The 1970s was an incredible decade for the art of film in general. Rising filmmakers were making a name for themselves, and many of them are still known as influential in their craft today. One of the most important facets of the medium was documentaries.
These films could do a variety of things: inform the public about underrepresented topics, recount a historical event in thorough detail, entertain audiences through a deep dive into an influential music artist, etc. In short, documentaries give an excellent glimpse into a variety of topics, and the 1970s produced some of the best of them.
Land Of Silence And Darkness (1971) - 8.0
Land of Silence and Darkness follows Fini Straubinger, a woman who has had deafness and blindness since early in her life. She shares her story and seeks to help others who have the same conditions as her. The film is beautifully presented, with excellent music and gorgeous scenery.
It is inspiring, but it is also heartbreaking because some people featured in the documentary have been ignored by society and at times, their own families. Fini Straubinger is a wonderful figure, and Land of Silence and Darkness brings to attention some of the hardships she faced, as well as many others who are often disregarded.
21 Up (1977) - 8.1
21 Up is the third installment in director Michael Apted's Up documentaries, which follows the same group of people and catches up with them every seven years. Now in their early years of adulthood, the participants' interests and goals have changed dramatically from their appearances in the 1970 documentary 7 Plus Seven.
A fascinating aspect of the film is the participants' grievances with the series itself. They are critical of the first two films' projections as to what their lives would entail moving forward. This honest template proved to be beloved by audiences, and it led to several more entries in the series, including 42 Up, which is one of the best documentaries from the 1990s.
The Kids Are Alright (1979) - 8.1
Though not a traditional documentary, as it has little narrative structure, The Kids are Alright is beloved by fans of The Who and by rock music fans in general. Through a combination of interviews and concert footage, the documentary paints a portrait of the band and their personalities in the public space.
Chronicling what was known as one of the rowdier bands of the time, The Kids Are Alright gives an entertaining look at the band's image. The film is still considered one of the best music documentaries around, and with all the enjoyment that fans get from it, it is clear to see why.
Woodstock (1970) - 8.2
In August 1969, one of the most famous concerts in history took place in New York. The documentary Woodstock chronicles the festival of the same name, including performances, audience footage, and interviews with various artists who performed there.
The Woodstock Festival is still referenced in media today, showing the true impact the event had. The documentary shows many of the highlights of the festival in excellent quality, allowing people even now to observe the cultural phenomenon that took place in August 1969. The film is also notable for being one of the earliest works of editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who would later forge a famous collaboration with Martin Scorsese and edit almost all of his films including Raging Bull and The Irishman.
Hearts And Minds (1974) - 8.2
Centered on the Vietnam War, Hearts and Minds attempts to show the violence of the war in a way that the media did not often display. The film shows footage of government officials lauding the military, which is then juxtaposed by real footage from the scene.
Some have criticized the film for being one-sided, while others defend it as the truth. At the very least, Hearts and Minds offers a glimpse into the lives of people in Vietnam who were affected by the presence of the U.S. military, as well as into anti-war efforts.
The Battle Of Chile: Part II (1976) - 8.2
The Battle of Chile is divided into three parts. The second portion is also known as The Coup d'etat, and it tells of the political tensions in Chile, which have increased even further since the events of Part I. The threat of a coup d'etat is consistently growing throughout the film.
Part II features interviews that show audiences the atmosphere of the time, providing a personal look into the conflicts. The events documented in this film are of major historical importance, and viewers should be aware that the content can be difficult to watch at times because of its unflinching nature.
The Last Waltz (1978) - 8.2
One of the greatest documentaries by a narrative feature director, The Last Waltz is one of Martin Scorsese's ion projects. The director has a well-known love of rock music, and he made a film documenting The Band's final concert from 1976.
While a large portion of the film is footage of the concert, which includes performances by not only The Band but by other renowned artists of the time as well, it also features interviews offering insight into the group. The Last Waltz was clearly made with a lot of love, and it remains one of the best concert documentaries to this day.
Beautiful People (1974) - 8.3
Filmed in the wilderness of various parts of southern Africa, Beautiful People shows some of the wildlife that lives there. Unlike most nature documentaries, Beautiful People has many comedic elements present in the narration. It displays more serious elements of survival, while also documenting some behaviors audiences could classify as silly.
Also known as Animals are Beautiful People, this documentary shows a variety of personalities some animals have, which is both entertaining and educational to those who watch it.
Harlan County USA (1976) - 8.3
Documenting the real struggles of coal miners and their families, Harlan County USA is one of the best eye-opening documentaries available on The Criterion Channel. It revolves around the aforementioned citizens of Harlan County, Kentucky, as they strike against employers for better working conditions and better pay.
The strike lasts for a significant amount of time and results in violence against those involved. The filmmakers capture much of the conflict on camera, which allows the audience to see some of the real risks the workers and families are taking. The documentary offers an emotional experience, and it is clear why it is still so highly regarded.
The Battle Of Chile: Part I (1975)- 8.3
Also known as The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie, this documentary chronicles the rising tensions between political parties and the violence that took place in Chile in early 1973. One of the most terrifying and unflinching documentaries of the time, The Battle of Chile: Part I does not hold much back in its coverage of the events taking place.
As with Part II, this documentary also features interviews with citizens, who share their thoughts and feelings regarding the tense environment. Viewers should prepare themselves before watching this film because it offers some footage that many may find upsetting.
