The Greatest Movie of Every Year of the 1970s
The 1970s ushered in the era of New Hollywood, revitalizing the craft and art of cinema with innovative storytelling, influential filmmakers, and now-iconic stars who redefined movie magic. Throughout the defining decade, audiences were introduced to an abundance of timeless movies, including Francis Ford Coppola‘s The Godfather, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest starring Jack Nicholson, and Martin Scorsese‘s Taxi Driver, which left an everlasting impression on movie-goers worldwide and continues to resonate with generations of film fans today.
At least several notable films were released almost every single year of the 1970s, but there are a select few, such as The Deer Hunter starring Christopher Walken, Robert De Niro, and Meryl Streep, The Godfather: Part II, and George Lucas‘ science-fiction classic Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope, that ultimately dominated their release year. From the Academy Award-winning World War II drama Patton starring George C. Scott to Coppola’s intense psychological war thriller Apocalypse Now starring Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando, these are the best movies of every year of the 1970s.
10
‘Patton’ (1970)
Franklin J. Schaffner‘s Patton stars George C. Scott as the General for the United States, George S. Patton, who, during World War II, commanded the Seventh Army in the Mediterranean Theater Operations and then the Third Army in France and Germany. The movie presents a thorough and detailed portrait of the controversial war hero, recounting his numerous wartime achievements and the honors he received, as well as the events leading up to his removal from command after speaking out against the United States’ military tactics following the war.
Patton is recognized by many as one of the greatest biographical war films, leaving no stone unturned with its raw and honest depiction of one of the most complex men in American history. Aside from its compelling performances, Patton is a visually impressive film, and its opening monologue, featuring Scott as Patton standing in front of a large American flag, is considered to be one of the most iconic scenes of all time. Patton received ten Oscar nominations, including Best Cinematography and Best Original Score, and went on to win seven of its nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Scott.
9
‘The French Connection’ (1971)
Gene Hackman stars in the neo-noir action thriller, The French Connection, as a no-nonsense narcotics detective, Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, who, along with his partner, Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider), discovers an international drug ring based in Marseille, France. As Doyle and Russo work on locating the incoming supply and apprehending the leaders of the operation, Doyle becomes hellbent on capturing the elusive head of the criminal enterprise (Fernando Rey) before he can leave the country.
The French Connection is based on the 1969 novel written by Robin Moore, which tells the true story of NYPD narcotics detectives Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso, who played a prominent role in taking down the infamous drug smuggling operation known as the French Connection. The movie’s gritty backdrop, intensified shootouts, and humorous, sardonic tone elevated the traditional cop drama to exciting new heights, giving the genre a more authentic touch that had rarely been seen before on the big screen. The French Connection earned eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for Scheider and Best Cinematography, winning five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Hackman.
8
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
Marlon Brando stars as the well-respected and honorable Vito Corleone, who is the head of one of the most powerful crime families in the country during the 1940s. When Don Corleone respectfully declines a business offer from an up-and-coming narcotics man, Virgil ‘The Turk’ Sollozzo (Al Lettieri), he and his family soon find themselves in a civil war with the other families, which almost costs Vito his life. As the war wages on, Vito’s youngest son and decorated war hero, Michael (Al Pacino), steps up to protect and avenge his family, ultimately setting him on the path to becoming the future head of the Corleone family.
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is an adaptation of Mario Puzo‘s best-selling novel of the same name, and ultimately redefined the gangster genre with its intense focus on family, loyalty, and honor, conveying the rhyme and reason of the Italian mafia in a new and insightful light. Today, The Godfather is regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time and was undeniably the cinematic darling of the year that won audiences over with its captivating story and unforgettable performances by a stellar cast, including James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. Out of the film’s eleven Academy Award nominations, The Godfather won three of its nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for Brando.
7
‘The Sting’ (1973)
Robert Redford and Paul Newman star in the classic caper comedy The Sting as two con-artists, Johnny Hooker and Henry Gondroff, who recruit a team of fellow grifters to scam a mob boss (Robert Shaw) out of thousands of dollars with an elaborate scheme. When things don’t go according to the well-thought-out plan, Hooker and Gondroff must think on their feet, coming up with some last-minute improvisation if they ever hope to pull off their ingenious heist.
The Sting is known for its intricate plot, charming nostalgia, and, of course, sensational performances by Redford and Newman, who are the epitome of partners in crime in this essential 1973 classic. The movie was one of the most stylish hits at the box office that year and stood out for its authentic atmosphere of the 1930s, which was primarily achieved by the clever use of old-fashioned title cards and ragtime musical melodies by Scott Joplin. The Sting was both a commercial and critical success and went on to receive ten Academy Award nominations, winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Costume Design by the infamous Edith Head.
6
‘The Godfather: Part II’ (1974)
Al Pacino returns in The Godfather: Part II as Michael Corleone, who has since moved his family from New York to Nevada, where he has expanded the family business and is currently in negotiations with one of his father’s former associates, Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg), about a deal involving Cuba. Meanwhile, audiences get a glimpse into the origins of Vito Corleone’s (Robert De Niro) and the events that led to his arrival in America and his rise to power in organized crime.
It’s extremely rare for a sequel to live up to, let alone surpass, its predecessor, but Coppola’s The Godfather: Part II is one of the few exceptions that inevitably set the bar for the standard movie sequel. The movie is a balanced combination of a sequel and a prequel that continues Michael’s journey to becoming a ruthless mob boss while also portraying Vito’s past, which not only reveals more about the fascinating character but also further insight into why he turned to a life of crime. Like the first film, The Godfather: Part II was a monumental success that received numerous accolades, notably winning six of its eleven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for De Niro.
5
‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975)
Jack Nicholson stars in one of his greatest masterpieces, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, as a small-time criminal, Randle McMurphy, who, in an effort to avoid hard labor at a work farm, manages to get himself transferred to a mental institution where he expects things to be more laid back. Shortly after arriving at the psychiatric ward, McMurphy realizes the place is far from what he imagined and finds himself at intense odds with the cruel head nurse, Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), who keeps her patients in line with abuse, medication, and electroshock therapy.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is an emotional demonstration of humanity at its finest as well as its worst, revealing a harsh and unfair reality that, at the time, was uncommon to see on full display on the big screen. Although the film has its unsettling and tragic moments, it also has lighthearted humor and sentiment that undeniably strikes a chord with audiences. Nicholson and Fletcher are worthy opponents whose ongoing fight brilliantly symbolizes a war between oppression and freedom. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest received nine Academy Award nominations and went on to win for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay, making it the second film to win in all five major categories.
4
‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)
Robert De Niro stars in Martin Scorsese’s neo-noir psychological drama Taxi Driver as Travis Bickle, a Vietnam War veteran and cab driver whose lonely life in a morally decaying New York City begins to take a toll on his mental state. As Bickle works at night, he becomes more and more detached from reality, dreaming about making a difference in the world until he finds an opportunity after meeting a young prostitute (Jodie Foster) and becomes determined to save her, even if it costs him his own life.
Despite some minor controversy, Taxi Driver was an overall success, and today it reigns as a definitive classic of the 1970s as well as one of Scorsese’s greatest masterpieces. The film was praised for its gritty, uncensored depiction of a crucial shift in American culture and boldly addressing the debilitating mental effects and struggles of integrating back into society for many Vietnam War veterans. Taxi Driver went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of 1976, earning several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress, and today it reigns as one of the decade’s definitive classics.
3
‘Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope’ (1977)
In a galaxy far, far, away, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) accidentally discovers a message from Princess Leia of Alderaan (Carrie Fisher), who has been taken prisoner by Darth Vader (David Prowse/ James Earl Jones) and Imperial Forces, leaving the fate of the galaxy in Skywalker’s hands. With the help of a former Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), and a rogue smuggler, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Skywalker sets out to save the princess while also learning the ways of the metaphysical power known as the Force.
George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope is a science-fiction classic that has since become a pop culture phenomenon and is hailed as one of the best and most influential film franchises in movie history. Many people involved in the film were skeptical of its performance at the box office, but to everyone’s surprise, Star Wars was a blockbuster hit with audiences around the world and went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time until being dethroned by Steven Spielberg‘s E.T. the Extraterrestrial in 1982. During its initial release, Star Wars was widely commended for its innovative special effects, which brilliantly transported audiences to a world of infinite imagination, full of eccentric, memorable characters that continue to capture the hearts of film fans today.
2
‘The Deer Hunter’ (1978)
Set in 1968, The Deer Hunter is an intense war thriller starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage as lifelong friends who prepare to leave their home in Pennsylvania to ship out overseas to join the war effort. When the friends arrive on the battlefield, their dreams of military honor and glory are quickly shattered by the inhumanity and brutality of the war. For those who manage to survive combat, they return home haunted by their experiences, changing their lives and friendships forever.
The Deer Hunter was the first movie to be hailed as an epic cinematic achievement since Coppola’s The Godfather, and is credited for its authentic depiction of its blue-collar environment and the unimaginable horrors of the Vietnam War, as well as the lasting physical and mental trauma it had on veterans. The overall cast delivers exceptionally devastating performances that give audiences insight into not only the men who served their country but also the impact the war effort had on their friends and family. The Deer Hunter was a massive success and earned nine Academy Award nominations, winning five Oscars, notably for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Walken.
1
‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)
Martin Sheen stars in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic war drama, Apocalypse Now, as Captain Benjamin L. Willard, who is ordered to track down and terminate a once-promising officer, Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando), in eastern Cambodia, who has lost his mind and is worshiped by a troop of militia forces who do his violent bidding. As Willard and several others set out and make their way up the Núng River, the men travel further and further down a path of darkness and pure madness.
The 1970s were riddled with riveting war films that exposed the horrors of the Vietnam War, but Coppola’s Apocalypse Now stands out from the others with its touch of fantastical insanity and gripping intensity that can only be described as an intense fever dream. The movie was a monumental success and earned overall positive reviews from the majority of critics, including Roger Ebert, who gave Apocalypse Now four out of four stars, calling it the best film of 1979. Apocalypse Now received eight Academy Award nominations, notably for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Duvall, and went on to win two Oscars for Best Sound and Best Cinematography.
Apocalypse Now
- Release Date
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August 15, 1979
- Runtime
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147 minutes
- Director
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Francis Ford Coppola
- Writers
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Joseph Conrad, John Milius, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Herr
