70 Favorites of the ‘70s: 35-1
Welcome back to my 70 Favorites of the ‘70s! This piece finishes off the countdown to my favorite ‘70s movie. If you haven’t already, be sure you check out 75-36 and come back! Otherwise, let’s not waste any time. Let’s get back into it.
35. Rocky II (1979)
It isn’t as good as the original (or Creed), but it’s better than some of the sequels. I get excited hearing the opening theme with the title scrolling by the screen. It’s also great that this film starts immediately after the first film. We see Rocky dealing (quite poorly) with fame and money for the first time. It’s interesting and enjoyable enough for any fan of the first. But there’s a reason it barely made the second half of the list.
33. Harold and Maude (1971)
This is Hal Ashby’s signature movie; a right of passage for any teen or college student. Talk about your May/December romances…! But Ruth Gordon is an absolute breath of fresh air, upsetting old maid expectations. Bud Cort is wonderfully weird and touching in his best-known role. It’s a really kooky indie comedy that either delights or turns off audiences.
31. The China Syndrome (1979)
This thriller starring Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas (both of whom are responsible for getting this film made), Jack Lemmon, Wilford Brimley, James Hampton, and Richard Herd is one of the most remarkable forgotten films of the late ‘70s. The film raises questions about nuclear energy and does so through a couple of different angles that ultimately concludes whistle-blowing on live TV as the best solution. At the time, the biggest public worry was the ecological impact disposal of nuclear waste had. In actuality, in addition to that concern, the biggest concern was safety oversight of the construction and operation of a nuclear plant. Industry spokespeople tried shutting down the film as pure fiction. Then a real-life nuclear event occurred in Pennsylvania that was exactly what this film was warning about. This film gained instant legitimacy and eventual awards consideration.
29. Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
This is one of the greatest mystery movies ever made. It has such a different reveal than any other mystery and it is unforgettable. Not to mention it has one of the best casts that know how to treat Agatha Christie’s work with dignity. Sidney Lumet directed Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, and Michael York - basically some of the greats of then and before.
27. Three Days of the Condor (1975)
This espionage film surprised me. It was a touchstone of the political thrillers of the decade. And it’s still very cool. Sydney Pollack directed. Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, Max von Sydow, and John Houseman star. Robert Redford plays the last surviving CIA analyst of his office on the run while outwitting those responsible.
25. The Conversation (1974)
We’re pretty deep into the great stuff at this point. It’s crazy to me that this film is this low on the list, but… I’ve only seen it a couple of times compared to what follows. Francis Ford Coppola released this film the same year as The Godfather Part II! It is excellent! Gene Hackman, in one of his best films, plays a surveillance expert who recorded a couple talking in a park one day. The more he filters out the street noise the more is revealed and the more nervous he becomes. It’s a film about guilt, ethics, and so much more. You’ll never forget it. Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, and Robert Duvall also star.
23. Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
When people think about Scorsese movies they think about the mob. They think about Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio, maybe even Harvey Keitel. They do not think about Ellen Burstyn. They do not think about stories about single mothers and their smart-ass kid. And that’s a shame, because this is a real gem in Scorsese’s filmography and not one to brush off. It has some really great stuff in it and Burstyn gives one of the best performances of her career. I’ll take this movie over Cape Fear, Casino, Mean Streets, or The Irishman any day.
21. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
In hindsight, it’s not clear to me why this film is named after Wonka and not Charlie since it’s clearly about Charlie just like the source novel. Regardless, this is a classic and another staple of any ‘70s and ‘80s kid’s childhood. The punishments for being naughty were pretty dark, but entertaining. The songs were mostly unforgettable. And Gene Wilder was both captivating and frightening. It’s managed to stay in the culture’s consciousness for a reason.
19. Superman (1978)
For a very long time this was one of the three greatest superhero movies. This film treated the most iconic superhero in the world as seriously as any Shakespearean character or greek tragedy. It was an epic with three major chapters: Krypton, Smallville, and Metropolis. Each section of the film was very different in design and color as the others. While I don’t love the climactic resolution, this film is still one of the greats of the genre. And Christopher Reeve created something in his performance that everyone who dons the cape and tights is compared to since.
17. Halloween (1978)
The legendary slasher movie that immediately preceded a decade’s worth of slashers for better or worse. It is still the best movie of its series. Michael Meyers is still one of the best “human” slasher villains, because he is so cold, soulless, and evil. Donald Pleasance is fantastic as his psychiatrist trying to hunt him down. Jamie Lee Curtis, in her screen debut, instantly became a legend in the horror genre, a favorite Scream Queen for many. It’s simple, it’s lean, and it just works.
15. Robin Hood (1973)
My favorite animated movie of the decade. My favorite Disney movie of the decade. The best on both counts. It isn’t perfect or among the greatest by the studio, but it is quite enjoyable. For more of my thoughts check out my review.
13. Rocky (1976)
When I first saw Rocky it was because it was listed by the AFI as one of the greatest movies of all time. I did not expect to like it, because my parents always expressed distaste for it and Sylvester Stallone. Once I saw it I failed to understand where they were coming from. It was an incredibly inspiring, feel-good film with a wonderfully endearing performance by Stallone. I think Stallone has been unfairly assumed to be a lunkhead. I get that roles like Rambo, Rocky Balboa, and even Barney Ross of The Expendables don’t exude intelligence. But when I watch his performance in Rocky closely I realize only a really smart actor (who may also have certain experiences on the streets) can give the performance he gives throughout that movie. It’s really gentle and sweet with a dose of low self-esteem. Plus, the film has an iconic score by Bill Conti, who never made a score nearly as great again. It took until 2015’s Creed for the series to match this film’s greatness.
11. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
This English period piece by Walt Disney Pictures isn’t quite on the level of the studio’s greatest films - but it was better than most by the studio in the ‘70s. And it has some of the coolest sequences in any film during my childhood: the trip to the Island of Naboobu, the climactic battle between Nazis and possessed knights, Portabello Road. There is an overall darkness to the film’s aesthetic, but the songbook and the animated/live action sequence kept things lively. Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson could do no wrong, as far as I’m concerned. For more of my thoughts read my review.
9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
I grew up with this comedy and it’s always been my favorite Monty Python creation by a wide margin. I even owned a PC game based on it in the ‘90s. This is one of the funniest comedies I’ve ever seen. Like the best comedies everyone has their favorite quotes or segments in the movie. I quote it almost weekly. There are few comedy scripts out there that pull off such bonkers and clever humor as this post-modern skewering of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
7. Apocalypse Now (1979)
What a mesmerizing and brilliant film this is! Look, I’ll admit my failings as an English major: I’ve never read Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. That’s a black mark on me as someone who thinks people should be spending more time reading the classics and less time reading the hot new pop fiction. But, if I’m an example of anything, it’s that you don’t have to have read that novel to have a deep love and admiration for what Francis Ford Coppola created - and I do adore this film. There really are very few war films I adore as much or more than this film. For more on my thoughts check out my 100 Favorite list.
5. All the President’s Men (1976)
Not only are we deep in my 100 favorite movies at this point, but we’re also deep into the “perfect movies” in the list. This is probably one of the most patriotic movies I’ve ever seen, because it’s about how essential the freedom of the press is to our democracy. Yes, it’s about real-life political events. But that story is a shining example of how important it is to research, get facts straight, not to publish anything until everything can be verified, etc. It’s crazy to me how much of our country has lost sight of that. So, I adore this film as both a defense of our democracy and as an exceptional thriller.
3. Star Wars (1977)
It might be a little surprising to some that this film isn’t my number one on this list. It barely cracks my 20 favorite movies of all time. Given my deep passion for Star Wars, yes, it is surprising. I honestly have no knocks against this film. It’s one of the only films in the series to this day that has more going on in it than just the plot. This is the film that created a fantasy full of unforgettable characters and creatures, that essentially made the action figure business what it is, and that molded so many childhoods and imaginations. The degree to which this film is textbook world creation and its impact on both individuals and society as a whole is incalculable. There’s zero chance this wouldn’t make any favorite list of mine.
1. Jaws (1975)
It may not be surprising to some that my favorite movie of the ‘70s is a Spielberg film. It’s also my 10th favorite movie of all time. As a piece of filmmaking, it’s a great example of how a director can pivot and be creative when faced with challenges during principle photography. It’s also terrifying and incredibly effective as a story in several ways. Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, and Richard Dreyfuss are one of cinema’s greatest trios. And you know what? Not all of them survive their quest to take down the great white shark that’s terrorizing the town. More movies today would benefit by learning from that. It’s also worth noting that my favorite ‘70s movie happens to also be the very first blockbuster. With Jaws and Star Wars the following decade and the future to follow would take the wrong lessons and lean into the business side of filmmaking. To an extent, the struggle today for mid-budget and adult-leaning dramas or comedies to succeed in the theaters can be traced all the way back to Jaws and Star Wars. They planted the seed that would slowly alter what sort of movies earn the most money year-by-year. So, I think it’s important to recognize the impact a couple of my favorite movies had on the thing I’m most passionate about. But on its own terms, Jaws has a lot of merit as a film.
34. Coming Home (1978)
This movie really surprised me and knocked me out a bit. Jane Fonda, Jon Voight, Bruce Dern, a serious turn for Robert Carradine, and brief appearances by Marc McClure and Jonathan Banks. Hal Ashby directed what could’ve been a romantic melodrama about a military housewife getting involved with a disabled vet while her husband serves in the Vietnam War. Instead we get something that looks at an aspect of that war rarely seen: the military spouse perspective. There’s some excellent touches in this film that are more interesting than any combat scene in the jungle in other movies, making Coming Home one of the best Vietnam War films ever.
32. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Based on real events, Sidney Lumet directed this excellent bank robbery film starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon, Lance Henrikson, and Carol Kane. It was included in the National Film Registry in 2009 for being culturally relevant, but I feel it’s even more relevant 10+ years later due to the mainstream awareness of the transgender community. The Attica reference - the film’s most quoted moment - is the only thing people won’t understand today.
30. American Graffiti (1973)
When most people think about “remember when” high school movies they typically think about Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused. Unfortunately, as time has gone on that film has eclipsed George Lucas’s sophomore effort, which is better than the Linklater film. It’s a tribute to ‘50s car culture, AM radio DJs, and poodle skirts. It also has a great soundtrack. And an excellent cast that includes Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Charles Martin Smith, Paul Le Mat, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Philips, and Harrison Ford. At one time, this was considered one of the greatest American movies. Now, it’s terribly underrated.
28. The Muppet Movie (1979)
The first and still one of the best. After the success of The Muppet Show, creator Jim Henson got his dream of a puppet-centered feature film. For more of my thoughts be sure to check out my review from earlier in the year.
26. Serpico (1973)
Again: Sidney Lumet. Al Pacino. Based on real events. Pacino plays an undercover cop who whistleblows corruption in the NYPD. It’s a fantastic film and Pacino is absolutely brilliant in it.
24. Blazing Saddles (1974)
I think Mel Brooks is a national treasure. Having said that, I don’t like half of his movies. And this film is a distant fourth in his career for me. But it is funny. And it is clever. And its racial satire still hits today even though westerns aren’t popular anymore. Everyone is pretty great in this.
22. Charlotte’s Web (1973)
This was a staple of any ‘70s and ‘80s kid’s childhood, as was the book by E.B. White. It’s the first animated film on this list since Watership Down for a reason; there weren’t many great animated movies in the ‘70s and they’re all fairly ugly. But I do love Charlotte’s Web, because there’s a simplicity to it, a gentleness to it, and a kindness. It’s also not afraid of death and sorrow - and I admire that in a film for kids. The Sherman Brothers (of Disney fame) also provide the music, which is great. Henry Gibson and Debbie Reynolds lead the cast.
20. Alien (1979)
While this isn’t my favorite of the Alien franchise it is no doubt a great film, a sort of monster/slasher movie where a group of people get bumped off until it’s down to one character. What’s great is realizing that the film sets up characters like Dallas (Tom Skerrit) as the hero and the real hero is sort of a supporting character, albeit the one who’s right about everything. This film has an incredibly imaginative production design and character design in the xenomorph. There really shouldn’t be any more of these movies since it’s been proven that most of the sequels and prequels can’t come close to touching the bar this film set.
18. Hearts and Minds (1974)
This documentary hit me like a ton of bricks when I first saw it in my teens. Its imagery was unforgettable. It was matter-of-fact about the brutality and inhumanity that occurred in the Vietnam War. It’s also unflinching in the effects the war had on its soldiers. It is still one of my all-time favorite documentaries and one of the greatest I’ve ever seen.
16. Grease (1978)
Grease is the word. This was probably the musical with the heaviest rotation on basic cable for any ‘80s and ‘90s kid. It’s considered a family movie, which is sort of odd given how much sexual innuendo there is about teens. But the songs make it acceptable, I guess. It does have a really fun songbook that is full of earworms. Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta were one of the genre’s best couples. The sequel was unnecessary.
14. Young Frankenstein (1974)
Mel Brooks’s fourth film is easily one of his best, a cheeky spoof of Frankenstein about Dr. Frankenstein’s son following in his dad’s footsteps. Bug-eyed Marty Feldman is a highlight. But Wilder, Gene Hackman, Peter Boyle, and Teri Garr are also excellent.
12. The Godfather (1972)
Growing up, whenever there were VHS box sets advertised on TV for example, there was so much reverence surrounding this film and the following two films. Well, this film alone is deserving of that reverence. I don’t think I saw it until the AFI named it one of the 10 greatest films ever made. It really is deserving of that accolade. It’s a remarkable contrast in classiness and brutality. The score, the lighting, the cinematography, the dignity with which the characters hold themselves and each other is all so high-brow… But then the violence comes and it’s brutal, sometimes gory, and (if you put yourselves in the character’s position) occasionally horrifying. I know I wouldn’t want to wake up to find parts of my prized pet next to me. It’s a top shelf movie with about as great a cast ever got in the ‘70s: Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, John Cazale, and Talia Shire.
10. Woodstock (1970)
For three and a half days 400,000 people gathered together in a mostly peaceful event. Even Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour only had an average of 72,000 people per night - and that’s the highest grossing tour in history. It was a singular moment in history that can never be repeated again. This documentary is more than a concert film; it documents the organization and set-up of the festival. It documents the attendees, the impact on the nearby town… and, yes, also several of the bands and performers. Richie Havens, Country Joe McDonald, CSN, Joan Baez, The Who, Joe Cocker, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and more appear. It is 3 hours and 44 minutes that every music lover should experience and every cinephile should experience, too, as one of the most important documentaries ever made.
8. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1976)
Now we’re officially in my 100 favorite movies of all time - and I think this decade has the most entries in that broader list so far. In that list I mentioned how I forget how much I love this film - and I do until I watch it again. It was called by the AFI one of the 100 greatest movies of all time and I think its memory has faded a bit in our culture, which is a shame. Because it’s one of Spielberg’s greatest films.
6. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
This is arguably the greatest anti-establishment or anti-authority film ever made. I did actually read and study the Ken Kesey novel in college and it is excellent, also. The film adaptation is different enough from the book to distinguish itself, but not so different it takes great liberties. Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher are the secret to this film’s success. Everyone else is great - and it’s so fun seeing early appearances from other great actors. And the material is fantastic. But it’s Nicholson and Fletcher who really elevate the film above a serviceable adaptation. Fletcher’s Nurse Ratched makes my blood boil, she’s a particular kind of character we don’t see depicted that often. For more of my thoughts go here.
4. Annie Hall (1977)
I think Annie Hall is Woody Allen’s crown jewel. There are movies I love in his career that came before and came after Annie Hall. But none are as brilliant or subversive or successful as Annie Hall. And it’s mind-boggling to think that it was originally only a small part of a greater murder mystery script. That’s a testament to the writing process and how important it is to rewrite. Because what came out of that bigger project was an extraordinary and unconventional romantic comedy that set a bar for what a rom-com can be. Most romantic comedies fail to come even halfway to that bar. Those that come remotely close are the special ones. But man… Annie Hall just might be the greatest, most expertly crafted romantic comedy ever.
2. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Did Fiddler on the Roof have as big an impact on me as Star Wars? No. Absolutely not. But this is probably one of the most universally relatable and moving musicals I’ve ever seen (don’t think I’ve seen enough? I’ve seen nearly 200 if you count animated movies). It edges out Star Wars, because, as an adult it hits me deeply and brings me to tears. It also has one of my favorite songbooks of all time. For more thoughts, check out my 100 favorite movies list.
So, those are my favorite movies of the 1970s. Every year of the decade is represented. The year 1974 made the list the most with a whopping 12 films! Oddly enough, when we did our favorite years in film on The Movie Lovers podcast no year from this decade made my list, yet there’s more favorites in that year than any in the ‘60s. There’s a 4-way tie for my favorite director of the ‘70s! Woody Allen, Hal Ashby, Francis Ford Coppola, and Sidney Lumet all have 4 films that appear on my list. No filmmaker made the list more. But I’d probably say Lumet barely edges the others out based on the films listed. Similarly, Woody Allen, Harrison Ford, Al Pacino, and Jack Warden all appear in 4 films on my list. Diane Keaton is the only performer to overtake them with 5 movies. The combination of her work with Woody Allen and The Godfather films helped.
Again, the best resources for films from this decade are Amazon Prime and Max. You can also rent many films on Amazon. I hope you find some new favorites. What are some of your favorites from the decade already? Feel free to share.