The 1970s, a decade of cinematic revolution, saw the raw and mature evolution of film as an art form. Today, we delve into the top 15 movies of that era, as rated by professional critics on Rotten Tomatoes. These films, ranging from foreign arthouse projects to Hollywood blockbusters, showcase the decade's singular impact on cinema.
The Power of Accessibility and Esotericism
We kick off with Terence Malick's debut, 'Badlands', a film that blends accessibility with Malick's unique storytelling style. Based on the story of Charles Starkweather, it stars Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek as a rebellious couple on a killing spree. The film's critical success, with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, highlights how Malick's vision, with its sweeping landscapes and thoughtful mediation on crime, resonated with audiences.
Horror and the Rise of the Slasher
'Halloween', the 1978 horror masterpiece by John Carpenter, irrevocably brought the slasher sub-genre to the forefront. With a masked serial killer stalking the streets on Halloween night, the film presents Jamie Lee Curtis as the ultimate final girl. Its critical acclaim, with a 97% score, solidifies its place as a quintessential horror film, elevated by its pacing, performances, and Carpenter's musical score.
The Gritty World of Crime and Cops
'The French Connection', directed by William Friedkin, predates 'Dirty Harry' and revolutionized the crime genre. With Gene Hackman as the relentless Popeye Doyle, the film brings a gritty realism to the screen, punctuating its action with collateral damage. Its critical success, including an R-rated Best Picture win at the Academy Awards, solidifies its place as a standout in both Friedkin and Hackman's careers.
The Legacy of Woody Allen and Diane Keaton
'Annie Hall', a film that needs no introduction, showcases the brilliant chemistry between Woody Allen and Diane Keaton. Despite Allen's problematic reputation, the film's critical reception remains strong, with a 97% score. The movie's autobiographical nature and Keaton's Academy Award-winning performance make it a pinnacle in Allen's filmography.
Francis Ford Coppola's Masterpiece
'The Godfather', Coppola's adaptation of Mario Puzo's crime epic, is a landmark film of its era. Despite Coppola's initial reservations, the film has come to define his career, with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score. Richard Roeper's retrospective piece labels it as the most revered and entertaining American movie ever made, a true crime epic that brought a new maturity to cinema.
Steven Spielberg's Game-Changer
'Jaws', a sun-soaked horror and monster movie, reshaped the box office with its aquatic suspense and grounded characters. With a 97% score, the film is praised for its seamlessly structured narrative and Spielberg's groundbreaking camera work. It taught audiences how to watch films, and its impact on the summer blockbuster genre is undeniable.
French Filmmaking Excellence
François Truffaut's 'Day for Night', originally titled 'La Nuit Americaine', is a dramedy that depicts a film-within-a-film narrative. With a 98% score, the movie is praised for its metatextual comedy and observational storytelling, earning it the title of 'the best movie ever made about the movies'.
Heist Movies and Their Heroes
'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three' makes an unlikely action hero out of Walter Matthau, with a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score. The film, a tautly placed crime classic, showcases Matthau's perfect sense of irony and Robert Shaw's intense performance. Its critical acclaim solidifies its place as one of the greatest heist movies ever made.
Italian Filmmaking at its Finest
Bernardo Bertolucci's 'The Conformist', set during fascist Italy, is an atmospheric meditation on complicity. With a 98% score, the movie is praised for its dream-like surrealism and complex message. It provides a beautifully imagined portrait of moral and political cowardice, a true visual stunner.
Dark Humor and the Disaffected Rich
'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie', directed by Luis Buñuel, is a darkly funny takedown of the rich. With a 98% score, the movie is an exotic and brilliant hothouse flower, a subversive satire that demands full attention.
Poverty and Urban Decay
Charles Burnett's 'Killer of Sheep', a master's thesis film, depicts the quiet nobility of lives lived with values but without opportunities. With a 98% score, the movie is a haunting experience, giving voice to the overlooked and downtrodden of Los Angeles.
Melancholy and Small-Town Life
'The Last Picture Show', an adaptation of Larry McMurtry's novel, is a deeply melancholy movie set in small-town Texas. With a 98% score, the film is praised for its bittersweet coming-of-age story and moodily dying town. It's an essential movie about high school, fueled by uninhibited emotional complexity.
Neo-Noir and the Dark Side of Los Angeles
Roman Polanski's 'Chinatown', a neo-noir thriller, is one of the best of its kind. With a 98% score, the movie is praised for its dark twists and stylish presentation. It's a wickedly skillful and socially alert film, with Jack Nicholson delivering a masterful performance.
Love and Adversity in West Germany
'Ali: Fear Eats the Soul', a West German film, tells a tale of love in the face of adversity. With a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, the movie is an intimate melodrama, powered by Rainer Werner Fassbinder's emotional honesty. It strikes a remarkable balance between stylization and realism, a true visionary work.
Existential Masterpieces and Soviet Filmmaking
Andrei Tarkovsky's 'Stalker', a sci-fi masterpiece, carries a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. With its philosophical messaging and dreamy staging, the film takes viewers on a surreal journey through a heart of darkness. Spanning nearly three hours, it maintains its audience's attention with its intimate and introspective stakes. 'Stalker' is an existential masterpiece that transcends genre, a true highlight of Soviet filmmaking.
