These bonafide classics remain as captivating as they were upon release nearly half a century later.

From gritty urban dramas like Taxi Driver to groundbreaking sci-fi such as A New Hope, these are some of the most influential 1970s films.

“The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema,” by Paul Fischer. Publisher: Celadon. 480 pages. $32. In the 1970s, as the Hollywood studio ...

As the 1970s began, Hollywood was in a downturned state. With the burden of financial depression looming, the type of movies released began to change. Producers took more risks, and new directors like ...