My Favourite Films of the 1970’s Ranked

Not many film decades produced movies as memorable as the 1970’s. A groundbreaking decade, it was an era that changed filmmaking. Whether it’s grand gangsters, jaw-dropping sharks or space scavengers, it produced several strong characters. Given the number of movies made in the decade, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of a decade that deserves to be celebrated.

1. The Godfather

Gangsters are great figures that have always inspired my grandfather. At an early age, I formed a bond with a grandfather that loved gangsters causing damage. I remember a grandfather that was fascinated with cruel gangsters putting lives in grave danger. An offer he simply couldn’t refuse, my grandfather always loved spending time with gangsters shaping his worldviews. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the dark lifestyles of gangsters as powerfully as “The Godfather”. Ever since its release in 1972, Francis Ford Coppola’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film of the 1970’s. With the greatest film of his career, Coppola used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the lives of gangsters facing despair. “The Godfather” is a significant film in cinematic history because it launched interest in the gangster genre. Coppola is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at using low-key lighting in movies to build tension, and his strengths as a director are evident in “The Godfather”. For instance, the scene in which Michael Corleone commits his first murder transforming into a cruel gangster after killing enemies in a bar is one of the best moments of the 1970’s decade. At the centre of it all is a strong turn by Marlon Brando, who embodied a don facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Godfather” the greatest movie of the 1970’s is its message. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a strong message about family bonds that would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after the release of a classic film about gangsters that are given offers they can’t refuse, it’s a remarkable reminder of a great decade that made fantastic movies achieving rave reviews.

2. Star Wars: A New Hope

Star Wars is a spectacular science-fiction franchise that my teacher has always loved dearly. Years ago, I developed powerful bonds with a teacher that was a fan of the sci-fi franchise. A force to be reckoned with, he often spoke fondly about an iconic series that shaped his identity. He was a huge fan of a franchise about starry galaxies that made him feel happy. My teacher’s lifelong love for Star Wars first began when he watched “Star Wars: A New Hope”. Ever since its release in 1977, George Lucas’ movie has stood the test of time as one of the greatest science-fiction films ever made. Lucas is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at using practical effects to build compelling science-fiction worlds in movies, and his strengths are evident in “A New Hope”. For instance, the Cantina scene in which Han Solo is introduced remains one of the most iconic moments of 1970’s Cinema. Ultimately, what makes “Star Wars: A New Hope” a science-fiction classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about identity that would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after the introduction of an iconic series about galaxies far far away, it’s a bold reminder of a decade that made movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

3. Jaws

Sharks are scary creatures which have always terrified me. At an early age, I developed a lifelong fear of sharks causing damage. With their menacing eyes, sharp jaws and frightening bodies, sharks always scared me. My lifelong fear of sharks with sharp jaws began when I first watched “Jaws”. Released in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s movie forever changed the art of filmmaking through capturing sharks that are frightening. With the most frightening film of his career, Spielberg used innovative techniques to capture sharks that scare. Spielberg is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for using close-ups to capture reactions in his movies, and “Jaws” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which the camera zooms on Chief Brody’s face witnessing sharks on the beach with terror is one of the greatest moments of the 1970’s decade. Ultimately, what makes “Jaws” one of the greatest films of the 1970’s is universal appeal. Unlike most horror movies, it tackles commemorated themes that remain relevant today. As memorable as sharks with frightening jaws, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated decade that has deserves a massive round of applause making memorable movies without flaws.

4. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Mental health has shaped my personality. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing emotional damage. I remember visiting a local mental institution that gave me strong tips on how to cope with my mental disorder. A hopeless location, the institution housed patients with mental conditions. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured disorders that cause people to rarely rest as powerfully as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. Ever since its release in 1975, Milos Forman’s Oscar-winning film has stood the test of time as a classic. Forman has always had an aptitude for capturing mental illness, and his strengths are evident in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. For instance, the scene in which McMurphy is given an electric shock after refusing to obey his mental institution is one of the greatest moments of 1970’s Cinema. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Jack Nicholson, who showcased his talent for playing psychotic characters. Ultimately, what makes “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as McMurphy’s desire to rebel against his mental institution, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a decade that produced memorable movies worthy of celebration.

5. Taxi Driver

Loneliness has impacted by personality. As far as I can remember, I’ve always been a lonely person. Being an Autistic person, I’ve often found social interactions in life challenging. Due to my preferences for spending time alone, I have always struggled to make friendships that are long-lasting. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture my feelings of loneliness as powerfully as “Taxi Driver”. Ever since its release in 1976, Martin Scorsese’s movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. Scorsese has always had an aptitude for using voice-over narration to create compelling characters, and “Taxi Driver” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Travis Bickle talks to himself in front of a mirror is one of the greatest moments of the 1970’s decade. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Robert De Niro, who captured a taxi driver facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Taxi Driver” a classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of loneliness causing taxi drivers in 1970’s New York City to deteriorate, it’s a strong reminder about a decade that made memorable movies which audiences appreciate.

6. Apocalypse Now

Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With their cartoonish characters, loud battle sequences and lacklustre storytelling, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. Before the genre faced a decline, there was a time when war movies used to shine. In 1979, Francis Ford Coppola showcased how to make a great war movie when he made “Apocalypse Now”. Unlike most movies of the era, what makes “Apocalypse Now” stand out is its historical accuracy. Coppola used innovative cinematic techniques to capture trauma of the Vietnam War. Assisted by Martin Sheen who is superb in the leading role, Coppola proved stories of war are worth telling on the big-screen. A powerful portrait of Vietnam warfare, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary decade that produced rare movies about which audiences care.

7. Alien

The 1970’s were a great decade for science-fiction movies. During a groundbreaking era, the sci-fi genre was introduced for the first time in Cinema. In a breakthrough decade that revolutionized science-fiction, it’s worth discussing “Alien”. Released in 1979, Ridley Scott’s movie forever changed the science-fiction genre through its frightening depiction of space aliens. Unlike most movies made during the era, what makes “Alien” stand out is its groundbreaking practical effects. Scott showcased his strengths as a filmmaker by using practical effects to create terrifying aliens. Assisted by Sigourney Weaver who is excellent in the lead role, Scott created realistic aliens evoking terror. As powerful as aliens attacking ships in space, it’s a riveting reminder of a decade that produced unforgettable movies that audiences embrace.

8. Kramer v. Kramer

Divorce is a painful process causing families to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a broken marriage. I remember my aunt became victim of a broken marriage facing disaster. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture divorce as powerfully as “Kramer v. Kramer”. Released in 1979, Robert Benson’s movie captured factors causing marriages to face tragedy. Unlike most movies made during the era, what makes “Kramer v. Kramer” stand out is its realism. Benson used realistic dialogue to create a compelling portrait of a broken marriage. At the centre of it all are phenomenal performances by Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, capturing fragile marriages falling apart. A magnificent portrait of a broken marriage, it’s a marvellous reminder of an unforgettable decade that produced memorable movies which engage.

9. Superman

Few superheroes have gained a fan following as huge as Superman. Since his creation in the 1930’s, the soaring superhero has been portrayed several times in movies. A larger-than-life hero, Superman has built a lasting legacy. In 1978, Richard Donner did an extraordinary job of introducing Superman for the first time in “Superman”. Donner used breathtaking special effects to celebrate a soaring superhero with an enduring legacy. The film marked a significant turning point for the comic-book genre impacting the way in which modern superhero movies are made today. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Christopher Reeve, who embodied the persona of the superhero. As strong as Superman’s desire to soar, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated decade that made timeless movies audiences adore.

10. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Baking is an activity that my mother has always enjoyed doing. I grew up to treasure a mother that sought to become a baker. Nobody could bake a cake like my mother did without a mistake. A captivating cook, she loved recording recipes in a book. As someone treasuring a mother that sought to open a bakery, I adored “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. Released in 1971, Mel Stuart’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book. Stuart beautifully recreated Roald Dahl’s world of pure imagination through mesmerizing musical numbers. Assisted by Gene Wilder who is spectacular in the lead role, Stuart honoured legendary literature. As precious as chocolate created by Willy Wonka, it’s a wonderful reminder of an era that made timeless movies which I will forever treasure for shaping my lifelong love of Cinema.