Best Movies of the 70s

When I first set out to compile the list of my fav 70s flicks, I thought it would be a short list. I assumed that I would have four, maybe five favorite movies from that decade. I wasn't around in the 70s, so I assumed many of the movies wouldn't mean much to me. I thought this would make the 70s a dry cinematic landscape to choose from. Boy, was I wrong.

I was in for a rude awakening when I began combing through the list of potential favorites. American Graffiti, Jaws, Star Wars, and lest we forget the first Aliens movie, Alien (came out in '79) were all potential candidates. Then, we've got Rocky and Rocky 2, The Exorcist, Annie Hall, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind that were all 70s classics. I had my work cut out for me. Where to begin?

Well, since I wasn't around in that decade, I decided to simply pick movies from that decade that I liked the best. Many of the movies up for consideration had a huge cultural impact. Some are still household names today. I'll give you my top ten, with descriptions of some of them. Here goes:

10. The Hospital (1971)
This overlooked dark comedy starring George C. Scott is a searing indictment that the American Healthcare system is thoroughly broken. Sound familiar? These things go in cycles. The writing is incredible. George C. Scott is "WOW!" His performance is great. Hippies vs. Healthcare. Pretty awesome.

9. THX 1138 (1971)
This is arguably George Lucas' first actual "movie." He had directed some things before this, but this was the first full-length feature film he made. Starring a younger Robert Duvall, TXH 1138 is a mind-bending and bizarre sci-fi flick about humans being made into company slaves in the future. It was waaay ahead of its time, in my opinion. George Lucas shows his pre-Star Wars inspirations and influences: visually, conceptually, and stylistically, it has the signature of George Lucas all over it. Bursting with ingenuity, creativity, and forward-thinking, TXH 1138 is like a fun, weird acid trip.

8. Jaws (1975)
A pop culture phenomenon. Speilberg is brilliant! People of nearly any age know about Jaws, and it continues to scare people. Even though it was low-budget, it made huge waves. Maybe a modern sequel is in order?

7. The Godfather (1972)
Considered by many "professional critics" and movie fans alike to be the best movie ever made. AFI (American Film Institute) rates it the #2 movie of all-time, right behind Citizen Kane. That is incredibly high praise. Now, I ain't no professional movie critic, but The Godfather certainly stands the test of time. And, it is incredibly powerful. It features a truly iconic performance by Marlon Brando (who hardly even looks, sounds, or acts like "Marlon Brando", but rather is a wholly three dimensional fictional character). It is one of the best and most memorable performances ever. I mean, who doesn't love doing their own raspy impression of the Godfather? It's classic. And, it launched the movie career of Al Pacino in a big way. It is a dramatic, gritty insider look at the Italian mafia. Despite its gritty exterior, though, it is still a very romantic presentation of Italian mafia. This movie basically started a whole new genre of Italian mafia movies, spawning a string of sequels, and similar style movies. (Goodfellas, Casino, etc.) But, The Godfather is the originator.

6. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Based on a 1962 novel by the same name from author Ken Kesey. Jack Nicholson is perfectly genius as Randle McMurphy, a guy who pretends to be insane so he can avoid working. The plan to act insane works a little too well, and he is tossed in an insane asylum. The hi jinks ensue, and McMurphy is the biggest trouble maker in the place. He has a lot of fun trying to outwit and mastermind mean 'ol nurse Racthed. Note: Jack Nicholson won the Oscar for Best Actor, Louise Fletcher won Best Actress, Milos Forman won Best Director, and the movie won Best Picture. Not bad.

5. Network (1976)
This is the movie that inspired me to compile this list. Network lays out an intense, damning litany of America's problems, wrongs, and obsession with pop culture in the mid 1970s. We, the audience, are fascinated and horrified as we watch long-time News Anchor Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch) melt into insanity right on national television. Rather than escort the man to the nearest hospital for treatment, he is lauded for his bizarre behavior and exploited for ratings (aka - money). Network seems to be a perfect snapshot of all the frustrations and woes in America in the mid-70s, thus making the perfect addition to the list of best 70s flicks. Faye Dunaway gives a spirited and ernest performance as a TV show producer, and Robert Duvall is a slimey, selfish network exec. William Holden is memorable as a producer of the nightly News, and a man exploring the broken pieces of his own personal life. And, Peter Finch is memorable as an insane News Anchor.

4. American Graffiti (1973)
Director George Lucas makes the list again with his unique movie about the nostalgic teenage years of the 1950 and 60s. Sweet cars, late-night cruising, drive-ins, cheeseburgers, teen angst, and leather jackets are all on display here. We get to see a young Ron Howard as he is graduating from high school. We see Harrison Ford in one of this first movie roles ever as a drag-racing rebel in a hot rod, and Richard Dreyfuss as a goofy, good-natured high schooler trying to find his way. Made on a small budget in a short time, American Graffiti pretty much started the whole 50s / 60s nostalgia craze. Warm characters, romanticized views, and cool cars, this movie broke new ground.

3. Rocky (1976)
Where do I start? A low-budget, independent art film written by and starring a nobody becomes one of the biggest American movie symbols of all time: underdog Rocky Balboa. I am struck by the art film nature of this first Rocky. Yet, the editing is perfect, and the dark visual style draws you into Rocky's stark, desperate life. Rocky is no one, from the dirty streets of Philadelphia. He's just a local boxer trying to survive in the world. But, fate changes, and he gets the chance of a lifetime to go up against the world champion boxer. This first Rocky film is a masterpiece.

2. Annie Hall (1977)
Woody Allen has a gift. He can write, act, direct movies, and perform side-splitting stand-up. He wrote and directed some comedies before Annie Hall. However, Annie Hall was the first romantic comedy of its kind. Blending drama, comedy, and romance, it strikes a fascinating blend of elements. There are also many innovative elements strewn throughout. For example, the style of story telling is very independent film. It is purely Allen's artistic vision. The style of story telling is one that ambles along, unfurling aspects of the main characters involved. This movie is not about the destination, but enjoying the ride there. Another innovative element is the use of clever subtitles at one point: a man and woman are on a first date, having a conversation about art, or something. With each statement made, there is a subtitle that translates what their statements "really" mean. It is hilarious, and unique for the time. And, of course, Woody Allen is one of the main characters, playing an iconic version of his neurotic self. That's another element of Annie Hall that is innovative. Allen's character has monologues where he looks at, and addresses, the audience. It's very effective and funny. Diane Keaton became a superstar with this role. Annie Hall is well-written, too, which is one of the main qualities I look for in movies. It set a new standard for rom coms.

1. Star Wars (1977)
I don't think I need to explain this one.

So, there you have it. There are some "honorable mentions" that didn't make the top ten. But, I love them so much, that my heart melts and my knees get weak at the mere mention of their titles.
The Sting, Paper Moon, Deliverance, The Exorcist, Rocky 2, The Godfather 2

Also, I know that Apocolypse Now is supposed to be a classic, but I've never seen it.

So, there you have it. With so many incredible movies to choose from in a ten year span, it was tough to narrow it down. But, I did it. Now I can take a break and play some video games. Then, I have to start working on Best of the 80s.