To ask what are the best 70s films?

[Yesmycatisanutter]

In bed, waiting for results of a covid test and feel horrid.
I want to watch a film (I have Netflix) I want something from the 70s as it’s my favourite decade.
Sadly I wasn’t able to experience it (I’m 38)
Could I get some film recommendations? I never watch films it’s mostly tv shows. Never seen any of the classics either.

If you like so-bad-it's-good films, 'Dracula AD 1972' is a hoot.

Carwash
Flashdance

There was no alternative to the cinema, for films

@LunaNorth

Rocky Midnight Cowboy The Way We Were One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest The Wicker Man Saturday Night Fever (a lot tougher than you think) Taxi Driver The Exorcist The Godfather

It was a great decade for film.

We must be best friends. All of these especially The Wicker Man. And take heed OP of the warning re Saturday Night Fever.

@Orpheline

There was no alternative to the cinema, for films

What does this mean? That films weren't shown on TV, in the 70s?

Midnight Express. Terrifying and gripping.

Fright (with Susan George) proper scary film 👀

Marathon Man is also very good. Agree with previous posters about Clint Eastwood movies this decade, some crackers recommended above.

Jaws.

The China Syndrome
Klute.
On Golden Pomd. Jane Fonda classics.

Chariots of Fire
Might have been early '80s, but still worth a watch.

Original 70’s films
Walkabout
Escape from Alcatraz
A clock work orange - mainly to say you’ve watched it
Sinbad
Mad max
Man Friday
Alien
Pete’s dragon

So many good films mentioned and a fan of all of them:
To add

Quadrophenia- quintessentially british

Deliverence
A star is born

The rocky horror picture show - cult classic and huge fun.

The exorcist

The french connection

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969, but close)
Love Story

Virtually all Clint Eastwood movies made between 1970–76. I should imagine the ape/The Gauntlet movies from the late 70s haven't aged well. Clint Eastwood never felt the need to put a character in a sympathetic light - although he had enough personal charm that, in the context of the time, he manage to get away with unpleasantness.

Patton is absolutely brilliant.

The Omen

I haven't seen American Graffiti mentioned yet, perhaps because it's set in the 50s. It was on iplayer a few weeks ago.

Feel better soon OP.

American Graffiti

Lol @Mia184

@SteppinOutwithMyBaby Clint was gorgeous

Westworld.

The recent TV series wasn't a patch on the original film.

I also love the old Disney films with a young Jodie Foster but not sure that's what you're looking for!

Is the original Omen film set in the 70s?
That would be my choice if so.

@musicalfrog 😄 It is a great film.

Amityville Horror

What does this mean? That films weren't shown on TV, in the 70s?

They were shown on TV, yes, but TV in the 70s was much less extensive than nowadays, or even in the late 80s/90s. Only three channels, none of which broadcast 24 hours. There were periods of shutdown during the day (hence the famous 'test cards') and closedown at night, usually around midnight.

A film from the cinema could take ages to find its way to being shown on TV.

There were no films released on video. Video recorders did exist, but were hugely expensive and didn't start to become mainstream till the 1980s.

'Big' (i.e. recent and popular) films tended only to be shown in premium slots - Saturday nights, for example.

I think what the poster is getting at is that you couldn't just find a film on TV (or rent one) whenever you wanted.