The Most Underrated Movies of the ’70s

Sissy Spacek was very young when she took the role of Pinky Rose in this mystery-drama. It takes a deep look at whether it’s best to be yourself and be a bit isolated or take on the desired traits of other people to fit in. It’s a powerful message. That’s why it’s my first choice for ’70s movies you may have missed.

Three orphans find gold after an earthquake hits the town where a bachelor took them in. They decide to give it to two outlaws to avoid the problems it’s causing. Tim Conway teams up with Knotts in a hilarious performance that was the first movie I remember seeing on the big screen.

Young Spacek and Sheen team up in a crime drama where the “bad boy” Sheen takes his girlfriend on a murder spree through the Badlands region. It’s based on the true crimes of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate. Watch for uncredited appearances of Sheen’s sons, Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen.

This movie won 14 awards out of 17 nominations, yet many are unfamiliar with it. Gene Hackman’s role as a surveillance expert turns deadly when he’s hired to eavesdrop on a couple’s conversations, only to realize he thinks they’re going to be murdered. Harrison Ford and Teri Garr also appear in this film.

Ratings have never been as high as I feel they should have for this underrated ’70s movie, Mark Hamill broke away from his role in the “Star Wars” movies to show off his comic skills in a movie where he teams up with a prostitute to recover his stolen Corvette.

What makes this horror/drama stand out as one of the most underrated movies of the ’70s? Christie and Sutherland present a realistic look at the impact of a child’s death on their relationship. Daphne du Maurier wrote the story, which is another reason to watch it.

O’Neal plays a driver hired to drive getaway cars, and he’s great at his job, making him the target of one dedicated detective. This sets the stage for a movie that’s packed with car chases and action scenes.

As a director, Spielberg filmed a few shorts and then the movie “Firelight” in 1961. That movie was his first UFO-themed movie. He moved from there to television series. This is his second full-length movie, and it’s one terrifying ride that has me spooked any time a tractor-trailer is too close to my car.

In this animated film, Planet Ygam’s blue aliens keep humanoid slaves and pets known as Om, and one escapes with the help of other Oms. It’s a bit psychedelic and is a unique look at slavery and its impacts.

Nominated for several Golden Globe and Oscar awards, the movie didn’t win any of them. It’s not largely recognized by younger generations. It’s an emotional tale of not finding happiness in your life and leaving everything behind to try other things, which also doesn’t guarantee satisfaction. Nicholson’s portrayal of a man who’s never content is the reason to watch it.

Carney won an Oscar for his performance of a retired teacher whose home is being torn down. He opts to take his cat and see the country. It’s not the fastest-paced movie, but I like to think of it as the inspiration for the Pixar movie “Up.” It’s one of my favorite pieces of work from the former “The Honeymooners” co-star.

One type of movie always goes onto my must-watch list, so it’s not surprising to find me recommending a Japanese horror as an underrated movie of the ’70s. Japanese filmmakers master the use of sound to add fear and anticipation as you watch a movie. Additions of comedy help ease the tension.

The Beatles were huge, and this movie focuses on the craze surrounding their appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” It’s the first full-length movie Zemeckis directed. It also has a fantastic soundtrack and an entertaining plot.

This is an Italian film, so you may need to turn on subtitles. It’s a cunning tale of a homicide detective who kills his mistress and leaves clear clues that should make it easy to catch him. The film explores how his position helps buffer him from being a suspect.

All the ex-military member (Redford) wants is to live alone without others interfering, but a Native American tribe has other ideas. This ’70s western is based on a true story and features country star Tanya Tucker, though she’s uncredited. It’s a bit emotional, but it’s the cinematography in the Rockies that makes it an underrated ’70s movie.

In this legal thriller, an Australian lawyer must defend five Aboriginal Persons accused of murder. He soon learns there’s something more alarming at play. It’s often scary and alarming, but Chamberlain’s performance is stellar.

This movie features PI Phillip Marlowe who agrees to drive his friend to Mexico and returns to find police waiting for him. His wife’s been murdered and he’s a suspect. Worse, he learns his friend killed himself in Mexico. Altman used moving cameras to make viewers feel like they’re part of the crime scene, which draws them in.

Neil Simon wrote this script, and it’s a fascinating parody of mysteries. Five famous detectives and their helpers are tasked to solve a mystery in an unusual manor home. With the blend of mystery and comedy, it’s a hilarious journey to the resolution. As a side note, the mansion’s screaming doorbell is voiced by Fay Wray of “King Kong” fame.

A year after Pacino’s role in “The Godfather,” he played a sailor who’s back on land and traveling to see his newborn child. Hackman plays an ex-con who joins Pacino on his trip. The reason to watch this ’70s movie is due to the chemistry between these actors. They’re fantastic.

This sci-fi movie has an astronaut struggling with the orders he’s been given to destroy the remaining plants kept in the greenhouse aboard his craft. He’s a botanist and recognizes the importance of these plants, so it’s a command he doesn’t intend to follow. It’s a thought-provoking look at how you make a choice when you don’t like either option.

Spielberg is a well-known name in the movie industry. This isn’t his first movie, but it’s one of the first. Hawn wants her infant son back, and that means helping her husband break out of prison. There’s a lot of action, and it uses filming techniques that were unheard of in cinematography at the time. It’s a movie based on the true story of Ila Faye and Robert Dent who kidnapped DPS Trooper Kenneth Crone during their attempt.

The English name for this Japanese anime movie is “Taro the Dragon Boy.” It’s the story of a boy who’s given a magic potion that gives him strength, but he must only use his new power to help others. There’s plenty of action, but it also has a great message for children when it comes to helping others and not being selfish.

The car chase scene in this movie is up there in my top 10. The entire plot is about a car delivery driver who ends up getting into plenty of trouble, and racing the Dodge Challenger to its destination is often the cause of his problems, but it’s more the people’s attitudes that pose the biggest problems in that era.

I love horror movies, and psychological horror is my preference. In this case, Pleasance plays a teacher who is heading across the Australian outback to visit his girlfriend. In the town, he loses a bet and ends up overnighting in a town that’s full of drunk, angry men who have little more than violence on their minds.

Several gang movies hit the big screen in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. This one isn’t as well known as counterparts like “West Side Story” or “The Outsiders,” but it’s grittier and provides a little more realism into street gangs.

Many of these moves are available to watch on various free and paid streaming channels. While you’re working your way through that list, check out “The Best But Also Forgotten Movies of the ’60s.“