This has to be one of the most under-rated, and/or over-looked films of that era. Nicholson is excellent, his co-stars are also good, and the film carries a strong message. I would also suggest SAVE THE TIGER, and MINNIE AND MOSKIVITZ as under-rated 70's flicks, and given more time would think of others.
What other 1970's films are very under-rated?
This movie was very popular in FRANCE back in the day it was released.
shareFor under-rated, I'm going to stick to films that received no Oscars, and in most cases, no Oscar nods.
"Carrie"
"Scarecrow"
"Deep End"
"X, Y and Zee"
"The Baby" (1973)
"Badlands"
"3 Women"
"Desperate Characters"
"The Possession of Joel Delaney"
"Mean Streets"
"Sunday, Bloody Sunday" (got good reviews, but I still think it's under-rated)
"Play Misty for Me"
"Heat" (1972)
"The Killing Kind" (1973)
"The Pyx" (1973)
"Black Christmas"
"Die, Sister, Die!" (1972)
"Heavy Traffic"
"Private Parts"
"Assault on Precinct 13"
"Turkish Delight" (perhaps not under-rated, but almost definitely under-viewed)
"Going Places" (same as above)
"Spetters" (1980, feels like 70s)
"In a Year With Moons"
"Caged Heat"
"Looking for Mr. Goodbar"
"Grey Gardens"
"A Boy and His Dog"
"Sisters"
"The Abominable Dr. Phibes"
"Smile"
"Up the Sandbox"
"The Stepford Wives"
"Nasty Habits"
"The Tenant"
"Dawn of the Dead" (probably not under-rated, but definitely a low-budget dark horse that got but a few reviews that were very favorable in 1978. I loved it.)
"3 Women"
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Most definitely Mr. Hutch! One that certainly needs, plenty word of mouth endorsement.
BOYS IN THE BAND-70'....Still one of the best films, on what it can mean to be gay.
RYAN'S DAUGHTER-70'....Impressive cinematic achievement from David Lean, which got 'unfairly' panned when first released. A layered, well acted and visually arresting treat.
THE LAST PICTURE SHOW-71'....It did receive critical acclaim and oscars at the time; but how imbedded is it and quick to recall, in the movie going psyche of most people who lived the 70's?
ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE-73'....Neglected gem, about a motorcycle cop that patrols the Arizona desert highway. The film can operate on many levels, if you are open to it's intelligently told tale of aspirations, disillusionment and broken lives. Expertly shot and directed, with a fine performance from the diminutive Robert Blake and excellent support.
ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HER ANYMORE-74'....Oscar® winner; but so what. It is not typical Scorsese and I doubt that even diehard tunnel-visioned Scorcese fanboys, would give this one endorsement. No graphic violence or bombastic arrogance is evident.
BLACK BULLET-74' aka TRUCK TURNER.....Awesome, all stops out, no punches pulled, blaxploitation.
DIRTY MARY, CRAZY LARRY-74'.....Entertaining and engrossing car actioner, with one of Susan George's best performances. She is real, alive, sexy and well—dirty!
THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT-74'....One of Eastwood's, Bridges and director Cimino's best. Heist tale, with a buddy relationship, that is expertly told and shot.
ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN-75'.....Personal Disney favorite, that had me hypnotized when first viewed upon release.
I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN-77'....Disturbing tale of a schizophrenic, suicidal teenage girl, who has to battle and learn to overcome her demons.
JAWS 2-78'.....Not a classic like the first; but no write off either and still Jaws thrilling.
PRETTY BABY-78'.....Controversial subject matter, that is tastefully filmed, objective, matter of fact, observant and 'pretty' to look at.
THE ROSE-79'......Excellently filmed character study, with a knockout performance from the divine Bette Midler, on a downward spiral of, sex, booze, drugs and rock and roll.
My 70s faves would include:-
Get Carter (1971) - the original Michael Caine version, and not the dreadful Stallone remake
Cross of Iron (1977) - James Coburn at his best
Duck, you Sucker! AKA: A Fistful of Dynamite (1971). . Directed by Sergio Leone, and starring Coburn & Rod Steiger. One of the lesser known "Fistful" films, but worthy.
Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975)- I'm a big Python fan, and this is a delight, even though it is very low budget.
Straw Dogs (1971) - Shockingly under-rated, and remembered largely for the infamous rape scene; but Hoffman is awesome.
Three Days of the Condor (1975) - Okay, so probably not all that under-rated, but never gets talked about that much in terms of some of the best Robert Redform performances. Although personally, I thought Max Von Sydow, stole the show
...but what I know about is Texas; and down here, you're on your own!
Duck, you Sucker! AKA: A Fistful of Dynamite (1971). . Directed by Sergio Leone, and starring Coburn & Rod Steiger. One of the lesser known "Fistful" films, but worthy.
____________
Most definitely. I can't believe I forgot this one, as it has been on my mind over the past few weeks. My favorite Leone, after THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY-66'. Some truly stunning and exceptional direction and scenes and the egotisical Rod Steiger, is excellent here.
I thought I was the only one that liked 'Ryan's Daughter'! Many of the movies people listed are one's that wouldn't call underrated ('The Conversation' underrated? Really?), but that one definitely is! So is 'I Never Promised You A Rose Garden' thought it could have something to do with Roger Corman being an executive producer and there seems to be a rule that nothing Roger Corman has ever worked on can ever be praised for anything (unless, it's maybe something like a cameo appearance). 'Boxcar Bertha' is underrated for the same reason.
And you're right, 'Electra Glide In Blue' is a masterpiece!
I think the 70s and particularly the early to mid 70s are all about great film making that didn't necessarily do well at the box office, so they call them cult films, which is just another way of saying under-rated. Some films that received acclaim at the time have now become very much under-appreciated. It was the golden decade of film-making for me.
My under-rated list would include:
Three Days of the Condor
Vanishing Point
The Long Goodbye
Gumshoe
Dark Star
Assault on Precinct Thirteen
Get Carter
Electra Glide in Blue
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
Le Mans
Murder By Decree
Rollerball
The Last Picture Show
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean
Jeremiah Johnson
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Drowning Pool
All good films mentioned above. Yes, The Last Detail is one of my favorites from the 70's. I would add:
Report to the Commissioner (1975)
My real name is Jeff