10 Must-Watch Crime Films from the 1970s

Description: This film captures the essence of 1970s crime with its gritty portrayal of two New York City cops on the trail of a massive heroin smuggling operation. Its raw, documentary-style filming and intense car chase scene make it a standout.

Fact: The famous car chase was filmed without permits, using real New York City streets, and the film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: Michael Caine stars as a London gangster seeking revenge in Newcastle upon Tyne. This film is a gritty, revenge-driven tale that showcases the dark underbelly of British crime.

Fact: The film was remade in 2000 with Sylvester Stallone, but the original is often considered superior, and it was one of the first British films to receive an X rating for its violence.

Description: A cornerstone of crime cinema, "The Godfather" delves into the inner workings of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American mafia clan. Its exploration of family, loyalty, and the American Dream is both epic and intimate.

Fact: Marlon Brando improvised the famous line "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse," and the film was initially rated X by the MPAA, which was later changed to R.

Description: A bleak portrayal of Boston's criminal underworld, focusing on an aging gunrunner who becomes an informant to avoid prison. Its realistic depiction of crime and betrayal is both compelling and chilling.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Boston, and Robert Mitchum's performance is often cited as one of his best, showcasing his ability to portray complex, morally ambiguous characters.

Description: A modern take on Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe, this film updates the classic detective story to the 1970s, with Elliott Gould's laid-back Marlowe navigating a world of deceit and betrayal.

Fact: The film was initially a box office failure but has since gained a cult following, and Robert Altman's direction was known for its improvisational style.

Description: Based on the true story of Frank Serpico, an NYPD officer who exposed corruption within the police force, this film is a testament to one man's fight against systemic corruption, showcasing the moral dilemmas faced by law enforcement.

Fact: Al Pacino's performance was so intense that he reportedly went into a depression after filming, and the film was shot on location in New York City, adding to its authenticity.

Description: A neo-noir mystery set in 1930s Los Angeles, where a private detective uncovers a web of deceit involving water rights, corruption, and murder. Its complex plot and moral ambiguity make it a masterpiece of the genre.

Fact: The film's ending was famously changed by director Roman Polanski, much to the dismay of writer Robert Towne, and it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning one for Best Original Screenplay.

Description: A psychological thriller about a surveillance expert who becomes obsessed with a conversation he records, leading him down a paranoid rabbit hole. This film explores themes of privacy, paranoia, and the ethics of surveillance.

Fact: Francis Ford Coppola wrote the script in the late 1960s, inspired by Michelangelo Antonioni's "Blowup," and the film's sound design was revolutionary for its time.

Description: A tense thriller about a group of criminals who hijack a New York City subway train, demanding a ransom. The film's real-time narrative and gritty urban setting make it a classic of the genre.

Fact: The film was shot on location in the New York City subway system, and the title refers to the train's departure time from Pelham Bay Park station.

Description: This film, based on a true story, follows a bank robbery that goes awry, turning into a media circus. It's a study in desperation, identity, and the American Dream gone wrong, with Al Pacino delivering a career-defining performance.

Fact: The film was shot in the actual bank where the real robbery took place, and the character of Sonny Wortzik was inspired by John Wojtowicz, whose story was later adapted into the film.