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The 1970s were responsible for creating some of the biggest movie classics of all time. People still return to these films to this day, even though more than 40 years have passed since their premieres. Just like in other decades, there's a certain pattern that it's possible to trace. For example, movies inspired by real events and people once again did well at the Oscars throughout the decade.
Despite the quality of the Oscar winners from the 1970s, some people might no longer know them because they've been focusing on newer movies. But with the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony, it's a great time to catch up on the Oscar winners of the Best Picture from the 1970s.
10 The French Connection (1971): 7.7
William Friedkin directed many hightly-rated movies, and The Exorcist is probably his most famous piece. However, it was The French Connection that won five Oscars in total, including Best Picture. It focuses on two New York policemen who are trying to stop a huge shipment of heroin.
The movie has it all, from strong performances in the leading roles (played by Gene Hackman and Roy Schneider) to surprising story and memorable action scenes, including car chases. What's less known is that the movie got a 1975 sequel, but while also well-rated (6.7 on IMDb), the first The French Connection was still more successful than the second one.
9 Kramer Vs. Kramer (1979): 7.8
The late 1970s were an excellent time for Meryl Streep since she appeared in more than one movie during this decade that won an Oscar for Best Picture. In the drama Kramer vs. Kramer, Streep stars opposite Dustin Hoffman. They play Joanna and Ted, a married couple who separates and later fights for the custody of their son.
The movie is realistic and relatable, since a similar situation happens to people quite often. Both Streep and Hoffman give excellent performances, and it's difficult to guess how the story will evolve, keeping viewers hooked until the very end.
8 Patton (1970): 8.0
Some people might be discouraged from watching this movie because of its runtime of 170 minutes. But Patton has a lot to offer, and it never becomes boring. Like many of the most successful Oscar-winning movies, it's also inspired by real events.
George C. Scott stars as General Patton, a man who bravely faced the Nazis and was genuinely feared by them. The movie helps the viewers learn more about World War II history in a fascinating and accessible way. The movie became a big hit and scored seven Oscars in total, proving once again that war biographical dramas are here to stay.
7 Annie Hall (1977): 8.0
Woody Allen has directed a lot of movies in his long career, but Annie Hall is one of his most successful. It's inspired by Allen's real relationship with Diane Keaton, who plays his onscreen girlfriend as well. In the movie, Alvy (Allen) and Annie meet, get together, but unlike other movie romances, theirs doesn't have a happy ending.
The movie contains many memorable lines and quips. It will be relatable to everyone who has ever experienced a failed relationship, and it also made Diane Keaton into one of the biggest fashion icons of the late 1970s.
6 The Deer Hunter (1978): 8.1
The Vietnam War had a deep impact on the lives of millions of people. The Deer Hunter focuses on how it influenced a group of friends from a small town in Pennsylvania who are forced to go to war and later get captured. Even though the movie lasts close to three hours, it never becomes boring since the audience knows very well that the main characters, Michael, Steven and Nick, are in danger.
Even though The Deer Hunter wasn't based on the lives of actual people, it's very realistic in its portrayal of a war that changed ordinary people forever. Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage help make the story even more convincing, so it's a must-watch for all of their fans.
5 Rocky (1976): 8.1
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Rocky is a good example of persistence that is worth it in the end. Even though Rocky loses the final match in the movie, he, personally, is a winner. And Sylvester Stallone won for certain, since the movie made him famous and led to a long and successful career — even though the studio didn't originally want Stallone to direct the movie or to play the leading part.
Rocky set the tone for many subsequent boxing movies and spawned multiple sequels, including two Creed movies in which the older Rocky is training Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his former rival.
4 The Sting (1973): 8.3
There are many forms of revenge in movies, and one of them is to pull a con on a person who wronged the heroes. Paul Newman and Robert Redford join forces in this intelligent, tension-fueled crime drama that still boasts plenty of funny moments.
Some people believe that classic heist films like Ocean's Eleven were inspired by the movie. Whether that's the case or not, The Sting is a must-watch for all fans of the genre. It won eight Oscars and was nominated for additional three. What makes the movie even more memorable is its ending, which has the power to surprise many viewers.
3 One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975): 8.7
A lot of movies take care to provide its main hero with a happy ending, but One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest isn't one of them. Jack Nicholson plays Randall Murphy, a man who pleads insanity to avoid prison, and ends up waging a war with the sadistic Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). Nurse Ratched became one of the most iconic female movie villains of all time.
The movie is intelligent, full of great actors, and has the power to surprise the audience, especially if they haven't read the novel by Ken Kesey. An interesting fact is that Kirk Douglas wanted to originally play the leading part, but by the time the movie finally started filming, he was already too old for it.
2 The Godfather: Part II (1974): 9.0
It's very rare for two movies from the same series to win an Oscar for Best Picture, but The Godfather managed it. The second movie follows in its predecessor's footsteps, but gives even more space to Al Pacino's Michael as he becomes the new head of his family. In this movie, Michael is trying to gain more influence, but has to take on his enemies in the process and faces multiple obstacles.
Al Pacino gives one of his most iconic performances, and the movie has a strong cast overall as it includes names such as Robert Duvall, Robert DeNiro, and Diane Keaton. A fun fact about the movie is that together with the first The Godfather, it's supposedly the most favorite movie of the former American president Barack Obama.
1 The Godfather (1972): 9.2
Francis Ford Coppola has directed multiple iconic movies, but The Godfather trilogy belongs among his most respected works, especially the first movie — there's a reason for its extraordinarily high rating on IMDb. In the beginning, Al Pacino's Michael Corleone doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps, but as everyone who watched the whole trilogy will know, Michael eventually becomes even more merciless than his father Vito was.
Marlon Brando gave one of his most memorable performances as Don Vito Corleone, but the cast is strong overall. The movie offers a deep look into the life of one extraordinary family... that just has a different occupation than most families.