The 10 Best Films of the 1970s, in my opinion
by George Watches Things
Today, we continue counting down the decades. Not to worry, we only have a few more to go. If you would like to see what my readers think about this decade, please click here.
10. Dirty Harry
I haven’t seen very many films from the 1970s. No, I haven’t gotten around to The Godfather yet. Haven’t watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, either. I haven’t even seen Alien! But I don’t feel that bad about my list, considering that Dirty Harry is all the way down to #10.
9. The Goodbye Girl
Too cute? Maybe. But its optimism, energy, and flamboyant refusal to take no for an answer make it something special. Throw in Richard Dreyfuss (in one of two great 1977 performances) and the adorably sharp-witted Quinn Cummings, and The Goodbye Girl is an all-decader.
8. 3 Women
3 Women is interesting, to say the least. Although the visions of painted Star Trek villians didn’t quite work for me, I thought it was sneakily moving and utterly fascinating probe into the meaning of identity. Duvall and Spacek give great performances… Rule, Fortier, and others are fine, too.
7. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
If you’re anything like me, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie might confuse you a little bit at first. Satires of events that happened and people that existed 40 years ago are a little hard to get, especially if you’re only 16. But great movies are timeless, and while bits of Discreet Charm require some knowledge, most work regardless. The film has a discreet charm of its own, and once you’re drawn into it, you can’t really escape. A second viewing is suggested.
6. Murder on the Orient Express
I’m a total sucker for a good murder mystery. I’m also all-in on the pre-Garry Marshall star-studded cast idea. There was recently a remake of this film with David Suchet in the Poirot role. I usually love Suchet, but the movie failed because who ever wrote it tried to change Poirot too much. Poirot never changes, and is therefore never the most interesting thing onscreen. Murder on the Orient Express nails everything else around him.
5. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
One day, I’ll make a list of all the pop culture I didn’t like after my first taste, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind will be on it (along with The Office and Beyoncè). But (like The Office and Beyoncè), I came around after I saw it the second time. I’ve since seen it three more times, and it always feels new. Richard Dreyfuss stars with the aforementioned second great 1977 performance, but not the one he won the Oscar, BAFTA, and Globe for.
4. Taxi Driver
When I talk about the difference between favorite films and best films, Taxi Driver is one of the examples I think of. It’s not a film I’ll watch for a fun Friday night in, but I recognize and enjoy its brilliance in the right setting. Robert DeNiro gives his all-time greatest performance (we can discuss Raging Bull later), and I love the surreal, but wholly believable, ending.
3. Star Wars
I am a nerd. This is my justification.
2. All the President’s Men
This is easily one of my favorites. That might be because I have ambitions of (potentially, maybe) becoming a journalist some day. (Or maybe I’ll keep my options open. What does a degree in mass communications mean? And what if a school offers me a full ride but doesn’t have film studies, you know? Life is hard.) Anyway… All the President’s Men is definitely brilliant. It’s got a thrilling, strong story, and it’s populated with great performances. But maybe some folks don’t agree? (My readers gave it -1 points in the final round of 70s’ best voting last fall.) Why is that? I’m ready to defend it.
1. Kramer vs. Kramer
I just love Kramer vs. Kramer. Reasons:
- Dustin Hoffman.
- Meryl Streep.
- The kid.
- All of the scenes. But specifically the second-to-last one, in which the two male Kramers are in the park.
- I bawled. All over the place.
It’s hard for me to accurately pinpoint why I love this movie so much. But this is easily one of the best 10 I’ve ever seen.
I found the addition of “3 Women” to be both a surprising and impressive pick. I am glad that you stated that this list is just your opinion because there are numerous films that didn’t make the list that had you seen them your list might have turned out very differently. Leaving aside the three films you mentioned in your opening paragraph, the following are just some films you should see if you haven’t and perhaps in the future, you may want to revisit this particular blog and update it: “Annie Hall,” “Cabaret,” Chinatown,” “A Clockwork Orange,” “Jaws,” “Rocky,” “The French Connection,” and “Agirre, the Wrath of God,”
I meant to write “Aguirre, The Wrath of God.”
You must watch The Godfather. It’s so good!!! Sadly, I haven’t watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest either…so I better get to it, too. LOL
Great list.
The entire Kubrick collection is a must, and the Godfather and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest are also both must sees. There is no film reviewing when one has not seen films! ;-) But you mention some worthy films here that I’ve been meaning to get around to… I guess no one’s seen them all.
Of Your List…
…DIRTY HARRY…
…TAXI DRIVER…
…and ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN…
…are My Faves :)
You’ve Got Much More To See, Though.
These Three Would Make My It In My Top 25, Fo SHO!
-BRAD
PS: ALL Stanley Kubrick Really Really REALLY Is A Must Must MUST. ;)
i would never try to suggest that any piece of writing should not have been written – unless it contains hate. writing anything is better than not writing anything. however, it is not possible to make any list of 70′s films without having seen and considered “godfather” “cuckoo’s nest” “jaws” (which maybe you did see but didn’t include) and “rocky” (see “jaws” comment).
young man, you have homework.
glad to hear from you. been a while.
Give me an incomplete, not an F.
there are no F’s. there are always “try again”s.
Wow, I haven’t seen any of those movies. The farthest my movie viewing preferences goes back is into the 80′s and even then it’s a few and far between thing. I have heard of most of those movies though, so that is something.
Cool list. I will have to check out the ones I have not seen. But personally would have had Serpico on the list.
Check out “A Boy and His Dog”. Somewhat slow, corny, and ridiculous, but the ending (don’t look it up – watch the movie through!) is so good as to make the whole movie one of my favorites from the ’70s.
So many great films came out of the 70s it would be extremely hard for me to make a top ten list…Especially if I included foreign films in that list. Good on you for including 3 Women, though
The 70s is definitely the best film decade ever. There are many great films (I’m not sure you’ve seen them all) like The Godfather Parts I and II, Jaws, Network, Apocalypse Now, Mean Streets, A Clockwork Orange, MASH, Patton, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Badlands (well, this list can go on and on).
Of those, I’ve seen only MASH. I need to buff up on the 70s.
I’m probably the only person around who hates your #10. But I love #s 3 and 5, and #1 is on my summer watch list.
Here’s my picks in case you’re interested:
1. One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
2. Jaws
3. Rocky
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
5. The Godfather
6. Life of Brian
7. Manhattan
8. Halloween
9. Carrie
10. Star Wars
Honorable mentions: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Sleeper, Young Frankenstein
Great list!!
I won’t vehemently defend my #10, since I don’t love it, but I think it’s an interesting, quality film. Young Frankenstein was somewhere in the 11-15. And I’ve heard great things about the rest of the films on your list.
Who doesn’t love Eastwood?