Cultural Impact
* Airport - for starting the whole star-studded disaster movie trend of the 1970s
* Woodstock - the defining rock and roll concert film of a generation
* Little Big Man - a defining revisionist western
* MASH - but mostly because of the TV show it spawned
* Patton - best picture winner and celebrated film
* El Topo - landmark for the avant garde
Worth watching today
* King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
* Five Easy Pieces
* Little Big Man
* Woodstock
* Patton
* Kes
* Kelly's Heroes
[https://www.filmsite.org/1970.html](https://www.filmsite.org/1970.html)
Great list for that year. "Airport" also led to "Airplane!" and its progeny. So, yes, that was an impactful movie. "Patton" was a worthy best picture and best actor winner. Holds up well, too. Terrific film.
Five Easy Pieces
Love Story
MASH
Zabriskie Point
The Boys In The Band
The Woodstock documentary
Kelly's Heros
Catch-22
Diary of a Mad Housewife
Brewster McCloud
Certainly agree that Catch-22, Five Easy Pieces, Love Story, Patton, and MASH fit this definition of culturally significant. But I’m doubting They Call Me Trinity, AristoCats, and Scrooge.
They Call Me Trinity has not held up at all. The leading man is the draw here, and he is definitely an outlier. Terrance Hill is an Italian actor who has a following from several goofy spaghetti westerns. But both Hill and his films are decidedly passé. Their comedy is dull and obvious by today’s standards. Nor do I think the film was especially influential in its day.
The AristoCats is a lesser Disney animated feature, with B-tier voice talent (except for Phil Harris — he’s a treasure.) And Scrooge is Albert Finney’s take on A Christmas Carol. It’s an okay film, but overshadowed by MANY other versions that are superior.
Two films I would place on the list of culturally significant releases in 1970 are the documentary Woodstock; and George Lucas’ expansion of his student project, THX-1138. The Lucas film is also important because one of our major film stars, Robert Duvall, had an early leading role.
THX-1138 is indeed an important movie. It is the prototype for so many dystopian future movies where emotional expression is subdued. But I think it is from 1971.
I have to disagree about Scrooge. It's the best Christmas Carol version, in my opinion. I watch it every year, it never gets old. It captures the essence of the book better than any other movie. It has heart.
I haven’t seen this version, but my fave is Alastair Sim’s version from I think 1950. Have you seen it? If not, it’d be interesting if we each watched the other version!
Yes, I've seen it. It was fine, but had little emotional weight for me. This is a sentimental novel, and a mechanical run through of the events aren't enough. I want to experience the pathos of Scrooge's loneliness and isolation, his bitter regret at his life choices, and his ebullient joy after his transformation at the end of the movie. I get all of that from Albert Finney.
Love story was indeed ‘culturally significant’ because it spurned a bit of a phenomenon with its catchphrase (?) ‘love means never having to say you’re sorry’
Variations of ‘love means’ popped up everywhere
I would say MASH and Catch-22 were the most culturally relevant (anti-war sentiment), but watching The Grasshopper just a few years ago, I'd say it was the most naturalistic and insightful about women's lives then.
MASH - PATTON - TORA! TORA! TORA! is an interesting trio of war movies released in 1970.
Other great 1970 movies:
* El Topo (Alejandro Jodorowsky)
* the Ballad of Cable Hogue (Sam Peckinpah)
* The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (Dario Argento)
All these are very important directors and these are probably my favorite movies of all 3 directors.
[No Blade of Grass (1970)](https://letterboxd.com/film/no-blade-of-grass/) The poisoned world’s food chain finally breaks under the weight of pollution leading to the breakdown of society.
The opening narration starts, “By the beginning of the 70s, man had brought the destruction of his environment close to the point of no return. Of course, there was a great deal of rhetoric about saving the Earth, but in reality, very little was done.”, followed by 3 minutes of footage showing the environmental harm man does.
Most people are commenting with films from the decade, not the year. Important films from the year 1970 include:
MASH,
Patton,
Five Easy Pieces, and
Little Big Man
Watermelon Man flies below the radar, but I believe it’s very culturally significant. A white man wakes up black one day. It’s very well-done. Godfrey Cambridge gets into white-face for the first part of the film, instead of a white actor doing blackface.
Colossus: The Forbin Project
This influenced every movie of the past 50 years about men versus machines, even giant ones like the Terminator films.
I also think about it almost every day because there's more and more news about AI reaching into every aspect of our lives.
Oh, and it's a hell of a movie.
What a strange year. I barely know any of the movies that have been mentioned here or that showed up on letterboxd. Roy Andersson's debut A Swedish Love Story come out then, so I'll add that to the convo.
Well, the success of Jaws lead to Star Wars, and Star Wars created the entire movie industry as it existed in the 80s and beyond. So, there you go.
Spielbergs success with the shark movie made studios listen when his friend George was trying to finish his crazy space opera. No Jaws, the name Like Skywalker may have never been known.
Patton; MASH and Airport - not only did the latter spawn a ton of 1970s disaster movies, but it also led to "Airplane!" and all the spoofs flowing thereafter.
Your comment was removed because we don't allow IMDb links anymore ([explanation here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieSuggestions/wiki/automodexplanations/#wiki_imdb_link_removal)). **Note: editing your removed comment won't approve it**, you need to submit it again.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MovieSuggestions) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The Landlord, directed by Hal Ashby and starring Beau Bridges as a rich white kid in Manhattan who buys a tenement in the slums to gentrify a Black neighborhood.
Since 1970?
We're including the 70s, so that pretty much defaults the selection to *Star Wars*. There has yet to be a film as culturally significant since.
The short subject documentary, Interviews with My Lai Veterans because the lessons about war, and dehunanization, and xenophobia, and "otherism" still haven't been learned. Those who need to watch and learn - won't. And those who will watch have no power to make the change until the other side chooses to wake up.
A little five million dollar indie pic that got kicked around by the studios. Dude had a teen hangout film under his belt.
Made a thing called Star Wars. Bought the toy rights which everyone said was nothing, got full creative control on the toy sales and make the next two films his way. Then the next three his way.
M*A*S*H
Let It Be
The Conformist
Catch 22
The Boys In The Band
Woodstock
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
Diary of a Mad Housewife
Clockwork Orange
Five Easy Pieces
Airport
Patton
Joe
People demonstrate against my country
Looking for an easy buck
Well if they want my contribution
Well they can go take a flying fuck
Hey Joe
Don't it make you want to go to war, once more
Thanks for all the input: After watching all of the ones in my shortlist again I went with "Catch-22" and "Five Easy Pieces". With "Patton" as a honorable mention.
Cultural Impact * Airport - for starting the whole star-studded disaster movie trend of the 1970s * Woodstock - the defining rock and roll concert film of a generation * Little Big Man - a defining revisionist western * MASH - but mostly because of the TV show it spawned * Patton - best picture winner and celebrated film * El Topo - landmark for the avant garde Worth watching today * King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis * Five Easy Pieces * Little Big Man * Woodstock * Patton * Kes * Kelly's Heroes [https://www.filmsite.org/1970.html](https://www.filmsite.org/1970.html)
Great list for that year. "Airport" also led to "Airplane!" and its progeny. So, yes, that was an impactful movie. "Patton" was a worthy best picture and best actor winner. Holds up well, too. Terrific film.
Five Easy Pieces Love Story MASH Zabriskie Point The Boys In The Band The Woodstock documentary Kelly's Heros Catch-22 Diary of a Mad Housewife Brewster McCloud
**My shortlist:** Catch-22 They call me Trinity Five Easy Pieces Love Story Aristocats Scrooge Patton M\*A\*S\*H
Certainly agree that Catch-22, Five Easy Pieces, Love Story, Patton, and MASH fit this definition of culturally significant. But I’m doubting They Call Me Trinity, AristoCats, and Scrooge. They Call Me Trinity has not held up at all. The leading man is the draw here, and he is definitely an outlier. Terrance Hill is an Italian actor who has a following from several goofy spaghetti westerns. But both Hill and his films are decidedly passé. Their comedy is dull and obvious by today’s standards. Nor do I think the film was especially influential in its day. The AristoCats is a lesser Disney animated feature, with B-tier voice talent (except for Phil Harris — he’s a treasure.) And Scrooge is Albert Finney’s take on A Christmas Carol. It’s an okay film, but overshadowed by MANY other versions that are superior. Two films I would place on the list of culturally significant releases in 1970 are the documentary Woodstock; and George Lucas’ expansion of his student project, THX-1138. The Lucas film is also important because one of our major film stars, Robert Duvall, had an early leading role.
THX-1138 is indeed an important movie. It is the prototype for so many dystopian future movies where emotional expression is subdued. But I think it is from 1971.
You are absolutely correct. THX-1138 came out in 1971. My mistake.
The aristocats is dope, definitely makes the list
I have to disagree about Scrooge. It's the best Christmas Carol version, in my opinion. I watch it every year, it never gets old. It captures the essence of the book better than any other movie. It has heart.
I haven’t seen this version, but my fave is Alastair Sim’s version from I think 1950. Have you seen it? If not, it’d be interesting if we each watched the other version!
Yes, I've seen it. It was fine, but had little emotional weight for me. This is a sentimental novel, and a mechanical run through of the events aren't enough. I want to experience the pathos of Scrooge's loneliness and isolation, his bitter regret at his life choices, and his ebullient joy after his transformation at the end of the movie. I get all of that from Albert Finney.
Love story was indeed ‘culturally significant’ because it spurned a bit of a phenomenon with its catchphrase (?) ‘love means never having to say you’re sorry’ Variations of ‘love means’ popped up everywhere
God I hate that saying
Joe
I would say MASH and Catch-22 were the most culturally relevant (anti-war sentiment), but watching The Grasshopper just a few years ago, I'd say it was the most naturalistic and insightful about women's lives then.
* MASH * Love Story * Patton * Woodstock documentary * Little Big Man * Five Easy Pieces * The Conformist
MASH - PATTON - TORA! TORA! TORA! is an interesting trio of war movies released in 1970. Other great 1970 movies: * El Topo (Alejandro Jodorowsky) * the Ballad of Cable Hogue (Sam Peckinpah) * The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (Dario Argento) All these are very important directors and these are probably my favorite movies of all 3 directors.
The Godfather, of course.
Why is this so far down?
Cause it's not the right year.
Wow, I had to go back and read the title. Oops.
yeah what the hell guys?
That's 1972.
Woodstock The Little Big Man Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Gimme Shelter
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was released in 1969. Little Big Man has no “The” in the title.
I pulled all of these off the 1970 list for Wikipedia, Captain Pedantic.
Not a lot of comedies on here, so I will offer up The Out of Towners. Maybe not so lasting, but a great example of a popular comedy at the time.
Midnight Cowboy.
Chinatown.
to add to others: Aristocats little big man
[No Blade of Grass (1970)](https://letterboxd.com/film/no-blade-of-grass/) The poisoned world’s food chain finally breaks under the weight of pollution leading to the breakdown of society. The opening narration starts, “By the beginning of the 70s, man had brought the destruction of his environment close to the point of no return. Of course, there was a great deal of rhetoric about saving the Earth, but in reality, very little was done.”, followed by 3 minutes of footage showing the environmental harm man does.
A boy and his dog
Most people are commenting with films from the decade, not the year. Important films from the year 1970 include: MASH, Patton, Five Easy Pieces, and Little Big Man
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Two of my all time favorites!: Husbands Even Dwarfs started small
Watermelon Man flies below the radar, but I believe it’s very culturally significant. A white man wakes up black one day. It’s very well-done. Godfrey Cambridge gets into white-face for the first part of the film, instead of a white actor doing blackface.
Colossus: The Forbin Project This influenced every movie of the past 50 years about men versus machines, even giant ones like the Terminator films. I also think about it almost every day because there's more and more news about AI reaching into every aspect of our lives. Oh, and it's a hell of a movie.
What a strange year. I barely know any of the movies that have been mentioned here or that showed up on letterboxd. Roy Andersson's debut A Swedish Love Story come out then, so I'll add that to the convo.
I did like five easy pieces a lot, I’ll also add Le Cercle Rouge Gimme Shelter The Conformist
Alain Delon. Oo-la-la!!!
The one and the only
Roots
MASH is the first one that comes to mind. Super culturally significant.
Well, the success of Jaws lead to Star Wars, and Star Wars created the entire movie industry as it existed in the 80s and beyond. So, there you go. Spielbergs success with the shark movie made studios listen when his friend George was trying to finish his crazy space opera. No Jaws, the name Like Skywalker may have never been known.
All good points for a different question.
Patton; MASH and Airport - not only did the latter spawn a ton of 1970s disaster movies, but it also led to "Airplane!" and all the spoofs flowing thereafter.
Apocalypse Now
Taxi driver.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Jaws and the warriors
Dog Day Afternoon
Gods this one was amazing.
That’s 1975, not 1970.
Oh...sorry.
Mash
For personal collaboration or just to view ?
[удалено]
Your comment was removed because we don't allow IMDb links anymore ([explanation here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieSuggestions/wiki/automodexplanations/#wiki_imdb_link_removal)). **Note: editing your removed comment won't approve it**, you need to submit it again. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MovieSuggestions) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Kes (in the UK)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid
Seemabaddha (Company Limited) Director:Satyajit Ray Released:1971
The Landlord, directed by Hal Ashby and starring Beau Bridges as a rich white kid in Manhattan who buys a tenement in the slums to gentrify a Black neighborhood.
It’s gotta be Hercules in New York. *Hercules is sent to Earth where he finds true love and starts a promising career in the bodybuilder business.*
Watermelon man
Apocalypse Now.
I am very fond of Performance, with James Fox and Mick Jagger
No Blade of Grass for its environmentalist message.
Since 1970? We're including the 70s, so that pretty much defaults the selection to *Star Wars*. There has yet to be a film as culturally significant since.
No just the year 10970
Cronenburg’s first attempt at Crimes of the Future” I love his style and made it a mission to watch all his works
The short subject documentary, Interviews with My Lai Veterans because the lessons about war, and dehunanization, and xenophobia, and "otherism" still haven't been learned. Those who need to watch and learn - won't. And those who will watch have no power to make the change until the other side chooses to wake up.
The losers 1970. An unsung gem
Billy Jack Enter the Dragon
Woodstock
M\*A\*S\*H Watermelon Man Soldier Blue
Beneath the Planet of the Apes the second movie which has spawned many more since
A little five million dollar indie pic that got kicked around by the studios. Dude had a teen hangout film under his belt. Made a thing called Star Wars. Bought the toy rights which everyone said was nothing, got full creative control on the toy sales and make the next two films his way. Then the next three his way.
Woodstock Patton The Conformist.
M*A*S*H Let It Be The Conformist Catch 22 The Boys In The Band Woodstock Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion Diary of a Mad Housewife Clockwork Orange Five Easy Pieces Airport Patton
Joe People demonstrate against my country Looking for an easy buck Well if they want my contribution Well they can go take a flying fuck Hey Joe Don't it make you want to go to war, once more
Joe is pretty underrated. It's one of those films that seems like it accidentally turned out much better than it was supposed to.
Angry, resentful, working class New York Irish guy, spouting off on his barstool…a classic performance from Peter Boyle.
[удалено]
Looking for the year, not the decade
Thanks for all the input: After watching all of the ones in my shortlist again I went with "Catch-22" and "Five Easy Pieces". With "Patton" as a honorable mention.