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Best History Movies of the 1970s

History films released 1970–1979, ranked by TMDB rating among titles with at least 500 votes.

1. 
   #1 Barry Lyndon (1975) · ★ 8.0 · 3,284 votes · 3h 8m · romance, drama, history

   An Irish rogue uses his cunning and wit to work his way up the social classes of 18th century England, transforming himself from the humble Redmond Barry into the noble Barry Lyndo…

2. 
   #2 1900 (1976) · ★ 7.8 · 700 votes · 5h 17m · drama, history

   The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.…

3. 
   #3 All the President's Men (1976) · ★ 7.7 · 2,160 votes · 2h 18m · thriller, drama, history

   During the 1972 elections, two reporters' investigation sheds light on the controversial Watergate scandal that compels President Nixon to resign from his post.…

4. 
   #4 Serpico (1973) · ★ 7.5 · 2,288 votes · 2h 9m · drama, history, crime

   New York cop Frank Serpico blows the whistle on the rampant corruption in the force only to have his comrades turn against him.…

5. 
   #5 Love and Death (1975) · ★ 7.5 · 988 votes · 1h 25m · comedy, history, war

   In czarist Russia, a neurotic soldier and his distant cousin formulate a plot to assassinate Napoleon.…

6. 
   #6 Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) · ★ 7.4 · 1,295 votes · 1h 35m · action, adventure, drama

   A few decades after the destruction of the Inca Empire, a Spanish expedition led by the infamous Aguirre leaves the mountains of Peru and goes down the Amazon River in search of th…

7. 
   #7 Patton (1970) · ★ 7.4 · 1,260 votes · 2h 52m · drama, history, war

   "Patton" tells the tale of General George S. Patton, famous tank commander of World War II. The film begins with Patton's career in North Africa and progresses through the invasion…

8. 
   #8 Delusions of Grandeur (1971) · ★ 7.4 · 755 votes · 1h 48m · comedy, history

   Don Sallust is the minister of the King of Spain. Being disingenuous, hypocritical, greedy and collecting the taxes for himself, he is hated by the people he oppresses. Accused by…

9. 
   #9 A Bridge Too Far (1977) · ★ 7.2 · 983 votes · 2h 55m · drama, history, war

   The story of Operation Market Garden—a failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over th…

10. 
    #10 Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) · ★ 7.2 · 623 votes · 2h 24m · drama, history, war

    In the summer of 1941, the United States and Japan seem on the brink of war after constant embargos and failed diplomacy come to no end. "Tora! Tora! Tora!", named after the code w…

11. 
    #11 Death in Venice (1971) · ★ 7.2 · 557 votes · 2h 11m · romance, drama, history

    Composer Gustav von Aschenbach travels to Venice for health reasons. There, he becomes obsessed with the stunning beauty of an adolescent Polish boy named Tadzio who is staying wit…

12. 
    #12 Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) · ★ 7.1 · 630 votes · 1h 48m · drama, history, music

    As played out by a theatre troupe, the last days of Jesus Christ are depicted from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, his betrayer. As Jesus' following increases, Judas begins to w…

13. 
    #13 Cross of Iron (1977) · ★ 7.1 · 505 votes · 2h 13m · action, drama, history

    It is 1943, and the German army—ravaged and demoralised—is hastily retreating from the Russian front. In the midst of the madness, conflict brews between the aristocratic yet ultim…

14. 
    #14 The Tin Drum (1979) · ★ 7.0 · 562 votes · 2h 42m · drama, history, war

    In 1924, Oskar Matzerath is born in the Free City of Danzig. At age three, he falls down a flight of stairs and stops growing. In 1939, World War II breaks out.…

15. 
    #15 Caligula (1979) · ★ 6.0 · 994 votes · 2h 36m · drama, history

    After the death of the paranoid emperor Tiberius, Caligula, his heir, seizes power and plunges the empire into a bloody spiral of madness and depravity.…

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