The 100 Greatest movies of the 1970s. 21. Marathon Man (9 Viewers)

[timschochet]

29. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)

Directed by: Mel Stuart

Starring: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson

Synopsis: Willy Wonka invites a group of children to tour his mysterious chocolate factory.

We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams. - Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.

This film is up there with The Wizard of Oz and ET as the greatest live action kids movie of all time. And why not? The music is superb (Lesley Bricusse and Anthony Newley) the acting is great (in addition to the stars, Veruca Salt is the best child brat ever, just beating out Patricia McCormick in The Bad Seed), and the Oompah Loompahs are awesome. As a kid, the bubbling burp scene scared the hell out of me. A magnificent movie.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I belong to the "Wonka is a serial killer" camp.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I belong to the "Wonka is a serial killer" camp.

It's a horror movie. It even has supernatural elements for the Stephen King crowd. Ugh.

 

[rockaction]

It’s a great movie. If it makes you nervous, it should. Million billionaires making their money off of marketing sugar products to kids should freaking creep you out.

 

[dutch]

help...police...murder

 

[El Floppo]

One of my all time favorites.

And id put that Gene Wilder performance up against any.

... and by the way...

I want a bean feast.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

"We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams" was sampled nicely by electronic artist Aphex Twin on his cut "We Are the Music Makers".

 

[timschochet]

I want a party with rooms filled with laughter, candy and cake and whipped cream.
And if I don’t get the things I am after, I’m going to scream

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

And id put that Gene Wilder performance up against any.

It is amazing.

Still don't want to watch that.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Most people know this, I think, but it's still a great factoid to know when watching the movie:

After reading the script, Gene Wilder said he would take the role of Willy Wonka under one condition: that he would be allowed to limp and then suddenly somersault in the scene when he first meets the children. When director Mel Stuart asked why, Wilder replied that having Wonka do this meant that "from that time on, no one will know if I'm lying or telling the truth." Stuart asked, "If I say no, you won't do the picture?" Wilder said, "I'm afraid that's the truth."

 

[zamboni]

Most people know this, I think, but it's still a great factoid to know when watching the movie:

After reading the script, Gene Wilder said he would take the role of Willy Wonka under one condition: that he would be allowed to limp and then suddenly somersault in the scene when he first meets the children. When director Mel Stuart asked why, Wilder replied that having Wonka do this meant that "from that time on, no one will know if I'm lying or telling the truth." Stuart asked, "If I say no, you won't do the picture?" Wilder said, "I'm afraid that's the truth."

Over the past several weeks, the memes of Davante Adams doing this were great.

x.com

x.com

 

[zamboni]

I think the scariest part of Wonka was the thought of lying 20 years in the same bed without moving, surrounded by the same three people.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I think the scariest part of Wonka was the thought of lying 20 years in the same bed without moving, surrounded by the same three people.

I saw this film upon release when I was 7 or 8 years old. There were a few parts that scared me, but this was by far the weirdest.

 

[timschochet]

28. Deliverance (1972)

Directed by: John Boorman

Starring: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Bill McKinney

Synopsis: A river rafting trip in Georgia turns deadly.

I’ll bet you squeal like a pig!- Bill McKinney as Mountain Man

Anyone who has seen this movie will shiver involuntarily at that quote. This is a great adventure film, beautifully filmed, best seen on a big screen. It also has some very uncomfortable moments.

 

[El Floppo]

Squeal like a pig and deuling banjos are carved into stone. The rest I've no memory of.

 

[timschochet]

27. The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

Directed by: John Huston

Starring: Sean Connery, Michael Caine

Synopsis: A pair of rogue British soldiers encounter natives and set themselves up as kings (and one as a god.)

I’m not a god, I’m an Englishman. The next best thing. - Michael Caine as Peachy

Based on the Rudyard Kipling short story, this is one of the great adventure flicks of all time, a throwback to the swashbuckler movies of the old days when colonialism was a great thing and the British liberated the world. Both Connery and Caine have cited this as their favorite film of all time, and it’s bloody marvelous.

 

[timschochet]

26. Norma Rae (1979)

Directed by: Martin Ritt

Starring: Sally Field, Ron Leibman, Beau Bridges

Synopsis: A southern cotton mill worker sacrifices much to help organize a union.

And maybe what’s good gets a little bit better, and maybe what’s bad gets gone- from “It Goes Like It Goes”, the film’s theme song.

Upon receiving her award for Best Actress, Sally Field famously said “you like me. You really really like me.” And we did. (Still do.) She was great in this role and the movie is terrific drama.

 

[El Floppo]

Man who would be King is fantastic. Haven't seen it in decades, but I remember being enthralled- epic scenery and story, let alone the two of them going toe to toe.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Man who would be King is fantastic. Haven't seen it in decades, but I remember being enthralled- epic scenery and story, let alone the two of them going toe to toe.

Same. I really need to watch this one again.

 

[timschochet]

25. Papillon (1973)

Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner

Starring: Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman

Synopsis: A prisoner won’t give up trying to escape from Devil’s Island

Hey you bastards, I’m still here! - Steve McQueen as Henri “Papillon” Charriere

Based on the true story (at least, according to Charriere’s memoirs which are somewhat suspicious for accuracy) this might be the grimmest film on this list (with the possible exception of Midnight Express). But it’s still deeply entertaining. Both of the lead actors are terrific and this might actually be McQueen’s greatest role. He just won’t give up.

 

[northern exposure]

25. Papillon (1973)

Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner

Starring: Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman

Synopsis: A prisoner won’t give up trying to escape from Devil’s Island

Hey you bastards, I’m still here! - Steve McQueen as Henri “Papillon” Charriere

Based on the true story (at least, according to Charriere’s memoirs which are somewhat suspicious for accuracy) this might be the grimmest film on this list (with the possible exception of Midnight Express). But it’s still deeply entertaining. Both of the lead actors are terrific and this might actually be McQueen’s greatest role. He just won’t give up.

Something I just discovered recently is this movie was remade in 2017 and starred Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek. I have no desire to watch it though because the original was so good. I'm not a fan of Malek (outside of Mr. Robot) either.

 

[northern exposure]

Wow, I can think of about 30 movies that are personal faves that haven't appeared yet. There's only 24 spots left, which ones don't make the cut?

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Wow, I can think of about 30 movies that are personal faves that haven't appeared yet. There's only 24 spots left, which ones don't make the cut?

Deep Throat?

 

[Joe Schmo]

Can't beleive Norma Rae is rated higher than

25. Papillon (1973)

Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner

Starring: Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman

Synopsis: A prisoner won’t give up trying to escape from Devil’s Island

Hey you bastards, I’m still here! - Steve McQueen as Henri “Papillon” Charriere

Based on the true story (at least, according to Charriere’s memoirs which are somewhat suspicious for accuracy) this might be the grimmest film on this list (with the possible exception of Midnight Express). But it’s still deeply entertaining. Both of the lead actors are terrific and this might actually be McQueen’s greatest role. He just won’t give up.

Misread your post and thought it said grimiest, which it is as well. You can feel the gross, nasty sweat and smell the b.o. while they are in the bunkhouse. And dont get me started on fatty cozying up in the cot, that whole scene is just filthy, slimy, gross. And the mosquitos...

 

[Stoneworker]

25. Papillon (1973)

Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner

Starring: Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman

Synopsis: A prisoner won’t give up trying to escape from Devil’s Island

Hey you bastards, I’m still here! - Steve McQueen as Henri “Papillon” Charriere

Based on the true story (at least, according to Charriere’s memoirs which are somewhat suspicious for accuracy) this might be the grimmest film on this list (with the possible exception of Midnight Express). But it’s still deeply entertaining. Both of the lead actors are terrific and this might actually be McQueen’s greatest role. He just won’t give up.

Great movie. Not sure it would get made today due to lack of "action." Similar to some Sergio Leone movies in that regard.

Memorable scene: "I'm Papillon...how do I look?"

 

[timschochet]

24. Nashville (1975)

Directed by: Robert Altman

Starring: Ned Beatty, Karen Black, Keith Carradine, Shelly Duvall, Lily Tomlin, Barbara Baxley

Synopsis: Chronicles 5 days in Nashville during which a populist Presidential candidate arrives for a fundraising gala.

These dumbheads around here, they’re all Baptists- Barbara Baxley as Lady Pearl

OK so I only saw this once about 30 years ago and I remember thinking that I enjoyed it and it was interesting to watch, if a little too cynical about the music industry, but that it was not “the greatest film since Citizen Kane” as some critics regarded it. To that extent I think it’s overrated. But still a great movie. I’d like to see it again.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Carradine singing I'm Easy to Lilly Tomlin sitting in the back of the audience is a pretty good movie scene.

ETA .... here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6y47KcuI4Y

 

[El Floppo]

I've never seen Nashville... Need to remedy that

 

[Hastur]

I've never seen Nashville... Need to remedy that

Heck, I've never HEARD of this movie(I was 5 when it came out). Adding it to my must watch list.

 

[El Floppo]

I've never seen Nashville... Need to remedy that

Heck, I've never HEARD of this movie(I was 5 when it came out). Adding it to my must watch list.

Always listed up there on any top movie list... And considered Altman's best (with argument). I like his stuff that I've seen, but not enough to run out and see everything else I haven't. This one though, because if it's universal praise, is one I've wanted to for a while

 

[northern exposure]

Wow, I can think of about 30 movies that are personal faves that haven't appeared yet. There's only 24 spots left, which ones don't make the cut?

Deep Throat?

Never seen it. Is it about Woodward and Bernstein's informant from the Watergate scandal?

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Wow, I can think of about 30 movies that are personal faves that haven't appeared yet. There's only 24 spots left, which ones don't make the cut?

Deep Throat?

Never seen it. Is it about Woodward and Bernstein's informant from the Watergate scandal?

Yes, it is.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Wow, I can think of about 30 movies that are personal faves that haven't appeared yet. There's only 24 spots left, which ones don't make the cut?

Deep Throat?

Never seen it. Is it about Woodward and Bernstein's informant from the Watergate scandal?

It's actually a touching love story about a young woman born with a deformity who finds just the right man who can help her through her plight. It'll bring a tear to your eye.

 

[El Floppo]

Wow, I can think of about 30 movies that are personal faves that haven't appeared yet. There's only 24 spots left, which ones don't make the cut?

Deep Throat?

Never seen it. Is it about Woodward and Bernstein's informant from the Watergate scandal?

It's actually a touching love story about a young woman born with a deformity who finds just the right man who can help her through her plight. It'll bring a tear to your eye.

That's not a tear!

 

[Eephus]

I don't think Nashville is Altman's best movie but it's his sprawling "great American novel" of a film with particular cultural relevance for the time it was released.

 

[Hastur]

Wow, I can think of about 30 movies that are personal faves that haven't appeared yet. There's only 24 spots left, which ones don't make the cut?

Deep Throat?

Never seen it. Is it about Woodward and Bernstein's informant from the Watergate scandal?

It's actually a touching love story about a young woman born with a deformity who finds just the right man who can help her through her plight. It'll bring a tear to your eye.

That sounds tough to swallow...

 

[Brunell4MVP]

I actually don't like the movie. It's boring. But it has some nice moments.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I don't think Nashville is Altman's best movie but it's his sprawling "great American novel" of a film with particular cultural relevance for the time it was released.

Yep.

The ending makes me very emotional, even though I didn’t think I had attached myself to the characters to any great degree.

 

[timschochet]

23. All That Jazz (1979)

Directed by: Bob Fosse

Starring: Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Ben Vereen

Synopsis: Broadway choreographer flirts with death.

It’s Showtime, folks! - Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon

This is an autobiographical dance with doom. Fosse would die only a few years later and he seemingly knew it when he filmed this. He offers a sharp cutting look at himself, showing both his brilliance (any dance person will tell you Bob Fosse was one of the greats of all time and this movie shows it) and all his personal flaws. Scheider is positively brilliant in this role, Dark genius of a movie.

 

[Eephus]

I don't think Nashville is Altman's best movie but it's his sprawling "great American novel" of a film with particular cultural relevance for the time it was released.

Yep.

The ending makes me very emotional, even though I didn’t think I had attached myself to the characters to any great degree.

If Nashville was made today, it would be a ten episode series with more time (maybe too much time) for character development. As it is, some of the characters' story arcs work while others seem more like rough sketches.

More than for most movies, it would be fascinating to view the footage that Altman and his editors left on the cutting room floor. One of the two editors of Nashville Sid Levin also cut Mean Streets and Norma Rae.

 

[timschochet]

22. North Dallas Forty (1979)

Directed by: Ted Kotcheff

Starring: Nick Nolte, Mac Davis, GD Spradlin, Charles Durning

Synopsis: An NFL wide receiver is disliked by the head coach because of his nonconformist attitude.

Hell, I love needles! - Nick Nolte as Phil Elliot

Over 45 years later this is still very likely the best movie ever made about the NFL, capturing both its joy and insanity. A great part of this is because the characters and acting are so good, especially Nolte, Mac Davis, and Spradlin who here gives his most memorable performance. This is an outstanding film and I never get tired of watching it.

 

[SWC]

burt reynolds as bandit is one of the greatest performances ever made by a thespian take that to the oscars bank brochachos

 

[SWC]

i mean for christs sake tim the boys are thirsty in atlanta and theres beer in texarkana and they are going to bring it back no matter what it takes you tell me a better plot for a movie ever take that to the bank brochacho

 

[Eephus]

Every time I call it a game, you call it a business, and every time I call it business, you call it a game.

 

[northern exposure]

22. North Dallas Forty (1979)

Directed by: Ted Kotcheff

Starring: Nick Nolte, Mac Davis, GD Spradlin, Charles Durning

Synopsis: An NFL wide receiver is disliked by the head coach because of his nonconformist attitude.

Hell, I love needles! - Nick Nolte as Phil Elliot

Over 45 years later this is still very likely the best movie ever made about the NFL, capturing both its joy and insanity. A great part of this is because the characters and acting are so good, especially Nolte, Mac Davis, and Spradlin who here gives his most memorable performance. This is an outstanding film and I never get tired of watching it.

I think Spradlin was very memorable in part II of a movie series that I'm sure has yet to appear on your list. It's the role I associate with him.

 

[timschochet]

21. Marathon Man (1976)

Directed by: John Schlesinger

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Lawrence Olivier, Roy Scheider, William Devane, Marthe Keller

Synopsis: A fugitive Nazi dentist is threatened with losing his fortune.

Is it safe? - Lawrence Olivier as Dr. Christian Szell

If you’re watching this movie for the first time (and it’s been many many years since I did that), you’re gonna have lots of questions: what do these two guys have to do with each other? It takes a while for the viewer to figure out what’s going on but that’s necessary to make the key first encounter between Hoffman and Olivier so terrifying. Hoffman, strapped to a chair, facing an old dentist with a thick German accent who keeps asking the same question over and over, has no earthly clue what’s going on. This might very well be the most frightening scene in cinematic history. It’s also what makes the final sequences of the film so damn satisfying, as the good doctor realizes finally that the answer to his question is no.