Tarantino's Ultimate List: The 9 '70s Movies He Thinks Are Perfect
Some of them may surprise you.
Quentin Tarantino loves movies, and has been very outspoken about his favorites over the years. Here are Tarantino’s favorite films of the 70s, according to his 2022 book Cinema Speculation.
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A Man Called Horse (1970)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Where to Rent or Stream: Plex, Apple TV, YouTube
When Englishman John Morgan is captured by a Sioux tribe, he at first sees them as his enemy. But as he comes to understand the tribe and their culture, he slowly resolves to leave his old life behind.
While the depictions of Native Americans in A Man Called Horse have received criticism over the years, the movie is still notable as one of the few Hollywood productions to utilize the Sioux language.
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House of Dark Shadows (1970)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 43%
Where to Rent or Stream: YouTube, Apple TV, Prime Video
In this reboot of the television show Dark Shadows, a drunk man discovers a crypt and opens the coffin he finds there. The vampire Barnabas Collins is released into the world, where he starts to drink the blood of locals. At the same time, he obsesses over a governess that he is convinced is the reincarnation of his lost love.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Where to Rent or Stream:Plex, Prime Video, Apple TV
While Sally and her friends are on a road trip, they take a detour to visit an old family farmstead. Unfortunately, they then meet the family of murderous, crazed cannibals next door.
What follows is one of the most beloved horror movies of all time, one which spawned sequels, prequels, comic books, and video games.
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Eaten Alive (1976)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 35%
Where to Rent or Stream: Plex, Prime Video
Directed by Tobe Hooper – who also helmed The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – Eaten Alive is about a sleazy motel owner who kills people who upset him. He then feeds them to the alligator that lives in the swamp next door.
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Young Frankenstein ( Mel Brooks, 1974)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Where to Rent or Stream: Apple TV
Still one of Mel Brooks’ most beloved movies, this satire of the Frankenstein story features some of the most iconic jokes ever put to film. (“Stay close to ze candles,” warns Frau Blücher darkly, “Ze staircase can be treacherous.” The candles she’s telling them to stay close to aren’t lit.)
Young Frankenstein is much funnier if you’ve seen any of the Frankenstein movies that Brooks is directly parodying, but even without that it’s pretty good. Puttin’ On The Ritz will never be the same.
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Rolling Thunder (John Flynn, 1977)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Where to Rent or Stream: Pluto, Tubi, Vudu, Prime Video
After seven years as a POW in Vietnam, Maj. Charles Rane returns home to find that his wife has moved on and his son barely remembers him. Rane fights to reestablish his life, but after thugs rob his house and leave his family dead, he becomes hell bent on revenge.
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Deep Red (Dario Argento, 1975)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Where to Rent or Stream: Plex, Prime Video, YouTube
When jazz pianist Marcus discovers the body of a murdered woman, he becomes determined to solve the case. He teams up with a snarky journalist, but when the bodies start piling up they realize that the killer may be after them next.
Horror master Dario Argento directed this movie, and critics agree with Tarantino – Deep Red is a masterpiece.
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The Bad News Bears (Michael Ritchie, 1976)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Where to Rent or Stream: Apple TV, Prime, YouTube
In the middle of this horror-filled list comes a profane but sweet-hearted sports drama about an underdog kids baseball team. Alcoholic former pitcher Morris Buttermaker gets recruited to coach the worst kids team in the local league. But in spite of the terrible players and the ridiculous antics, the Bears eventually become a family.
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Sorcerer (William Friedkin, 1977)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
Where to Rent or Stream: Apple TV, Prime
Four outlaws in South America take on a dangerous job: to transport a shipment of dangerously unstable dynamite that is sweating nitroglycerin. On the way they must handle rough terrain, unstable bridges, and attacks from bandits.