Top Movies Of 1971

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

A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 dystopian film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows protagonist Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) and his gang of "droogs" as they commit acts of ultra-violence in a dystopian near-future England. Alex's violent exploits land him in prison, where he's subjected to an experimental treatment that takes away his violent impulses and renders him unable to defend himself. Left vulnerable and alone, Alex must now confront the same society he terrorized and find his way back to being free. The film is a darkly comedic exploration of free will, morality, and the human condition.

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

The Last Picture Show is a 1971 American drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Timothy Bottoms, Ellen Burstyn, and Ben Johnson. Set in 1951 in a small Texas town, the film follows the coming-of-age of two teenage boys as they experience the world around them. The boys, Sonny and Duane, are both in love with the same girl, Jacy, who is caught between them and her own dreams of leaving town. As the story progresses, the town's residents struggle with their own issues, including an adulterous affair, an unplanned pregnancy, and an impending demolition of the town's movie theater. The film has become a classic of modern American cinema, widely praised for its beautiful cinematography, heartfelt performances, and its exploration of the painful yet inevitable passage from youth to adulthood.

From Norman Jewison, starring Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon
Rated G

Fiddler on the Roof is a 1971 musical film directed by Norman Jewison, based on the 1964 Broadway musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein. The film tells the story of Tevye (Topol), a Jewish dairyman in pre-revolutionary Russia, and his struggle to maintain his family's traditions in the face of changing social mores and growing anti-Semitism. Tevye is a loving father of five daughters, who desperately wants to keep his family joyous and close. He is faced with the challenge of finding suitable husbands for three of his daughters, while also dealing with his own deep-seated fear and resentment of the outside forces that threaten to break up his family. With a combination of humor, pathos, and unforgettable songs, Tevye and his family confront the difficult realities of life in Tsarist Russia. Ultimately, the audience is left with a bittersweet understanding of the power of tradition and the sacrifices that come with maintaining it.

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

Harold and Maude is a 1971 cult classic black comedy/romance film directed by Hal Ashby and starring Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort. The film follows the story of Harold, a young man in his early twenties who is obsessed with death and regularly attends funerals. One day, he meets Maude, a free-spirited and eccentric elderly woman who teaches him a valuable lesson about life and love. Through their relationship, Harold discovers that life is full of beauty and joy, and comes to terms with his own mortality. The film is an exploration of life, death, and love, and is considered one of the most iconic and influential cult films of all time.

From Bernardo Bertolucci, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Stefania Sandrelli, Gastone Moschin, Enzo Tarascio
Rated R

The Conformist tells the story of Marcello, a young Italian man living in the 1930s who is determined to fit in with the fascist regime ruling Italy at the time. To prove his loyalty, Marcello agrees to assassinate an anti-fascist professor living in exile in Paris. As Marcello embarks on his journey to Paris, his past and inner turmoil come to the surface as he struggles to reconcile his desires for love and acceptance with his commitment to the fascist cause. Along the way, Marcello meets a variety of characters who help him understand the complexity of his life and the world around him. While Marcello is ultimately able to fulfill his mission, in doing so he learns the sobering truth that sometimes conformity can be a form of self-destruction.

From Mel Stuart, starring Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear
Rated G

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 musical adventure film directed by Mel Stuart. Based on the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, the film stars Gene Wilder as the eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka, Jack Albertson as Grandpa Joe, Peter Ostrum as Charlie Bucket, Roy Kinnear as Mr. Salt, and Denise Nickerson as Violet Beauregarde. The movie follows Charlie Bucket on his adventures inside the wondrous world of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. After winning a Golden Ticket, Charlie and his Grandpa Joe join four other children for a tour of the magical candy-making facility. The children face a series of challenges, tests of their character, and temptations that threaten to keep them from claiming their prize at the end of the tour. In the end, only Charlie is deemed worthy of the factory's grand prize. Through his adventures, Charlie learns about the power of determination, friendship, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

From William Friedkin, starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey, Tony Lo Bianco
Rated R

The French Connection is a 1971 crime-drama directed by William Friedkin. It stars Gene Hackman as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle and is based on the true story of a huge narcotics smuggling operation between Marseille, France, and New York City. Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, a tough, streetwise New York City detective, is on the trail of a French drug smuggling ring. He teams up with his partner, Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider), and the two of them work to uncover the connection between the French and the drug smugglers. In a race against the clock, Popeye and Russo use their street smarts and detective work to try to outwit the French drug kingpin and break the smuggling ring. The film was a critical and commercial success and won 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Gene Hackman. It is considered a classic of the crime-drama genre and its iconic car chase scene is considered one of the greatest ever filmed.

From Directors: Don Siegel, Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Andrew Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni
Rated R

Dirty Harry is a 1971 American action thriller film directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood as San Francisco Police Department inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan. The film follows Inspector Callahan as he tries to stop a psychopathic serial killer known as 'Scorpio' from terrorizing the city. Callahan is ultimately successful in his mission, but not without some tough choices along the way. The film is notable for its portrayal of vigilantism, and for the iconic "Do you feel lucky?" line. Dirty Harry was a major success at the box-office and is considered a classic in the action-thriller genre.

From Bruce Brown, starring Steve McQueen, Dave Aldana, Mark Brelsford, Bruce Brown
Rated G

"On Any Sunday" is a 1971 documentary film directed by Bruce Brown that captures the excitement and passion of motorcycling, as well as its associated risks. Through interviews with racers and designers as well as footage from races and riding events, the film offers an insight into the lives of those who are passionate about motorcycling. The film follows some of the world's top racers—including Mert Lawwill, Steve McQueen, and Malcolm Smith—as they compete in events around the world. It also features interviews with some of the world's top engineers and designers, who discuss the technological advances that have been made in motorcycling, as well as its impact on the world. In addition to examining the thrills of the sport, the film also touches on the dangers of motorcycling, showing footage of crashes and emphasizing the importance of safety. In the end, the film shows how the spirit of motorcycling is alive and well, and that it is a sport that anyone can enjoy.

From Nicolas Roeg, starring Jenny Agutter, David Gulpilil, Luc Roeg, John Meillon
Rated GP

Walkabout is a 1971 Australian drama film directed by Nicolas Roeg and starring Jenny Agutter, Luc Roeg, and David Gulpilil. The film tells the story of two white school-age siblings, a teenage girl and her young brother, who are stranded in the outback of Australia after their father, a photographer, commits suicide during a photo shoot. The two are taken in by an Aboriginal boy, played by Gulpilil, who helps them survive in the harsh environment. As the three traverse the outback, they learn to appreciate and understand both their own cultural differences and the beauty of nature. The film is widely praised for its stunning cinematography and its thoughtful exploration of themes such as racial tension and the importance of family.

From Robert Altman, starring Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Rene Auberjonois, William Devane
Rated R

McCabe & Mrs. Miller is a 1971 Western film written and directed by Robert Altman and starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie. Set in the Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century, it tells the story of a gambler and businesswoman, John McCabe, and a prostitute, Mrs. Miller, who join forces to establish a successful brothel-casino in a small town. The story follows their struggles to maintain their business and their relationship amidst the challenges posed by a large mining corporation, the local townspeople, and their own inner demons. With its unique visual style, naturalistic performances, and clever satire of the Western genre, McCabe & Mrs. Miller has gone on to become a classic of American cinema.

From Sam Peckinpah, starring Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughan, T.P. McKenna
Rated R

From Robert Wise, starring James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne, Kate Reid
Rated G

From Alan J. Pakula, starring Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, Charles Cioffi, Roy Scheider
Rated R

From Arthur Hiller, starring George C. Scott, Diana Rigg, Barnard Hughes, Richard Dysart
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Robert Stevenson, Ward Kimball, starring Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall, Sam Jaffe
Rated G

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter, Donna Mills, John Larch
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Carlos Montalbán, Nati Abascal
Rated PG-13

From George Lucas, starring Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Don Pedro Colley, Maggie McOmie
Rated R

From Gordon Parks, starring Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, Charles Cioffi, Christopher St. John
Rated R

From Sidney Lumet, starring Sean Connery, Dyan Cannon, Martin Balsam, Ralph Meeker
Rated GP

From Boris Sagal, starring Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe, Rosalind Cash, Paul Koslo
Rated PG

From Tom Laughlin, starring Tom Laughlin, Delores Taylor, Clark Howat, Victor Izay
Rated GP

From Daniel Mann, starring Bruce Davison, Elsa Lanchester, Sondra Locke, Ernest Borgnine
Rated GP

From Melvin Van Peebles, starring Melvin Van Peebles, Hubert Scales, John Dullaghan, Simon Chuckster
Rated R