70s movies were definitely a good decade for cinema. There were plenty of big-budget blockbusters, and these filmmakers’ fresh approaches to storytelling really resonated with audiences. There’s also a lot to love about a film that was made in this era. We’ve picked out the 7 greatest movies of the 1970s as a way to celebrate everything that they achieved.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
The bold film by Stanley Kubrick based on an Anthony Burgess novel is both a wild viewing experience and one of the greatest ’70s movies according to IMDb users.
The adoration and criticism for A Clockwork Orange has been predominantly positive and negative, but the perfectionist Kubrick’s hand can still be felt on it. It has become a cult classic, and those who appreciate it call it Kubrick’s best work, thanks to its probing of delinquency and power structures, its striking visual design, and its iconic images that have been parodied to no end over the last forty years.
The Godfather (1972)
The most famous movie of the 1970s is also one of the greatest crime films ever made. “The Godfather” follows the Corleone crime family’s transition of power from Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) to his son, played by Al Pacino. The film was awarded the Best Picture Oscar in 1973, after which its influence went far beyond award season. The film has created its own subculture, with university courses, books, and more all being influenced by the mob film’s success.
Nashville (1975)
In “Nashville,” Altman conveys how complex and ensemble-driven his films are by having 24 characters. The musical docudrama depicts the preparations of a gospel and country music industry group for a benefit concert that will benefit a populist outsider candidate for president. The film, which was written immediately following the Watergate scandal, is particularly political and vividly depicts the nation’s suspicion of politics.
Alien (1979)
“Alien” benefited from developments in cinema throughout the ’70s, and its story of a crewed spaceship cut off from Earth by an alien intruder was a perfect match. Ridley Scott’s first major box office hit was “Alien,” and the film’s impressive visual effects were rightfully awarded an Oscar.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, a critically praised science fiction film, centers on a blue-collar worker who makes mankind’s first encounter with extraterrestrial life. Steven Spielberg, the film’s director, set out to make a passion project. Despite facing several production difficulties, the film ended up being a successful endeavour, bringing in a whopping $116.3 million at the box office.
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Taxi Driver (1976)
70s cinema deserves credit for its bravely downbeat tone, but no period is without a few feel-good movies. After failing in the debt-collection profession and turning to boxing, Sylvester Stallone’s character turned into a surprise sleeper hit and an award-winning drama. The series has also continued, with Creed 2 being a standout.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
In 1977, George Lucas’ widely criticized vision resulted in one of the most important moments in cinema history with the release of Star Wars. Since then, the series has become the biggest, most profitable, and one of the greatest franchises of all time.
It’s hard to find a better example of pure fantasy than the Star Wars trilogy, starring Luke Skywalker and his Jedi mentor as they join forces with a band of rebels to destroy the Death Star and bring freedom to the galaxy. The film is fantastic in every way, from its imagination-packed plot to its fantastic practical effects and sense of adventure, making it one of the best trilogies of all time.