70s movies recommendations

[Emher]

I've lately become fascinated by movies set and and made in the 70s. It started with me seeing Zodiac (best film of 2007 IMO) and from that I went and revisited All The President's Men and Dirty Harry. And I've found that I absolutely love this period.

So my request is quite simple: please recommend movies made and about the 70s that you feel I should see. I'd be especially happy if they share some themes with the ones I've mentioned already.

 

[Hermiod]

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a great movie.

 

[J.T.B.]

So my request is quite simple: please recommend movies made and about the 70s that you feel I should see. I'd be especially happy if they share some themes with the ones I've mentioned already.

The French Connection is the gold standard of '70's cop movies.

Dog Day Afternoon is a crime drama with a great realistic feel.

Nashville may be my all-round favorite movie made-and-set in the '70s. Incredible scope and performances.

Network is an excellent movie, it deals with the media of the '70s but is as relevant today.

Those are a few off the top of my head.

--Justin

 

[Kegek]

The Godfather (and its sequel) and Taxi Driver are admittedly pretty obvious picks, but eh, I thought I should get those out there.

Moving on: The Offence. Directed by Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network) and starring Sean Connery (I think he played a guy in a tuxedo once), in a tense, grim little psychodrama.

I also recommend Kinji Fukasaku's blood-drenched five-film gangster epic, The Yakuza Papers: Battles Without Honor and Humanity. And Vengeance Is Mine by Shohei Imamura.

 

[Hermiod]

I second the Dog Day Afternoon recommendation. Oh, and Serpico as well.

 

[John Picard]

The original Jaws.

 

[Hermiod]

This movie seems to be fairly popular around here.

 

[Bad Bishop]

The French Connection is the gold standard of '70's cop movies.

I watched The French Connection for the first time a couple of years ago. It's overrated. I don't care if Gene Hackman won an Oscar for it. The script is less interesting than your average episode of NYPD Blue.

On the technical side, photography on The French Connection reminds me of a cheap independent film. It looks dark and grainy all the time. And the orange paint that they used for blood just looks ridiculous. Thumbs down.

 

[Mistral]

Three Days of the Condor-Robert Redford-the granddaddy of conspiracy movies(not counting The Manchurian Candidate from an earlier era)

Play Misty For Me-Clint Eastwood in his first non-action hero role-he plays a DJ stalked by a crazy fan

Duel-Spielberg's first picture

Shaft-Richard Roundtree was just too cool

M.A.S.H.-most assuredly NOT the tv show, even though it was set in the 50s it doesn't play that way

The Deer Hunter - DeNiro before he became a cartoon of himself

Deliverance-Excellent little movie starring Burt Reynolds and friends

 

[Kryton]

Paddy Chayefsky's "Network" is a timeless classic...and oddly prescient.

Oh...and "The Conversation" starring Gene Hackman. Definitely worth a look.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

One of my favorite 70's movies is Sleuth (1972) starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine...and pretty much nobody else. The few other roles there are in this film are really tiny - it's Lord Larry and Mike, all the way through and at their best.

I absolutely ADORE this movie.

Both stars are brilliant, and the movie is chock full of some really great dark humor.

And as an added bonus, the remake, made in 2007, stars Michael Caine again...only in Laurence Olivier's part....and Jude Law.

I've not seen the remake...but I do think it's cool Michael Caine went back and played the other role later in life.

 

[kalysto]

Vanishing Point, not just a car chase film! I really love this, my first viewing I was absolutely spellbound, felt like I was transported back in time.

 

[Mistral]

Very 70s-The Sunshine Boys

Harry and Tonto

 

[Roger Wilco]

The Warriors is one of my favourite films ever.

 

[SPOCKED]

The Warriors is one of my favourite films ever.

I saw it at a matinee in downtown Boston

Two un-missable Dustin Hoffman 70's classics:
Straight Time and The Marathon Man

Also this sidenote: do not under any circumstances miss the Paul Newman cult classic, Slapshot

 

[Kryton]

Very 70s-The Sunshine Boys

I played Willie's nephew (the Richard Benjamin role) in a stage version about a decade or so back.

 

[thumbtack]

Thank God It's Friday
Can't Stop the Music
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Car Wash
Star Trek: The Motion Picture

 

[Emher]

Wow thanks a lot for all the suggestions guys! Got a lot of movies to check out now.

Somebody mentioned the Godfather and Jaws, and yes those I have checked out, the latter is one of my top ten favorites of all time.

By all means keep them coming if you feel like it!

 

[auntiehill]

I would add:

Annie Hall
Apocalypse Now
Taxi Driver
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Harold and Maude
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

 

[nevermore]

Wait, are you asking for 70's movies or movies set in the 70's? If the latter, then Dazed & Confused is correct answer.

Also of course, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas & its brother Where the Buffalo Roam.