This list is a result of recently reading author David Gordon’s article on Crime Reads. Like David, I grew up and lived in New York during its grittiest down and dirty days. It’s a bit ironic that during New York’s ugliest days some of the best films set in the city were made during that time. I was already a movie freak, and while I liked a wide variety of movies I found myself attracted to crime films at a very young age. Two of the earliest I remember seeing on the big screen were Al Capone and Baby Face Nelson. While most parents took their under ten years of age kids to only Disney films, my folks took me to more adult movies too including gangster films.
Without further ado, here are my favorite crimes films from the 1970’s.
The Panic in Needle Park (1971)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Taxi Driver (1976)
Klute (1971)
Shaft (1971)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (!974)
The French Connection (1971)
Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)
Death Wish (1974)
John Greco Author/Photographer 
wonderful post, John. I’m trying to think of another NYC grit film of that era…As I was reading I was thinking, Across 110th Street, but you got that one…Super Fly. Yeah, Super Fly is my addition to your list. Ha!
LikeLike
Pam, I keep heraring about Super Fly, but I’ve never seen it. Hopefully, TCM or someone will put it on.
LikeLike
Great list of noteworthy films that distinctly show the period, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post and great list of 70’s films that were set in New York. No doubt, they are all undisputed classics. Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks John! I’ll be stopping your place soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great list – Dog Day Afternoon has one of the best opening credit montages of NYC ever (second maybe to Woody Allen’s far more romantic Manhattan opening).
LikeLiked by 1 person
What I meant to say is that you could see, hear, smell and feel the grit in that opening – and it was so vibrant and alive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Completely agree Dave! I am having an itch to watch this film again.
LikeLike