Top Movies Of The 1970s

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

The Godfather tells the story of the Corleone crime family, a powerful and influential organized crime syndicate in New York City. Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) is the head of the family and his son, Michael (Al Pacino), is his successor. Michael steps in to take control of the family after his father is attacked by rival gangsters. He must deal with rival gangs, the police, and his own family, as he attempts to build his own criminal empire. The film follows Michael's journey from an outsider in the family to a powerful figure in the underworld. Ultimately, he is forced to make a decision that will determine the fate of his family and the future of his legacy.

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

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and the sequel to The Godfather. It stars Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, the new Don of the Corleone crime family, along with Robert De Niro as his father Vito Corleone in a dual role. The film chronicles the ascension of Michael Corleone as the new Don of the Corleone family, while also exploring his father's past as an Italian immigrant who comes to America and starts a crime family. The film also follows the parallel story of Vito's rise to power in the early 1900s in Sicily. The Godfather Part II is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, winning six including Best Picture. The film is widely acclaimed for its performances, direction, writing and cinematography.

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

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 drama film directed by Milos Forman, based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a rebellious prisoner who is transferred to a mental institution, where he clashes with the authoritarian Nurse Ratched. McMurphy forms a bond with the other patients, helping them to rebel against the oppressive rules of the hospital and gain back some of their freedom and self-respect. In the end, McMurphy sacrifices his own freedom for the benefit of his fellow patients. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Louise Fletcher), Best Director (Forman), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

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

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is the fourth film in the Star Wars saga and the first released in the original trilogy. Set in a distant galaxy, the film follows the story of farm boy Luke Skywalker as he joins forces with a motley group of rebels to overthrow the oppressive Empire led by Darth Vader and the evil Emperor Palpatine. Along the way, Luke meets up with the smuggler Han Solo, the loyal droid R2-D2, and the mysterious Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. With the help of the Force, they manage to rescue the princess Leia Organa, steal the plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, and ultimately destroy the Death Star. This classic space opera has become one of the most beloved films in history, with its iconic characters and thrilling action.

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

Apocalypse Now is an acclaimed war drama set during the Vietnam War. It follows Captain Willard, a US Army special forces officer, as he is sent on a mission to assassinate a renegade Colonel Kurtz, who has gone insane and declared himself a god. Along the way, Willard and his crew experience the horrors of war, while questioning the morality of the conflict they are fighting. Amidst the chaos and violence, they confront their own mortality, and by the end of the film, Willard must decide whether to obey his orders and kill Kurtz, or to let him live and be his own man.

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

A Clockwork Orange is a dystopian crime film directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1971. Set in a chaotic, near-future Britain, the story follows teenage anti-hero Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his gang of "droogs" as they engage in violence, theft, and other criminal activities. After Alex is arrested and sent to prison, he is chosen to be the subject of a brainwashing experiment that is meant to reform his violent tendencies. As Alex struggles with the morality of his own actions and the treatment he is receiving, he must ultimately decide between true freedom and a life of order and control. The film explores themes of free will, morality, and the dangers of government control, and it remains one of Kubrick's most acclaimed and controversial works.

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

The Sting is a 1973 classic crime film directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The film follows two Depression-era con men (Newman and Redford) as they attempt to pull off the ultimate con job on a gangster in order to avenge the death of a mutual friend. Through a series of clever schemes, the two con men use their wits and charm to outsmart the gangster and take his money, all the while trying to stay one step ahead of the law. The Sting won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is considered a classic of the genre.

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

Taxi Driver is a 1976 American neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. It stars Robert De Niro as a lonely cab driver in a morally bankrupt New York City who spirals deeper into a violent misanthropy. The film follows his lonely, existential crisis and descent into insanity as he craves for a connection with a woman. De Niro’s performance in the film won him the Palme d’Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival and garnered him an Academy Award nomination. The film also stars Jodie Foster as a teenage prostitute, Albert Brooks as her pimp, and Harvey Keitel as a small-time criminal. It was a critical and commercial success and was declared "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the U.S. National Film Preservation Board in 1994.

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

Chinatown is a neo-noir mystery film set in 1937 Los Angeles. It follows private investigator Jake Gittes, who is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband, Hollis Mulwray, who she believes is having an affair. As Gittes investigates, he discovers a complex web of corruption, deceit and murder that leads him to uncover a secret conspiracy involving the city's water supply. In the end, Gittes is unable to save Evelyn or her daughter, and the corruption behind the conspiracy remains intact.

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

The Exorcist is a 1973 supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty. It is based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Blatty, and adapted from the 1949 novel The Exorcist: A True Story by Mark O'Donnell and Felicitas D. Goodman. The film tells the story of a young girl, Regan MacNeil, who is possessed by a demonic force. Following a failed attempt by her mother to get help from a psychiatrist, two priests are called in to perform an exorcism. Through a series of terrifying events, the priests must battle with the demonic force to save Regan and her mother. The Exorcist received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and was a major commercial success. It is now considered a classic and is often cited by critics and fans as one of the greatest horror films of all time.

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

Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name. The film stars Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss as police chief Martin Brody, a professional shark hunter, and a marine biologist, respectively, who set out to hunt a great white shark terrorizing their beach town of Amity Island. The story, set on the fictional Amity Island, follows Brody and his team as they attempt to capture the shark and restore safety to the beach. In doing so, they have to overcome their fears and the obstacles that stand in their way. The movie was a huge success and revolutionized the way people perceive sharks, and is credited for launching the modern 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 tells the story of a group of friends from a small steelworking town in Pennsylvania whose lives are changed forever after serving in the Vietnam War. It stars Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Savage, John Cazale, Meryl Streep, and George Dzundza. The film follows Michael and Steven, two best friends from a close-knit working class immigrant community in Pennsylvania's steel country. After enlisting in the army, Michael and Steven are sent to Vietnam to fight in the war. When they are held captive by the Vietcong, they are forced to play Russian roulette by their captors. This experience changes them profoundly and has a lasting impact on the rest of their lives. The film explores the ways war changes people, and how the characters struggle to cope with their experiences. It also examines the complex bonds of friendship and the effects of trauma. The Deer Hunter received five Academy Awards and is considered by many to be one of the greatest films ever made.

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

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film written and directed by John G. Avildsen. It stars Sylvester Stallone as the eponymous character, Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer who gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship. It also stars 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. The film follows Rocky's journey from being a struggling boxer to becoming a champion, in the hope of winning both Adrian's love and the championship title. The film also incorporates elements of comedy and romance. Rocky's fight with Creed is a symbolic representation of the struggle between the "old guard" and the "new generation" of boxers. The film was successful, both commercially and critically, and it was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has since become one of the most iconic and influential films in American cinema. The film has spawned seven sequels and has been adapted into a Broadway musical.

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 and Tatum O'Neal as a father and daughter con team. The film is set in Kansas and Missouri during the Great Depression. The plot revolves around Moses Pray (Ryan O'Neal), a con artist and his daughter, Addie (Tatum O'Neal), whom he claims is his sister. The two team up to swindle unsuspecting people out of their money. Along the way, the two form a bond, with Moses slowly realizing that Addie may indeed be his daughter. In the end, Moses decides to stay with Addie and they form a real family.

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

"A Woman Under the Influence" is a 1974 drama-comedy directed by John Cassavetes. It stars Gena Rowlands as Mabel, a housewife struggling with mental illness while trying to raise her family in an urban working-class neighborhood in Los Angeles. As her mental state increasingly deteriorates, her husband Nick (Peter Falk) attempts to cope with her illness by seeking psychiatric help and trying to maintain the family's stability. With the help of a psychiatrist and Nick's support, Mabel is eventually able to make progress in her recovery, and the family is able to reunite. The film won several awards, including the Silver Bear at the 1974 Berlin International Film Festival, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for Gena Rowlands.

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

Network is a 1976 American satirical drama film written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet. The film stars Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, and Robert Duvall and tells the story of a fictional television network and its struggle with poor ratings. Its focus is on a news anchorman, Howard Beale (Finch), who becomes a national sensation after delivering a rant on-air about the state of the world. Other characters include Diana Christensen (Dunaway), a programming executive at the network, and Max Schumacher (Holden), her lover and former news producer. Network critiques the television industry, its obsession with ratings, and its exploitation of celebrities, news anchors, and the public. The film received 10 Academy Award nominations and won four, for Best Actor (Finch), Best Actress (Dunaway), Best Supporting Actress (Beatrice Straight), and Best Original Screenplay (Chayefsky).

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 directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick. Set in Ireland and England in the mid-18th century, Barry Lyndon tells the story of an Irish rogue (Ryan O'Neal) who attempts to make his fortune by marrying into a wealthy family. The film follows Lyndon's exploits in his rise to wealth and subsequent fall from grace, focusing on his amoral and ruthless behavior as he attempts to climb his way to a higher social standing. Along the way, he faces many obstacles, including a deadly duel and a disastrous affair with a married woman. The film is based on the novels The Luck of Barry Lyndon (1844) by William Makepeace Thackeray and Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq. (1856) by Thackeray. The film garnered numerous awards, including four Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Score.

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 and co-written by Peter Bogdanovich, starring Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, and Ben Johnson. Set in 1951 in a small fictitious town in Texas called Anarene, the story revolves around the coming of age of Sonny Crawford (Bottoms) and Duane Jackson (Bridges), two high school friends who are struggling to find direction and meaning in their lives. The film follows Sonny and Duane as they experience love, heartbreak, disillusionment, and a growing awareness of their own mortality. While the boys are struggling with the transition from childhood to adulthood, the town's inhabitants — played by an all-star cast, including Ellen Burstyn, Cloris Leachman, and Clu Gulager — grapple with their own small-town problems. The Last Picture Show is a powerful exploration of the conflicts between individual needs and the constraints of small-town life. It is a poignant yet wry look at the difficult coming-of-age process.

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

Papillon is a 1973 crime drama directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. The film follows the true story of Henri Charriere (McQueen), a French safecracker known as Papillon, who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in a notorious penal colony in French Guiana. Papillon is determined to escape the island in order to prove his innocence, and is aided by a fellow inmate, Louis Dega (Hoffman). The film follows Papillon's daring escape attempts and the struggles he faces along the way, ultimately leading to his eventual freedom.

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

Being There is a 1979 comedy-drama film directed by Hal Ashby and starring Peter Sellers. The film tells the story of Chance, a simple-minded gardener played by Sellers, who due to a series of unlikely coincidences is mistaken for a sage political adviser. As his fame grows, Chance is thrown into a world of power and privilege, where he must navigate a complex network of social and political forces. Ultimately, Chance's simplistic view of the world helps him find more success than anyone could have anticipated.

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

Annie Hall is a romantic comedy-drama film released in 1977, directed and written by Woody Allen. The movie follows the story of neurotic comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen), and his relationship with the titular character Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). Alvy, who is neurotic and pessimistic, falls in love with Annie, a free-spirited aspiring singer and aspiring nightclub singer. Through a series of vignettes and flashbacks, the movie chronicles their relationship as they attempt to understand, and ultimately come to terms with, their differences. The film, which is often cited as one of the best films of all time, won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress. It also won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe.

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

Patton (1970) is a biographical war drama film about U.S. General George S. Patton and his campaigns during World War II. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, the film stars George C. Scott as Patton and Karl Malden as General Omar Bradley. The film follows Patton, a brilliant but temperamental general, as he commands the United States' 7th Army in the invasion of Sicily and then leads the 3rd Army in a successful march across Western Europe during the Battle of the Bulge. Throughout the film, Patton’s controversial tactics, his fiery temper, and his often abrasive attitude towards his fellow officers and troops clash with the Allied forces’ more diplomatic approach. Despite this, Patton’s tactical skill and bravery prove indispensable as the Allied forces move closer to victory in Europe. The film earned seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Schaffner), Best Actor (Scott), Best Art Direction and Best Original Screenplay.

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

All the President's Men is a 1976 American political thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula. The film stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, respectively, who investigate the Watergate scandal. The film is based on the 1974 book of the same name written by Woodward and Bernstein, who also wrote an accompanying screenplay with William Goldman. The film chronicles the investigative reporting of Woodward and Bernstein from the newspaper's investigation of the June 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., up to President Richard Nixon's resignation in August 1974. It explores the investigative process, the lengths that the journalists went to uncover the truth, and the legal and political obstacles they had to overcome. The film also features performances by Jason Robards, Jack Warden, Hal Holbrook, Jane Alexander, and Martin Balsam.

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

Harold and Maude is a 1971 dark comedy film directed by Hal Ashby and written by Colin Higgins. It follows the story of Harold Chasen (played by Bud Cort), a young man obsessed with death, and Maude (played by Ruth Gordon), an eccentric 79-year-old woman who teaches him to appreciate life. The two embark on an unlikely but ultimately fulfilling friendship as Harold's interactions with Maude and her zest for life slowly bring him out of his depression. As the two become closer, Harold's family are increasingly concerned and worry about the age gap between them. Eventually, Harold and Maude's relationship is tested when she reveals a secret from her past. The film is a classic cult favorite and has since developed a strong following.

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

Manhattan is a 1979 romantic comedy-drama directed by Woody Allen. The story follows the complicated lives of a group of young adults living in Manhattan, New York. Isaac Davis (Woody Allen) is a 42-year-old television comedy writer who is dating a 17-year-old girl, Tracy (Mariel Hemingway). Isaac is also close friends with his ex-wife, Jill (Meryl Streep), who is now dating a college professor, Yale (Michael Murphy). Isaac is also struggling to come to terms with his feelings for his best friend, Mary (Diane Keaton). As the story progresses, the characters must confront their feelings and face difficult decisions as they try to make sense of their lives. The film received critical acclaim and is widely considered to be one of Allen's best works.