The 100 Greatest movies of the 1970s. 49. The Exorcist (10 Viewers)

[timschochet]

71. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Directed by: Tobe Hooper

Starring: Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger Paul Partain, Edwin Neal, Gunnar Hansen

Synopsis: A group of friends on road trip encounter cannibals.

Thats the last ******* hitchhiker I ever pick up- Allen Danziger as Jerry

This was a low budget film that has come to be regarded as one of the greatest horror movies of all time. For years I heard about it without seeing it as a really bloody gorefest. When I finally watched it (I think sometime in the late 80s when it became available on video) I found it wasn’t nearly as gory as I imagined (though there are some very bloody scenes) but actually a quite tense film of suspense. I enjoyed then, and it stays in my memory though I haven’t watched it since.

 

[massraider]

I don't think I've ever seen a Woody Allen film. They don't look appealing for whatever reason.

The least attractive man in the world is neurotic and self-deprecating.

There, now you've seen them all

Well, not ALL of them. There's his statutory rape movie, but it's in black and white, so you know it's real art.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I don't think I've ever seen a Woody Allen film. They don't look appealing for whatever reason.

The least attractive man in the world is neurotic and self-deprecating.

There, now you've seen them all

Well, not ALL of them. There's his statutory rape movie, but it's in black and white, so you know it's real art.

Where do people draw the line with artists and sportsmen and politicians and other people they see on the TV?
It sounds so tiring to not watch this person cause of X and that person cause of Y, but watch this person despite Z
Who isnt watching Pulp Fiction cause of Harvey Weinstein?

I judge artists as artists, i dont know them personally. Better things to worry about.
Im not generally a fan of Mr Allen, but Midnight in Paris is one of my fave movies this century. The stars being Paris itself and Marion Cotillard. Owen Wilson plays the Woody role very well.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I don't think I've ever seen a Woody Allen film. They don't look appealing for whatever reason.

The least attractive man in the world is neurotic and self-deprecating.

There, now you've seen them all

Well, not ALL of them. There's his statutory rape movie, but it's in black and white, so you know it's real art.

Where do people draw the line with artists and sportsmen and politicians and other people they see on the TV?
It sounds so tiring to not watch this person cause of X and that person cause of Y, but watch this person despite Z
Who isnt watching Pulp Fiction cause of Harvey Weinstein?

I judge artists as artists, i dont know them personally. Better things to worry about.
Im not generally a fan of Mr Allen, but Midnight in Paris is one of my fave movies this century. The stars being Paris itself and Marion Cotillard. Owen Wilson plays the Woody role very well.

For me it's very case by case, but overall I don't really boycott or avoid people because of behind the entertainment stuff. As a general rule, I would say I think about how directly the art and my $ is directly tied to that person. For example, I wouldn't go see a Cosby stand up, but I am not going out of my way to avoid movies or shows that he has been in. The other main thing is how closely the art is tied to why they are terrible people, which is most often sexually related. That's where a large portion of the negative reaction to Allen comes from for me. But I don't avoid him altogether, and agree that Midnight in Paris is a delightful movie.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I would say I think about how directly the art and my $ is directly tied to that person.

This is my usual standard, too. There are some people I'm not comfortable giving money to.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I would say I think about how directly the art and my $ is directly tied to that person.

This is my usual standard, too. There are some people I'm not comfortable giving money to.

But how do you know Annie Lennox doesnt kick her cat or Marvin Harrison Jr cheats at Poker or Tom Cruise slaughters goats?
Once you go down this road, where does it end?
If Law Enforcement or the Justice system stops them doing their careers, good enough for me. Saves me thinkin time.
Im not qualified to give Moral judgements.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I would say I think about how directly the art and my $ is directly tied to that person.

This is my usual standard, too. There are some people I'm not comfortable giving money to.

But how do you know Annie Lennox doesnt kick her cat or Marvin Harrison Jr cheats at Poker or Tom Cruise slaughters goats?
Once you go down this road, where does it end?
If Law Enforcement or the Justice system stops them doing their careers, good enough for me. Saves me thinkin time.
Im not qualified to give Moral judgements.

No one can prove a negative. You need a better argument. A serial rapist, on the other hand, seems bad enough to not support.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

But how do you know Annie Lennox doesnt kick her cat or Marvin Harrison Jr cheats at Poker or Tom Cruise slaughters goats?
Once you go down this road, where does it end?
If Law Enforcement or the Justice system stops them doing their careers, good enough for me. Saves me thinkin time.
Im not qualified to give Moral judgements.

Just think of everything we don't know about artists of the past. In addition to fathering 20 kids, who knows what other odd things Bach did way back then. I guess for most it's what we don't know won't hurt us.

 

[massraider]

Once you go down this road, where does it end?

I think you think not watching something is a lot more work than it actually is.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I would say I think about how directly the art and my $ is directly tied to that person.

This is my usual standard, too. There are some people I'm not comfortable giving money to.

But how do you know Annie Lennox doesnt kick her cat or Marvin Harrison Jr cheats at Poker or Tom Cruise slaughters goats?
Once you go down this road, where does it end?
If Law Enforcement or the Justice system stops them doing their careers, good enough for me. Saves me thinkin time.
Im not qualified to give Moral judgements.

I don’t know, and personally it has to be pretty serious - we are talking OJ, Diddy, and Cosby levels here. It seems i have a slightly harder line than you, but its not like its a silly level like refusing to support anybody who is not an upstanding citizen. The only cases i can think of deal with domestic violence, sexual assault, or murder - not kicking cats or cheating at cards.

 

[timschochet]

70. Shaft (1971)

Directed by: Gordon Parks

Starring: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn

Synopsis: Detective John Shaft faces off against gangsters in Harlem.

You are one wise Caucasian, Vic!- Richard Roundtree as John Shaft.

Following the success of Sidney Portier as a cop in 1968’s In The Heat of the Night, Hollywood decided that there could be a market for movies featuring blacks as police officers fighting crime in their own communities. Given racial stereotypes of the time these films were inevitably filled with gross caricatures; years later the term “Blaxploitation” was used to describe them. Shaft was the best of these movies: though at times unintentionally hilarious or highly offensive, it also offers great action and even a little drama. Of course the theme music is top notch.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Great soundtrack, Meh movie.

 

[El Floppo]

Great soundtrack, Meh movie.

Handful of flat out great tunes, but the rest are kinda meh. And yeah, the movie is also meh.

 

[Gr00vus]

I would say I think about how directly the art and my $ is directly tied to that person.

This is my usual standard, too. There are some people I'm not comfortable giving money to.

But how do you know Annie Lennox doesnt kick her cat or Marvin Harrison Jr cheats at Poker or Tom Cruise slaughters goats?
Once you go down this road, where does it end?
If Law Enforcement or the Justice system stops them doing their careers, good enough for me. Saves me thinkin time.
Im not qualified to give Moral judgements.

No one can prove a negative. You need a better argument. A serial rapist, on the other hand, seems bad enough to not support.

I avoid listening to Michael Jackson at this point because of pretty clear evidence that he was a child abuser. That's something I can't get past.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

70. Shaft (1971)

Directed by: Gordon Parks

Starring: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn

Synopsis: Detective John Shaft faces off against gangsters in Harlem.

You are one wise Caucasian, Vic!- Richard Roundtree as John Shaft.

Following the success of Sidney Portier as a cop in 1968’s In The Heat of the Night, Hollywood decided that there could be a market for movies featuring blacks as police officers fighting crime in their own communities. Given racial stereotypes of the time these films were inevitably filled with gross caricatures; years later the term “Blaxploitation” was used to describe them. Shaft was the best of these movies: though at times unintentionally hilarious or highly offensive, it also offers great action and even a little drama. Of course the theme music is top notch.

They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother
(Shut your mouth)
But I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft
(Then we can dig it)

 

[zamboni]

70. Shaft (1971)

Directed by: Gordon Parks

Starring: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn

Synopsis: Detective John Shaft faces off against gangsters in Harlem.

You are one wise Caucasian, Vic!- Richard Roundtree as John Shaft.

Following the success of Sidney Portier as a cop in 1968’s In The Heat of the Night, Hollywood decided that there could be a market for movies featuring blacks as police officers fighting crime in their own communities. Given racial stereotypes of the time these films were inevitably filled with gross caricatures; years later the term “Blaxploitation” was used to describe them. Shaft was the best of these movies: though at times unintentionally hilarious or highly offensive, it also offers great action and even a little drama. Of course the theme music is top notch.

They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother
(Shut your mouth)
But I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft
(Then we can dig it)

When you get a shout out on The Simpsons, that has to worth something.

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

www.youtube.com

 

[Dennis Castro]

70. Shaft (1971)

Directed by: Gordon Parks

Starring: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn

Synopsis: Detective John Shaft faces off against gangsters in Harlem.

You are one wise Caucasian, Vic!- Richard Roundtree as John Shaft.

Following the success of Sidney Portier as a cop in 1968’s In The Heat of the Night, Hollywood decided that there could be a market for movies featuring blacks as police officers fighting crime in their own communities. Given racial stereotypes of the time these films were inevitably filled with gross caricatures; years later the term “Blaxploitation” was used to describe them. Shaft was the best of these movies: though at times unintentionally hilarious or highly offensive, it also offers great action and even a little drama. Of course the theme music is top notch.

They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother
(Shut your mouth)
But I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft
(Then we can dig it)

When you get a shout out on The Simpsons, that has to worth something.

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

www.youtube.com

And Newsradio

 

[timschochet]

69. The Aristocats (1970)

Directed by: Wolfgang Reitherman

Featuring the Voices of: Eva Gabor, Phil Harris, Sterling Holloway, Scatman Crothers

Synopsis: Wealthy cats are cheated out of their inheritance by a villainous butler and forced to find help from the lower classes.

Whats a little swinger like you doing on our side of town? - Scatman Crothers as Scat Cat

I don’t think the 1970s was a particularly good time for animated movies. I briefly considered the other Disney films of the era (The Rescuers, Robin Hood, Pete’s Dragon) as well as a trio of Ralph Bashki films (Fritz the Cat, Wizards, The Lord of the Rings). I saw all of these movies as a kid- well, Fritz as a teenager- and they’re all mediocre IMO. Which leaves The Aristocats which I think is a pretty good film. Love Phil Harris in his pseudo Dean Martin role (similar to his role in The Jungle Book) and the Scatman is awesome. The music is top notch, particularly the big hit number. And I’m partial to kittens.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I don’t think the 1970s was a particularly good time for animated movies.

Dog, no. That stuff was horrendous.

 

[El Floppo]

What do you call them?


THE ARISTOCATS!

 

[dickey moe]

Woody Allen is a weird little old pervert, but Match Point was genius.

 

[zamboni]

I don’t think the 1970s was a particularly good time for animated movies.

Dog, no. That stuff was horrendous.

Often trippy too #puffpuffpass#

 

[El Floppo]

Woody Allen is a weird little old pervert, but Match Point was genius.

I'm a fan... Of the early comedies and the 80s dramedies. But they got repetitive thematically and with the nebbishy humor.

For me Crimes and Misdemeanors is his best.

 

[timschochet]

68. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Directed by: Philip Kaufman

Starring: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum

Synopsis: Alien pods attempt to conquer the human race.

They’re all part of it! They’re all pods, all of them! - Brooke Adams as Nancy

I never saw the original which is supposed to be a cult classic (similar to the original Little Shop of Horrors or Invaders from Mars?) But this remake was downright chilling and scared the absolute hell out of me as a teenager. The final scene in which Donald Sutherland points his finger and screams is so awesome and terrifying: an iconic horror moment for the ages.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Both the 1978 and 1956 movies are really good.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

68. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Directed by: Philip Kaufman

Starring: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum

Synopsis: Alien pods attempt to conquer the human race.

They’re all part of it! They’re all pods, all of them! - Brooke Adams as Nancy

I never saw the original which is supposed to be a cult classic (similar to the original Little Shop of Horrors or Invaders from Mars?) But this remake was downright chilling and scared the absolute hell out of me as a teenager. The final scene in which Donald Sutherland points his finger and screams is so awesome and terrifying: an iconic horror moment for the ages.

Brooke Adams and Karen Allen were so similar looking in their younger years. Both girl next door appealing.

 

[timschochet]

67. Julia (1977)

Directed by: Fred Zinneman

Starring: Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave, Jason Robards, Maximillian Schell

Synopsis: Author Lillian Hellman undertakes a dangerous journey into Nazi Germany for a friend.

Better tear up this play. It’s good enough but not good enough for you. - Jason Robards as Dashiell Hammett

Lillian Hellman was a Stalinist and by all accounts a terrible human being but also a great writer and a darling of the Left in this country for many years. In her memoir she described a childhood friend who ended up fighting the Nazis in the Resistance named Julia for whom Hellman underwent a perilous journey. Historians now believe both Julia and the Journey were total fiction but it makes for a good story and this a suspenseful dramatic movie. The acting is superb, particularly Robards as Hammett, and Schell is also great as always. Fonda plays herself as Lillian Hellman. Vanessa Redgrave is terrific as Julia. She received an Academy Award and gave a then controversial speech on Palestinian rights that would be rather tepid by today’s standards.

 

[HellToupee]

Good lord

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Are we in a Beatles song countdown? Because that’s a good selection if we are.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Such a Timlist(tm)

 

[timschochet]

Such a Timlist(tm)

Thanks!

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Such a Timlist(tm)

Thanks!

It really was just a validation, not value judgement.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Not that I’m a movie connoisseur but I’m surprised I haven’t even heard of half the movies on this list.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Not that I’m a movie connoisseur but I’m surprised I haven’t even heard of half the movies on this list.

That's because they aren't better than Life of Brian. Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

Not that I ever heard. It looked to me like we were still trying to escape the wonders of the Hays Code.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

The top end is as great as any decade, but the middle (IMO) is pretty weak compared to other decades.

 

[zamboni]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

The top end is as great as any decade, but the middle (IMO) is pretty weak compared to other decades.

There was certainly a lot of fluff, but you could probably say the same about any decade. But yes, several of the widely recognized greatest films of all time came out of the '70s.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

The top end is as great as any decade, but the middle (IMO) is pretty weak compared to other decades.

There was certainly a lot of fluff, but you could probably say the same about any decade. But yes, several of the widely recognized greatest films of all time came out of the '70s.

Sure, but the 70s seem low on quantity of B & C movies that have lasted. That's just my opinion having lived through it - I have done exactly zero research to back up my claim

 

[zamboni]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

The top end is as great as any decade, but the middle (IMO) is pretty weak compared to other decades.

There was certainly a lot of fluff, but you could probably say the same about any decade. But yes, several of the widely recognized greatest films of all time came out of the '70s.

Sure, but the 70s seem low on quantity of B & C movies that have lasted. That's just my opinion having lived through it - I have done exactly zero research to back up my claim

Clearly you haven't watched The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training enough.

 

[northern exposure]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

The top end is as great as any decade, but the middle (IMO) is pretty weak compared to other decades.

There was certainly a lot of fluff, but you could probably say the same about any decade. But yes, several of the widely recognized greatest films of all time came out of the '70s.

Sure, but the 70s seem low on quantity of B & C movies that have lasted. That's just my opinion having lived through it - I have done exactly zero research to back up my claim

Clearly you haven't watched The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training enough.

No spotlighting! Lol

 

[zamboni]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

The top end is as great as any decade, but the middle (IMO) is pretty weak compared to other decades.

There was certainly a lot of fluff, but you could probably say the same about any decade. But yes, several of the widely recognized greatest films of all time came out of the '70s.

Sure, but the 70s seem low on quantity of B & C movies that have lasted. That's just my opinion having lived through it - I have done exactly zero research to back up my claim

Clearly you haven't watched The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training enough.

No spotlighting! Lol

Let Tim play...

 

[Don Quixote]

Also, the 70's were kind of a movie wasteland.

Is this true? I think the 70s is considered one of the better decades for movies.

The top end is as great as any decade, but the middle (IMO) is pretty weak compared to other decades.

There was certainly a lot of fluff, but you could probably say the same about any decade. But yes, several of the widely recognized greatest films of all time came out of the '70s.

Sure, but the 70s seem low on quantity of B & C movies that have lasted. That's just my opinion having lived through it - I have done exactly zero research to back up my claim

I think there are a decent number, but not sure how many will appear on Tim’s list. He’s already said won’t be ranking any foreign films.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

but the middle (IMO) is pretty weak compared to other decades.

The end isn't too great either - if we're going by Tim's list.

 

[timschochet]

66. Mad Max (1979)

Directed by: George Miller

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel

Synopsis: In a future dystopian Australia, a police officer turns vigilante.

I’m one of them, a terminal crazy. Only I’ve got a bronze badge to say I’m one of the good guys- Mel Gibson as “Mad” Max Rockatansky

The ultimate car crash film. Cost $400,000 to make and made $100 million in a profit, which was a Guinness Book record. Not really my kind of movie but I do recognize the entertainment value. Fun fact I did not know until I started this list: Brian May (of Queen) wrote the score.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Oy.

Or oi.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

66. Mad Max (1979)

Directed by: George Miller

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel

Synopsis: In a future dystopian Australia, a police officer turns vigilante.

I’m one of them, a terminal crazy. Only I’ve got a bronze badge to say I’m one of the good guys- Mel Gibson as “Mad” Max Rockatansky

The ultimate car crash film. Cost $400,000 to make and made $100 million in a profit, which was a Guinness Book record. Not really my kind of movie but I do recognize the entertainment value. Fun fact I did not know until I started this list: Brian May (of Queen) wrote the score.

I doubt this is still the case but, when you'd rent this back in the 1980s, you'd only get an overdubbed version with American voice actors.

 

[Joe Schmo]

66. Mad Max (1979)

Directed by: George Miller

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel

Synopsis: In a future dystopian Australia, a police officer turns vigilante.

I’m one of them, a terminal crazy. Only I’ve got a bronze badge to say I’m one of the good guys- Mel Gibson as “Mad” Max Rockatansky

The ultimate car crash film. Cost $400,000 to make and made $100 million in a profit, which was a Guinness Book record. Not really my kind of movie but I do recognize the entertainment value. Fun fact I did not know until I started this list: Brian May (of Queen) wrote the score.

I doubt this is still the case but, when you'd rent this back in the 1980s, you'd only get an overdubbed version with American voice actors.

Yep and that was startling if you previously saw this at the midnight movies with the original soundtrack.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

66. Mad Max (1979)

Directed by: George Miller

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel

Synopsis: In a future dystopian Australia, a police officer turns vigilante.

I’m one of them, a terminal crazy. Only I’ve got a bronze badge to say I’m one of the good guys- Mel Gibson as “Mad” Max Rockatansky

The ultimate car crash film. Cost $400,000 to make and made $100 million in a profit, which was a Guinness Book record. Not really my kind of movie but I do recognize the entertainment value. Fun fact I did not know until I started this list: Brian May (of Queen) wrote the score.

I doubt this is still the case but, when you'd rent this back in the 1980s, you'd only get an overdubbed version with American voice actors.

Yep and that was startling if you previously saw this at the midnight movies with the original soundtrack.

I had already seen Road Warrior without the overdubs by the time I rented this. It was really jarring.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Fun fact I did not know until I started this list: Brian May (of Queen) wrote the score.

That's an Aussie. No relation.