The 1970s were an innovative decade for the thriller genre, giving us some of the most iconic films to date. This era broke free from the predictable storytelling of the past, revolutionizing the experience for viewers. Titles like Psycho and Rosemary’s Baby were still fresh in the minds of audiences, yet directors like Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma, and Ridley Scott were starting to push boundaries with new ideas and film techniques.
Most people think of classic thrillers from the 1970s, they think of Marathon Man, Deliverance, The Conversation, Taxi Driver, and the paranoid post-Watergate conspiracy thrillers. However, there are a few underrated gems that deserve to be acknowledged. Here are some of the most exciting but underrated thrillers from the decade that have sadly remained underrated.
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10 The Deep
Columbia Pictures
A tale of treasure, murder, and intrigue, The Deep is an underrated classic starring Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset. This gripping suspense tale follows two divers who come across a sunken ship with a cargo of drugs, jewels, and money. Unfortunately, the vacationing couple doesn’t know that their find has put them in the cross-hairs of a ruthless criminal gang. What follows is a thrilling adventure with incredible performances, particularly by Nolte as the determined scavenger-turned-hero.
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MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
The cinematography and underwater scenes are some of the most remarkable from the time, creating a riveting atmosphere to keep viewers on edge. The supporting roles from Robert Shaw and Louis Gossett Jr. only add to the intensity of this underrated classic, though it’s Bisset who shines as the complex and brave heroine. If you’re in the mood for a thrilling, suspenseful movie that will keep you guessing throughout, The Deep is sure to deliver.
9 The Laughing Policeman
20th Century Fox
A neo-noir classic, The Laughing Policeman stars Walter Matthau as Jake Martin, a detective investigating a city bus hijacking that left the entire passenger list dead. While the case is seemingly straightforward, it’s apparent that there’s more to this tragedy than meets the eye. Martin’s partner, Dave Evans, was one of the casualties, leaving the detective determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. Why was Dave on that bus, and is he somehow linked to the murders?
The Laughing Policeman puts a unique spin on the classic noir formula, offering an intense ride with some unexpected twists and turns. Despite a few slower moments, Matthau’s performance is strong enough to keep viewers engaged and invested in the mystery. The plot has depth, which is often missing from other crime thrillers of the era, making The Laughing Policeman an underrated gem worth revisiting.
8 Eyes of Laura Mars
A psychological thriller, Eyes of Laura Mars stars Faye Dunaway as Laura, a fashion photographer who starts to have disturbing visions of murder scenes. Laura believes these visions are connected to a serial killer stalking the city, so she tries to find out who he is before there is another victim. Tommy Lee Jones and Brad Dourif co-star in this gripping tale, giving excellent performances as a detective who is trying to solve the case and a stranger with a malicious agenda.
The film has a great focus on atmosphere, using the dark and gritty streets of New York to its advantage. The screenplay was written by horror icon John Carpenter, though it lacks the big scares that are usually associated with his work. It does, however, include intricate plot twists and a soundtrack filled with eerie pieces that only add to this movie’s unique brand of suspense. Eyes of Laura Mars is a thrilling, stylish film that deserves to be praised more for its brilliant characters and story.
7 Remember My Name
A forgotten neo-noir, Remember My Name stars Geraldine Chaplin as Emily, a woman recently released from prison who is on a journey to start a new life. That plan quickly falls apart when she starts stalking a young couple, played by Anthony Perkins and his real wife Berry Berenson, in her debut performance. There is clearly more to Emily than meets the eye, and as her obsession with the couple grows, we slowly uncover the shocking truth about her past.
Remember My Name is a hidden gem that brilliantly takes the classic revenge plot and twists it in unexpected directions. Chaplin is unforgettable as the intense, unstable Emily, delivering a powerhouse performance that is far ahead of its time. The film offers a sharp and clever script, coupled with some truly suspenseful moments. If you’re a fan of movies like The Postman Always Rings Twice and Dressed to Kill, this is definitely one you should check out.
6 Sudden Fury
Ambassador Film Distributors
Sudden Fury is a gripping thriller about a husband, Fred (Dominic Hogan), who schemes to murder his wife in an attempt to get her inheritance. He leaves his wife Janet, played by Gay Rowan, stranded after a car crash deep in the Ontario woods, believing that she has perished. However, Janet miraculously survives and manages to get back to civilization with the help of a mysterious stranger. This leaves Fred scrambling to cover his tracks, pushing him to greater heights of desperation and tension.
This Canadian-made film features great performances, particularly from Rowan, who does an excellent job with her character’s transformation from victim to focused avenger. What truly shines with Sudden Fury is the unpredictable plot and effective use of suspense. Some thrillers lack the complexity and originality of this film, so it’s a shame that it has been largely forgotten.
5 Images
Robert Altman’s film Images is a thriller that combines elements of horror, suspense, and psychological drama with a cold, almost experimental atmosphere. Susannah York stars as Cathryn, a woman who is starting to doubt her sanity when she begins to see terrifying hallucinations that bend reality in disturbing ways. It causes her to question everything she knows and even turn against those closest to her. A downward spiral of murder, manipulation, and deceit follows as Cathryn searches for the truth.
Images is an unsettling film that blends genres in interesting ways. Altman uses elements of the supernatural to explore psychological issues and develops a complex portrait of a woman’s battle with her own insanity. It certainly wasn’t the director’s most popular work, but it remains an impressive, underrated watch for fans of psychological thrillers.
4 Night Moves
Warner Bros.
Gene Hackman stars in this 1975 thriller as Harry Moseby, a private detective investigating the case of a runaway teenager. Her mother, a former Hollywood star, has hired Moseby to bring her back home, but his investigation soon spirals into a web of deceit and danger. The case is not as simple as it seems, and Moseby must navigate his way through a treacherous landscape of betrayal, violence, and mystery.
Night Moves is a great flashback to the classic noir thrillers but with the bleak paranoia of the ’70s. Hackman is terrific in the role of Moseby, a character who embodies the classic antihero archetype. As his investigation draws him deeper into trouble, we find ourselves along for the ride as he unravels a complex and sinister plot. The score is also memorable, adding an extra layer of suspenseful tension. If you’re a fan of classic neo-noir thrillers, this is one to add to your watch list.
3 Cut-Throats Nine
United International Pictures
This 1972 Spanish western thriller, directed by Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent, follows the journey of convicts who are being transported to prison in a stagecoach. When the group is attacked by a band of outlaws, only the Sergeant, his daughter, and several of the prisoners manage to survive. Now stranded in the middle of the mountains, the Sergeant must fight back against their attackers and find a way to get the dangerous convicts to the prison. It’s a tale of human survival, clashing personalities, and extreme action.
This film has been largely forgotten since its initial release, but it’s a classic that fans of Spaghetti westerns should definitely check out. Cut-Throats Nine is one of the gorier and more violent entries in the genre, but it is also one of the most intense. You can’t help but be impressed with the spectacular action sequences, as well as the tension-filled atmosphere created by the excellent score. It’s a great example of the western genre done right.
2 The Bird with the Crystal Plumage
Titanus
The Bird with Crystal Plumage is a classic Giallo thriller by director Dario Argento. It follows the story of an American writer living in Italy who witnesses a brutal attack on a young woman in an art gallery and must track down the attacker before it’s too late. As he digs deeper into the case, it becomes clear that the attack is connected to a string of unsolved murders, and the killer is now targeting him.
This is one of Argento’s earliest films, and it set the standard for Giallo thrillers to come. From iconic visuals and a thrilling plot, The Bird With the Crystal Plumage is a must-see for fans of Argento and the genre. Its unique combination of mystery, suspense, and horror makes it a memorable watch. Its influence on later films cannot be overstated, as many of the conventions and tropes seen in this film are still used today.
1 The Day of the Jackal
Universal Pictures
Fred Zinnemann’s 1973 thriller The Day of the Jackal stars Edward Fox as an assassin hired to kill French president Charles de Gaulle. As a cat-and-mouse game of pursuit ensues, the Jackal must evade capture from both French and British forces as he gets closer to completing his mission. Based on Frederick Forsyth’s lengthy novel, the story is gripping and dives into important themes of justice and betrayal.
The Day of the Jackal was a critical and commercial success, and it remains one of the best political thrillers of all time. Fox’s performance as the Jackal is chilling, and he brings to life Forsyth’s complex character with ease. One downfall is the film’s length, clocking in at nearly two and a half hours. However, this allows for a lot of development and character moments that truly bring the film alive. If you’re looking for an exciting and suspenseful thriller that perfectly captures the essence of espionage, The Day of the Jackal is an absolute must-watch.
