Top Movies 1979

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

"Apocalypse Now" (1979) is the classic war drama directed and co-written by Francis Ford Coppola. Set during the Vietnam War, the film follows Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) as he is tasked with a secret mission to “terminate with extreme prejudice” the renegade and presumed insane Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando). Along the way, Willard is forced to confront the horrors of war as he travels upriver in Cambodia and is confronted with the conflict's true cost. The film is a powerful exploration of the madness and brutality of war, as well as an exploration of the nature of power and morality.

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a 1979 science-fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, and Yaphet Kotto. The plot follows the crew of the commercial space-tug Nostromo, who investigate a distress call from an alien planet, only to encounter a malevolent, bio-mechanical life form intent on killing them all. As they fight for their lives, they come to realize that they are not alone in the depths of space - and that the alien's deadly intentions have become their own. With suspense, terror, and groundbreaking special effects, Alien is lauded as one of the greatest and most influential sci-fi horror films of all time.

From Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
Rated R

Life of Brian is a 1979 British comedy film directed by Terry Jones. It follows the life of Brian Cohen (played by Graham Chapman), a young Jewish man who is born on the same day as—and next door to—Jesus Christ, and is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah. The film follows Brian and his attempts to escape from his situation as well as the various revolutionary groups he falls in with. The film also satirizes the standard elements of the Biblical Jesus story, as well as religious beliefs in general. Life of Brian is noted for its irreverent humor and for its use of classical music. It has been praised for its sharp wit and overall comedic value.

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. It stars Peter Sellers as a simple-minded, quiet gardener named Chance who finds himself thrust into a world of wealth and power after the death of his employer. After moving in with a wealthy, elderly Washington, D.C. family, Chance becomes a confidant to the President of the United States and is sought after for his innocent and seemingly profound observations of life. His simple-minded and naive comments are taken as sage advice by the powerful people he meets. Chance's rise to fame and power ultimately leads to a life-altering decision. The film also features Shirley MacLaine, Jack Warden, Melvyn Douglas, and Richard Dysart.

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

Manhattan is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Woody Allen and starring Allen and Diane Keaton. The film follows Isaac Davis, a twice-divorced 42-year-old comedian, as he struggles with his relationships with a 17-year-old girl and his best friend's mistress. Through Isaac's relationship struggles, we get glimpses into his life and the lives of his friends, including his college ex-wife and her uptight new husband. The film is also a love letter to New York City, with many scenes shot in iconic locations and featuring iconic landmarks. Ultimately, Isaac must decide whether he will take the risk of pursuing a relationship with the significantly younger girl or try to make things work with his best friend's mistress.

From Bob Fosse, starring Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Ann Reinking, Leland Palmer
Rated R

All That Jazz is a 1979 film directed by Bob Fosse and written by Robert Alan Aurthur and Bob Fosse. It stars Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon, a director and choreographer in the theater world of New York City. The film follows Joe's professional and personal lives as he faces health issues, takes on too many projects, and struggles to balance his career and his family. Through a series of flashbacks, dream sequences, and musical numbers, the film examines his life and the choices he makes. All That Jazz is notable for its use of Fosse's trademark style of dance and editing, as well as its exploration of themes of death, mortality, and self-destructive behavior.

From Robert Benton, starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, Justin Henry
Rated PG

Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 American drama film written, directed, and produced by Robert Benton and starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Justin Henry. The film follows a divorced couple's battle for custody of their young son. Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) is a workaholic advertising executive who is confronted with the news that his wife Joanna (Meryl Streep) is leaving him. His wife's decision creates an emotional crisis in Ted, who is forced to re-examine his life and learn to become a better parent to his son, Billy (Justin Henry). The film portrays the emotional toll the divorce takes on both Ted and Billy, as they struggle to cope with the changes in their lives. As the court battle for custody of Billy begins, Ted and Joanna both realize that their love for their son is stronger than their differences. The film ultimately focuses on the transformation of Ted from an emotionally distant husband and father to a caring and nurturing parent.

From Peter Yates, starring Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley
Rated PG

Breaking Away is a 1979 comedy-drama directed by Peter Yates. It tells the story of Dave Stoller (played by Dennis Christopher), a 19-year-old working-class Indiana native who dreams of escaping his small-town life and attending college. Dave and his friends, who call themselves the "Cutter," are constantly harassed by the college students who attend Indiana University in the nearby town. In an effort to prove his worth, Dave begins to train for the prestigious Little 500 bicycle race, competing against the college students. Along the way, he learns important lessons about family, friendship, and the power of determination. Ultimately, Dave's hard work pays off and he and his fellow Cutters are able to overcome their differences and defeat the college students in the race. Breaking Away is a beloved classic that celebrates the power of friendship and determination.

From Don Siegel, starring Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Roberts Blossom, Jack Thibeau
Rated PG

Escape from Alcatraz is an American prison escape drama film directed by Don Siegel, based on the 1963 non-fiction book of the same name by J. Campbell Bruce. The film stars Clint Eastwood as Frank Morris, a career criminal who is sent to Alcatraz prison, a federal penitentiary on an island in the San Francisco Bay. Morris, along with two other prisoners, John and Clarence Anglin, plan an elaborate escape from the prison by digging through the walls of their cells and then building a raft from raincoats. To cover their escape, they create dummy heads from soap, toilet paper and human hair to place on their bunks. They then make their way across the bay, but the group's fate remains unknown. The film was a box office success and was nominated for three Academy Awards.

From Milos Forman, starring John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo, Annie Golden
Rated PG

Hair (1979) is a musical drama directed by Milos Forman. The film follows Claude Bukowski, a young man from the Midwest, who goes to New York City to join the hippie movement and the "tribe" of the musical Hair. Along the way, he finds himself facing a difficult decision when he is drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War. He must decide if he will go to Vietnam and fight, or stay with the tribe and protest the war. Claude's journey of self-discovery is a powerful reflection of the challenges of the Vietnam War era. With an iconic score and a strong message, Hair is a timeless classic that celebrates individuality and the power of self-expression.

From Volker Schlöndorff, starring David Bennent, Mario Adorf, Angela Winkler, Katharina Thalbach
Rated R

The Tin Drum is a 1979 drama film directed by Volker Schlöndorff and based on the novel of the same name by Günter Grass. It tells the story of Oskar Matzerath, a young man who has chosen to remain a boy forever in protest of the Nazi regime in 1930s Germany. He uses his tin drum to express his outrage at the injustice of the world around him. The film follows Oskar as he struggles to survive in a world grown mad, and examines the ways in which humans turn a blind eye to the horrors of war and the suffering of others. The film was the first German production to win the Palme d'Or at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival, in addition to numerous other prestigious accolades.

From Walter Hill, starring Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler
Rated R

The Warriors is a 1979 American action-thriller film directed by Walter Hill and based on Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name. Set in an alternate version of New York City, the movie tells the story of a street gang known as the Warriors, who must return to their home turf in the Bronx after a rival gang from the Upper West Side frames them for the murder of a respected gang leader. With the entirety of the city's gangs united against them, the Warriors must find a way to get home without being killed. Along the way, they find unlikely allies, face off against treacherous enemies, and realize that only together can they survive the perilous journey.

From Norman Jewison, starring Al Pacino, Jack Warden, John Forsythe, Lee Strasberg
Rated R

From Carroll Ballard, starring Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr, Clarence Muse
Rated G

From James Bridges, starring Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, Scott Brady
Rated PG

From Werner Herzog, starring Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, Roland Topor
Rated PG

From Martin Ritt, starring Sally Field, Beau Bridges, Ron Leibman, Pat Hingle
Rated PG

From Roman Polanski, starring Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson, John Collin
Rated PG

From Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

From Arthur Hiller, starring Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Richard Libertini, Nancy Dussault
Rated PG

From Martin Brest, starring George Burns, Art Carney, Lee Strasberg, Charles Hallahan
Rated PG

From George Miller, starring Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley
Rated R

From Harold Becker, starring John Savage, James Woods, Franklyn Seales, Ted Danson
Rated R

From Franco Zeffirelli, starring Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Ricky Schroder, Jack Warden
Rated PG

From David Cronenberg, starring Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar, Art Hindle, Henry Beckman
Rated R