Best Movies of the 1970s
30 items ranked
The 1970s was an amazing time for cinema. Directors seemed to have free reign to let their creativity run wild. And then the 1980s happened and it all went downhill.
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1.
Star Wars
Don't let the prequels taint your opinions of the original trilogy! This was a truly groundbreaking series of films. Although George Lucas feels that the imperfections in the special effects needed to be improved, there is a real charm to seeing this world created without the use of the computer graphics we've all become so accustomed to.
75 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
2.
The Godfather (parts 1 and 2)
74 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
3.
Rocky
Before there was Rocky IV, with Sylvester Stallone training in Siberia ... there was the original Rocky, which was actually a pretty decent film.
72 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
4.
Breaking Away
56 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
5.
American Graffiti
44 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
6.
The Exorcist
Again, back when scary movies took their time to really set the scene and creep you out. This movie is probably pretty slow-moving by today's standards, but it is so well done.
39 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
7.
The Deer Hunter
20 points - added 11 years ago by guest -
8.
Apocalypse Now
There are so many amazing performances in this film. It's truly amazing to have Marlon Brando, Dennis Hopper, Martin Sheen and Robert Duvall all in the same movie. Ahh, the 70s.
20 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
9.
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
While credit really needs to be given to Ken Kesey for writing this groundbreaking novel in the first place, this excellent film is easily one of the best book to movie adaptations. Jack Nicholson delivers a brilliant performance. This is a must see.
16 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
10.
The Last Picture Show
15 points - added 11 years ago by guest -
11.
Marathon Man
14 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
12.
A Clockwork Orange
Maybe the 1970s were also a time of excellent book to movie adaptations. This disturbing film, based on the disturbing novel by Melvin Burgess, is hard to watch at some points, while also being completely mesmerizing.
14 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
13.
Jaws
Back in the day they used to make scary movies based on things like building suspense and tension through plot and characters and super creepy music. Oh the good old days.
12 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
14.
Barry Lyndon
11 points - added 11 years ago by guest -
15.
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
Western!!!
11 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
16.
Dog Day Afternoon
9 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
17.
Blazing Saddles
Okay, this might not be high-brow cinema, but it's damned funny. And really, it was pretty bold for the time period.
9 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
18.
Five Easy Pieces
7 points - added 11 years ago by guest -
19.
Straw dogs
Great movie!
6 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
20.
Don't Look Now
6 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
21.
Kramer vs. Kramer
6 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
22.
Annie Hall
This is the quintessential Woody Allen film. While the man still has some moments, his films now are a bit hit or miss. If you haven't seen it, you need to check out what he was capable of when he was at the top of his game.
6 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
23.
Halloween
The 70s really were a great time for horror films. This film really changed the genre, creating panic amongst babysitters everywhere.
4 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
24.
Taxi Driver
Classic Robert DeNiro at his finest.
4 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
25.
Chinatown
4 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
26.
Alien
3 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
27.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The 70s gave us Richard Dreyfuss. Thank you 1970s.
3 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
28.
All that Jazz
2 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
29.
The French Connection
2 points - added 14 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
30.
MASH
0 points - added 11 years ago by guest -
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