Leisure suits, roller disco, the first Earth Day, and Charlie's Angels are just some of the things emblematic of the very rocky decade of the '70s. While some films manage to transcend the era in which they were made, others completely reflect the decade of origin.
From the fashion, hairstyles, sets, street scenes, technology, and even the cars shown, some movies seem like just by watching them, the viewer is transported to the Me Decade. It could be said that these certain films are time capsules of the period shown, prompting nostalgia for those who lived through the time as well as a vicarious experience for those who wish they were around during the era.
Nashville (1975)
Nashville shows the country music scene of the '70s down to the music styles of country music of the time as well as the fashions and the business of the country music scene during the '70s. Further, Nashville's intersecting plot points contain some thinly-veiled composites of actual country music stars that were popular in the era.
Most notably, the character of Barabra Jean, an emotionally fragile megastar of Nashville is based on the one and only Loretta Lynn. Nashville tells the story of various people convening in, where else, Nashville, all culminating in a final shocking scene at Nashville's Parthenon.
Coffy (1973)
In this '70s trope-filled blaxploitation film, Coffy follows nurse Coffy who becomes a vigilante against drug figures when her little sister becomes addicted to heroin. Stylistically, Coffy screams '70s kitsch. Shag carpeting and furs adorn the sets, cementing the influence of the decade it was made. Likewise, the film's hairstyles, like feathered hair and afros are typical '70s. An important component of the '70s that was featured in Coffy is the uptick in addiction to hard drugs like heroin that was rampant during the '70s.
Gimme Shelter (1970)
Gimme Shelter is a perfect reflection of the turmoil and unrest that often resulted in the rise in violence during the turbulent '70s. This documentary chronicles the free concert put on by The Rolling Stones at Altamont. However, violence erupted at the concert leading to deaths in the audience. While technically the events in this film take place in 1969, the film is a time capsule for the '70s as it shows the shift in attitudes of youth culture from the '60s to the '70s. The '60s era of free love and peace changed dramatically to the selfishness of the Me Decade and the ongoing societal unrest that culminated in high rates of violence throughout the U.S.
The Warriors (1979)
The Warriors is a great example of film commenting on real-life topics in the way that The Warriors gives attention to New York City's serious crime problem in the '70s. New York City was going through a serious crime surge in the '70s, a far cry from the tourist-friendly reputation the city enjoys these days.
The Warriors uses New York's gritty landscape as an apt backdrop to the violence and gang activity shown in the film. In The Warriors, a turf war against the city's gangs is at an all-time high when a respected gang leader is murdered. Thinking the Warriors gang is responsible for the murder, the gangs target the Warriors to get revenge. As result, the Warriors must traverse the city to their home turf.
Thank God It's Friday (1978)
Disco queen Donna Summer lent her talents to Thank God It's Friday by acting in the film as well as providing the song "Last Dance", which was later nominated for multiple awards. Thank God It's Friday follows the intersecting stories of people taking place over a Friday night where everyone convenes at an LA disco called The Zoo. Showing the LA disco scene, it's fun to see the Sunset Strip in all its sleazy '70s glory. As the movie shows popular music acts of the 70s like The Commodores and of course Donna Summer, the film immerses the viewer in California disco culture that was all the rage in the '70s.
Rock N Roll High School (1979)
Punk rock heroes The Ramones star in this great rock n roll jukebox movie musical. Rock N Roll High School is about rebel Riff Randle who enlists the help of The Ramones to battle it out with the strict, uptight new principal. Since the film features the CBGB dwelling Ramones who became punk rock stars in the late '70s, the film exudes the anti-establishment, hard-edged ethos of the punk moment. Leather pants and satin bomber jackets, sartorial staples of '70s rock devotees, adorn the rocker chicks of the movie especially main character Riff.
Roller Boogie (1979)
Roller Boogie is about neglected Beverly Hills teen Terry and her quest to save the roller rink with her Venice Beach dwelling roller skating champ boyfriend and his friends. Roller Boogie is not an objectively good movie, of course. But, it is a highly enjoyable window into a fun and more innocent time and place as the film lacks the cynicism and ironic detachment that is found in many other youth films. Rather, Roller Boogie is a sincere, albeit silly, movie whose M.O is simply for the viewer to experience fun and enjoyment. Plus, the film features a theme song from the legendary Cher. The fashions are "out of sight" with many spandex, lycra, and polyester outfits upended with suspenders, platforms, perms, and leotards galore. The film shows Los Angeles in the '70s, both the Beverly Hills area and Venice beach, communicating the sunkissed, beach bum attitude and vibe of the era.
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Encapsulating the disco scene of New York City during the late '70s, Saturday Night Fever is an unforgettable look at an iconic '70s fad. Following Brooklynite Tony, Saturday Night Fever is about Tony's escape from his bleak future prospects and dysfunctional family by spending his nights in the disco. John Travolta's performance as Tony should be distinguished as one of the best dramatic performances of the '70s. Saturday Night Fever is like a time capsule of the late '70s with the polyester suits, disco balls, and of course the iconic dancing to disco hits. Perhaps deeper, the film also comments on the stifling blue-collar environment that the main character Tony wants desperately out of and sees dance as his ticket to a better life.
Over the Edge (1979)
Capturing the malaise of adolescents in the 70s, Over the Edge is about a group of restless teens who act out in response to the boredom they experience in their small Colorado town. However, when one of the group's own gets caught up with the police, the town's youth riots. Art imitated life as the film's plot was taken from actual high rates of juvenile crime in planned communities during the '70s, just like the one portrayed in Over the Edge. Nirvana fans may find this fun fact interesting; Kurt Cobain took inspiration from this movie for the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video, especially Over the Edge's riot scene.