Let’s Talk Cinema with Jerm: Peace, Love, and Great Movies

by · Awards Daily

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Reddit Print Bluesky WhatsApp Threads Email

Alright all you hippies, gather around. It is time to discuss your era of Oscar films!

The 1970s is a decade that is always looked upon fondly for the fashion, the easygoing lifestyle, and its highly acclaimed era of cinema. The cinematic landscape changed from rigid rules to something more real, gritty, and unafraid to push boundaries. The blockbuster came roaring into existence, and the 70s forever changed cinema.

I wasn’t there, but it is one of those decades where it would have been incredible to experience some of these classics on the big screen.

Of course, everyone has strong opinions about their favorite films of the decade, but seeing as how we are an awards website, we always have to start there first. So let’s cut the chit-chat and get right into ranking the Picture, Directing, and Acting Oscar winners of the 70s!

Jerm’s Official 1970s Oscar Winners Ranked

Best Picture

  1. The Godfather
  2. Kramer vs. Kramer
  3. The Sting
  4. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
  5. The Godfather Part II
  6. Annie Hall
  7. The French Connection
  8. The Deer Hunter
  9. Rocky
  10. Patton

This was hard to rank because I genuinely love numbers 1-6. I struggled more with 7-10 because either they didn’t live up to the hype for me, or I just don’t fully understand why they won. That said, a rewatch would probably help clarify some of my positioning.

I will also add that most of these films belong on a list of movies everyone should see at least once in their lives.

Best Director

  1. Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather Part II
  2. Robert Benton, Kramer vs. Kramer
  3. Woody Allen, Annie Hall
  4. George Roy Hill, The Sting
  5. Miloš Forman, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
  6. Bob Fosse, Cabaret
  7. Michael Cimino, The Deer Hunter
  8. Franklin J. Schaffner, Patton
  9. William Friedkin, The French Connection
  10. John G. Avildsen, Rocky

Again, these were hard to rank. Even if I don’t care as much for some of the films in the bottom half, I still appreciate the filmmaking. Despite what I think of them personally, all of these films are iconic in their own right.

Best Actor

  1. Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
  2. Marlon Brando, The Godfather
  3. Dustin Hoffman, Kramer vs. Kramer
  4. Peter Finch, Network
  5. Jon Voight, Coming Home
  6. Richard Dreyfuss, The Goodbye Girl
  7. Gene Hackman, The French Connection
  8. George C. Scott, Patton
  9. Jack Lemmon, Save the Tiger
  10. Art Carney, Harry and Tonto

It may be a little controversial not to put Marlon at number one, but I think Jack Nicholson deserves the top spot. Really, I think any of the top five could be interchanged on any given day. They are all worthy.

The only odd choices for me are Jack Lemmon and Art Carney, winners that still leave me a little baffled. Career Oscars, perhaps?

Best Actress

  1. Diane Keaton, Annie Hall
  2. Liza Minnelli, Cabaret
  3. Jane Fonda, Coming Home
  4. Sally Field, Norma Rae
  5. Faye Dunaway, Network
  6. Ellen Burstyn, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
  7. Louise Fletcher, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
  8. Jane Fonda, Klute
  9. Glenda Jackson, A Touch of Class
  10. Glenda Jackson, Women in Love

Has there ever been a more iconic decade of Best Actress winners?

The only winner I truly despise is Glenda Jackson in Women in Love. I have never understood how she won for that performance. However, Diane, Liza, Jane, Sally, Faye, Ellen, and Louise all delivered absolutely brilliant performances.

Best Supporting Actor

  1. Joel Grey, Cabaret
  2. Robert De Niro, The Godfather Part II
  3. George Burns, The Sunshine Boys
  4. Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter
  5. This
  6. Category
  7. Is
  8. Truly
  9. Awful
  10. John Mills, Ryan’s Daughter

The top four are great winners, some of the best ever. The rest of the winners in this category are terrible choices and completely forgettable, in my opinion.

Best Supporting Actress

  1. Meryl Streep, Kramer vs. Kramer
  2. Maggie Smith, California Suite
  3. Cloris Leachman, The Last Picture Show
  4. Tatum O’Neal, Paper Moon
  5. Eileen Heckart, Butterflies Are Free
  6. Beatrice Straight, Network
  7. Vanessa Redgrave, Julia
  8. Lee Grant, Shampoo
  9. Ingrid Bergman, Murder on the Orient Express
  10. Helen Hayes, Airport

Queen Meryl and Dame Maggie rightfully sit at the top, exactly where they should be. Numbers 3-9 are all fairly interchangeable for me. Helen Hayes was a performance I enjoyed, but this simply is not an Oscar-worthy performance.

There are many more films to discuss from this decade, and I am really looking forward to diving deeper into the 70s with all of you. For now, join me in ranking the Oscar winners of the decade.

Also, if you have any cool stories about seeing any of these films in theaters, please share them with us. Lastly, if you have any recommendations from the decade, drop them in the comments!

As always, be kind, be respectful, and of course… Let’s Talk Cinema!

 

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Reddit Print Bluesky WhatsApp Threads Email