48 Films from the 1971 Oscars

A young priest begins to doubt his beliefs when he develops feelings for a social worker.

"Shut Up... I'm Crying" is a 1970 English-language short film directed by Robert Siegler, starring Sal Catena, Kevin Michael, and Carolyn Schultz. It tells the story of a plumbing store owner and his wife who receive three wishes from a…

"Sticky My Fingers... Fleet My Feet" is a 1970 short film directed by John D. Hancock. It centers on a group of Madison Avenue men who enjoy touch football, but are humbled by a teenage boy and begin to confront…

This Oscar-nominated short from 1969 follows a shepherd who desires solitude to focus on his work. He's forced to confront the harsh reality that shepherding is no longer a viable profession. He decides to sell his sheep and enroll in…

This comedy-drama follows Charlie Brown, a kind but unlucky guy who keeps running into problems. He’s not good at things like flying kites or playing baseball, but he always tries anyway. Things get harder when Lucy publicly points out his…

"The Gifts" is a 1970 American short documentary film focusing on water pollution in the United States. Produced by Robert McBride for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short.

"A Long Way from Nowhere," a 1970 American short documentary directed by Bob Aller, follows the development of four autistic children during a year-long behavioral modification program led by psychologist Ivar Lovaas. The film received an Academy Award nomination for…

The film begins with a quote from Irish mythology, where Oisín calls Irish birdsong "the sweetest in the world" and encourages us to listen. The film then presents a visually stunning, wordless portrayal of Irish wildlife and landscapes. Oisín created…

"Time Is Running Out" is a 1970 West German short documentary film directed by Robert Ménégoz. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short.

War disrupts the life of a young Vietnamese boy. At ten years old, he lives with his mother and baby sister while his father joins the Viet Cong. His mother dies from exhaustion and lack of medical care during his…

This Belgian film, originally made in the early 1960s and unavailable for release, unexpectedly entered the American Best Foreign Film category and was finally shown in Belgium in 1971. It examines prejudice and superstition in the rural Belgian countryside through…

The sole survivor of a brutal Indian attack on a wagon train is found and sheltered by a gruff, aging gunslinger.

Encolpio's life falls apart when Gitone leaves him for someone else, leading him to consider suicide. But a devastating earthquake destroys his home, thrusting him into a chaotic and surreal Rome under Emperor Nero. Lost in the city, Encolpio meets…

"Tora! Tora! Tora!" Portrays the mounting tensions between the United States and Japan in 1941. The film closely examines the political climate, where ongoing trade restrictions and unsuccessful negotiations pushed both countries toward conflict. It’s an informative and compelling look…

A young couple's romance is shattered when the girl develops feelings for the boy's father, leading to devastating consequences.

An elderly man named Jack Crabb shares his remarkable life story. He recounts being raised by Native American tribes and fighting in the Civil War with General George Armstrong Custer. With a nostalgic tone, he takes us back to the…

During World War I, this moving story centers on an Irish schoolteacher's wife who finds herself in a complicated love triangle. She falls for a British officer stationed in Ireland, placing her between two cultures and earning her the distrust…

A traveler comes back to their hometown to discover a community gripped by political unrest, struggling with widespread illness, and facing complicated love life challenges.

A commercial flight descends into chaos when an unexpected bomber is among the passengers. As heavy snow threatens to shut down the airport, the travelers' lives become intertwined. The film explores the individual struggles of each passenger as they face…

Five former American soldiers who participated in the March 16, 1968 attack on My Lai share their recollections. They recount the orders they received before the attack, what they anticipated encountering, and the brutal massacre of the village's inhabitants and…

Uncle Sam is living a quiet life running a gas station in the American Southwest. However, his peaceful existence is shattered when terrorists kidnap the Statue of Liberty. He then joins forces with an eagle to embark on a rescue…

This drama follows a gifted Black boxer as he gains prominence in the sport, battling prejudice within the largely white boxing community. Supported by his devoted white female partner, he confronts relentless pressures that test their bond. The film explores…

Amidst political turmoil and oppressive policies, the story follows Oliver Cromwell, who is deeply dissatisfied with King Charles I's reign. Planning to leave England with his family for the New World, their departure is disrupted by unforeseen events. On the…

Elgar Enders, a man in his late twenties, changes his life by buying a building in Brooklyn's Park Slope. He plans to renovate it into high-end apartments. But his plans shift when he meets the building’s community of Black tenants.…

Tina Balser appears to have a perfect life: a husband, Jonathan, is a successful New York lawyer, and they have a seemingly ideal family. But beneath this image, Tina feels unfulfilled and ignored by Jonathan, who often belittles her in…

During Christmas in Clermont-Ferrand, a devout Catholic named Jean-Louis unexpectedly reconnects with Vidal, an old friend who now embraces Marxist ideas. Maud, a recently divorced woman exploring libertine philosophies, joins their conversation. The three discuss religion, atheism, love, morality, and…

"Patton" follows General George S. Patton, a highly regarded tank commander in World War II. The film begins in North Africa, showcasing Patton’s impressive military strategies and leadership as he advances through the invasions of Sicily and France with the…

Albert Finney stars as both Ebenezer Scrooge and the voices of the ghosts who visit him in this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story. The film uses song and dance to explore themes of redemption and compassion as Scrooge…

"Jack Johnson" is a 1970 documentary film directed by Jim Jacobs, focusing on the life of the boxer Jack Johnson.

This film chronicles the life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., starting with the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott and following his pivotal role in the fight for racial equality. Featuring footage of King's powerful speeches and narrated by…

"DuckTales," a series from the 1980s, follows Huey, Dewey, and Louie as they transition from playful children to spirited pre-teens. Living with their long-suffering Uncle Donald Duck, the three brothers constantly find ways to playfully tease him. As they navigate…

Say Goodbye, a 1971 American documentary directed by David H. Vowell, examines the impact of humans on the natural world. The film shows the difficulties faced by several animal species due to human activity. Footage includes seal hunting on the…

Tish Gray placed her baby up for adoption. Years later, a childless couple contacts her, hoping she'll have their baby since the wife can't conceive. Tish agrees, but the arrangement becomes complicated as she grows to know the parents and…

This documentary offers a rare look inside The Beatles' creative process in January 1969. It captures the band's rehearsal sessions for the album originally planned as "Get Back," later released as "Let It Be." Using unedited footage and audio, the…

In Rome, Italy, a respected but troubled senior police officer is haunted by a dark secret. He commits a shocking crime that endangers his career and personal life. Burdened by guilt, he ultimately exposes evidence against himself. This forces him…

During World War I, Lili Smith becomes a celebrated British music hall singer, her patriotic songs boosting spirits on both sides of the conflict. But Lili hides a secret: she was born to a German mother and secretly supports her…

This documentary explores ancient mysteries and the idea that extraterrestrials may have influenced human civilization. It journeys to the pyramids of Egypt and Mexico, examines cave drawings worldwide, and considers the large monuments of Easter Island. Based on Erich Von…

A young man romanticizes the Old West, dreaming of cowboys and frontier heroes. However, his aspirations are repeatedly disappointed by the realities of modern city life.

Mike Vecchio and Susan Henderson are planning their wedding, but they appear to be the only ones genuinely happy. Mike's brother Richie and his wife Joan are divorcing, upsetting their deeply religious mother Beatrice. Meanwhile, Susan's father is having an…

This psychological thriller follows two men from very different worlds who form a dangerous alliance after one shares a dark secret with the other. A successful businessman, known for his traditional values, confesses a murder to an unassuming factory worker…

Oliver Barrett IV, a driven Harvard Law student, and Jennifer Cavilleri, a dedicated music scholar, fall in love despite their different worlds. Their strong connection creates a deep emotional bond that defies expectations. Their relationship is complicated when Oliver's wealthy…

In 1876, deep in Pennsylvania's coal region, a secret society of Irish miners emerges. United by a solemn promise, this close-knit group fights back against the powerful corporation that controls their lives and exploits their work. Driven by the need…

In a 1920s English coal mining town, Gudrun and Ursula, two sisters, seek lives beyond their limited prospects. Their paths cross with a wealthy playboy and an intellectual educator, both men drawn to their captivating presence. As intense desires develop,…

This film offers a detailed look at the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Festival in Bethel, New York, in August 1969. With rare access to those involved and extensive concert footage, it shows the excitement and difficulties experienced by the…

A young man leaves behind a comfortable life for the harsh reality of oil rigs and rough environments. He moves from job to job, motel to motel, searching for meaning. In bars, gas stations, and other places where he finds…

A New York professor (Hackman) looks forward to marrying his girlfriend and moving to California, a change his mother understands but worries might worsen his already difficult relationship with his father. But before the wedding, his mother dies unexpectedly. Grieving,…

"Tristana," set in early 20th-century Spain, is a story about love and strength. Orphaned, Tristana is raised by Don Lope, a respected man who hides a manipulative side. As Tristana falls in love with the artist Horacio, she discovers her…

Society is fractured by deeply entrenched disagreements, with each side convinced of its own absolute correctness. This division widens until an individual dares to question the unquestioned certainty of what is "right."