The 1970s were an era for the coolest films. Directors were granted more freedom as the New Hollywood Era, ushering in bold new visions of the future of film. Directors like Martin Scorsese, William Friedkin, John Cassavetes, and others brought a new layer of boldness to the silver screen. These directors, among others, were famous for their crime and thriller films in this decade.
Important to the history of film, crime films often speak on the condition of the human spirit. These seedy stories of even seedier men committing heinous acts acted as a mirror to life in the ’70s, serving as a reminder of cinema’s importance. Here are ten great ’70s crime films to stream on various services.
The Castle of Sand (The Criterion Channel)
The Castle in the Sand was directed by Yoshitarō Nomura and released in 1974. It details the murder of an old man in a Tokyo rail yard. As detectives investigate the situation, they find more than they initially hoped.
What makes Nomura’s film so unique is how it looks like a normal police procedural on the surface but unravels into a much deeper experience. Told mostly in flashbacks, it is one of the most unique crime films to come out of Japan.
Red Sun (The Criterion Channel)
Though technically a spaghetti western, this film by Terrance Young combines elements of westerns, samurai films, and even a crime to create one of the most bizarre films of the decade. Starring Charles Bronson as a gang leader who gets caught up with a samurai played by Toshiro Mifune.
The two of them have to retrieve a golden katana and lost treasure from Alain Delon’s character. It’s fusion of genres is interesting, and definitely a gem of the ’70s.
The Long Goodbye (Amazon Prime)
“Nothing says goodbye like a bullet.” Robert Altman’s adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s novel of the same name is one of the best neo-noir films of all time, and perfectly modernizes (for the time) hard-hitting detective Philip Marlowe (played here by actor Elliot Gould).
Altman’s signature style and Gould’s devilishly cool and sly performance make this an enjoyable classic, full of questions of morality. When Marlowe has to try to help a friend out of a bind, he gets caught up in a conspiracy about the death of his wife. The film also features Hollywood heavy-hitter, Sterling Hayden.
The French Connection (Starz)
William Friedkin’s 1971 crime film, The French Connection, was a landmark picture in the genre. It starred Gene Hackman as Jimmy Doyle, a New York detective working on a massive drug bust, with the “French connection” being Fernando Rey’s role as a French drug smuggler.
Roy Schneider also stars in this film that was acclaimed when released. It was a bold start to the decade and won the Academy Award for Best Picture and has since been one of the most celebrated films of the 70s.
Street Law (Amazon Prime)
Franco Nero (Django) stars in this “poliziotteschi” film (a subset of crime films in Italy) in which he plays an engineer who is mugged during a robbery. After feeling betrayed and humiliated, he enlists the help of a young burglar to track the three criminals down to enact street justice.
As films like Death Wish had not yet made their way to Italy yet, Street Law proved to be a very successful film in its home country. Not only was it a stylish, vigilante-driven film, it also touched upon some socio-political themes of the era.
Serpico (Showtime)
Al Pacino was at his peak in the 1970s, with a string of his best performances occurring throughout this decade. Taking on the role of Detective Frank Serpico, Pacino has to dig out corruption from within the force.
It’s an unflinching film, but essential viewing for anyone who’s a fan of 70s crime cinema. Pacino is excellent here, as he tries his hardest to remain a good cop in a world that doesn’t have a place for them.
The Godfather (CBS All Access)
Francis Ford Coppola’s classic 1972 film, The Godfather, is often considered one of, if not, the greatest film of all time. A massive crime epic that details the internal drama within the Corleone family, it is a virtually perfect film.
Featuring legendary performances from Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone and Al Pacino as his son Michael, it’s less of a crime film and more like a family drama, showcasing the trials and tribulations of what it means to be a part of a family.
The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie (HBO)
John Cassavetes was the father of indie film. His films were, at their very core, about people. His 1978 film, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is unlike most neo-noir crime films. It is very little in the way of action, there are long scenes full of nothing but conservations.
The film deals with a strip club owner who owes the mob $20,000, so they tell him to either pay or kill a bookie. It might not be for everyone but it is one of the very best independent films of the 1970s and a unique crime film.
The Godfather Part II (CBS All Access)
Coppola released the sequel to the acclaimed Godfather in 1974. Not only is it good, it’s arguably better than its predecessor. Detailing Michal Corleone’s rise to power and offering a glimpse at Vito’s life, from childhood to adulthood.
Robert De Niro joined the cast as young Vito in one of his greatest performances, with Pacino’s probably being the best of his entire career. It is the greatest sequel ever made and one of the finest crime epics, ever.
Taxi Driver (Netflix)
Bold, provocative, and absolutely unflinching in its approach to storytelling, Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver remains a classic of the New Hollywood era. Telling the story of a mentally deranged veteran who spends his nights driving a taxi.
Every shot is iconic, Robert De Niro’s performance is masterful, Jodie Foster is incredible and Scorsese’s direction is among the best in the business. Taxi Driver is a masterpiece.
