Top 1970s films

The best sequel ever made. Part I was about a man's inner struggle and change, how he attains power. In Part II he is a ruthless leader who rules with an iron fist. Pacino's portrayal as the tortured Michael is the best acting performance ever, while De Niro as young Vito is also compelling. Coppola's artistic direction excels that of Part I as he is able to weave two stories together in comparison with one-another. The film has a dark and sinister feel which is grimmer than Part I. It's a masterpiece.

One of the most iconic movies ever, tells the story of the youngest son of a mafia overlord whose initial refusal to become apart of the family's business of crime changes as he is thrown into it after his father is wounded in an attempted assassination. He slowly loses his innocence as he climbs the ranks to become the new leader of the family. This great story is shown in operatic fashion. The haunting music score drives this notion as does Coppola's direction, giving the film a mythical feel, somewhat Shakespearean. The cast is magnificent. Marlon Brando's Vito and Al Pacino's Michael were the two who stood out, but everybody gives career best performances, from James Caan to Dianne Keaton. While the sequel even surpasses this movie's brilliance, I will never forget the greatness of the original and the impact it had on me the first time I watched it. Cinematic royalty.

Robert De Niro's terrific performance as the lonesome sociopath Travis Bickle drives Martin Scorsese's first masterpiece. Scorsese sets a dark miserable tone in his character study of alienation and sickness.

It's funny how the greatest example of film-noir comes from the 70s rather than the 40s or 50s. 'Chinatown' has a fantastic multi-layered script involving love, investigation, corruption, and incest. The film is packed with twists and turns that keep on surprising you. The film's hero, Jake Gittes, is played perfectly by Jack Nicholson. He doesn't simply repeat the typical private eye roles of the past (Bogart), but brings his own mannerisms in the performance. It's the best I've seen from him, even better than 'Cuckoo's Nest'. It's a great psychological thriller, beautifully shot by Polanski and written by Towne. It also has a brilliant ending.

Music and movement. If done correctly it creates a wonderful piece of imagery for cinema. 'GoodFellas' for example accomplished this, and so has this movie. When you see the opening of this movie you just know you are in for something special. The use of 'The End' by The Doors is just the beginning of several pieces of music and movement which look wonderful. Also, the movie is a masterpiece thanks to its director who decided on a 'Nam film which doesn't focus on the war as much as the main character's mission. Like Scorsese, Coppola achieved 3 masterpieces worthy of being titled the greatest films ever with this and the two Godfathers.

Stanley Kubrick's direction gives this film a style which is uniquely Kubrick. Malcolm McDowell's performance is a tour-de-force as he plays a deliquent who is brainwashed by the government.

Intense Bank robbery gone wrong flick that's based on a true story. When I say intense, I mean it. Al Pacino is fantastic and was flat-out robbed of the Best Actor Oscar which went to Jack Nicholson in 'Cuckoo's Nest'. Truly one of Pacino's most memorable performances. Attica!

The one that started it all. A great story with fun characters and a thrilling adventure.

Makes me sad, but it's great

Masterful slasher movie that originated the sub-genre. Its fantastic camera work, music score, and suburban setting all contribute to its suspense. Michael Myers, wearing a white ghostly mask and a jump-suit, is terrifying thanks to the idea of him that surrounds the movie.

Scariest and freakiest movie ever! A tremendous achievement considering it was made in '73! It's still so damn fresh. I've only seen the extended version and I think that's the way to go, it really doesn't hold back and you will be in for a real treat.

Another strong and powerful anti-war movie set during the 'Nam war. It focuses on how the war broke up the free-spirit the main characters showed at the start of the film. It achieves this by showing how happy they were at the start, then by contrast, showing some scenes of the war, then how depressed it left them. There is a shocking scene that will stand down in history as one of the most powerful in cinema. Also, De Niro, Walken and Savage are fantastic in delivering the emotions that soldiers feel during war.

Britain's greatest comic team at their funniest. Great take on the King Arthur story.

Monty Python's satirical take on religion will make you laugh till your sides' split.

It's not Scorsese's first film, but it's the first film that he introduces us to his trademark movie-making techniques; a gangster story, New York setting, Italian-American life, a doco-style of story telling, violence, religion, slo-mo shots, a rock soundtrack with The Rolling Stones, and casting De Niro and Keitel. It's not his best work but it is very good. Sets up for great movies to come.

A witty and intelligent romantic-comedy in which Woody succeeds in using clever techniques to create classic humour. A cross between 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'Seinfeld', and has influenced many other comedies.

Sidney Lumet's satirical take on television networks is directed excellently and has a thought-provoking story. The best performers were Faye Dunaway, who won a Best Actress Oscar, and Peter Finch, who won a Best Actor Oscar posthumously. It is questionable if Finch, although excellent, truly deserved the award instead over Robert De Niro in 'Taxi Driver', nevertheless he was great to watch bellowing "I'm mad as how and I'm not going to take it anymore!!". He is one of Australia's great actors in history.

Despite it being long and slow-paced, it has an imaginative plot which is different from usual sci-fi films. One word to describe it: strange.

Stanley Kubrick's long dark epic about an 18th century farm boy who grows to become a soldier and then fights his way up the social ladder, facing many battles, of various kinds, along the way. Kubrick once again delivers expert direction in telling this dark tale and Ryan O'Neal is especially good as the title role. Also the set designs and costume designs were quite amazing to look at. But what I liked most was the plot development, how it evolved, which is always the case with Kubrick films.

Yo Adrian!