Cinema of the 70s

I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Ad Lib Publishers, Palazzo Editions for an advanced copy of this book on the films of a decade that changed entertainment, in good and bad ways, with ramifications and films that still resonate to this day.

In a world where bloated blockbusters, aging stars and movies made for spectacle and not for meaning, leaving film theaters empty, the press full of articles about the death of Hollywood, something had to change. As history repeats itself this statement is not about the Hollywood of today with CGI films looking alike, tired actors in tired roles, and again empty theaters. No this was the 1960s. Cleopatra had lost a fortune, The Alamo with John Wayne had more jeers than cheers, musicals were off tune, and a film called Doctor Doolittle was such a bomb that even te most loyal of Hollywood people had to admit things were off. Studios were also being bought by companies that were more interested in the dollar than art, soda companies and petroleum companies answered more to shareholders than film critics. Slowly a new kind of movie began to appear, movies dealing with the world around them, Vietnam, government, politics, infidelity love and death and Death Stars, and a shark named Bruce. A decade full of movies that are still influential, watched, taught, stolen from, and remade today. Cinema of the 70s: 101 Iconic Movies by John H. Foote is a look at some of these films, complete with plot, stories behind the scenes, influences and other facts for movie fans.

During the 1960's Hollywood was having the same growing pains as the nation around it. Questions about politics, race, women, sex and more were being discussed at tables, but not reflected on the big screen. Big budget films, and old standbys like westerns and musicals were not packing them in, while smaller movies, like Psycho, a film no major studio wanted broke box office records, and spawned a thousand imitators, and genres all over the world. Something had to change, and new blood, a generation of those who had grown up both in the cinema and watching television began to appear. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppla, even older directors found new life, Robert Altman, and Sam Peckingpah began to make movies that showed the world as it was. Or could be. Brave journalists, mobsters, killers, cops, couples, black people, women, gay people, began to appear on the screen, some forgotten, some revered, in works of art that still watch well even today. The book is a chronological so one can see the movies that influenced others, and so on. There are stories about the movie, casting, writing, reception grief from the public and grief from the studios themselves.

A very good overview of a time when film seemed fresh, new and exciting. New directions in storytelling, special effects and even casting outside of the usual white faces are looked at. Women are discussed, in some way films in the 70's seemed to offer more choices to women back then. Foote is a very good writer, able to sum up the movies discussed well, with plenty of information for those familiar with the films, or just learning about them for the first time. I enjoy the fact that Foote looks at directors from other lands, like Werner Herzog, scoring two movies, Miloš Forman and others.

A very good introduction to films from he 70's for people who are new to them. The illustrations are a nice addition also. Even older fans will enjoy this book, though a lot of the information might be known. A lot of fun, plus it will give more movies to add to streaming wish lists.

Thanks to John H. Foote, Ad Lib Publishers, and NetGalley for an Advanced Reading Copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Excellent book. I really enjoyed revisiting classic movies from the 70’s and hearing about movies I may have missed. The commentary is well written and made me want to see all the movies again. I was also impressed with the depth of background insights on the actors, directors, and the context for the films. That perspective and insight provides for great film commentary.

Please consider additional books on other decades of movies!

If you are someone of a particular vintage that today is considered ‘old’, this book will be such a trip down memory lane. It certainly was for me. I found myself thinking of where I was when I first viewed a particular film and recalled the impact that the ones I loved had on me. This, for the younger generation, was a time when the only way to see a film was in the movie theatre. If you liked a movie a lot, you could not buy a physical copy to watch at will. You could not download or stream. All you could do was sit in a darkened theatre and wait until the movie started again. There were some great memories of sitting with my best friend through several viewings of something we both loved. While I am happy for the physical form that allows me to own the best loved flicks, I do miss that communal time.

The author has come up with a good list of films, giving a brief synopsis and some key facts that set it apart from the other films. Lots of good photos and some essays on a number of the trends. It was a decade of great change and many of the movies in the book truly changed the course of filmmaking. I think we all could add other movies to the list but the book would be ginormous.

It is a lovely bit of nostalgia for us boomers and an education for those who came later. Five purrs and two paws up.

When someone mentions a movie I can usually go right in my mind to when that movie was released in this book Cinema Of The 70s by John H foot was definitely a blast from the past from jaws,Tin Drum, Kramer versus Kramer and even Norma Rae and many more were mentioned in this great book about awesome movies from the 70s those that were critically acclaimed and those that became part of the zeitgeist for movies that launch peoples careers to those that ended before they even started. It seems Mr. foot knew the right details to put in the ones to leave out and although this is not a definite encyclopedia of movies from the 70s it is still a very good general knowledge collection and one any cinaphile would love to have in their library if you love or have fun memories of movies from the 70s then you’ll definitely want to read this book I am certainly glad I did I want to thank Net Galley and ad Lib publishers for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

A comprehensive guide to great films of the 70s. Once the Hays code ended and censorship loosened up, Hollywood was able to start making more films that could explore previously taboo subjects. Many of the filmmakers mentioned in this book attended film schools in the 1960's. This book surveys 101 iconic films (many of which I have seen but there are still a number I have not and plan to see). There is a plot synopsis but also details about the context and making of the film. There are beautiful stills from the films. I really liked his "intermission" details that talked more about context of making movies during the 1970"s. He does not shy away from having opinions about some of the stars and directors (minor annoyance since I did not agree with some of his opinions) but these did not stop me from really liking this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ad Lib Publishers, Palazzo Editions for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.