Best Decade For Cinema

[The Chairman]

This has probably been discussed numoerous times, but for you guys, what do you consider the best decade for film?

For me personally, it has to be the 1970s'. It was during this decade that some truly groundbreaking and often controversial movies were released that revolutionized the way we look at cinema forever. Films like The Godfather (parts 1 & 2), One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Taxi Driver, Carnal Knowledge, The Last Picture Show and a host of other classic films. It was also the decade of Star Wars, the greatest series in the history of movie making, and saw the debut of, among others, Steven Spielberg & Martin Scorcese, arguably the two most important and prominent directors of the last thirty years. I could go on and on about how great a decade it was for cinema, but I won't bore you.

So, from the 1930s' onward (I won't include the 1920s' because for some reason I doubt a lot of people have seen moves from that era outside of the comedies by Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, etc.), which is the best decade for film?

[Bat Attack]

I voted for the 2000's by accident. But I meant to vote for the 1990's.

[JLBats]

God, easily '70s. This was when the greats started to emerge from film school and make very important works in the history of film. Coppola, Lucas, Scorsese, Spielberg... some of my Gods. Plus, we got Taxi Driver, Chinatown, Godfather 1 and 2, Annie Hall, Star Wars, Jaws... All classics.

So, basically, I agree with everything you said. Congrats on a post well done.

[The Chairman]

So, basically, I agree with everything you said. Congrats on a post well done.

Thanks. :up: :)

[The Chairman]

I voted for the 2000's by accident. But I meant to vote for the 1990's.

Really? I don't know the 1990s' were pretty weak for me. Yeah, we got some great stuff (Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption), but it was also the birth of the trend of mindless, special effects driven action spectacles (the overrated beyond human comprehension Titanic immediately jumps into my mind) and lame brain comedies that are currently dragging down the movie industry.

The 2000s' I'd say are the worst. Seriously the two best films of the decade IMO were Almost Famous (my all time favorite movie) and Gladiator, and those both came out six years ago.

[JLBats]

Really? I don't know the 1990s' were pretty weak for me. Yeah, we got some great stuff (Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption), but it was also the birth of the trend of mindless, special effects driven action spectacles (the overrated beyond human comprehension Titanic immediately jumps into my mind) and lame brain comedies that are currently dragging down the movie industry.

The 2000s' I'd say are the worst. Seriously the two best films of the decade IMO were Almost Famous (my all time favorite movie) and Gladiator, and those both came out six years ago.

Meh, I'll excuse Titanic since Cameron deserved some extreme box office glory after all his classic work in the past.

[The Chairman]

Meh, I'll excuse Titanic since Cameron deserved some extreme box office glory after all his classic work in the past.

I don't know, for me Titanic was just such a letdown. Cameron had done far better films than Titanic. Titanic was so cheesy, overblown and sappy, not to mention overly depressing and drawn out. I hate it when people refer to it as "The Greatest Movie Of All Time" simply because it grossed a gagillion dollars. If you go buy that logic(and I'm ripping this off from someone on imdb), McDonald's is the epitomy of gourmet cousine because it is eaten at more than any other restaurant in the world.

[FaT_tONle]

2000 maybe in terms of BLockbusters... it's the 70's easily... cmon do your homework people...

[Shuley]

I voted for the 1940's

Citizen Kane
Casablanca
The Big Sleep
It's A Wonderful Life
All About Eve
The Maltese Falcon
The Treasure Of Sierra Madre

List goes on and on...

The best year in cinema history is 1939.

[JLBats]

I don't know, for me Titanic was just such a letdown. Cameron had done far better films than Titanic. Titanic was so cheesy, overblown and sappy, not to mention overly depressing and drawn out. I hate it when people refer to it as "The Greatest Movie Of All Time" simply because it grossed a gagillion dollars. If you go buy that logic(and I'm ripping this off from someone on imdb), McDonald's is the epitomy of gourmet cousine because it is eaten at more than any other restaurant in the world.

Oh, I completely agree about the quality of the movie itself.

[Shuley]

I don't consider The Titanic to be "The Greatest Movie Ever" Casablanca is :)

[Bat Attack]

I say Pulp Fiction is the best movie ever, just my opinion.

[The Chairman]

I don't consider The Titanic to be "The Greatest Movie Ever" Casablanca is :)

Some people do. I consider them idiots. I long for the days when a film was considered a success not for its box office receipts but for the way it influenced cinema and whatnot. Sadly, those days are gone.

[The Chairman]

I say Pulp Fiction is the best movie ever, just my opinion.

You have the right to your opinion. Personally, I want to say it's Almost Famous, but I'm a bit biased since it's my favorite movie and has touched me in a way no other film has ever been able to do.

That being said, I'd go with Cuckoo's Nest or Goodfellas.

[Lighthouse]

I have to go with the 70s. An incredible amount of quality movies came out during that decade. I'd say half of my all time favorite movies came from that time period.

[da creole kid]

I voted for the 70's.

I immediately regret that decision.

Just look at some of the films of the 50's (American and Foreign) that influenced the best stuff in the 60's to the 90's

[Shuley]

The 50's was a very good decade for movies as well. All those Brando and Hitchcock films. The 90's has it's highlights,alot of excellent independants movies came from there and of course Pulp Fiction which is the most influentional film of the 90's.But I not alot of stuff came out of the 80's,Raging Bull,The Shining and Scarface come to mind and the groundbreaking Sex,Lies and Videotape which really started off the whole independant films.

[CrypticOne]

This poll should have been multiple choice. Late 80's, the 90's, and the 2000s.

[Rac]

70's. There's so many of my all-time-favorites from that decade.

For example:

Star Wars
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Man with the Golden Gun
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Papillon
The Exorcist
Assault on Precinct 13
Halloween
The Omen
Apocalypse Now
Escape from Alcatraz

etc. etc.

[Shuley]

70's. There's so many of my all-time-favorites from that decade.

For example:

Star Wars
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Man with the Golden Gun
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Papillon
The Exorcist
Assault on Precinct 13
Halloween
The Omen
Apocalypse Now
Escape from Alcatraz

etc. etc.
Halloween is an 80's movie 1980 or 81'

[black_dust]

I voted 80`s

With the rise of Die hard, Rambo, Terminator, Aliens, Indiana Jones and Back to the Future.

It was defo the best when things were fresh and new :D

[Cinemaman]

Honestly, 70s.

[Rac]

Halloween is an 80's movie 1980 or 81' No it isn't. It came out 1978. Halloween II premiered 1981.

[thealiasman2000]

I am a child of a '80s.

I was born and raised on the '80s.

Thus, I hold an affection for anything that came out of the '80s.

And that includes movies.


I have fond chilhood memories of "Ghostbusters", "Robocop", "Back to the Future", "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", "Gremlins" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".

Therefore, I go with the '80s.

[Carmine Falcone]

70's

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
The Long Good Friday
The Godfather Part II
The Godfather
The Man Who Would Be King
Dirty Harry
The French Connection
Dog Day Afternoon
Get Carter
High Plains Drifter
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Escape From Alcatraz

Great movies :eek: And I LOVE the 70's feeling like in One Flew and Dog Day.

[supzfan]

I'd say the 1930s. Heck, just look at '39, considered by most film historians as the single greatest year in cinema history:
1)GWTW
2)Wizard Of Oz
3)Grapes Of Wrath
4)Gunga Din
here's a partial list for this decade--
King Kong, Adventures Of Robin Hood, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy. Lost Horizon, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Brining up Baby, Marx Bros. movies, Laurel and Hardy movies, W.C. Fields, Chaplin's City Lights, Tarzan and His Mate, Tale Of Two Cities. The list goes on and on...

[Shuley]

1939 is in a class by itself,that's why I voted for the 40's.

[hitmanyr2k]

There's no such thing as the best decade for cinema. Every decade has its share of gems and trend-setters.

[Shuley]

There's no such thing as the best decade for cinema. Every decade has its share of gems and trend-setters.

and it's share of remakes and rehashes cough *2000+* cough

[TheSaintofKillers]

I'm not sure. It seems people here vote only for american movies, though. ;)

I'll say the 80's, but I am highly influenced by a nostalgic feeling, even if most of those movies I hadn't seen back then.

Ghibli was formed. It was the beginning of Miyazaki's career as a movie director (he had previously directed tv series, and the legendary Castle of cagliostro, but his full artistic power came primaly with Nausicaa). We got Nausicaa, Castle in the sky and the wonderful Totoro. With Takahata we got the musical Goshu the cellist and his masterpiece Grave of the fireflies.

Mamoru Oshii (ghost in the shell) really discovered himself in the 80's. With Beautiful dreamer he got to show the world what he could do. Angel's egg is still the greatest adaptation of Amano's artworks. And Oshii's most crazy movie. Patlabor (89) got released, and was (and still is) a masterpiece. The first movie by Oshii stand alongside his two ghost in the shells and Angel's egg.

AKIRA was release. I won't sat anything else about that, the word itself speaks volume enough.

Jim Henson got to his peak with his two masterpieces: The dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Two of the greatest fantasy movies ever put on films. Henson and Oz were gods.

(and two other muppet movies were released by Henson also in the 80's.)

While I consider the 70's to be Spielberg's most important decade, his last two indiana jones movies, his E.T., and his Empire of the sun were all spectacular movies. E.T. is one of the only live action children movie to ever having been able to compete with Jim Henson's movies (of course, Miyazaki's Totoro is still miles ahead of all of those, though).

While Jackie Chan was discovered in the 70's, (and so were Samo Hung and Yuen Biao) it was in the 80's their carreer exploded (and the quality also). Jackie Chan released his phenomenal Police Story trilogy (though I think the third one was release in the early 90's) and truly changed the face of police action movies in the world. And even better, the three brothers (Chan, Hung and Biao) began making movies together. Project A, Wheals on meals and Dragon forever are still 3 of the greatest and most fun kung fu movies ever put to film. Seeing these three incredible actors and martial art fighters together on the screen is joy from beginning to the end.

John Woo was discovered. We would never had the matrix and all of these heavily action oriented gun movies if it wasn't for the release of the first A better tomorrow (followed by both the second A better tomorrow and The killer, all monumental movies in their own field). Woo is a legend, and these are the movies why.

The thing and Shining were release. What I consider the two best horror movies out there, so for me of course this is pretty important.

There are many other factors, of course, but these are my most important right now this morning (the coming of tim burton with his beetlejuice, batman and Edward is probably a factor many would name, for exemple).

But yeah, the 80's rocked!

[Prognosticator]

There must be some confusion about what came out in the 70s b/c the majority of that decade sucked @$$. I voted 1990s b/c you can find rich diversity in every genre.

[TheSaintofKillers]

There must be some confusion about what came out in the 70s b/c the majority of that decade sucked @$$. I voted 1990s b/c you can find rich diversity in every genre.

You just need to know more about cinema then. Millions of movies came out all around the world in the 70's.

Btw, the majority of every decade suck ass. The majority of movies suck ass. That's pretty much a given you should know.

Spielberg's career got launch in the 70's (jaws, close encounter, duel, Lost ark) for godsake. If you forget the rest of the world, Hollywood alone was on his peak back then. Kubrick's Clockwork orange is a prime exemple of the censors being so low they could do nearly anything they wanted back then. Of course, Jaws came to be, and with it came back the blockbusters and everything changed again. But before that Hollywood had at least 5 years of galore.

We also got the beginning of John Carpenter with his first halloween and his the fog and especially his Escape from new york. The dirty harry were exploding on the big screen. Romero's second opus Dawn of the dead came out. Horror was good back then with that, and the first Texas chainsaw massacre, the exorcist, the omen and the first Alien (not forgetting jaws, of course).

And that's only from the top of my head in Hollywood. In Hong Kong, the shaw brothers were big. Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao were beginning to make names for themself. Bruce Lee was at the peak of his career (and then of course died, sniff). The Hui brothers were at their best. Golden harvest was gold.

In Japan, Hayao Miyazaki released his Castle of cagliastro, and influenced the world of anime forever.

And so many frikkin more.

The 70's sure didn't suck ass. No decade ever did, actually.

[reggiebar]

It is nice to see that the posters on this board have grown since the last time we had this poll. It is easily the 70s and I am glad to see that peope are finally recognizing.

[U.S War Machine]

I whent with the 90's because you got...

Braveheart
Forrest Gump

Etc...

[Prognosticator]

You just need to know more about cinema then. Millions of movies came out all around the world in the 70's.

Btw, the majority of every decade suck ass. The majority of movies suck ass. That's pretty much a given you should know.

Spielberg's career got launch in the 70's (jaws, close encounter, duel, Lost ark) for godsake. If you forget the rest of the world, Hollywood alone was on his peak back then. Kubrick's Clockwork orange is a prime exemple of the censors being so low they could do nearly anything they wanted back then. Of course, Jaws came to be, and with it came back the blockbusters and everything changed again. But before that Hollywood had at least 5 years of galore.

We also got the beginning of John Carpenter with his first halloween and his the fog and especially his Escape from new york. The dirty harry were exploding on the big screen. Romero's second opus Dawn of the dead came out. Horror was good back then with that, and the first Texas chainsaw massacre, the exorcist, the omen and the first Alien (not forgetting jaws, of course).

The 70's sure didn't suck ass. No decade ever did, actually.

Lost Arc came out in 80', and if we want to be technical Spielberg was probably at his best in the 80s (Indy Jones movies) or 90s (JP, SL, SPR)

[Pink Ranger]

I'm pleasantly surprised at how well the 1970s are doing in this poll (which was my vote as well). The 70s was awesome; you could break so many taboos back then, we will never see the likes of such movies again in history. Besides the Godfather, etc. my favorites were also The Devils, Deliverance, The Exorcist ...

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Any answer other than "The 70's" is simply incorrect.
It's actually not a matter of opinion. It's a cosmic truth.

[Erzengel]

I'm stuck between the 70's and 80's here. :(

[Prognosticator]

If this was titled "biggest milestone decade for movies" I would have voted 70s but it doesn't say that, and what it does say doesn't line up with how i see cinema in the 70s. I'm gonna have to stick w/the 90s, and i'll give 5 reasons

1. Pulp Fiction
2. Braveheart
3. Heat
4. T2
5. Schindler's List/Saving Private Ryan

[WorthyStevens]

If this was titled "biggest milestone decade for movies" I would have voted 70s but it doesn't say that, and what it does say doesn't line up with how i see cinema in the 70s. I'm gonna have to stick w/the 90s, and i'll give 5 reasons

1. Pulp Fiction
2. Braveheart
3. Heat
4. T2
5. Schindler's List/Saving Private Ryan

Agreed. Plus there were also Goodfellas, American Beauty, Fight Club, Magnolia and many others.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Dudes, Smokey and the BANDIT!

[Prognosticator]

Dudes, Smokey and the BANDIT!

Burt Reynolds got the Oscar nod for Boogie Nights, not Smokey

(but i'm in no way denying Smokey's iconic hickability and cultural mainstay)

[reggiebar]

I'm pleasantly surprised at how well the 1970s are doing in this poll (which was my vote as well). The 70s was awesome; you could break so many taboos back then, we will never see the likes of such movies again in history. Besides the Godfather, etc. my favorites were also The Devils, Deliverance, The Exorcist ...
You should check out the documentary done by the late Ted Demme and Richard LaGravenese titled "A Decade Under the Influence" that gives a great overview on why movies in the 70s were the best ever and will nver be repeated again. Certainly worth a look for any film fan wanting to understand the difference between the 70s and every ohter decade in American cinema.

[The Chairman]

Great movies :eek: And I LOVE the 70's feeling like in One Flew and Dog Day.

Interesting you should say that because I believe One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest took place in 1963.

[Prognosticator]

For every "Exorcist" milestone in the 70s, there's a "Silence of the Lambs" for the 90s... Clint Eastwood's journey into directing, 70s - Clint Eastwood's masterstroke "Unforgiven", 90s...

[reggiebar]

If this was titled "biggest milestone decade for movies" I would have voted 70s but it doesn't say that, and what it does say doesn't line up with how i see cinema in the 70s. I'm gonna have to stick w/the 90s, and i'll give 5 reasons

1. Pulp Fiction
2. Braveheart
3. Heat
4. T2
5. Schindler's List/Saving Private Ryan

Pretty funny that your number one choice, Pulp Fiction, borrows so much from so many movies from other decades, especially the 70s.

BTW, those five films above are good, but they can't come close to the great films of the 70s. You really need to check out all the movies made in the 70s again (Godfather 1 & 2, The French Connection, Chinatown, Apocolypse Now, Clockwork Orange, The Deer Hunter, Close Encounters, The Exorcist, Halloween, Annie Hall, Jaws, M*A*S*H, Network, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Rocky, Star Wars, Taxi Driver, Days of Heaven, Last Tango in Paris, Nashville, Alien - to name a few).

As many of us have said, there is only one correct answer to this question - the 70s - period.

[reggiebar]

Interesting you should say that because I believe One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest took place in 1963.

It came out in 1975. It is a 70s movie.

[reggiebar]

For every "Exorcist" milestone in the 70s, there's a "Silence of the Lambs" for the 90s... Clint Eastwood's journey into directing, 70s - Clint Eastwood's masterstroke "Unforgiven", 90s...

You couldn't be more wrong.

[TheSaintofKillers]

Is everyone's definition of cinema only Hollywood ???

Geez. :(

[WorthyStevens]

Pretty funny that your number one choice, Pulp Fiction, borrows so much from so many movies from other decades, especially the 70s.

BTW, those five films above are good, but they can't come close to the great films of the 70s. You really need to check out all the movies made in the 70s again (Godfather 1 & 2, The French Connection, Chinatown, Apocolypse Now, Clockwork Orange, The Deer Hunter, Close Encounters, The Exorcist, Halloween, Annie Hall, Jaws, M*A*S*H, Network, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Rocky, Star Wars, Taxi Driver, Days of Heaven, Last Tango in Paris, Nashville, Alien - to name a few).

As many of us have said, there is only one correct answer to this question - the 70s - period.

But the 90s also had Shawshank Redemption, Schindler's List, Pulp Fiction, Usual Suspects, Silence of the Lambs, Fight Club, American Beauty, the Matrix, Seven, the Professional, American History X, LA Confidential, Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, Saving Private Ryan, Sling Blade, Life is Beautiful, Forrest Gump, the Lion King, Braveheart, T2, the Sixth Sense, Unforgiven, the Green Mile, Toy Story 1/2, Magnolia, Heat, Goodfellas and Boogie Nights.

[The Chairman]

But the 90s also had Shawshank Redemption, Schindler's List, Pulp Fiction, Usual Suspects, Silence of the Lambs, Fight Club, American Beauty, the Matrix, Seven, the Professional, American History X, LA Confidential, Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, Saving Private Ryan, Sling Blade, Life is Beautiful, Forrest Gump, the Lion King, Braveheart, T2, the Sixth Sense, Unforgiven, the Green Mile, Toy Story 1/2, Magnolia, Heat, Goodfellas and Boogie Nights.

The 1970s' had:

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
The Last Picture Show
Taxi Driver
A Clockwork Orange
Apocalypse Now
The Godfather
The Godfather Part II
Annie Hall
Chinatown
Superman The Movie
Jaws
Alien
Nashville
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
Carnal Knowledge
Dog Day Afternoon
Serpico
The Deer Hunter
Dirty Harry
Rocky
The French Connection
The Spy Who Loved Me
The Sting
M*A*S*H*
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Young Frankenstein
The Omen
The Exorcist
Grease
Halloween
Badlands
The Conversation
All The President's Men
Klute
Five Easy Pieces
Patton
Straw Dogs
Cabaret
Deliverance
Enter The Dragon
Last Tango In Paris
Mean Streets
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Barry Lyndon
Monty Python & The Holy Grail
Shampoo
The Goodbye Girl
Saturday Night Fever
Coming Home
Eraserhead
Midnight Express
Being There
Kramer Vs. Kramer
The Warriors

Some of the most groundbreaking, controversial, infleuential, highest grossing and critically acclaimed movies ever. I'm sure there's a ton of stuff I left out, but that gives you a pretty good idea of how great the decade was.

[reggiebar]

But the 90s also had Shawshank Redemption, Schindler's List, Pulp Fiction, Usual Suspects, Silence of the Lambs, Fight Club, American Beauty, the Matrix, Seven, the Professional, American History X, LA Confidential, Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, Saving Private Ryan, Sling Blade, Life is Beautiful, Forrest Gump, the Lion King, Braveheart, T2, the Sixth Sense, Unforgiven, the Green Mile, Toy Story 1/2, Magnolia, Heat, Goodfellas and Boogie Nights.

Far too many of those movies will not achieve the classic status that so many 70s movies have achieved.

Look at ANTHONYNASTI's list below and then try to honestly make a case that the 90s films stack up with the 70s. It can't be done.

Yes, the 90s was a very good decade for American cinema - especially when compared to the 80s since all of the great films of the 80s were mostly studio blockbusters. However, the 90s were like 70s-lite in that there was a resurgence of Independent thought and film in the 90s compared to the 80s, but the 70s were the decade that defined Independent thought in American cinema. Even the large studios in the 70s left the filmmakers alone to make the films exactly like the filmmakers envisioned.

There really is no debate - the 70s were the greatest decade of Ameican film ever - period. Done. End of discussion.

[The Chairman]

Far too many of those movies will not achieve the classic status that so many 70s movies have achieved.

Look at ANTHONYNASTI's list below and then try to honestly make a case that the 90s films stack up with the 70s. It can't be done.

Yes, the 90s was a very good decade for American cinema - especially when compared to the 80s since all of the great films of the 80s were mostly studio blockbusters.

Hey don't sell the 1980s' short. Raging Bull, The Shining and Once Upon A Time In America (the latter a severely underrated piece of cinema), to name a few, all came out in that decade, and it was also a time period where the "teen comedy" genre were actually realistic and intelligent and not the ass end of modern cinema as it is today.

Still, the 1970s' is best.

[Shuley]

the 1940's is best,the 70's had alot more modern day pop culture which is still popular today,but the 40's has some of the best movies to ever see the silver screen.

[sithgoblin]

80s for me. Indiana Jones, Empire Strikes Back, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters. But every decade has fantastic films

[Batman1939]

70's for sure.

[Bat Attack]

Far too many of those movies will not achieve the classic status that so many 70s movies have achieved.

Look at ANTHONYNASTI's list below and then try to honestly make a case that the 90s films stack up with the 70s. It can't be done.

Yes, the 90s was a very good decade for American cinema - especially when compared to the 80s since all of the great films of the 80s were mostly studio blockbusters. However, the 90s were like 70s-lite in that there was a resurgence of Independent thought and film in the 90s compared to the 80s, but the 70s were the decade that defined Independent thought in American cinema. Even the large studios in the 70s left the filmmakers alone to make the films exactly like the filmmakers envisioned.

There really is no debate - the 70s were the greatest decade of Ameican film ever - period. Done. End of discussion.
I respect your opinion but I am still going with the 90's.

[Shuley]

I respect your opinion but I am still going with the 90's.

Cause you don't know any better.

[The Chairman]

I respect your opinion but I am still going with the 90's.

Sorry, the 1990s' has nothing on the 1970s'. WorthyStevens4 listed all the good films of the 1990s', and there was a mere 30. I named nearly 60, and I don't think I even scratched the surface. Sorry, the 1990s' had some excellent film making, but it had just as much crap.