Regular reader and dear friend, SGB, presents our first
Wednesday “Reader Top Ten” greatest science fiction films of the 1970s.
SGB writes:
“The '70s is a decade of science-fiction films that are still
brilliant. Here is my list:
10. BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY (1979) was released theatrically in March 1979. This is still the best live-action version of Buck Rogers. I think this film [a.k.a. pilot movie episode "Awakening"] was superior to what changes ultimately happened during the production of season one and two. For this reason, I consider it a stand-alone film as was the 1980 Flash Gordon live-action film.
9. WESTWORLD
(1973) The Delos worlds were the ultimate
vacation. HBO is prepping a 2014 new series based on this film.
8. SUPERMAN:THE
MOVIE (1978) Because it made us believe a man could fly.
7. LOGAN'S RUN (1976) The premise of this dystopian utopia is fascinating.
6. ALIEN
(1979)
5. SILENT
RUNNING (1972)
4. ANDROMEDA
STRAIN (1971) "There is a wildfire..."
3. BENEATH
THE PLANET OF THE APES (1970) Like
Empire
Strikes Back was to the Star Wars original trilogy, this is
the impressive middle film of a perfect Apes trilogy with Planet
Of The Apes (1968) and Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971).
2. STAR
WARS (1977) "A long time ago in a galaxy, far, far
away". I can never forget this boyhood experience of the summer of '77.
1. STAR
TREK:THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) This film ended the decade with a wonderful
continuation of what had begun with the original series 1966-1969 and the
animated series 1973-1974. My '70s boyhood experience regarding Star
Trek was culminated on that premiere night of Friday December 7th,
1979.
The runner-ups are: ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES(1971), SOYLENT GREEN(1973), OMEGA MAN(1971), DAMNATION ALLEY(1977), LAST DINOSAUR(1977) and MOONRAKER(1979)[which showed us in '79 what the N.A.S.A. Space Shuttle Orbiter fleet would be like in '81].
SGB: You and I have
very similar tastes (we have six overlapping titles on our lists…), but I am
especially happy to see the high placement of Star Trek: The Motion Picture,
which is making a strong showing thus far on reader lists.
I also appreciate how
you contextualize Beneath the Planet of the Apes as a middle chapter, like The
Empire Strikes Back. Seeing the
film in that fashion helps to take the nasty edge off the down-beat (and
bloody, world-ending…) finale.
Readers: don’t forget to send me your lists at Muirbusiness@yahoo.com!
John, thanks for your thoughts on my list, especially regarding Beneath The Planet Of The Apes. I truly believe that the '70s science-fiction films are still relevant. I am sure that your Science Fiction & Fantasy Films Of The 1970s book proves that.
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