Since the early days of cinema,mysterieshave been a highly sought-after film genre which was initially popularized by the works of notable names in theliterary world, includingAgatha Christie,Raymond Chandler, andSir Arthur Conan Doyle. Whether it’s a classic whodunit or a tedious game of cat and mouse,it’s hard to find any film fanatic today who doesn’t enjoy a good mysteryoccasionally.
Over the years, there has been an abundance of excellent mystery movies, but when it comes to the1970s, titles such asAll the President’s Men,The Conversation, andMurder on the Orient Express, reign as some of the decade’s all-time best. From the mystery comedy,Murder by Death, to the Oscar-winning classic neo-noir,Chinatown, these are the ten best mystery movies from the 1970s, ranked.
10’Murder by Death' (1976)
Directed by Robert Moore
When five famous private detectives are invited to the home of Lionel Twain (Truman Capote),their host explains that he is planning an unsolvable mysteryand, whoever can solve it and identify the so-called killer, will receive one million dollars. Before the game of whodunit can begin, someone unexpectedly dies, ultimately raising the stakes of this unexpected, murderous twist.
Murder by Deathis a comical mystery movie written byNeil Simonand also features an all-star cast includingPeter Sellers,Maggie Smith,David Niven, andPeter Falk.The premise of the movie is essentially a parody of the traditional whodunit with characters who are spoofs on several famous detectives of cinema, includingThe Thin Man’s Nick and Nora Charles, Hercule Poirot, and Sam Spade. Even though the movie is flooded with humorous puns and relentless comedy,Murder by Deathstill follows a well-executed mystery which keeps the film from growing into a complete mad house of nonsense.
Murder by Death
A parody of classic detective stories featuring a gathering of famous sleuths at the mansion of the enigmatic Lionel Twain. The detectives, each a caricature of well-known fictional investigators, are invited under the pretense of solving a murder that hasn’t happened yet. As the clock strikes midnight, they are plunged into a series of absurd and comedic situations. The story unfolds with twists and turns, poking fun at the conventions of the murder mystery genre and keeping the audience guessing until the end.
9’The Long Goodbye' (1973)
Directed by Robert Altman
When private eye, Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould), is asked to give his friend, Terry (Jim Bouton) a ride to Mexico, he agrees but notices that something seems off about him. Once he returns to Los Angeles, Marlowe’s suspicions prove to be spot on as he is questioned by police about the death of Terry’s wife. Initially,Marlowe appears to be the police’s prime suspect, but when the officers learn that Terry committed suicide, they believe he did it as a result of killing his wife, but Marlowe isn’t so easily fooled.
Gould gives a compelling and wickedly smooth performanceas Raymond Chandler’s famed private detective in the highly marginalizedneo-noir,The Long Goodbye, which is based on Chandler’s 1953 novel of the same name. The Long Goodbye isone of the best adaptations of Chandler’s workand features a top-notch supporting cast includingSterling Hayden,Mark Rydell, and an uncredited appearance byArnold Schwarzenegger. Initially, some critics pannedThe Long Goodbye, but others,including film critic, Roger Ebert, gave the film three out of four stars and praised Gould’s performance as the hard-nosed private eye.
The Long Goodbye
8’Night Moves' (1975)
Directed by Arthur Penn
Gene Hackmanstars in the neo-noir thriller,Night Moves, as a hardheaded private investigator, Harry Moseby, who, in an effort to distract him from his unraveling marriage, takes on a case for a former B-list movie star (Janet Ward) who believes her daughter, Delly (Melanie Griffith), has run away. When his investigation takes him to the Florida Keys, Moseby discovers that Delly is with her stepfather (John Crawford), but once he returns Delly to her mother, he gets the feeling that there’s more to this case than just a rebellious teenager taking off.
Hackman delivers a vulnerable and intense performancein the 1975 mystery thriller,Night Moves, which starts out as a seemingly open and shut case but soon takes on an unexpected life of its own and ends with a jaw-dropping twist. Upon its original release,Night Movesearned lukewarm reviews, but through the years, it has gained more support, notably for Hackman’s performance and the film’s ingenious plot, and is considered by many film fans to be one of thebest neo-noir films of all time.
Night Moves
Private detective Harry Moseby takes on a case to find the missing daughter of a former movie star. His search leads him from Los Angeles to the murky waters of the Florida Keys, where he encounters a mix of dubious individuals connected to the girl’s disappearance. As Harry digs deeper, he uncovers secrets that intertwine with his own life, complicating his sense of justice and duty.
7’All the President’s Men' (1976)
Directed by Alan J. Pakula
When two rival reporters,Bob Woodward(Robert Redford) andCarl Bernstein(Dustin Hoffman), investigate the botched robbery of the Democratic Party Headquarters, they soon realize there is much more to the incident than just a couple of stooges breaking and entering. With the help of anonymous sources, notably a man known asDeep Throat(Hal Holbrook),Woodward and Bernstein slowly uncover a scandalthat leads all the way back to the White House.
All the President’s Menisone of the best political biopic moviesbased on the real-life efforts of Washington Post reporters, Bernstein and Woodward, whose efforts revealed what is today known as the Watergate Scandal. The movie featuresone of the best studies of effective journalism in any film, while also still conveying an alluring and suspenseful mystery full of paranoia, self-doubt, and danger.All the President’s Menreceived eightAcademy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, and went on to win four Oscars for Best Sound, Best Art Direction, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor forJason Robards.
All the President’s Men
6’Murder on the Orient Express' (1974)
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Albert Finneystars as the infamous private detective, Hercule Poirot, who, after being called back to London, boards the luxurious Orient Express train. Shortly after its departure, a snow storm forces the train to stop, leaving the passengers stranded, and when one of them is discovered brutally murdered in his compartment,Poirot is given the task of solving the unexpected mystery.
Murder on the Orient Expressis a flawless adaptation of Agatha Christie’s famous 1934 novel of the same name and also features an ensemble cast includingLauren Bacall,Ingrid Bergman,Richard Widmark, andSean Connery. Even though the overall cast is an array of massive talent,they all seemingly balance each other out while still giving Finney’s exceptional performance enough of the spotlight, delivering a sensational adaptation of the classic who-dun-it with a theatrical flair and riveting style.Murder on the Orient Expressreceived six Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Finney and Best Costume Design, and went on to win Best Supporting Actress for Bergman.
Murder on the Orient Express
On a lavish trip aboard the Orient Express, renowned detective Hercule Poirot finds himself in the midst of a murder investigation when a wealthy passenger is killed. Surrounded by a diverse cast of suspects, Poirot meticulously examines clues and conducts interviews to unravel the mystery.
5’Frenzy' (1972)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
In London, people are held in an inescapable nightmare by a brutal serial killer whose modus operandi is to strangle his victims with a necktie. When an ex-Royal Air Force officer, Richard Blaney (Jon Finch), discovers his ex-wife murdered,the local authorities begin to suspect that he is the killer, forcing Blaney to go on the run. As Blaney hides out at the home of his best friend, Bob Rusk (Barry Rusk), he feels somewhat safe, but when he starts to notice his friend’s unusual behavior, he starts to wonder if he is the real necktie strangler.
Alfred Hitchcock’sFrenzyis a thrilling murder mystery based on the 1966 book,Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester SquarebyArthur La Bern. Similar to other Hitchcock thrillers,Frenzyfollows the director’s frequent use of an average man subjected to a case of mistaken identity but with an ominous twist that raises the stakes. The movie also featuresHitchcock’s signature style of brazen intensity and unsettling suspense, rightfully earning a spot on the list.Frenzyreceived generally positive reviews from audiences and critics, earning severalGolden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director.
4’The Conversation' (1974)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Gene Hackman stars inFrancis Ford Coppola’s neo-noir mystery,The Conversation, as a skilled surveillance expert, Harry Caul, who is hired by a mysterious client to spy on a young couple. Caul and his associate (John Cazale) manage to track the couple, getting their cryptic conversation on tape for the client, butas Caul listens to the tapes, he starts to feel uneasyand the tragedy of a past job leads him to dig deeper into not only the meaning of the conversation but also what his client intends to do once he hands over the tapes.
Hackman delivers a profoundly intense and tragic performance in Coppola’s classic mystery,The Conversation, which is considered to be one of the actor’s finest films. Coppola brilliantly derives suspense and tension from the elusive nature of Caul’s profession and his personal state of paranoia, effectively conveyinga slow-burning mystery paired with a thought-provoking tale of morality.The Conversationearned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Sound.
The Conversation
A paranoid, secretive surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that the couple he is spying on will be murdered.
3’Sleuth' (1972)
Directed by Jospeh L. Mankiewicz
Laurence Olivierstars as a famous crime author and game enthusiast, Andrew Wyke, who, after discovering that his wife has been having an affair with a younger man, Milo Tindle (Michael Caine), invites his wife’s lover over with an unusual proposition. Considering Wyke is also having an affair, he doesn’t mind parting with his wife and insteadpresents Tindle with a plan to provide financial compensation for his wife’s expensive taste, which the young man can’t afford. Tindle agrees to the proposed ruse, but when Wyke reveals his true intentions, the game soon turns into a battle of wit and tact.
Joseph L. Mankiewicz’sSleuthis easily one of the most underrated mystery thrillers of not only the 1970s, but also of all time, and features stellar performances by both Olivier and Cane. The movie followsa unique mystery that turns into an unexpected duel of psychological warfare and strategy and is topped off with a final twistthat leaves audiences purely flabbergasted.Sleuthreceived four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director, Best Music, Original Dramatic Score, and Best Actor for both Olivier and Caine.
In Sleuth, a wealthy crime novelist invites his wife’s lover to his mansion for a high-stakes game of wits. The ensuing psychological duel unfolds within the confines of the opulent estate, where deception and cunning intertwine as both men vie for the upper hand in their complex rivalry.
2’Klute' (1971)
When a Pennsylvania executive suddenly disappears, authorities discover a letter in his office addressed to a New York City call-girl, Bree Daniel (Jane Fonda), but despite the lead, the police fail to make any headway in the missing persons case. A fellow executive decides to hire his friend and detective, John Klute (Donald Sutherland), to follow Daniel. As Klute follows Daniel and taps her phone, they eventually meet and begin a romantic relationship, but when Klute discovers he’s not the only one watching Daniel, he fears for her safety and must find the person before it’s too late.
The neo-noir psychological thriller mystery,Klute, earned glowing reviews, with many commending the film’s stirring screenplay and Fonda’s performance. Klute is known for followinga mystery that takes audiences into the darkest corners of human nature, boldly addressing the stigma of its sordid material while successfully conveying it in a humanizing aspect. Fonda successfully manages to overstep the stereotypical “hooker with a heat of gold” character in her performance, serving as the heart and soul of the film.Kluteearned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and ended up winning for Best Actress for Fonda’s breakthrough performance.
1’Chinatown' (1974)
Directed by Roman Polanski
Jack Nicholsonstars as a Los Angeles private eye, Jake Gittes, who is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to follow her husband who she believes is having an affair. Initially, Gittes thinks he’s taking on another classic case of infidelity, but when he discovers that he was hired by an impostor and meets the real Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), he finds himself in a tangled web of corruption, deception, and murder, which all lead him back to Mulwray’s wealthy and powerful father, Noah Cross (John Huston).
Chinatownisone of the best New Hollywood neo-noir filmsand features a spellbinding mystery that has an unexpected (and highly unsettling) conclusion, making it a must-see ’70s mystery movie. Screenwriter,Robert Towne, carefully unfoldsan intriguing mystery surrounded by a major cover-up and backdoor deals, but while the events unfold front and center, Towne gradually builds up an underlying puzzle, ensuring a final revelation of shock, which setsChinatownapart from other mystery movie masterpieces.Chinatownearned eleven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, ultimately only winning for Best Original Screenplay for Towne.
Originally released in 1974, Chinatown is an American neo-noir mystery movie starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. Its story was inspired by the California water wars, a series of conflicts between the city of Los Angeles and the people of Owen’s Valley around the beginning of the twentieth century. The movie received 11 Academy Award nominations in total, with Robert Towne winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
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