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Chewers' 100 Scariest Films of the 70's - Page 3

post #101 of 147
9/25/11 at 10:11am

77. The Manitou (Girdler, 1978)

 

The best evil Native American mole movie EVER made!

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post #102 of 147
9/25/11 at 10:41am

78. Coma

coma2-2.jpg

dir. Michael Crichton, 1978

 

This adaptation of Robin Cook's Cronenberg-ian medical-horror novel continued the trend of creepy "omnipresent, institutional evil under the surface" films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers & The Stepford Wives & provided us with one of the most iconic horror images of the 1970s.


Edited by Art Decade - 9/26/11 at 1:04am
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post #103 of 147
9/25/11 at 4:39pm
Thread Starter 

Nice pick, Art. I'd totally forgotten that movie. Very unnerving flick.

 

 

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post #104 of 147
9/25/11 at 5:35pm

79.  The Dark.  1979  d. John Cardos.

TheDark.jpg

 

'79 apparently was a year that struck a nerve with me scary movie-wise. 

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post #105 of 147
9/25/11 at 6:16pm

80.

ctfp.jpg

dir. Joseph Sargent, 1970

 

"In time, you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love"

 

A chilling re-imagining of the Frankenstein myth, drenched in nuclear paranoia & told in unblinking, slow-drip sci-fi/horror fashion.

 

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post #106 of 147
9/25/11 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 

81. The Psychic  aka Seven Notes In Black (1977) d. Lucio Fulci

 

One of my favorite giallos, it's a more restrained Fulci, but I just love the mood of it and the twists and turns.

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post #107 of 147
9/25/11 at 6:43pm

82. O Lucky Man!

 

I wouldn't have mentioned this film if it was strictly a horror thread. It's not a horror movie, actually it probably defies classification. It's funny, very strange, and it has a lot to say. And occasionally it delves into a nightmarish surreality you wouldn't think was possible in the pre-Eraserhead world.

 

 

 

o+lucky+man+2.jpg

 

 

 

I'm not going to describe what Malcolm McDowell is looking at there. Trust me, it's disturbing shit. Don't spoil it for yourself by reading articles or looking up scenes on youtube, leave that stuff for after.

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post #108 of 147
9/25/11 at 6:54pm
Thread Starter 

83. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) d. Milos Forman

 

Nurse Ratched is one of the greatest monsters of 70's cinema. Mental illness is such a scary thing, and to be helpless and left in the care of someone so cold is truly frightening.

 

The scene where she destroys Billy by threatening to tell his mother about what should have been the happiest night of his life, is crushing. And of course, the fate of McMurphy is chilling.

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post #109 of 147
9/25/11 at 7:55pm

Ya know, after watching Cuckoo's Nest recently I was struck how overblown the common "Nurse Ratched is evil" thinking seems to be. Cold? Sure, but I think she's incredibly fragile & her stark rigidity is actually the defense mechanism of a woman who holds the thankless responsibility of providing daily stability to an entire ward of individuals with various mental diseases. Remember, the film takes place at a time when drugs that actually treated the brain's illnesses rather than the symptoms simply didn't exist. There was only a) Narcotic tranquilizers, b) Electro-shock therapy, c) Lobotomy, & d) A stable, carefully controlled environment where people could neither harm themselves or others. Option D was the closest thing to a panacea that existed.

 

McMurphy wants to change the channel? Fuck HIM. Those 5 underpaid state mental health workers are doing everything they can to keep those few dozen patients from becoming agitated. Why? Because that's the best weapon against mental illness they have.

"But what about Billy at the end? Ratched killed him!"

No. What we see is a lonely, miserable woman who'd spent years doing the best she humanly could to provide a safe, stable environment crumble & lash out at the nearest, weakest target after surveying the wreckage of her ward & realizing that these people don't give a SHIT about her or her daily, excruciating efforts. She's not malicious by nature, she's achingly human & gave way to a singular moment of malice when beaten down.

I'm all for the film being a martyr-centric metaphor but let's have some informed perspective on Ratched & her role here: In Cuckoo's Nest, Nurse Ratched is the "antagonist", not the "Anti-Christ".

 

I guess my point is that I don't believe the film belongs on this list, particularly if Nurse Ratched is the reason it was chosen. But of course, historically speaking, I'm sure that I'm in the vast minority with this opinion. It's just that this "Nurse Ratched is EVIL!" thing bugs the living hell outta me.


Edited by Art Decade - 9/25/11 at 8:40pm
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post #110 of 147
9/25/11 at 8:14pm

84. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

 

It features some body horror creepy midgets and this:

 

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post #111 of 147
9/25/11 at 8:17pm
Thread Starter 

Interesting perspective, Art. Sometimes evil is done with the best of intentions.  I guess I have a harsher view of her actions to Billy than you do. She may have done her best in the past to "to provide a safe, stable environment  ", but at that moment she was ruled by ego, and completely destroyed a human being.

 

I'll let the others in this thread make the judgement call, as its been a while since I've seen it, but I think the dueling arcs of Ratched and McMurphy earn it a spot.

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post #112 of 147
9/25/11 at 8:31pm

I agree with you with regard to that specific moment with Billy when she surrenders to ego & malice. It's horrible, evil, & tragic for both characters. I just disagree with the popular thinking that she's evil defined or a monster, that's all.

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post #113 of 147
9/25/11 at 9:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MokATal View Post

79.  The Dark.  1979  d. John Cardos.

TheDark.jpg

 

'79 apparently was a year that struck a nerve with me scary movie-wise. 



I was under the impression this was basically schlock along the lines of LASERBLAST or THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN. Am I wrong, or are you nominating it more out of nostalgia? (don't mean that as a challenge, just curious)

 

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post #114 of 147
9/26/11 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 

I watched THE DARK last night. Schlock-y, indeed. And not in the fun way, despite having an alien creature that can shoot lasers out of its eyes.

 

Evidently it was originally supposed to be a Zombie movie, but after poor test screenings they tried to repackage it as sci-fi, removing almost all of the zombie footage, freeze-framing during the attacks, and adding the laser blasts.

 

It does have a weird performance from William Devane. When we first meet him he's constantly coughing and gagging over the death of his daughter, he's an eccentric writer, but still his reactions are odd and overdone. However, never fear, soon thanks to the script he morphs into the kind of stud who bangs the hot local news reporter <Oh, Cathy Lee Crosby!> A big step down from ROLLING THUNDER.

 

According to IMDB trivia: Director John 'Bud' Cardos replaced Tobe Hooper. Man, Hooper really has had an up and down career.

 

I did like that Richard Jaeckel got a starring role. And I cracked up wnen Casey Kasem showed up as a Police pathologist!

 

 

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post #115 of 147
9/26/11 at 11:11am
Thread Starter 

85. Blue Sunshine (1978) d. Jeff Lieberman

 

Every good Horror geek knows how great Lieberman is, but in general he remains sadly underrated. This is arguably his best, definitely most bizarre, film. Very trippy, moody, and suspenseful.

 

IMDB synopsis: At a party, someone goes insane and murders three women.  Falsely accused of the brutal killings, Jerry Zipkin  is on the run. More bizarre killings continue with alarming frequency all over town. Trying to clear his name, Jerry discovers the shocking truth...people are losing their hair and turning into violent psychopaths and the connection may be some LSD all the murderers took a decade before.

 

A true cult classic.

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post #116 of 147
9/26/11 at 11:42am

86.  Tourist Trap (1979)   (dir. David Schmoeller)

 

Ever been creeped out by department store mannequins?   Hate their uncanny valley look?  Have I got the movie for you!

 

This low-budget creepshow involves the usual gang of young victims having the misfortune of breaking down in a deserted stretch of the highway near the sinister wax museum run by the "kindly" Chuck Connors.   Connors is delightfully hammy and genuinely creepy at the same time and the film makes great use of shadows and atmosphere.  Then there are those seriously creepy mannequins that infest the whole movie.  Enjoy!

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post #117 of 147
9/26/11 at 12:25pm

87. The Beast in the Cellar  (1970)  (dir. James Kelley)

 

This movie is kinda dumb now but when I was a kid the theater ad in the daily paper had a picture of the beast that scared the hell out of me before I even went to the drive-inn. The movie was ok but the image of british soldiers getting torn apart in the movie was bad for my dreams. The end was disappointing.

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post #118 of 147
9/26/11 at 1:04pm

88.

the-china-syndrome-original.jpg

dir. James Bridges, 1979

 

When viewing The Exorcist or Halloween, one could be fairly certain of the vast unlikelihood that their teenage daughter might be possessed by Satan or stalked by a killer wearing a rubber William Shatner mask. But in 1979, 12 days after it's release, the harrowing nuclear accident portrayed in The China Syndrome occurred in real life when a core at the Three-Mile Island nuclear facility melted down, scaring an entire country shitless. Screenwriter of Colossus: The Forbin Project & future director of Urban Cowboy James Bridges' film remains a sobering, era-defining warning of a quiet, ubiquitous threat that touches us all.

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post #119 of 147
9/26/11 at 1:42pm

89. Alucarda (aka Sisters of Satan) - 1978

Director:Juan López Moctezuma

 

From IMDb:

 

Quote:
A young girl's arrival at a convent after the death of her parents marks the beginning of a series of events that unleash an evil presence on the girl and her mysterious new friend, an enigmatic figure known as Alucarda. Demonic possession, Satan worship, and vampirism follows. Written by acidxian  

 

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post #120 of 147
9/26/11 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 

90. The Amityville Horror (1979)

 

I've always been fascinated by this movie, as a kid wanting to believe it was true. It's definitely a product of its time, the malaise of the late 70's; a time of economic hardship not seen since the Depression. A reality, that with everything tied up in a new home, even when supernatural events start occuring, the decision to "For God's sake, get out!" is not an easy financial reality. I love Jame Brolin's much malighned performance, as he's completely torn apart by all these forces out of his control (worldly and other worldly). We see him completely posessed by demons, both personal and ghostly, until as everything unravels, there's no option left but to flee.

 

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post #121 of 147
9/26/11 at 4:17pm

91. The Tenant (1976)

 

One of my favorite Polanski movies...surprised it wasn't here yet (unless I accidentally skipped over a post).

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post #122 of 147
9/26/11 at 4:49pm

92. Harlan County U.S.A. (dir. Barbara Kopple, 1976)

 

No film of the 1970s epitomizes economic fear more. And it's another thing entirely when the film crew could have easily been killed.

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post #123 of 147
9/26/11 at 4:55pm

GREAT call on Harlan County USA. That is one genuinely troubling viewing experience.

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post #124 of 147
9/26/11 at 5:05pm

The "In Search Of . . ." episode of The Amityville Horror is scarier than the actual movie.  

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post #125 of 147
9/26/11 at 8:07pm

93. Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) d. Werner Herzog

 

Creepy music, unsettling imagery, and the mere presence of Klaus Kinski as a fucking vampire earn this one a place on any "scariest" list.

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post #126 of 147
9/26/11 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister Falcon View Post

93. Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) d. Werner Herzog

 

Creepy music, unsettling imagery, and the mere presence of Klaus Kinski as a fucking vampire earn this one a place on any "scariest" list.



One of the great remakes. Very underrated.

 

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post #127 of 147
9/26/11 at 9:42pm

On the documentary angle...

 

94. Gimme Shelter (Maysles, 1970)

 

A frightening document of the cynicism and madness that effectively killed the 60's and brought about hell in the 70's. No talking heads, no intrusive direction...the events just happen as they do, and when they do, it's a sociologist's nightmare.

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post #128 of 147
9/26/11 at 9:44pm

95. Rituals

 

rituals_usposter.jpg

 

 

If there's a sweeter movie logline than "camping/hunting trip turns into a nightmare", I'm not aware of it. Rituals is an excellent example of the post Deliverance backwoods thriller. Low budget but made with pride, it's one of those rare exploitation movies that actually has real substance to it- it's both a survival horror and a meditation on ethics and conscience. As ordeals go, it's just as harrowing as the Boorman and certainly more horrific. The acting is very strong, you totally buy them as a bunch of guys who have known each other a long time, stuck in this unforgiving wilderness. The always awesome Hal Holbrook is the only real name, he brings a great understated, tortured gravitas to his role. His refusing to leave a friend behind, even though the wounded man is slowing them down and putting them in danger, is powerful stuff ("the son of a bitch can kill me, but I'll be goddamned if I let him degrade me"). The killer in this one is a classic case of rarely seen yet presence ALWAYS felt, and is responsible for some excellent shocks. There's even some sympathy there too. I recommend getting the Code Red DVD, which is the best treatment this forgotten gem is ever going to get.

 

Triple bill idea: this one, then Just Before Dawn, then Southern Comfort

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post #129 of 147
9/26/11 at 9:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fat Elvis View Post


 

According to IMDB trivia: Director John 'Bud' Cardos replaced Tobe Hooper. Man, Hooper really has had an up and down career.

 

 


 

see also Venom, where Piers Haggard replaced Hooper.

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post #130 of 147
9/26/11 at 10:19pm

96.

220px-Play_misty_for_me.jpg

dir. Clint Eastwood, 1971

 

The Man With No Name makes his feature directorial debut with this thriller about a radio DJ who has a fling with — and then is stalked by — an obsessed female fan (played by future Bluth matriarch, Jessica Walter). This was the movie that warned men across the country in the early 70s that sometimes "bitches be crazy - watch your back".

 

This is Looking For Mr. Goodbar "For Men".


Edited by Art Decade - 9/27/11 at 11:14am
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post #131 of 147
9/27/11 at 8:34am

SHIT! That's another one I considered but never even thought of to throw in. The original Fatal Attraction, only it's Eastwood being terrorized by fucking Lucille Bluth!

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post #132 of 147
9/27/11 at 1:49pm

97. Deathdream a.k.a. Dead of Night

 

 

deathdream.jpg

 

 

Thing about Bob Clark was, his career was full of comedies, but he was crap at comedy. I mean, A Christmas Story is a charming movie, but it has never once made me laugh. He was SO much better at the horror stuff that he made just to get his "foot in the door". Had such a great instinct for the genre, a great eye for eerie things and frightening things. The amazing Black Christmas has already been mentioned. Another example would be Deathdream, his bleak, chilling variation on the classic WW Jacobs story "The Monkey's Paw". A soldier is shot and killed in Vietnam, but his mother prays desperately for him to return, and her prayers are answered. Unfortunately, he comes back from war changed. Literally, changed. Richard Backus is excellent as the walking, talking, blood craving PTSD metaphor. Vietnam and 1970s horror movies are inextricably linked of course, but few tackled the subject in such a powerful and direct way. A fucked up movie for fucked up times.

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post #133 of 147
9/27/11 at 10:48pm

98. Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971) d. Amando de Ossorio

 

Spanish "zombie" horror about a nasty group of Templar Knights who were executed in the 13th century brought back to life in modern times. Let the killing begin! The "blind dead" are creepy as hell as they move slowly, but relentlessly toward their prey to feast on the flesh of the living.

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post #134 of 147
9/28/11 at 7:08am

99. From Beyond the grave (1974). Tales from the Crypt is better, but this is my second favorite Amicus anthology.

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post #135 of 147
9/28/11 at 8:32am
[drumroll]

And finally...
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post #136 of 147
9/28/11 at 9:47am
Ah, fuck it:

100.
369
dir. Peter Weir, 1975

Based on a true event & released 35 years before Lars Von Trier retread the same "the natural world is monstrous" theme with Antichrist, Weir's film is still considered to be one of the best psychological horror films ever made.
Edited by Art Decade - 9/28/11 at 10:03am
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post #137 of 147
9/28/11 at 3:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister Falcon View Post

98. Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971) d. Amando de Ossorio

 

Spanish "zombie" horror about a nasty group of Templar Knights who were executed in the 13th century brought back to life in modern times. Let the killing begin! The "blind dead" are creepy as hell as they move slowly, but relentlessly toward their prey to feast on the flesh of the living.


I'm so happy this movie slipped in.  I've been real busy and meaning to add it to this amazing list.  Great pacing, atmosphere and iconic zombies.

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post #138 of 147
9/28/11 at 4:44pm
Really nice list. I'm glad the last pick made it in here.

Some I considered but didn't pull the trigger on were Jaws 2 (say what you will, the shark attacks are well staged), Mad Max, and Westworld.
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post #139 of 147
9/28/11 at 4:54pm
Yeah, Westworld was another one I'd briefly considered adding. If you watch it during the day, it's a borderline cheesy classic sc-fi adventure. But if you watch it around 2am, it plays like a high budget Hammer horror film. Such a great film.
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post #140 of 147
9/28/11 at 7:44pm

Good call on Westworld and another one that didn't make it: Patrick.

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post #141 of 147
9/28/11 at 7:48pm
Thread Starter 

 

 

PATRICK is a huge oversight by everybody.

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post #142 of 147
9/28/11 at 8:24pm

Some more examples of 70s movies that could have gone, but which are probably more appropriate for a "scariest films of the 1970s numbers 101-200" thread:

 

What Have You Done to Solange?

When a Stranger Calls

The Legend of Hell House

The Creeping Flesh

The Possession of Joel Delaney

Eyes of Laura Mars

The Baby

 

 

A bunch more TV movies too, including one that I like a lot called A Cold Night's Death (if picked, I would have probably mentioned something about how one or two scenes in the trailer for that recent Planet of the Apes movie made me think of it)

 

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post #143 of 147
9/28/11 at 8:27pm

You know, I'd like to vote to replace #84: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with What have you Done to Solange.  Any takers?

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post #144 of 147
9/29/11 at 10:45am
The lack of Shivers in the list is the most surprising to me. I haven't seen it, but its reputation is strong.
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post #145 of 147
9/29/11 at 10:54am
I've never seen Cronenberg's Rabid, but is there a reason that wasn't chosen?
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post #146 of 147
9/29/11 at 1:00pm

I considered both, love both, just don't find them that scary.

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post #147 of 147
9/30/11 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Art Decade View Post

96. Play Misty for Me

 

 

The Man With No Name makes his feature directorial debut with this thriller about a radio DJ who has a fling with — and then is stalked by — an obsessed female fan (played by future Bluth matriarch, Jessica Walter). This was the movie that warned men across the country in the early 70s that sometimes "bitches be crazy - watch your back".

 

This is Looking For Mr. Goodbar "For Men".


Speaking of movies with Clint and "crazy bitches", "The Beguiled" is another good one.  Maybe less of a horror movie, and more of a psychological thriller but buckets of creepy atmosphere.

 

 

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