The 100 Greatest movies of the 1970s. 1. The Godfather (4 Viewers)

[Dr. Octopus]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

With the help of @northern exposure I think we could name the last seven.

 

[timschochet]

I have a feeling we may get one more musical.

I just looked up The Pirates... Early 80s. But my money was in that.

Ice Castles is 1978.

Dammit! Now I have to redo the top 10…

 

[DocHolliday]

I have a feeling we may get one more musical.

I just looked up The Pirates... Early 80s. But my money was in that.

Ice Castles is 1978.

Dammit! Now I have to redo the top 10…

Does it really matter? Star Wars at 20 ended the thread.

 

[timschochet]

7. The Bad News Bears (1976)

Directed by: Michael Ritchie

Starring: Walter Matthau, Tatum O’Neil, Vic Morrow, Jackie Earle Haley

Synopsis: A newly formed little league baseball team gets help from unlikely sources.

Hey Yankees! You can take your apology AND your trophy and shove ‘em straight up your ***! - Tanner Boyle

Maybe the greatest sports movie of all time. Certainly IMO the greatest film about kids I have ever seen and despite certain dated elements it remains honest and true even today.

There are so many brilliant aspects about this movie but one that has always stuck out to me is its use of Bizet’s Carmen. I know that piece of music was not written to express the lows and highs of a kids sports team but man is it ever a perfect fit here.

This film is a comedy but it has several very serious moments including the relationship between Vic Morrow and his son which is played out in the final game, Ahmad’s humiliation at not being like his older brothers, Amanda’s desire for a father, etc. This is a ridiculously great commentary on competition and American society in general. And like Rocky, it’s ending with a loss rather than a Hollywood victory is pitch perfect, especially because it allows for the Tanner quote above (quite possibly the most satisfying one liner in movie history.)

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Oh boy. That wasn't one of the seven I thought of.

Not that it's a bad film but that means one of the ones I thought were top 7 weren't top 150.

 

[Todem]

The Bad News Bears is easily a top 5 sports movie of all time for me.

Top 10 in the 70’s is highly plausible for my taste as well.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

JFC lol

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I Spit on Your Grave

Oh, man. I had forgotten about this movie until you mentioned it. I saw it at a drive-in as a double feature with some crazy-assed film about an Idi Amin-ish character who was a cannibal.

 

[Scoresman]

I’m trying to reconcile the fact that I absolutely applaud Tim for making this about the movies he likes best instead of ranking things where expectations dictate he should, but at the same time thinking that the The Bad News Bears is an awful top 10 pick here.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are. I think I could name two more with near certainly.

Star Wars and…

Oh.

 

[northern exposure]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

With the help of @northern exposure I think we could name the last seven.

With Bad News Bears at 7, I guess we are off on at least one.
I'm a big fan of it, but didn't see it being in the top 7.

 

[zamboni]

7. The Bad News Bears (1976)

Directed by: Michael Ritchie

Starring: Walter Matthau, Tatum O’Neil, Vic Morrow, Jackie Earle Haley

Synopsis: A newly formed little league baseball team gets help from unlikely sources.

Hey Yankees! You can take your apology AND your trophy and shove ‘em straight up your ***! - Tanner Boyle

Maybe the greatest sports movie of all time. Certainly IMO the greatest film about kids I have ever seen and despite certain dated elements it remains honest and true even today.

There are so many brilliant aspects about this movie but one that has always stuck out to me is its use of Bizet’s Carmen. I know that piece of music was not written to express the lows and highs of a kids sports team but man is it ever a perfect fit here.

This film is a comedy but it has several very serious moments including the relationship between Vic Morrow and his son which is played out in the final game, Ahmad’s humiliation at not being like his older brothers, Amanda’s desire for a father, etc. This is a ridiculously great commentary on competition and American society in general. And like Rocky, it’s ending with a loss rather than a Hollywood victory is pitch perfect, especially because it allows for the Tanner quote above (quite possibly the most satisfying one liner in movie history.)

I was actually going to joke after Caberet that I expected the Bad News Bears in Breaking Training to be in the top 7. Not sure I'd call the original here one of the top 7 of the decade, but it's all subjective and I will say that it's a very enjoyable movie that screams '70s as much as virtually any film from the decade. Definitely an indelible slice of life for those of us that grew up and played Little League then.

 

[timschochet]

6. The Sting (1973)

Directed by: George Roy Hill

Starring: Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Robert Shaw

Synopsis: During the Great Depression, two grifters scheme to rip off a powerful gambler.

Always drink gin with a mark, kid. He can’t tell if you cut it. - Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff

Stylish, entertaining, delightful. The poker game is awesome no matter how many times I watch it. The use of Scott Joplin’s music is an anachronism because Joplin wrote his ragtime at the turn of the century and by the 1930s was somewhat forgotten. Yet somehow it works brilliantly (and ironically, the soundtrack made Joplin’s pieces more famous than they had ever been before.)

 

[Joe Schmo]

6. The Sting (1973)

Directed by: George Roy Hill

Starring: Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Robert Shaw

Synopsis: During the Great Depression, two grifters scheme to rip off a powerful gambler.

Always drink gin with a mark, kid. He can’t tell if you cut it. - Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff

Stylish, entertaining, delightful. The poker game is awesome no matter how many times I watch it. The use of Scott Joplin’s music is an anachronism because Joplin wrote his ragtime at the turn of the century and by the 1930s was somewhat forgotten. Yet somehow it works brilliantly (and ironically, the soundtrack made Joplin’s pieces more famous than they had ever been before.)

Love this movie, it's a great addition to the top 10. Watching Quint damn near stroke out is so perfect after all the tension and build up. Nice pick.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

With the help of @northern exposure I think we could name the last seven.

Spoiler

Godfather, Godfather II and Jaws are my locks.

 

[Todem]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

With the help of @northern exposure I think we could name the last seven.

Spoiler

Godfather, Godfather II and Jaws are my locks.

Right there with ya.

 

[Hastur]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

With the help of @northern exposure I think we could name the last seven.

Spoiler

Godfather, Godfather II and Jaws are my locks.

Spoiler

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has got to be a lock, too.....right?

 

[El Floppo]

The Sting and Rocky were my two favorites from the decade as a kid.

And anybody that played piano or took lessons back then learned the Entertainer.

 

[zamboni]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

With the help of @northern exposure I think we could name the last seven.

Spoiler

Godfather, Godfather II and Jaws are my locks.

Spoiler

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has got to be a lock, too.....right?

Spoiler

Stocking up on packs of this in anticipation.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The Sting and Rocky were my two favorites from the decade as a kid.

And anybody that played piano or took lessons back then learned the Entertainer.

The positive thing is that it's fun to play.

This is one of the movies we thought would be there.

 

[rockaction]

Rocky, The Sting, Bad News Bears, and Cabaret all belong here over those self-indulgent mob movies and personal allegories that everybody likes.

I find them insufferable. And I’ve tried. BOOOOOOOOORING. If I want to watch a movie about families I’ll watch something like Terms of Endearment or some sort of rot like that.

Guess it’s my punk rock coming through.

BOOOOOOOOOORING.

 

[rockaction]

^ That is not sarcasm in any way, shape, or form.

I’ll never get the love of these cretins that make up the mob. I like movies like The Untouchables and other stuff like that. Break ‘em up or kill ‘em even if you’ve got to become 'em.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Rocky, The Sting, Bad News Bears, and Cabaret all belong here over those self-indulgent mob movies and personal allegories that everybody likes.

I find them insufferable. And I’ve tried. BOOOOOOOOORING. If I want to watch a movie about families I’ll watch something like Terms of Endearment or some sort of rot like that.

Guess it’s my punk rock coming through.

BOOOOOOOOOORING.

aka: two of the greatest masterpieces ever put to film. But otherwise, right on point.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

My personal "favorite" mob family wasn't in movies but the small screen, the Salamanca family in Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul. And to Rock's point, almost every one was eventually killed off by a combination of the DEA, a chemistry teacher, and a fried chicken franchise owner.

 

[Scoresman]

Rocky, The Sting, Bad News Bears, and Cabaret all belong here over those self-indulgent mob movies and personal allegories that everybody likes.

I find them insufferable. And I’ve tried. BOOOOOOOOORING. If I want to watch a movie about families I’ll watch something like Terms of Endearment or some sort of rot like that.

Guess it’s my punk rock coming through.

BOOOOOOOOOORING.

AAaayoooo, why doncha grab a gabagool and your goomare and relax.

 

[Scoresman]

My personal "favorite" mob family wasn't in movies but the small screen, the Salamanca family in Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul. And to Rock's point, almost every one was eventually killed off by a combination of the DEA, a chemistry teacher, and a fried chicken franchise owner.

Those pool scenes in Mexico from BB remain my favorite of the show.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

My personal "favorite" mob family wasn't in movies but the small screen, the Salamanca family in Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul. And to Rock's point, almost every one was eventually killed off by a combination of the DEA, a chemistry teacher, and a fried chicken franchise owner.

Those pool scenes in Mexico from BB remain my favorite of the show.

The sepia flashbacks really show their evil.

 

[Don Quixote]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

With the help of @northern exposure I think we could name the last seven.

Spoiler

Godfather, Godfather II and Jaws are my locks.

Spoiler

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has got to be a lock, too.....right?

Spoiler

Network to round things out.

 

[rockaction]

My personal "favorite" mob family wasn't in movies but the small screen, the Salamanca family in Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul. And to Rock's point, almost every one was eventually killed off by a combination of the DEA, a chemistry teacher, and a fried chicken franchise owner.

Ante up! Get ‘em now get him! Hit him now hit him!

MOP

 

[timschochet]

5. Network (1976)

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Starting: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall, Ned Beatty

Synopsis: When a TV news anchor goes insane, the network decides to take advantage.

I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore! - Peter Finch as Howard Beale

Paddy Chayefsky’s masterpiece dark satire is only dated to the extent that he couldn’t quite imagine how ridiculous media would actually become. Practically every wild ridiculous prediction he makes in this film has come true and our current reality has gone far beyond it.

For me the most interesting character in the movie isn’t Finch, compelling as he is, it’s Faye Dunaway, as the ruthless modern executive way ahead of her time. The scene in which she comes home and has sex with William Holden all the while talking nonstop about tv ratings is one of the darkest, funniest and saddest moments in a film I can recall ever watching.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Network is terrific. First time in watched it I was about to turn it off when all of a sudden murder is suggested as a serious solution and then it was awesome

 

[Pip's Invitation]

5. Network (1976)

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Starting: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall, Ned Beatty

Synopsis: When a TV news anchor goes insane, the network decides to take advantage.

I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore! - Peter Finch as Howard Beale

Paddy Chayefsky’s masterpiece dark satire is only dated to the extent that he couldn’t quite imagine how ridiculous media would actually become. Practically every wild ridiculous prediction he makes in this film has come true and our current reality has gone far beyond it.

For me the most interesting character in the movie isn’t Finch, compelling as he is, it’s Faye Dunaway, as the ruthless modern executive way ahead of her time. The scene in which she comes home and has sex with William Holden all the while talking nonstop about tv ratings is one of the darkest, funniest and saddest moments in a film I can recall ever watching.

It’s as prescient as Idiocracy, with the bonus of actually being a good movie.

 

[Hastur]

Everyone knows what two of the remaining are

There’s 3 locks imo

With the help of @northern exposure I think we could name the last seven.

Spoiler

Godfather, Godfather II and Jaws are my locks.

Spoiler

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has got to be a lock, too.....right?

Spoiler

Network to round things out.

Remind me to IM you 2 hours before the lotto numbers are picked...

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Peter Finch was amazing.

 

[Enderdog]

^ That is not sarcasm in any way, shape, or form.

I’ll never get the love of these cretins that make up the mob. I like movies like The Untouchables and other stuff like that. Break ‘em up or kill ‘em even if you’ve got to become 'em.

I'd rather watch the first season of Wiseguy than the Godfather. The Steelgraves and the Profitts were awesome, plus you get Breaking Bad Mike playing for the other side.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

5. Network (1976)

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Starting: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall, Ned Beatty

Synopsis: When a TV news anchor goes insane, the network decides to take advantage.

I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore! - Peter Finch as Howard Beale

Paddy Chayefsky’s masterpiece dark satire is only dated to the extent that he couldn’t quite imagine how ridiculous media would actually become. Practically every wild ridiculous prediction he makes in this film has come true and our current reality has gone far beyond it.

For me the most interesting character in the movie isn’t Finch, compelling as he is, it’s Faye Dunaway, as the ruthless modern executive way ahead of her time. The scene in which she comes home and has sex with William Holden all the while talking nonstop about tv ratings is one of the darkest, funniest and saddest moments in a film I can recall ever watching.

It’s as prescient as Idiocracy, with the bonus of actually being a good movie.

Brawndo has what plants crave!

 

[El Floppo]

I don't think I ever watched Network.

 

[TripItUp]

I don't think I ever watched Network.

same

Does it hold up or is it one of those "you had to be there" flicks like so many of the movies in this decade?

 

[TripItUp]

6. The Sting (1973)

Big fan...just a really cool movie.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Network is very relevant to today.

Just like A Face In The Crowd and All The Kings Men are.

 

[TripItUp]

7. The Bad News Bears (1976)

Over Star Wars?

Dude

 

[zamboni]

7. The Bad News Bears (1976)

Over Star Wars?

No, I don’t think I’ll ever get over Star Wars. Those wounds run pretty deep.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I don't think I ever watched Network.

same

Does it hold up or is it one of those "you had to be there" flicks like so many of the movies in this decade?

The themes and the performances absolutely do hold up. It looks very '70s, though.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I don't think I ever watched Network.

same

Does it hold up or is it one of those "you had to be there" flicks like so many of the movies in this decade?

It's pretty chilling how relevant this still is almost fifty years later.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I don’t think I’ll ever get over Star Wars. Those wounds run pretty deep.

These are not the films you are looking for.

 

[timschochet]

4. The Godfather, Part II (1974)

Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Diane Keaton, Lee Strasberg, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Michael V. Gazzo, Robert Duvall

Synopsis: The saga of the Corleone family continues.

I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. - Al Pacino as Michael Corleone


Here’s what I’m going to write as my justification of this film as my number 4 pick: nothing.

 

[Joe Schmo]

I always stop to watch when I run across the Godfather movies. I'm still transfixed by them.

 

[El Floppo]

I always stop to watch when I run across the first two Godfather movies. I'm still transfixed by them.

Fyp

 

[Andy Dufresne]

They're good movies, but like @rockaction I don't get what ALL the fuss is about.