maverick cops gritty crime dramas mixed genres and loosening limitations on
genres and loosening limitations on
genres and loosening limitations on language and violence meant this decade
language and violence meant this decade
language and violence meant this decade was Hollywood’s most badass one yet
was Hollywood’s most badass one yet
was Hollywood’s most badass one yet welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten action movies of the 1970s no advice
these are the films from the 1970s that
these are the films from the 1970s that delivered particularly memorable and
delivered particularly memorable and
delivered particularly memorable and iconic thrills when it came to action
iconic thrills when it came to action
iconic thrills when it came to action sequences
and just to be clear we’ve taken all
and just to be clear we’ve taken all genres into consideration for this list
number 10 shaft hey where the hell you
number 10 shaft hey where the hell you going sham to get laid where the hell
going sham to get laid where the hell
going sham to get laid where the hell you going
you going
you going shafts his name shafts his game it
shafts his name shafts his game it
shafts his name shafts his game it doesn’t really come much cooler than
doesn’t really come much cooler than
doesn’t really come much cooler than John shaft in this Gordon Parks directed
John shaft in this Gordon Parks directed
John shaft in this Gordon Parks directed blaxploitation flick big case just
blaxploitation flick big case just
blaxploitation flick big case just busted wide open buzzer for me that the
busted wide open buzzer for me that the
busted wide open buzzer for me that the crap man is a shaft looks like you’re
crap man is a shaft looks like you’re
crap man is a shaft looks like you’re gonna have to close it yourself shitty
when the title characters tasked by a
when the title characters tasked by a mob boss with solving a kidnapping case
mob boss with solving a kidnapping case
mob boss with solving a kidnapping case the private detective kicks his attitude
the private detective kicks his attitude
the private detective kicks his attitude into overdrive okay when I tell you you
into overdrive okay when I tell you you
into overdrive okay when I tell you you open that door like this gun was about
open that door like this gun was about
open that door like this gun was about to blow your head off
to blow your head off
to blow your head off no signals are you gone got it
no signals are you gone got it
no signals are you gone got it handing out beat downs like they’re
handing out beat downs like they’re
handing out beat downs like they’re going out of style and dodging streams
going out of style and dodging streams
going out of style and dodging streams of machine-gun bullets and if that
of machine-gun bullets and if that
of machine-gun bullets and if that wasn’t enough to win you over then maybe
wasn’t enough to win you over then maybe
wasn’t enough to win you over then maybe his jock will be can you dig it
his jock will be can you dig it
his jock will be can you dig it why don’t you stop playing with yourself
why don’t you stop playing with yourself
why don’t you stop playing with yourself Willie you ain’t gonna do shit number 9
Willie you ain’t gonna do shit number 9
Willie you ain’t gonna do shit number 9 the Warriors yeah that’s right Warriors
the Warriors yeah that’s right Warriors
the Warriors yeah that’s right Warriors just keep walking
just keep walking
just keep walking real tough mothers ancient you guys
real tough mothers ancient you guys
real tough mothers ancient you guys don’t show me much bunch of dickheads
don’t show me much bunch of dickheads
don’t show me much bunch of dickheads just walk all the way back home huh life
just walk all the way back home huh life
just walk all the way back home huh life in a street gang can be brutal so it’s
in a street gang can be brutal so it’s
in a street gang can be brutal so it’s not surprising that a plan to suggest a
not surprising that a plan to suggest a
not surprising that a plan to suggest a truce would quickly go to hell and in
truce would quickly go to hell and in
truce would quickly go to hell and in this action thriller drama it’s for one
this action thriller drama it’s for one
this action thriller drama it’s for one Street gang in particular that it all
Street gang in particular that it all
Street gang in particular that it all goes wrong
goes wrong
goes wrong the Warriors we’re going in there like
the Warriors we’re going in there like
the Warriors we’re going in there like everybody else dying guys no weapons
everybody else dying guys no weapons
everybody else dying guys no weapons framed for the death of the beloved
framed for the death of the beloved
framed for the death of the beloved peace seeker Cyrus
the titular group is hunted down by an
the titular group is hunted down by an array of gangs including the sadistic
array of gangs including the sadistic
array of gangs including the sadistic Turnbull ACS and the slugger wielding
Turnbull ACS and the slugger wielding
Turnbull ACS and the slugger wielding baseball Furies I’ll shove that bat up
baseball Furies I’ll shove that bat up
baseball Furies I’ll shove that bat up your ass and turn you into a popsicle
your ass and turn you into a popsicle
your ass and turn you into a popsicle the result is a manhunt that brings food
the result is a manhunt that brings food
the result is a manhunt that brings food of hand-to-hand combat and eerie
of hand-to-hand combat and eerie
of hand-to-hand combat and eerie showdowns in what has become a 70s cult
showdowns in what has become a 70s cult
showdowns in what has become a 70s cult classic number eight rollerball you know
classic number eight rollerball you know
classic number eight rollerball you know what those executives dream about out
what those executives dream about out
what those executives dream about out there on their desks they dreamed
there on their desks they dreamed
there on their desks they dreamed they’re great Rolla Bolla
they’re great Rolla Bolla
they’re great Rolla Bolla picture Arnold Schwarzenegger is the
picture Arnold Schwarzenegger is the
picture Arnold Schwarzenegger is the running man meets George Orwell’s 1984
running man meets George Orwell’s 1984
running man meets George Orwell’s 1984 and you’ve got something along the lines
and you’ve got something along the lines
and you’ve got something along the lines of rollerball the film is set in a
of rollerball the film is set in a
of rollerball the film is set in a future society where the most popular
future society where the most popular
future society where the most popular sport around is an outlandish game
sport around is an outlandish game
sport around is an outlandish game called rollerball
while there is no war and no crime
while there is no war and no crime there’s still plenty of violence thanks
there’s still plenty of violence thanks
there’s still plenty of violence thanks to this so-called recreational activity
to this so-called recreational activity
to this so-called recreational activity corporate society takes care of
corporate society takes care of
corporate society takes care of everything
everything
everything although rollerskating might not seem so
although rollerskating might not seem so
although rollerskating might not seem so dangerous this sports movie delivers
dangerous this sports movie delivers
dangerous this sports movie delivers plenty of cracked skulls and broken
plenty of cracked skulls and broken
plenty of cracked skulls and broken backs and thanks to its sci-fi spin find
backs and thanks to its sci-fi spin find
backs and thanks to its sci-fi spin find lead performances and fast paced action
lead performances and fast paced action
lead performances and fast paced action sequences this one has it all and more
number seven death wish he’s in my way
number seven death wish he’s in my way no sir it’s your stunning home hello
no sir it’s your stunning home hello
no sir it’s your stunning home hello jack
jack
jack dad dad we got trouble trouble you and
dad dad we got trouble trouble you and
dad dad we got trouble trouble you and Cal don’t tell me about it no no dad
Cal don’t tell me about it no no dad
Cal don’t tell me about it no no dad it’s mom and Carol fake architects are
it’s mom and Carol fake architects are
it’s mom and Carol fake architects are lame think again in this Michael Winner
lame think again in this Michael Winner
lame think again in this Michael Winner directed flick we get to see Charles
directed flick we get to see Charles
directed flick we get to see Charles Bronson play Paul Kersey a vengeful
Bronson play Paul Kersey a vengeful
Bronson play Paul Kersey a vengeful vigilante out for blood following his
vigilante out for blood following his
vigilante out for blood following his wife’s murder and his daughter’s rape
wife’s murder and his daughter’s rape
wife’s murder and his daughter’s rape last night there was another double
last night there was another double
last night there was another double killing which appears to be the work of
killing which appears to be the work of
killing which appears to be the work of the person New York news media have
the person New York news media have
the person New York news media have dubbed the vigilante not only does this
dubbed the vigilante not only does this
dubbed the vigilante not only does this movie have plenty of violence but we
movie have plenty of violence but we
movie have plenty of violence but we also get to see the protagonist evolve
also get to see the protagonist evolve
also get to see the protagonist evolve from a blue sky thinker into a hateful
from a blue sky thinker into a hateful
from a blue sky thinker into a hateful killer
killer
killer it’s a classic raw action Charles
it’s a classic raw action Charles
it’s a classic raw action Charles Bronson shooter
number six assault on precinct 13 as
number six assault on precinct 13 as Police Commissioner of Los Angeles
Police Commissioner of Los Angeles
Police Commissioner of Los Angeles County I have called this emergency news
County I have called this emergency news
County I have called this emergency news conference we have a crisis the juvenile
conference we have a crisis the juvenile
conference we have a crisis the juvenile gang problem is completely out of
gang problem is completely out of
gang problem is completely out of control this revenge thriller follows
control this revenge thriller follows
control this revenge thriller follows the ambush of an LA police station by a
the ambush of an LA police station by a
the ambush of an LA police station by a ruthless street gang looking to crack
ruthless street gang looking to crack
ruthless street gang looking to crack some skulls I think we’ve just been
some skulls I think we’ve just been
some skulls I think we’ve just been marked for something let me guess what
marked for something let me guess what
marked for something let me guess what it is this is the siege it’s a goddamn
it is this is the siege it’s a goddamn
it is this is the siege it’s a goddamn siege written and directed by John
siege written and directed by John
siege written and directed by John Carpenter this 1976 flick is filled with
Carpenter this 1976 flick is filled with
Carpenter this 1976 flick is filled with no-nonsense shootouts suicidal on slots
no-nonsense shootouts suicidal on slots
no-nonsense shootouts suicidal on slots and some thrilling points of view from
and some thrilling points of view from
and some thrilling points of view from either side of the battle the violence
either side of the battle the violence
either side of the battle the violence in this movie really stood out from the
in this movie really stood out from the
in this movie really stood out from the rest of the action output in this era
rest of the action output in this era
rest of the action output in this era due to its gloves off no-holds-barred
due to its gloves off no-holds-barred
due to its gloves off no-holds-barred approach remember the ice cream scene
approach remember the ice cream scene
approach remember the ice cream scene our point exactly
our point exactly
our point exactly I wanted vanilla twist
number five Enter the Dragon tell me now
number five Enter the Dragon tell me now the Sharleen commandment number 13 a
the Sharleen commandment number 13 a
the Sharleen commandment number 13 a martial artist has to take
martial artist has to take
martial artist has to take responsibility for himself and we accept
responsibility for himself and we accept
responsibility for himself and we accept the consequences of his own doing
the consequences of his own doing
the consequences of his own doing although he was sent just to investigate
although he was sent just to investigate
although he was sent just to investigate a deadly tournament the legendary Bruce
a deadly tournament the legendary Bruce
a deadly tournament the legendary Bruce Lee quickly makes his mark in this
Lee quickly makes his mark in this
Lee quickly makes his mark in this martial arts masterpiece mr. Lee I’ve
martial arts masterpiece mr. Lee I’ve
martial arts masterpiece mr. Lee I’ve come to speak to you about a tournament
come to speak to you about a tournament
come to speak to you about a tournament of martial arts a tournament to which
of martial arts a tournament to which
of martial arts a tournament to which you’ve already received an invitation
you’ve already received an invitation
you’ve already received an invitation looking to avenge his sister Lee finds
looking to avenge his sister Lee finds
looking to avenge his sister Lee finds himself having to defeat whoever he’s
himself having to defeat whoever he’s
himself having to defeat whoever he’s pitted against which he does with flying
pitted against which he does with flying
pitted against which he does with flying kicks nunchaku and screaming punches
kicks nunchaku and screaming punches
kicks nunchaku and screaming punches aplenty there’s nothing better than
aplenty there’s nothing better than
aplenty there’s nothing better than watching the father of mixed martial
watching the father of mixed martial
watching the father of mixed martial arts take on wave after wave of bad guys
arts take on wave after wave of bad guys
arts take on wave after wave of bad guys and Enter the Dragon delivers this with
and Enter the Dragon delivers this with
and Enter the Dragon delivers this with aplomb
number four the French Connection all
number four the French Connection all right Popeyes here if your hand on your
right Popeyes here if your hand on your
right Popeyes here if your hand on your heads
heads
heads get off the barn get on the wall come on
get off the barn get on the wall come on
get off the barn get on the wall come on move move not sweet – when a pair of
move move not sweet – when a pair of
move move not sweet – when a pair of old-school narcotics detectives find
old-school narcotics detectives find
old-school narcotics detectives find themselves tangled in a drug smuggling
themselves tangled in a drug smuggling
themselves tangled in a drug smuggling case with a certain French Connection
case with a certain French Connection
case with a certain French Connection ship approaches elevating they soon
ship approaches elevating they soon
ship approaches elevating they soon realize they may have bitten off more
realize they may have bitten off more
realize they may have bitten off more than they can chew from storming bars of
than they can chew from storming bars of
than they can chew from storming bars of criminals to tailing mustache wearing
criminals to tailing mustache wearing
criminals to tailing mustache wearing gentlemen partners Doyle and Russo don’t
gentlemen partners Doyle and Russo don’t
gentlemen partners Doyle and Russo don’t only have to kick ass but also must
only have to kick ass but also must
only have to kick ass but also must chase trains and seriously the train
chase trains and seriously the train
chase trains and seriously the train chase is awesome
the French Connection is true drug
the French Connection is true drug busting action at its best hold on
number three Dirty Harry I know what
number three Dirty Harry I know what you’re thinking did he fire six shots or
you’re thinking did he fire six shots or
you’re thinking did he fire six shots or only five
only five
only five well they tell you the truth in all this
well they tell you the truth in all this
well they tell you the truth in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself I
excitement I kind of lost track myself I
excitement I kind of lost track myself I being this is a 44 magnum the most
being this is a 44 magnum the most
being this is a 44 magnum the most powerful handgun in the world and would
powerful handgun in the world and would
powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off you’ve got to
blow your head clean off you’ve got to
blow your head clean off you’ve got to ask yourself one question do I feel
ask yourself one question do I feel
ask yourself one question do I feel lucky known for dealing with San
lucky known for dealing with San
lucky known for dealing with San Francisco’s dirty deeds homicide
Francisco’s dirty deeds homicide
Francisco’s dirty deeds homicide inspector Harry Callahan is fittingly
inspector Harry Callahan is fittingly
inspector Harry Callahan is fittingly hard as nails well do you punk so when
hard as nails well do you punk so when
hard as nails well do you punk so when the Scorpio killer starts taking people
the Scorpio killer starts taking people
the Scorpio killer starts taking people out with a sniper rifle Dirty Harry is
out with a sniper rifle Dirty Harry is
out with a sniper rifle Dirty Harry is called to rein him in have you found a
called to rein him in have you found a
called to rein him in have you found a good stick up for yourself I think so
good stick up for yourself I think so
good stick up for yourself I think so it’s a building that overlooks the roof
it’s a building that overlooks the roof
it’s a building that overlooks the roof where they spotted him yesterday as well
where they spotted him yesterday as well
where they spotted him yesterday as well as giving us classic dialogue Clint
as giving us classic dialogue Clint
as giving us classic dialogue Clint Eastwood delivers tense chases and
Eastwood delivers tense chases and
Eastwood delivers tense chases and Rudolph beat’em ups but it’s when he
Rudolph beat’em ups but it’s when he
Rudolph beat’em ups but it’s when he pulls out his legendary 44 Magnum hand
pulls out his legendary 44 Magnum hand
pulls out his legendary 44 Magnum hand cannon that this crime thriller really
cannon that this crime thriller really
cannon that this crime thriller really grabs you don’t think kill me if I tried
grabs you don’t think kill me if I tried
grabs you don’t think kill me if I tried that your head it’d be splattered all
that your head it’d be splattered all
that your head it’d be splattered all over this field where’s the girl Dirty
over this field where’s the girl Dirty
over this field where’s the girl Dirty Harry fared so well it spawned four
Harry fared so well it spawned four
Harry fared so well it spawned four sequels including 1976 ‘as the enforcer
number two Star Wars Episode four a new
number two Star Wars Episode four a new hope wait a second there sandpeople all
hope wait a second there sandpeople all
hope wait a second there sandpeople all right I can see one of them now after a
right I can see one of them now after a
right I can see one of them now after a young farm boy embraces his destiny and
young farm boy embraces his destiny and
young farm boy embraces his destiny and accepts that he’s bound to become a Jedi
accepts that he’s bound to become a Jedi
accepts that he’s bound to become a Jedi defeat Darth Vader and rescue Princess
defeat Darth Vader and rescue Princess
defeat Darth Vader and rescue Princess Leia we’re treated to a story of good
Leia we’re treated to a story of good
Leia we’re treated to a story of good versus evil that’s got a hell of a lot
versus evil that’s got a hell of a lot
versus evil that’s got a hell of a lot of action
what really sells this galactic epic are
what really sells this galactic epic are its space battles and the new take on
its space battles and the new take on
its space battles and the new take on the sword fight which displayed the
the sword fight which displayed the
the sword fight which displayed the now-famous
now-famous
now-famous lightsabers combine this with stunning
lightsabers combine this with stunning
lightsabers combine this with stunning visuals and you have the beginnings of
visuals and you have the beginnings of
visuals and you have the beginnings of one of the most successful sci-fi action
one of the most successful sci-fi action
one of the most successful sci-fi action franchises ever spread 5 I’m going in
franchises ever spread 5 I’m going in
franchises ever spread 5 I’m going in before we reveal our number one pick
before we reveal our number one pick
before we reveal our number one pick here are a few honorable mentions
jesus H Christ
jesus H Christ fuck your on J cafe number one Mad Max
fuck your on J cafe number one Mad Max
fuck your on J cafe number one Mad Max and the nitride pigments I’m a
and the nitride pigments I’m a
and the nitride pigments I’m a fuel-injected suicide machine in this
fuel-injected suicide machine in this
fuel-injected suicide machine in this futuristic dystopian action flick an
futuristic dystopian action flick an
futuristic dystopian action flick an Australian policeman seeks vengeance on
Australian policeman seeks vengeance on
Australian policeman seeks vengeance on a motorcycle gang after they murder his
a motorcycle gang after they murder his
a motorcycle gang after they murder his partner and family
equipped with iconic apparel and wheels
equipped with iconic apparel and wheels Mad Max aims to take out the culprits
Mad Max aims to take out the culprits
Mad Max aims to take out the culprits one by one I’ll say the names if you say
one by one I’ll say the names if you say
one by one I’ll say the names if you say yes or no what follows are high-octane
yes or no what follows are high-octane
yes or no what follows are high-octane chases which always end with someone
chases which always end with someone
chases which always end with someone being obliterated or thrown from a
being obliterated or thrown from a
being obliterated or thrown from a bridge
strange costumes and cheesy but super
strange costumes and cheesy but super awesome shootouts this
awesome shootouts this
awesome shootouts this search-and-destroy movie didn’t only put
search-and-destroy movie didn’t only put
search-and-destroy movie didn’t only put Mel Gibson on the map but also into our
Mel Gibson on the map but also into our
Mel Gibson on the map but also into our action loving hearts do you agree with
action loving hearts do you agree with
action loving hearts do you agree with our list
our list
our list better 50-50 chance you weren’t even
better 50-50 chance you weren’t even
better 50-50 chance you weren’t even close what’s your favorite
close what’s your favorite
close what’s your favorite hustle-and-bustle
hustle-and-bustle
hustle-and-bustle action movie of the 70s for more
action movie of the 70s for more
action movie of the 70s for more action-packed top 10s published every
action-packed top 10s published every
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