Sheen), who is sent on a secret mission to Cambodia to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Brando), a renegade Green Beret. Along the way, he encounters a series of events that test his courage, morality and sanity. Along the journey, Willard is forced to confront the horror and absurdity of the Vietnam War. The film is loosely based on Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, and includes a wide variety of themes, including insanity, morality, the horrors of war, and the duality of human nature. It received widespread critical acclaim, with many critics citing it as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, Warren Clarke
Rated R

A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 dystopian crime film directed by Stanley Kubrick and adapted from Anthony Burgess's 1962 novella of the same name. The film follows protagonist Alex DeLarge, a charismatic and psychopathic delinquent who leads a small gang of thugs on a night of "ultraviolence" in a futuristic dystopian England. After being arrested and convicted of murder and rape, he is chosen for an experimental rehabilitation program involving the controversial Ludovico technique, which seeks to condition him to detest violence. The film is noted for its stylish cinematography, avant-garde soundtrack, and provocative imagery. It remains a highly influential work of cinema, having been referenced in numerous films, TV shows, music, and other media.

From George Roy Hill, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning
Rated PG

The Sting is a 1973 crime drama directed by George Roy Hill and stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The plot follows two con artists, Johnny Hooker (Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Newman), who set out to take revenge on the notorious mobster Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw) after Hooker's friend is killed during a crooked deal. In order to succeed, the two devise an elaborate plan to outwit Lonnegan by setting up a fake horse race betting scam. With the help of an eccentric crew of con men and gangsters, Hooker and Gondorff manage to pull off the ambitious heist and get the better of Lonnegan. The Sting was a critical and commercial success and won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Picture.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Taxi Driver is a 1976 psychological drama directed by Martin Scorsese starring Robert De Niro as the troubled Vietnam veteran, Travis Bickle. After returning home from the war, Travis takes a job as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City. As Travis struggles to cope with his emotional distress, he increasingly immerses himself in a self-destructive spiral of rage and alienation. He becomes obsessed with saving a teenage prostitute played by Jodie Foster, and begins plotting a violent mission of vigilante justice. The film is widely regarded as a classic of cinema and was nominated for four Academy Awards.

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez
Rated R

Chinatown is a 1974 neo-noir film directed by Roman Polanski, written by Robert Towne, and starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. Set in 1937 Los Angeles, the film tells the story of private detective J. J. "Jake" Gittes, who is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate the suspicious activities of her husband Hollis. In the course of his investigation, Jake uncovers a web of deceit involving a water grab, illegal real estate deals, and a family tragedy. He soon finds himself in a desperate struggle to protect the truth and ultimately save his own life.

From William Friedkin, starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb
Rated R

The Exorcist is a classic 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin and based on the novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. It tells the story of a young girl, Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), who begins displaying strange and dangerous behavior after playing a seemingly innocent game with an Ouija board. After doctors are unable to find a scientific explanation for her strange behavior, Regan's mother (Ellen Burstyn) turns to a priest for help, and calls on Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) to perform an exorcism. With the help of an elderly priest (Max von Sydow), Karras must battle the demon within Regan in a life-or-death struggle between good and evil. The Exorcist is widely considered to be one of the best horror films of all time, and is a highly influential classic that has spawned numerous sequels and remakes over the years.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
Rated PG

"Jaws" is a 1975 American horror-thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name. The film tells the story of police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) who teams up with a marine biologist, Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and a grizzled old seafarer, Quint (Robert Shaw), to hunt down a great white shark that is terrorizing the fictional seaside town of Amity Island. In doing so, the trio must overcome their own personal fears in order to defeat the shark and save the lives of Amity's citizens. With its iconic score by John Williams and unforgettable lines, "Jaws" is widely regarded as one of the most influential films of all time and is often credited with ushering in the era of the summer blockbuster.

From Michael Cimino, starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage
Rated R

The Deer Hunter is a 1978 American epic drama film directed by Michael Cimino. The film stars Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, and John Savage. The drama takes place in Clairton, a small town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and follows a group of working-class friends who enlist in the Army to fight in the Vietnam War. During their service, the group is forced to take part in a dangerous game of Russian roulette by their captors, which leads to devastating consequences. The Deer Hunter depicts the impact of the war on the men's lives, as well as on their families and friends. It is a powerful exploration of the bonds of friendship, loyalty, and patriotism, and the devastating effects of war on the human psyche.

From John G. Avildsen, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. The film tells the rags-to-riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted working class Italian-American boxer working as a debt collector for a loan shark in the slums of Philadelphia. When Rocky gets a surprise shot at fighting for the world heavyweight championship, he must confront not only his external opponents, but also his own inner demons. Through heart and determination, Rocky embarks on an unlikely journey from underdog to champion, which leads him to confront and ultimately defeat the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed. The film also features Talia Shire as Adrian, Burt Young as Adrian's brother Paulie, Burgess Meredith as Rocky's trainer Mickey Goldmill, and Carl Weathers as the champion, Apollo Creed.

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman
Rated PG

Paper Moon is a 1973 American comedy-drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Ryan O'Neal, his daughter Tatum O'Neal and Madeline Kahn. The film tells the story of a con man and a young girl, Addie Loggins, who may or may not be his daughter, as they travel through the American Midwest during the Great Depression. Along their journey, Addie and the con man, Moses Pray, become close and learn valuable lessons about life, love, and family. The film received critical acclaim, with Tatum O'Neal becoming the youngest person ever to win an Academy Award for acting. The film also received numerous nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress. Paper Moon is a timeless classic that remains one of the most beloved films of all time.

From John Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Fred Draper, Lady Rowlands
Rated R

A Woman Under the Influence follows the story of a working-class family in Los Angeles and their struggles with the mother, Mabel, who is suffering from mental illness. Mabel's mental health has been deteriorating for some time, and her husband Nick is struggling to understand and cope with her behavior. He ultimately decides to have Mabel committed to a mental hospital in an attempt to help her, but soon realizes that he is not equipped to handle her mental illness, and the institution is unable to provide the necessary treatment. The film follows the couple's journey as they try to come to terms with Mabel's illness and look for a way to help her while still maintaining their family life.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall
Rated R

Network is an American satirical black comedy-drama film from 1976 directed by Sidney Lumet, with a screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky. The film follows the story of Howard Beale (Peter Finch), a troubled news anchor whose increasingly erratic behavior threatens the profitability of the UBS Television Network. The film follows Beale, who has been fired from his job as the network news anchor, but who is still granted a spot on the schedule for a nightly news program in which he rants about society's ills. Beale's ratings skyrocket, and the executives of the network use this increased viewership to their advantage, manipulating Beale to become a symbol of corporate greed and consumerism. Meanwhile, other characters within the film, including Max Schumacher (William Holden) and Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway), battle to maintain the integrity of the news and the network. Network is a scathing indictment of the television industry and the way it is run, and it won several awards, including four Academy Awards. It was also one of the first films to discuss the implications of the growth of television networks and the effect they have had on people and culture.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Hardy Krüger
Rated PG

Barry Lyndon is a 1975 British-American period drama film by Stanley Kubrick, based on the 1844 novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray. The film stars Ryan O'Neal as an Irish adventurer who, through luck and cunning, reinvents himself as an aristocrat in 18th century Europe. It follows his rise to wealth and power and his eventual downfall at the hands of his own ambition. The film is noted for its costumes, cinematography, and music, which were all nominated for Academy Awards. The movie follows the protagonist, Redmond Barry, on his journey from poverty to his becoming an English nobleman and his eventual descent into debt and ruin. Along the way, he meets several interesting characters, gets entangled in several affairs, and is imprisoned for his misdeeds. Barry Lyndon is a classic epic, with stunning visuals and a powerful story about the dangers of unchecked ambition.

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Ben Johnson
Rated R

The Last Picture Show is a 1971 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Peter Bogdanovich. Set in a small town in Texas in the 1950s, it centers on the romance between Sonny Crawford (Timothy Bottoms) and Jacy Farrow (Cybill Shepherd) and the coming of age of Sonny and his best friend Duane Jackson (Jeff Bridges). Sonny and Duane struggle with their lives in a town on the brink of change, where the only window to the world is the local movie theater, the last picture show. They must also confront the harsh realities of adult life, including love, loss, and death. The film also stars Ellen Burstyn, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Eileen Brennan, and Randy Quaid.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Victor Jory, Don Gordon
Rated R

Papillon is a 1973 prison drama directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. The film follows the story of Henri "Papillon" Charrière (McQueen), a safecracker from the Parisian underworld who is falsely convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious penal colony on Devil's Island in French Guiana. Along with fellow convict Louis Dega (Hoffman), Papillon devises a daring escape plan to break free from the penal colony and regain his freedom. The film follows their harrowing journey as they attempt to navigate their way to freedom, dodging the dangers posed by the harsh environment, cruel guards, and hostile natives. The film culminates in an intense, dramatic climax in which Papillon and Dega's fate hangs in the balance.

From Hal Ashby, starring Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden
Rated PG

Being There is a 1979 American comedy-drama film directed by Hal Ashby and starring Peter Sellers. The film follows the story of Chance, an elderly simple-minded gardener. Chance is forced to leave his home after the death of his employer and is taken in by an affluent Washington family. Through a series of misunderstandings, Chance’s simple-minded comments are taken as wise and profound, and he soon rises to a position of power and influence. The film satirizes American culture, politics and social classes as Chance’s comments and behavior are interpreted in various ways by different people. Chance’s character is a metaphor for life’s unpredictability and the ability of one to shape their own fate.

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane
Rated PG

Annie Hall is a 1977 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Woody Allen and starring himself alongside Diane Keaton as the title character. The film follows the ups and downs of the relationship between Alvy Singer (Allen), a neurotic and wisecracking New Yorker, and Annie Hall (Keaton), an aspiring singer and dancer from a small town in the Midwest. Alvy and Annie meet, fall in love, struggle with long distance struggles, argue, reunite, and ultimately, break up. Throughout the story, a series of flashbacks and dream sequences aid in the understanding of the film's characters. The film is a bittersweet look at relationships, especially those involving the neurotic and neurotic like Alvy and Annie. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Diane Keaton, and Best Original Screenplay for Woody Allen. It won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Stephen Young, Michael Strong
Rated GP

Patton is a 1970 biographical war film about General George S. Patton during World War II. It stars George C. Scott as Patton and Karl Malden as General Omar Bradley. The film follows Patton's career in North Africa and Europe during World War II, from his leadership in the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 to the German surrender in 1945. The film highlights the infamous General's fiery temper, his single-mindedness, and his love of war. The film culminates in Patton's death in 1945, and concludes with a memorial service honoring the General's memory. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for George C. Scott.

From Alan J. Pakula, starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam
Rated PG

All the President’s Men is a political thriller directed by Alan J. Pakula and released in 1976. Based on real events, the movie follows the investigative reporting of two Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman), as they uncover the Watergate scandal. With the help of an anonymous source known as "Deep Throat," the two reporters come to the realization that a Watergate burglary was actually part of a much larger political conspiracy involving the President of the United States, Richard Nixon. Through their painstaking research and dogged determination, Woodward and Bernstein eventually uncover the full extent of the scandal and their revelations eventually lead to Richard Nixon’s downfall. The movie earned widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning four. It is widely considered to be one of the best films of the 1970s.

From Hal Ashby, starring Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack
Rated PG

Harold and Maude is a 1971 American romantic comedy-drama directed by Hal Ashby and starring Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort. The film tells the story of the unlikely relationship between Harold, a young man obsessed with death, and Maude, an eccentric 79-year-old woman who teaches him to embrace life. Harold's mother repeatedly tries to set him up with dates and potential wives in order to snap him out of his gloom. Meanwhile, Harold develops a strong bond with Maude, and the pair eventually fall in love. As their relationship progresses, Harold finds himself struggling to reconcile his feelings for Maude with the expectations of his family and society at large. The film's themes of mortality, passion, individuality, and rebellion continue to resonate with audiences today.

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, Michael Murphy
Rated R

Manhattan is a romantic comedy-drama directed by Woody Allen, which follows the life of a divorced, middle-aged television writer, Isaac Davis (played by Allen) as he attempts to deal with his neuroses and relationship issues. In the film, Isaac and his girlfriend, Mary (played by Diane Keaton), struggle with their complicated relationship as Isaac continues to be in love with his ex-wife, Jill (played by Meryl Streep). As the film progresses, Isaac is forced to deal with the reality that he is growing older and that he is unable to keep up with life in the fast-paced city of Manhattan. The film also follows Isaac's relationship with his best friend, Yale (played by Michael Murphy), who is struggling to come to terms with his own identity and relationship issues. Throughout the film, Allen uses his distinct style of comedy to explore themes of aging, relationships, and life in the big city.