Top Movies In 1978

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 and starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep. The film tells the story of three steelworkers from Pennsylvania who are sent off to fight in the Vietnam War. During the conflict, their friendship is tested when two of them are captured and forced to play a deadly game of Russian roulette. Upon returning home, the three men struggle to reintegrate into society and come to terms with the trauma of war. The Deer Hunter is both a gripping war drama and an exploration of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robbie Robertson, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Van Morrison
Rated PG

The Last Waltz is a 1978 concert film portraying The Band's farewell concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day 1976. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring members of The Band, the film features musical performances from the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, and Eric Clapton. It is considered to be one of the greatest concert films ever made, and provides a unique insight into the lives of the members of The Band and their musical legacy. The film also features interviews and other behind-the-scenes footage of the group, and captures the spirit of the times.

From Terrence Malick, starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard, Linda Manz
Rated PG

Days of Heaven tells the story of Bill, a mysterious drifter and his lover Abby, who together with her young sister Linda travel to the Texas Panhandle to work as migrants in the fields of a wealthy farmer. As their relationship grows and the wheat crop prospers, Bill and Abby pass off as siblings in order to protect their burgeoning love. But when the farmer falls in love with Abby, Bill must make a difficult decision to save their secret from being discovered. In the end, the characters come to terms with the consequences of their actions. Set in the early 20th century and filmed in a beautiful, painterly style, Days of Heaven is an epic story of love, loss, and redemption.

From George A. Romero, starring David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Rated Unrated

"Dawn of the Dead" (1978) is a classic horror film directed by George A. Romero. It follows four survivors of a zombie apocalypse who barricade themselves in a shopping mall in order to survive the hordes of flesh-eating undead. As they face off against the increasingly overwhelming zombie hordes, the survivors must also grapple with the moral and ethical implications of their extreme situation. The film is both a thrilling horror story and a social commentary on consumerism and the moral bankruptcy of modern society.

From John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Rated R

Halloween is a horror film from 1978, directed by John Carpenter and starring Jamie Lee Curtis in her debut film role. The movie follows the story of Michael Myers, a six-year-old boy who, on the night of Halloween in 1963, murders his older sister. Fifteen years later, Michael escapes from a mental institution and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, to terrorize the locals, particularly babysitter Laurie Strode (Curtis). As Michael stalks Laurie and her friends, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence), the doctor who has been treating Michael for years, pursues the killer, determined to put an end to his murderous rampage. Along the way, Michael discovers the power of fear and terrorizes the entire town of Haddonfield, on the most lethal night of the year.

From Directors: Martin Rosen, John Hubley, starring John Hurt, Richard Briers, Ralph Richardson, Michael Graham Cox
Rated PG

Watership Down is a classic 1978 animated feature film directed by Martin Rosen and John Hubley. It is an adaptation of Richard Adams' novel of the same name, and follows a group of rabbits on their search for a new home after their warren is destroyed. Led by the brave and resourceful Hazel, the rabbits seek help from various animals as they flee the human predators that threaten their safety. Along the way, the rabbits must contend with the tyrannical General Woundwort and the treacherous Cowslip's Warren in order to find the safe and peaceful home they crave. The film is a heart-wrenching story of courage and determination in the face of adversity, and is still considered one of the greatest animated films ever made.

From Alan Parker, starring Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli
Rated R

Midnight Express is a 1978 American prison drama film directed by Alan Parker and written by Oliver Stone, based on Billy Hayes' 1977 non-fiction book of the same name. The film stars Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli, Paul L. Smith, Randy Quaid, Norbert Weisser, Peter Jeffrey, and John Hurt. The story follows Billy Hayes, an American college student who is caught attempting to smuggle two kilos of hashish out of Turkey and is sentenced to 30 years in a Turkish prison. While in prison, Hayes has to confront a hostile prison environment, guards who are determined to keep him in, and an escape plan he finds increasingly difficult to achieve. The film won Best Music and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 1979 Academy Awards, and Best Motion Picture at the 1978 Golden Globe Awards. The movie is considered a classic of modern cinema and has been widely acclaimed for its powerful and visceral depiction of Hayes' plight.

From Philip Kaufman, starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright
Rated PG

From Richard Donner, starring Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando
Rated PG

From John Landis, starring John Belushi, Karen Allen, Tom Hulce, Stephen Furst
Rated R

From Hal Ashby, starring Jane Fonda, Jon Voight, Bruce Dern, Penelope Milford
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page, Kristin Griffith, Mary Beth Hurt
Rated PG

From John Guillermin, starring Peter Ustinov, Mia Farrow, Simon MacCorkindale, Jane Birkin
Rated PG

From Steve Rash, starring Gary Busey, Don Stroud, Charles Martin Smith, Conrad Janis
Rated PG

From Randal Kleiser, starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway
Rated PG

From Paul Mazursky, starring Jill Clayburgh, Alan Bates, Michael Murphy, Cliff Gorman
Rated R

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Lilli Palmer
Rated R

From Directors: Warren Beatty, Buck Henry, starring Warren Beatty, James Mason, Julie Christie, Jack Warden
Rated PG

From Michael Crichton, starring Michael Douglas, Rip Torn, Geneviève Bujold, Elizabeth Ashley
Rated PG

From Sidney J. Furie, starring Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, James Canning, Michael Lembeck
Rated R

From Colin Higgins, starring Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Rachel Roberts
Rated PG

From Richard Attenborough, starring Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter
Rated R

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Nancy Allen, Bobby Di Cicco, Marc McClure, Susan Kendall Newman
Rated PG

From Howard Zieff, starring Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Art Carney, Richard Benjamin
Rated PG

From Blake Edwards, starring Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk, Dyan Cannon
Rated PG