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Top 10 Movies of the 1970s


this decade saw Hollywood focus on the

this decade saw Hollywood focus on the harsh truths of war rich cinematography

harsh truths of war rich cinematography

harsh truths of war rich cinematography and movies on a blockbuster scale

welcome to watchmojo.com and today in

welcome to watchmojo.com and today in this installment of our series on the

this installment of our series on the

this installment of our series on the greatest movies of all time we’re

greatest movies of all time we’re

greatest movies of all time we’re counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10 movies of the 1970s for our series of

movies of the 1970s for our series of

movies of the 1970s for our series of the best movies of all time we’ve chosen

the best movies of all time we’ve chosen

the best movies of all time we’ve chosen 10 movies per decade based on their

10 movies per decade based on their

10 movies per decade based on their iconic status critical acclaim box

iconic status critical acclaim box

iconic status critical acclaim box office success and watchability and just

office success and watchability and just

office success and watchability and just so you know we’re not necessarily

so you know we’re not necessarily

so you know we’re not necessarily choosing the movies your film studies

choosing the movies your film studies

choosing the movies your film studies professor would pick so sit back and

professor would pick so sit back and

professor would pick so sit back and relax as we make an offer you can’t

relax as we make an offer you can’t

relax as we make an offer you can’t refuse in a galaxy far far away take

refuse in a galaxy far far away take

refuse in a galaxy far far away take these two over to the garage where do I

these two over to the garage where do I

these two over to the garage where do I want to clean up for dinner what I was

want to clean up for dinner what I was

want to clean up for dinner what I was going into tosche station to pick up

going into tosche station to pick up

going into tosche station to pick up some power converters these are the

some power converters these are the

some power converters these are the exotic Gamble’s I was telling you about

exotic Gamble’s I was telling you about

exotic Gamble’s I was telling you about he’s my friends culturally number 10

he’s my friends culturally number 10

he’s my friends culturally number 10 rocky the Italian stone it’s a true

rocky the Italian stone it’s a true

rocky the Italian stone it’s a true underdog story

underdog story

underdog story rocky embodies everything that’s great

rocky embodies everything that’s great

rocky embodies everything that’s great about the American Dream and shows us

about the American Dream and shows us

about the American Dream and shows us that opportunities can arise at any

that opportunities can arise at any

that opportunities can arise at any moment rocky it’s the chance of a

moment rocky it’s the chance of a

moment rocky it’s the chance of a lifetime

lifetime

lifetime can’t pass it by rocky the Italian

can’t pass it by rocky the Italian

can’t pass it by rocky the Italian stallion Balboa is just your average

stallion Balboa is just your average

stallion Balboa is just your average small-time boxer

small-time boxer

small-time boxer however when cocksure heavyweight

however when cocksure heavyweight

however when cocksure heavyweight champion Apollo Creed decides he wants

champion Apollo Creed decides he wants

champion Apollo Creed decides he wants to give a little guy a chance

to give a little guy a chance

to give a little guy a chance Balboa steps into the ring

that makes for realistic fight scenes

that makes for realistic fight scenes plenty of Stallone grunting and an

plenty of Stallone grunting and an

plenty of Stallone grunting and an overall truly heartwarming story

juxtaposing the lives of three friends

juxtaposing the lives of three friends before and after their time in the

before and after their time in the

before and after their time in the Vietnam War the deer hunter shows us the

Vietnam War the deer hunter shows us the

Vietnam War the deer hunter shows us the true toll of a gruesome conflict don’t

true toll of a gruesome conflict don’t

true toll of a gruesome conflict don’t do it what’s the matter with you don’t

do it what’s the matter with you don’t

do it what’s the matter with you don’t you recognize me huh don’t you recognize

you recognize me huh don’t you recognize

you recognize me huh don’t you recognize me as well as seeing the after-effects

me as well as seeing the after-effects

me as well as seeing the after-effects of Nam we also experienced horrific

of Nam we also experienced horrific

of Nam we also experienced horrific examples of the deadly games in which

examples of the deadly games in which

examples of the deadly games in which American prisoners of war were forced to

American prisoners of war were forced to

American prisoners of war were forced to participate The Deer Hunter lifts the

participate The Deer Hunter lifts the

participate The Deer Hunter lifts the veil on sometimes glamorized depictions

veil on sometimes glamorized depictions

veil on sometimes glamorized depictions of war and gives us an emotionally

of war and gives us an emotionally

of war and gives us an emotionally draining perfectly acted ambitious

draining perfectly acted ambitious

draining perfectly acted ambitious oscar-winning film I can go slower heads

oscar-winning film I can go slower heads

oscar-winning film I can go slower heads come on down and jump some of this shit

we’ve got a panic on our hands on the

we’ve got a panic on our hands on the 4th of July accompanied by a killer John

4th of July accompanied by a killer John

4th of July accompanied by a killer John Williams soundtrack that chills to the

Williams soundtrack that chills to the

Williams soundtrack that chills to the bone Steven Spielberg’s jaws is the

bone Steven Spielberg’s jaws is the

bone Steven Spielberg’s jaws is the story of a great white shark that

story of a great white shark that

story of a great white shark that terrorizes a small resort town and the

terrorizes a small resort town and the

terrorizes a small resort town and the team that’s hired to take it out I’ll

team that’s hired to take it out I’ll

team that’s hired to take it out I’ll catch this bird for you it ain’t gonna

catch this bird for you it ain’t gonna

catch this bird for you it ain’t gonna be easy

be easy

be easy bad fish I like going down the pond

bad fish I like going down the pond

bad fish I like going down the pond chasing blue gills or Tommy Koch

chasing blue gills or Tommy Koch

chasing blue gills or Tommy Koch infamous for its graphic and gruesome

infamous for its graphic and gruesome

infamous for its graphic and gruesome scenes John’s became one of the

scenes John’s became one of the

scenes John’s became one of the highest-grossing films ever but it’s not

highest-grossing films ever but it’s not

highest-grossing films ever but it’s not all blood and guts jaws is respected

all blood and guts jaws is respected

all blood and guts jaws is respected because it is not inhabited by

because it is not inhabited by

because it is not inhabited by one-dimensional horror movie stereotypes

one-dimensional horror movie stereotypes

one-dimensional horror movie stereotypes but by layered human characters

you want do your partner a big favor

you want do your partner a big favor take him home number seven Chinatown

take him home number seven Chinatown

take him home number seven Chinatown look somebody’s gone to a lot of trouble

look somebody’s gone to a lot of trouble

look somebody’s gone to a lot of trouble here in lawsuit or no lawsuit I intend

here in lawsuit or no lawsuit I intend

here in lawsuit or no lawsuit I intend to find out I’m not supposed to be the

to find out I’m not supposed to be the

to find out I’m not supposed to be the one who’s caught with his pants down not

one who’s caught with his pants down not

one who’s caught with his pants down not only did this Roman Polanski film earn

only did this Roman Polanski film earn

only did this Roman Polanski film earn an Oscar for its screenplay it also

an Oscar for its screenplay it also

an Oscar for its screenplay it also cemented Jack Nicholson’s place in

cemented Jack Nicholson’s place in

cemented Jack Nicholson’s place in Hollywood history pIJ Geddes specializes

Hollywood history pIJ Geddes specializes

Hollywood history pIJ Geddes specializes in uncovering cases of infidelity so a

in uncovering cases of infidelity so a

in uncovering cases of infidelity so a cheating husband is a regular case well

cheating husband is a regular case well

cheating husband is a regular case well that little girlfriend she was pretty in

that little girlfriend she was pretty in

that little girlfriend she was pretty in a cheap sort of way of course she’s

a cheap sort of way of course she’s

a cheap sort of way of course she’s disappeared

disappeared

disappeared maybe they disappeared together however

maybe they disappeared together however

maybe they disappeared together however after a Miss Mulwray asks him to track

after a Miss Mulwray asks him to track

after a Miss Mulwray asks him to track her high-profile husband he soon

her high-profile husband he soon

her high-profile husband he soon realizes everything isn’t what it seems

realizes everything isn’t what it seems

realizes everything isn’t what it seems spiraling into a web of deceit seduction

spiraling into a web of deceit seduction

spiraling into a web of deceit seduction and murder we anxiously follow get us

and murder we anxiously follow get us

and murder we anxiously follow get us every step of the way okay it’s

every step of the way okay it’s

every step of the way okay it’s Chinatown

hey number six

hey number six One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest I’m

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest I’m

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest I’m talking about content I’m talking about

talking about content I’m talking about

talking about content I’m talking about interrelationships I’m talking about God

interrelationships I’m talking about God

interrelationships I’m talking about God the devil

the devil

the devil he’ll heaven do you understand finally

he’ll heaven do you understand finally

he’ll heaven do you understand finally huh this multiple Academy award-winning

huh this multiple Academy award-winning

huh this multiple Academy award-winning movie tells the tale of Randall McMurphy

movie tells the tale of Randall McMurphy

movie tells the tale of Randall McMurphy played by Jack Nicholson who fakes

played by Jack Nicholson who fakes

played by Jack Nicholson who fakes mental illness to avoid prison and now

mental illness to avoid prison and now

mental illness to avoid prison and now they’re telling me I’m crazy over here

they’re telling me I’m crazy over here

they’re telling me I’m crazy over here as I don’t sit there like a goddamn

as I don’t sit there like a goddamn

as I don’t sit there like a goddamn vegetable don’t make a bit of sense to

vegetable don’t make a bit of sense to

vegetable don’t make a bit of sense to me ultimately becoming the rebellious

me ultimately becoming the rebellious

me ultimately becoming the rebellious wild card of the loony bin

wild card of the loony bin

wild card of the loony bin McMurphy searches new life into his

McMurphy searches new life into his

McMurphy searches new life into his fellow patients and locks horns with the

fellow patients and locks horns with the

fellow patients and locks horns with the oppressive nurse ratchet that music is

oppressive nurse ratchet that music is

oppressive nurse ratchet that music is all they have

all they have

all they have your hand is staining my window even

your hand is staining my window even

your hand is staining my window even with Nicholson sometimes frenetic energy

with Nicholson sometimes frenetic energy

with Nicholson sometimes frenetic energy it’s the gloomy atmosphere of this flick

it’s the gloomy atmosphere of this flick

it’s the gloomy atmosphere of this flick that makes it truly engrossing from

that makes it truly engrossing from

that makes it truly engrossing from start to finish

start to finish

start to finish No number five a Clockwork Orange

No number five a Clockwork Orange

No number five a Clockwork Orange there was me dies Alex and my three

there was me dies Alex and my three

there was me dies Alex and my three dreams at his Pete Georgie and dim a bit

dreams at his Pete Georgie and dim a bit

dreams at his Pete Georgie and dim a bit of the old ultraviolence anyone

following young Alex to large and his

following young Alex to large and his gang of delinquent Drew’s Stanley

gang of delinquent Drew’s Stanley

gang of delinquent Drew’s Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange is about

Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange is about

Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange is about freewill as much as it is about mindless

freewill as much as it is about mindless

freewill as much as it is about mindless anarchy it’s a stinking water because

anarchy it’s a stinking water because

anarchy it’s a stinking water because that’s no longer anymore

that’s no longer anymore

that’s no longer anymore hey stinky were the Dozen it’s the young

hey stinky were the Dozen it’s the young

hey stinky were the Dozen it’s the young get onto the old it’s overt violence is

get onto the old it’s overt violence is

get onto the old it’s overt violence is credited with helping to loosen cinema

credited with helping to loosen cinema

credited with helping to loosen cinema standards when it came to the rough

standards when it came to the rough

standards when it came to the rough stuff to the point where the filmmaker

stuff to the point where the filmmaker

stuff to the point where the filmmaker himself questioned its content even so

himself questioned its content even so

himself questioned its content even so it’s a landmark piece of filmmaking that

it’s a landmark piece of filmmaking that

it’s a landmark piece of filmmaking that was nominated for multiple Oscars

number four taxi driver you talking to

number four taxi driver you talking to me you talking to me one of the most

me you talking to me one of the most

me you talking to me one of the most significant milestones in the martin

significant milestones in the martin

significant milestones in the martin scorsese robert de niro partnership this

scorsese robert de niro partnership this

scorsese robert de niro partnership this film is the story of a vietnam vet

film is the story of a vietnam vet

film is the story of a vietnam vet who wants to clean up the streets of new

who wants to clean up the streets of new

who wants to clean up the streets of new york as a vigilante cab driver here’s a

york as a vigilante cab driver here’s a

york as a vigilante cab driver here’s a man who would not take it anymore a man

man who would not take it anymore a man

man who would not take it anymore a man who stood up against the scum it’s the

who stood up against the scum it’s the

who stood up against the scum it’s the dogs the filled the shit here is someone

dogs the filled the shit here is someone

dogs the filled the shit here is someone who stood up although there is very

who stood up although there is very

who stood up although there is very little action in the film we witnessed

little action in the film we witnessed

little action in the film we witnessed the grueling underbelly of NYC

the grueling underbelly of NYC

the grueling underbelly of NYC from the viewpoint of an obsessive and

from the viewpoint of an obsessive and

from the viewpoint of an obsessive and fretful insomniac I don’t believe I’ve

fretful insomniac I don’t believe I’ve

fretful insomniac I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone quite like you

ever met anyone quite like you

ever met anyone quite like you Scorsese storytelling and character

Scorsese storytelling and character

Scorsese storytelling and character development really take over producing a

development really take over producing a

development really take over producing a film that enthralls you to the end

film that enthralls you to the end

film that enthralls you to the end suck on this I love the smell of napalm

suck on this I love the smell of napalm

suck on this I love the smell of napalm in the morning

in the morning

in the morning number three Apocalypse Now every minute

number three Apocalypse Now every minute

number three Apocalypse Now every minute I stay in this room I get weaker in

I stay in this room I get weaker in

I stay in this room I get weaker in every minute Charlie squats in the bush

every minute Charlie squats in the bush

every minute Charlie squats in the bush he gets stronger set against the

he gets stronger set against the

he gets stronger set against the backdrop of the gritty Vietnam War

backdrop of the gritty Vietnam War

backdrop of the gritty Vietnam War Francis Ford Coppola Apocalypse Now

Francis Ford Coppola Apocalypse Now

Francis Ford Coppola Apocalypse Now follows a group of soldiers who are

follows a group of soldiers who are

follows a group of soldiers who are given the task of assassinating a row

given the task of assassinating a row

given the task of assassinating a row Colonel they told me that you had gone

Colonel they told me that you had gone

Colonel they told me that you had gone totally insane

totally insane

totally insane and the gym methods were unsound its

and the gym methods were unsound its

and the gym methods were unsound its master bleep executed war theme comes

master bleep executed war theme comes

master bleep executed war theme comes accompanied with snappy dialogue as well

accompanied with snappy dialogue as well

accompanied with snappy dialogue as well as horrific yet very realistic scenes of

as horrific yet very realistic scenes of

as horrific yet very realistic scenes of plunder and destruction

by recreating the conflict instead of

by recreating the conflict instead of scrutinizing it

scrutinizing it

scrutinizing it Coppola managed to make what’s

Coppola managed to make what’s

Coppola managed to make what’s considered the greatest Vietnam War film

considered the greatest Vietnam War film

considered the greatest Vietnam War film in a decade full of them I find your

in a decade full of them I find your

in a decade full of them I find your lack of faith disturbing

lack of faith disturbing

lack of faith disturbing number two Star Wars Episode four a new

number two Star Wars Episode four a new

number two Star Wars Episode four a new hope what a piece of junk to make point

hope what a piece of junk to make point

hope what a piece of junk to make point five past light speed this financially

five past light speed this financially

five past light speed this financially successful juggernaut made sci-fi a

successful juggernaut made sci-fi a

successful juggernaut made sci-fi a phenomenon when the plans to destroy the

phenomenon when the plans to destroy the

phenomenon when the plans to destroy the dreaded Death Star end up in the hands

dreaded Death Star end up in the hands

dreaded Death Star end up in the hands of a farm boy we embark on a journey of

of a farm boy we embark on a journey of

of a farm boy we embark on a journey of SIF versus Jedi lightsabers spaceships

SIF versus Jedi lightsabers spaceships

SIF versus Jedi lightsabers spaceships robots and the force kid I flown from

robots and the force kid I flown from

robots and the force kid I flown from one side of this galaxy to the other I

one side of this galaxy to the other I

one side of this galaxy to the other I seen a lot of strange stuff but I never

seen a lot of strange stuff but I never

seen a lot of strange stuff but I never seen anything to make me believe there’s

seen anything to make me believe there’s

seen anything to make me believe there’s one all-powerful force controlling

one all-powerful force controlling

one all-powerful force controlling everything not only was this space

everything not only was this space

everything not only was this space adventure aesthetically impressive its

adventure aesthetically impressive its

adventure aesthetically impressive its intricate storyline and characters also

intricate storyline and characters also

intricate storyline and characters also built a hardcore fan base overnight and

built a hardcore fan base overnight and

built a hardcore fan base overnight and influenced all who came after it and

influenced all who came after it and

influenced all who came after it and it’ll continue to do so for a long long

it’ll continue to do so for a long long

it’ll continue to do so for a long long time

before we unveil our pick for the best

before we unveil our pick for the best movie of the 1970s here are a few

movie of the 1970s here are a few

movie of the 1970s here are a few honorable mentions are so neat we’re

honorable mentions are so neat we’re

honorable mentions are so neat we’re gonna give you our special prize you

gonna give you our special prize you

gonna give you our special prize you want me to give it to you sweetheart if

want me to give it to you sweetheart if

want me to give it to you sweetheart if surprises you I’m a ready kid we’ll get

surprises you I’m a ready kid we’ll get

surprises you I’m a ready kid we’ll get Ben Turkey

you shot mumbling sumbitch is here I saw

you shot mumbling sumbitch is here I saw it I’m gonna get it Michael Francis

it I’m gonna get it Michael Francis

it I’m gonna get it Michael Francis ritzy do you renounce Satan number one

ritzy do you renounce Satan number one

ritzy do you renounce Satan number one The Godfather

The Godfather

The Godfather you can act like a man by what you

you can act like a man by what you

you can act like a man by what you brought to the big screen by Francis

brought to the big screen by Francis

brought to the big screen by Francis Ford Coppola this blockbuster shattered

Ford Coppola this blockbuster shattered

Ford Coppola this blockbuster shattered box office records earned Universal

box office records earned Universal

box office records earned Universal critical praise and was even loaded by

critical praise and was even loaded by

critical praise and was even loaded by mafia men for its realism following

mafia men for its realism following

mafia men for its realism following Michael Corleone as he reluctantly yet

Michael Corleone as he reluctantly yet

Michael Corleone as he reluctantly yet ruthlessly works his way to the top of

ruthlessly works his way to the top of

ruthlessly works his way to the top of the mob this film and its sequels

the mob this film and its sequels

the mob this film and its sequels changed cinema with their influence

changed cinema with their influence

changed cinema with their influence you’ll set up a meeting with someone

you’ll set up a meeting with someone

you’ll set up a meeting with someone that you absolutely trust guaranteeing

that you absolutely trust guaranteeing

that you absolutely trust guaranteeing your safety not that meeting you’ll be

your safety not that meeting you’ll be

your safety not that meeting you’ll be assassinated with undisputed violence

assassinated with undisputed violence

assassinated with undisputed violence complex social hierarchies and pursuit

complex social hierarchies and pursuit

complex social hierarchies and pursuit of the American dream as themes The

of the American dream as themes The

of the American dream as themes The Godfather was a smash that audiences

Godfather was a smash that audiences

Godfather was a smash that audiences also couldn’t refuse I want to make him

also couldn’t refuse I want to make him

also couldn’t refuse I want to make him an awfully kind with you do you agree

an awfully kind with you do you agree

an awfully kind with you do you agree with our list what’s your favorite movie

with our list what’s your favorite movie

with our list what’s your favorite movie of the 70s for more thrilling top 10s

of the 70s for more thrilling top 10s

of the 70s for more thrilling top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe

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