You Won’t Believe #7 on This List!

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Following the abolition of the Hays Code in 1968, Hollywood gained the freedom to delve into darker, mature narratives. Films like “High Plains Drifter” and the groundbreaking horror classic “The Exorcist” marked a raw, gritty era in storytelling. The genre that flourished most during the 1970s was crime, providing a platform and nurturing environment for some of the most remarkable careers of the time, including stars like Clint Eastwood and Al Pacino.

Today, many people still view the 1970s as one of the greatest decades for cinema. Although modern audiences often link it primarily with the inception of franchises such as Alien, Rocky, and Star Wars, the ’70s stand out uniquely for its crime films. Notably, influential filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, and Brian De Palma, who are Hollywood legends today, find their roots in this significant period of cinema history.

The Gauntlet

In this story, we follow a hard-pressed Phoenix police officer named Ben Shockley, who is assigned to locate a crucial witness against the mob in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Augustina “Gus” Mally, an elite escort, holds knowledge that could expose corruption within the city’s ranks. However, her existence becomes perilous as many place bets on whether she and Shockley will make it alive to Arizona. Facing off against both crooked cops and mobsters, the duo embarks on a journey into the wilderness to evade detection, eventually finding themselves drawn towards each other amidst their perilous odyssey.

The Gauntlet, following closely behind Dirty Harry, offers another captivating journey of redemption for the actor, solidifying his reputation as the top cop in town. Regardless if you’re drawn to it as a thrilling road trip, a passionate love story, or a gripping crime tale, The Gauntlet is one of the most overlooked films of its decade, despite being incredibly entertaining.

In a grim, futuristic England, the story unfolds around a group of brutal teenagers, known as “droogs,” who engage in wanton violence for amusement and plunder whatever they desire by means of force. The leader of this gang is Alex, who eventually gets arrested. During his incarceration, he undergoes experimental psychological treatments designed to reform him. Upon release, Alex must grapple with the consequences of his conditioning as he grapples with the allure of returning to a life of lawlessness.

Without a doubt, among the most chilling tales of its era, and perhaps even beyond, “A Clockwork Orange” weaves together satire, societal critique, dystopian elements, and a haunting portrayal of criminality. On one side, this film probes into the roots and forces driving crime, yet on the other, it humorously scrutinizes innovative approaches to combat it. The cinematic exploration of crime raises thought-provoking questions about free will, violence, and the moral implications of psychological conditioning.

The story of Get Carter unfolds when a London-based criminal, Jack Carter, receives news about his brother’s demise. Compelled to go back to Newcastle due to this tragic event, he delves into the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death. As he uncovers more details, he becomes convinced that his brother was not just an unfortunate casualty but a victim of deceitful machinations. His investigation also reveals that his niece was a victim of a heinous crime. With a local crime lord suspected in these crimes, Carter embarks on a vengeful quest to bring the culprits to justice and protect his family, knowing well that this may provoke retaliation from other gangsters.

In my humble opinion, “Get Carter” wasn’t just a standout film for Michael Caine during his illustrious ’70s era; it also delivered one of the grittiest, emotionally draining crime narratives ever crafted. While today’s audiences might be accustomed to such themes, in 1971, the portrayal of a ruthless gangster transforming into a relentless avenger was a refreshing departure from the norm for cinema. And let me tell you, it was nothing short of a masterpiece.

Drawing inspiration from a real-life crusader against corruption, I found myself immersed in the gripping tale of Serpico. This story follows NYPD officer Frank Serpico, who in the 1960s, embarked on his journey within the force. Unlike many of his peers, he steadfastly refused to succumb to the temptation of bribery, upholding his moral compass throughout the narrative. His unwavering commitment to justice and better police-community relations became his guiding principles. However, as he continued his valiant fight against corruption, he unwittingly made himself a marked man among his colleagues, who saw him as a threat.

The film ‘Serpico’ provides a captivating insight into the police reform movement spanning the 1960s and ’70s. It delves into groundbreaking ideas in criminal justice and anti-corruption, showcasing the need for systemic change and the bravery required to challenge corruption. Set against one of America’s most turbulent social backdrops, the movie powerfully illustrates the demand for a fairer justice system and the heroism embodied by an honest cop like Frank Serpico, portrayed masterfully by Al Pacino.

The story revolves around detective John Klute from a quaint town, who takes up the case of a missing businessman. His investigation uncovers Bree Daniels, a call-girl with links to the vanished executive, making her a crucial figure. Upon meeting, they start developing feelings for each other and as time passes, Klute transforms into Daniels’ guardian, believing she’s being pursued by someone sinister. This suspicion eventually leads him to discover the true culprit behind the disappearance.

In the throes of detective neo-Noir cinema’s golden age, the film “Klute” stands out as an exceptional blend of mystery and romance, a fact that is sometimes overlooked due to its crowded release year. However, it is undoubtedly Donald Sutherland and Jane Fonda’s captivating on-screen chemistry in “Klute” that truly cements it as a remarkable movie. Similar to the trailblazing “In the Heat of the Night“, “Klute” masterfully continued the tradition of delivering a compelling murder mystery.

The movie “Taxi Driver” narrates the tale of Travis Bickle, a former Vietnam War soldier struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, who opts for a job as a taxi driver in bustling New York City. As he navigates the city’s decaying social landscape during the 1970s, his mental wellbeing deteriorates, leading him towards aggressive and self-appointed vigilantism. With his life spiraling out of control and mental health worsening, he arbitrarily selects targets, which sets him on a course to be shaped by circumstances into an unwitting hero.

Instead of delving into the glamorous, thrilling lives of the mob or police work, Taxi Driver offers an insight into how social disregard fosters violence. Travis Bickle, both villain and sympathetic figure, showcases the effects of mental health struggles and the vicious cycle of violence. Unlike a charismatic protagonist or a cool gangster character, viewers are drawn into the heart-wrenching psychological deterioration of a forgotten war veteran in post-Vietnam America.

The movie “The French Connection” revolves around a tenacious NYPD detective named Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. He’s on a mission to uncover evidence of a significant heroin shipment entering the city, which leads him to a formidable French criminal mastermind, Alain Charnier. However, gathering sufficient proof against Charnier proves challenging. As time runs short and his superiors grow restless, Popeye demonstrates his unwavering determination to bring the gangster to justice, even if it means bending some rules.

Winning the Best Picture award, “The French Connection” has stood the test of time as one of the most gripping and realistic crime films ever made, a feat largely attributed to its exceptional writing and gritty portrayal. In many ways, it can be said that this film elevated its genre to unprecedented levels. From its memorable car chase scene to the movie’s immersive quality, “The French Connection” offered viewers an authentic 1970s New York crime experience.

As a seasoned movie reviewer, I found myself captivated by Clint Eastwood’s transformation from a Western film legend to the gripping world of crime-action in 1971’s “Dirty Harry”. In this gritty tale, Eastwood donned the role of Inspector Harry Callahan, a relentless San Francisco police officer on a mission to apprehend a ruthless serial killer known as Scorpio.

When pushed to the brink and forced to resort to extreme measures to save one of his captives, the cold-blooded Scorpio cleverly manipulated the public’s sympathies. This left Callahan standing alone, unwavering in his resolve to do whatever it took to bring down this menace.

In the realm of cinema, Dirty Harry served as a pivotal moment, marking the emergence of one-man army action films and transforming the archetype of Hollywood cops into a more rugged, rebellious figure. Given its reflection of societal views on crime during that time, the film stirred up controversy due to its portrayal of police brutality, and the impact it’s had on perceptions of law enforcement has been a subject of debate ever since. For many, though, Dirty Harry stands as a symbol of Eastwood’s antihero image, and in the narrative, it’s difficult not to admire Harry’s unmatched toughness and resolve.

The film Chinatown centers around a private investigator named Jake “JJ” Gittes based in Los Angeles. He finds himself caught up in a complex web of deceit when he gets involved in the murder case of a businessman and the revelation of an imposter pretending to be his wife. As he continues to probe deeper, teaming up with the genuine widow, he is misled at every juncture. In the end, he uncovers her true intentions and her part in a horrifying conspiracy.

In the spirit of film noir classics, Chinatown remains one of the most dismal thrillers from its era. Delivering a standout portrayal by Jack Nicholson, this movie immerses viewers in the world seen through Gittes’ eyes, keeping them as puzzled as the protagonist – which is essential in any great mystery film. Chinatown‘s surprising finale might not be for all, but it solidified its status as a groundbreaking crime movie, encapsulating the pessimistic atmosphere and emphasis on realism characteristic of that decade.

As a movie critic, I can confidently assert that the 1970s was brimming with movies that left an indelible impact, but few can rival the significance of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 masterpiece, “The Godfather.” This crime epic, set in the world of the Corleone family, follows the transformation of Michael Corleone, a WWII hero, who is inexorably drawn back into the family’s Mafia operations to safeguard his father from an assassination attempt. For nearly half a century, “The Godfather” has stood as a benchmark, reshaping the landscape of gangster cinema.

The film “The Godfather” paved the way for numerous gangster movies throughout the decades, making it challenging to picture films like “Goodfellas” or “Casino” without Coppola’s enduring masterpiece. In essence, this groundbreaking movie and its sequel introduced an illustrious cast of legends, with Al Pacino and Marlon Brando delivering standout performances that remain career highlights. Beyond simply revolutionizing the genre, “The Godfather” captivated countless viewers with its compelling family crime narrative, a story that garners both respect and interest from audiences worldwide.

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2025-04-20 03:24