Top Movies 1973

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

The Sting is a crime caper set in 1930s Chicago. It follows two con-men, Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman), as they attempt to con Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw), a mob boss, out of a large sum of money. With the help of an eccentric cast of characters, Hooker and Gondorff develop an elaborate and intricate scam to swindle Lonnegan and, after various twists and turns, eventually succeed in pulling off the con. Along the way, the two must dodge the law and Lonnegan's henchmen as they attempt to flee with the spoils of their criminal enterprise.

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

Paper Moon is a 1973 comedy-drama directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Ryan and Tatum O'Neal as father and daughter con artists. The film follows Moses Pray (Ryan O'Neal) and Addie Loggins (Tatum O'Neal) as they make their way through the Mid-West of the United States during the Great Depression. Moses is a con man trying to make money off of gullible townsfolk, while Addie is a precocious nine-year-old girl who tags along for the ride. As their journey progresses, the two develop a bond, as Moses grows to accept Addie as his daughter and the two become a team. Along the way, they encounter various strange characters and situations, all while struggling to survive, and ultimately find a home.

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

The Exorcist is a classic horror film directed by William Friedkin and released in 1973. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair and Max von Sydow and tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Regan MacNeil (played by Linda Blair) who is possessed by a powerful demon. It is up to two priests, Father Merrin (played by Max von Sydow) and Father Karras (played by Jason Miller) to save her by performing an exorcism. The film follows the two priests as they battle the demon inside Regan, while her distraught mother (played by Ellen Burstyn) tries to find a way to help her daughter. The film is seen as a classic in the horror genre, and its themes of faith and the supernatural have become iconic.

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

Papillon is a 1973 crime drama film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. The film is based on the autobiographical book Papillon by Henri Charrière, and tells the story of his incarceration in a French penal colony in French Guiana and his subsequent escape. The film follows Henri 'Papillon' Charrière (McQueen) as he is wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious penal colony located in French Guiana. With the help of his friend, Louis Dega (Hoffman), Papillon embarks on a daring and dangerous escape plan. Along the way, he faces many hardships and obstacles, but his determination to be free drives him to succeed. Despite the odds, Papillon manages to survive and eventually escapes the colony, becoming a free man.

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Edward Fox, Terence Alexander, Michel Auclair, Alan Badel
Rated PG

The Day of the Jackal is a 1973 British-American political thriller directed by Fred Zinnemann, based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth. The story follows a professional assassin known only as the "Jackal," who is hired to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle in the summer of 1963. As the Jackal sets about to meticulously plan his mission, the French police struggle to uncover and prevent his plot. In a thrilling race against time, the Jackal must outwit the authorities and pull off the mission in order to secure the financial reward he has been promised.

From Víctor Erice, starring Fernando Fernán Gómez, Teresa Gimpera, Ana Torrent, Isabel Tellería
Rated Not Rated

The Spirit of the Beehive is a 1973 Spanish drama film directed by Víctor Erice. It tells the story of two sisters living in a small, rural Spanish village in 1940. They are affected by the movie Frankenstein that they watch at a local fair. Ana, the younger sister, becomes obsessed with the idea of finding the creature from the film. This leads her on an inner journey of self-discovery, as she wonders what she truly believes in and how she fits into the world around her. Meanwhile, her older sister, Isabel, struggles to reconcile the harsh reality of her life with her dreams of a better future. Erice's film is a poetic exploration of the fragility of childhood innocence, as well as the power of imagination and creativity in the face of adversity.

From Terrence Malick, starring Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Warren Oates, Ramon Bieri
Rated PG

Badlands is a 1973 drama film directed by Terrence Malick, starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. The film follows two young lovers, Holly and Kit, who embark on a killing spree in the South Dakota badlands. Despite Kit's growing notoriety, the two remain devoted and in love as they travel across the country, pursued by police. As the violence and chaos escalate, Holly begins to question Kit's motivations and morality, leading to a dramatic and unexpected conclusion. Badlands is a lyrical and evocative exploration of violence, love, and morality, and one of the most acclaimed films of the 1970s.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Biff McGuire
Rated R

Serpico, a 1973 film directed by Sidney Lumet, is based on the true story of New York Police Department officer Frank Serpico, who in 1969 blew the whistle on systemic corruption within the police force. Serpico's attempts to expose the corruption were met with resistance from within the police force, and he eventually found himself the target of both internal and external forces. As Serpico works to uncover the truth and remain alive, he is also forced to confront his own ethical dilemmas as a law enforcement officer. By the end of the film, Serpico's tireless struggle to bring attention to police corruption has not only earned him a promotion, but also brought the truth to light.

From Hal Ashby, starring Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid, Otis Young, Clifton James
Rated R

The Last Detail is a 1973 comedy-drama film directed by Hal Ashby and starring Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, and Randy Quaid. It tells the story of two Navy men, Buddusky (Nicholson) and Mulhall (Young), assigned to escort a young sailor, Meadows (Quaid), to prison for a minor crime. While on their journey, the three men form a bond and Buddusky and Mulhall decide to give Meadows the time of his life before he serves his time. Along their journey, the trio get into trouble with the law, encounter a series of wild adventures, and ultimately accept Meadows' situation. The film is a story of friendship, loyalty, and growing up.

From George Lucas, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith
Rated PG

From Peter Yates, starring Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle, Richard Jordan, Steven Keats
Rated R

From Nicolas Roeg, starring Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland, Hilary Mason, Clelia Matania
Rated R

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, David Proval, Amy Robinson
Rated R

From Sam Peckinpah, starring James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Jaeckel, Katy Jurado
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, John Beck, Mary Gregory
Rated PG

From Richard Lester, starring Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Richard Chamberlain, Michael York
Rated PG

From Richard Fleischer, starring Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young, Chuck Connors
Rated PG

From Michael Crichton, starring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, Norman Bartold
Rated PG

From John D. Hancock, starring Michael Moriarty, Robert De Niro, Vincent Gardenia, Phil Foster
Rated PG