10 Thrilling Films Set in the 1970s

Description: While not set in the 1970s, this film captures the gritty realism of the time with its portrayal of a New York City cop's relentless pursuit of a drug smuggling ring.

Fact: The famous car chase scene was filmed without permits, leading to real-life chaos on the streets of New York, and the film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: This film follows a professional assassin hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle, showcasing the meticulous planning and tension of a political assassination plot.

Fact: The film was shot on location in France, and the character of the Jackal was inspired by real-life assassination attempts on de Gaulle.

Description: Set in 1930s Los Angeles but capturing the essence of 1970s noir, this film explores corruption, water rights, and personal tragedy. It's a masterclass in storytelling and atmosphere.

Fact: The ending was changed after test audiences found the original too bleak, and the film's iconic line "Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown" was improvised by actor Joe Mantell.

Description: This film dives into the world of surveillance and paranoia, themes that were very much alive in the 1970s. It follows a surveillance expert who becomes obsessed with a conversation he recorded, fearing it might lead to a murder.

Fact: Francis Ford Coppola wrote the script in just three days, and the film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: A journalist uncovers a secret organization of former SS members, reflecting the era's interest in Nazi war criminals and the lingering effects of World War II.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by Frederick Forsyth, and it was one of the first films to explore the theme of Nazi hunters.

Description: This political thriller delves into the murky waters of conspiracy theories and assassination plots, a reflection of the post-Watergate paranoia of the 1970s.

Fact: The film's title refers to the Parallax Corporation, a fictional company that recruits assassins, and it was inspired by the real-life assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.

Description: A tense hostage situation unfolds on a New York City subway train, capturing the gritty urban atmosphere of the 1970s and the city's transit system's vulnerabilities.

Fact: The film was shot on location in the New York City subway, and the title refers to the train's departure time of 1:23 PM.

Description: A CIA analyst stumbles upon a conspiracy within his own agency, leading to a thrilling chase through New York City, encapsulating the distrust of government prevalent in the 1970s.

Fact: The film was based on the novel "Six Days of the Condor" by James Grady, and Robert Redford's character was inspired by real-life CIA analyst William Colby.

Description: This film blends psychological tension with a cat-and-mouse game involving a former Nazi dentist and a graduate student, reflecting the era's fascination with historical trauma and personal vendettas.

Fact: Dustin Hoffman trained for the marathon scenes by running in Central Park, and the infamous "Is it safe?" torture scene was improvised by director John Schlesinger.

Description: A Vietnam War veteran is recruited for a mysterious assassination mission, capturing the era's disillusionment with government and covert operations.

Fact: The film was Gene Hackman's first project after his Oscar win for "The French Connection," and it was directed by Stanley Kramer, known for his socially conscious films.