The 70s where an amazing decade, It was an amazing decade for film too. Most of all it was an amazing decade for horror flicks. With the emergence of Steven king and the newly spawned slasher films, that have dominated the scary genera for half a century, the 70s made great, timeless horror movies. What is really great about the films of the seventies, even the low budgets ones, is how well lighted, large-format 70 mm celluloid stands out. They hold up so well when we increase the tech and resolution of out 4k HD TVs of today. Add in the culture or lack of culture in the 70s you get films that are stunning to see and fun to watch or re-watch. Since all hallows eve is approaching, lets take a look at the Top 7 Horror Movies of the 70s.
Number 7: Carrie
Steven Kings Carrie, 1976. Directed by Brian De Palma. White, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom. Carrie is a horrifying look at supernatural powers, high school cruelty, and teen angst — and it brings us one of the most memorable and disturbing prom scenes in history.
6: Texas Chain Saw Massacre
1974, Directed by Tobe Hooper. Two siblings and three of their friends en route to visit their grandfather’s grave in Texas end up falling victim to a family of cannibalistic psychopaths. The inspirations for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre are surprisingly diverse, ranging from director and co-writer Tobe Hooper’s attempt to make a modern retelling of Hansel and Gretel to real-life Wisconsin murderer and corpse defiler Ed Gein. 4 decades later it is still, terrifying, exciting and a load of fun to watch.
5: The Wicker Man
Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summer isle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents’ frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow. This intelligent horror film is subtle in its thrills and chills, with an ending that is both shocking and truly memorable.
4: Dawn of the Dead
1978, American independent zombie horror film directed by George A. Romero. As hordes of zombies swarm over the U.S., the terrified populace tries everything in their power to escape the attack of the undead, but neither cities nor the countryside prove safe. One of the most compelling and entertaining zombie films ever, Dawn of the Dead perfectly blends pure horror and gore with social commentary on material society.
3. Halloween
1978. On a cold Halloween night in 1963, six year old Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-year-old sister, Judith. He was sentenced and locked away for 15 years. But on October 30, 1978, while being transferred for a court date, a 21-year-old Michael Myers steals a car and escapes Smith’s Grove. A man in a William Shatner mask and a knife, what could be more fun..
Number 2 on The Top 7 Horror Movies of the 70s … The Exorcist
1973. And still the scariest movie of all time. When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter. Fightful and magnificent performances all around. This is one for the history books of film. Horror, and religion. Be in the right frame of mind before watching… I still hesitate every time I go to watch it.
1.The Shining… Of Course
While Technically this was released in 1980, it was filmed, shot and set in the 70s so ill make this exception. Not only is this one of the best Steve King movies, Kubrick Movies, scary movies or just movie in general. It is an all-time classic and one of the most fun movies to watch and quote. Jack Nicholson is a master. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer’s block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. Though it deviates from Stephen King’s novel, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is a chilling, often baroque journey into madness — exemplified by an unforgettable turn from Jack Nicholson
The Final Thought
Top 7 Horror Movies of the 70s was a fun list to do. As time goes by your forget how a simple horror movie can play every emotion you have. That is what makes the genera so masterful and the best truly stand out. I hope you enjoyed perusing the Top 7 Horror Movies of the 70s as much as I did writing it. My local theater is playing the Shining on the silver screen Halloween night. I’ll be there, you should join.
