46 Diverse 1974 Oscar Films: From Drama to Musical Magic

Jesus Christ Superstar

1973 • 108 min • Budget $3M • Box office $24M

Music, Drama, History

This drama offers a new look at the final days of Jesus, told through a theatre troupe's performance. The story focuses on Judas Iscariot, often seen as solely the betrayer of Jesus. Through his perspective, we see Jesus' rising popularity…

7.1

7.4

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Day for Night

1973 • 116 min • Budget $700K • Box office $850K

Comedy, Drama

This film follows a driven film director as he struggles to realize his artistic vision during a chaotic period. It shows the complicated relationship between his creative goals and the difficulties with his cast and crew. As personal problems mix…

7.8

8.0

Ludwig

1973 • 238 min

Drama, History

The film follows the difficult final years of Ludwig II's reign as King of Bavaria, from his coronation in 1864 to his death in 1886. It portrays him as a romantic figure, exploring his complicated connection with composer Richard Wagner…

7.4

7.5

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Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams

1973 • 93 min

Rita, a middle-aged New York City homemaker, experiences an emotional crisis that prompts her to reconsider her life and her connections with her mother, her ophthalmologist husband, her distant daughter, and her estranged son.

5.4

6.3

Brother Sun, Sister Moon

1972 • 121 min • Budget $3M

Drama, History

This film tells the story of Francesco Bernardone, who finds a new path after returning home from war. Haunted by memories of a life of pleasure, Francesco experiences a spiritual awakening as he grapples with illness. He rejects his former…

7.0

7.2

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Paper Moon

1973 • 102 min • Budget $2M • Box office $30M

Comedy, Crime, Drama

In Depression-era Kansas, a Bible salesman's life changes when he meets a young girl who insists he is her father. Facing an uncertain connection and the difficulties of the era, they decide to create a new life together as a…

7.9

8.1

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Papillon

1973 • 151 min • Budget $12M • Box office $53M

Crime, Drama

Two convicted criminals are stranded on a dangerous prison island, where they must face their pasts and develop a fragile partnership. One man, struggling with the island’s harsh conditions and violent inmates after a series of poor decisions, meets another…

7.8

8.0

17+

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The Last Detail

1973 • 104 min • Budget $2M • Box office $10M

Drama, Comedy

Two experienced Navy men form an unexpected connection with a young offender during a journey to prison. Initially united by their military duty, the three men develop a bond as they travel together, testing their trust and loyalty. The film…

7.0

7.5

17+

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Turkish Delight

1973 • 108 min • Budget $250K

Drama, Romance

Eric, a talented sculptor, experiences a passionate and complicated relationship with the captivating Olga. Their bond goes beyond physical attraction, developing into a deep emotional connection filled with intense moments. The film explores the complexities of their relationship, showing the…

6.8

7.1

17+

The Legend of John Henry

1974 • 11 min

Roberta Flack recounts the folk tale of John Henry, a man who famously challenged a steam-powered drill to a competition to see who could finish digging a railroad tunnel faster.

5.5

6.2

Pulcinella

1973 • 11 min

This Oscar-nominated animated short from 1973 follows Pulcinella as he falls into a bizarre dream. The dreamscape becomes a wild, abstract world, taking the viewer on a surreal journey.

6.2

The Bolero

1973 • 26 min

This Academy Award-winning short film begins with a look at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra preparing for its performance of Ravel's "Bolero." Musicians share their perspectives as the orchestra sets up. Conductor Zubin Mehta offers his thoughts, and scenes show…

6.2

7.1

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Clockmaker

1971 • 26 min

Clockmaker, a 1971 short film by Richard Gayer, profiles Martin Burgess, a craftsman dedicated to reviving the medieval art of ornamental clock-making. He single-handedly creates his unique, often large, yet consistently striking timepieces. The film received an Academy Award nomination…

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Life Times Nine

1973 • 15 min

This Oscar-nominated short film, created in 1973, is a Canadian production by Insight Productions. The project involved nine students from SEED Alternative School in Toronto, Ontario, who each wrote and directed a short film exploring the theme of life.

5.5

3.7

Princeton: A Search for Answers

1974 • 30 min

Princeton: A Search for Answers is a 1973 American short documentary film created for Princeton University's admissions office to attract prospective students. Directed by Julian Krainin and DeWitt Sage, it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) in…

5.9

5.8

Background

1973 • 20 min

"Background" is a 1973 American short documentary film directed by Carmen D'Avino. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short. The film's original version is preserved by the Academy Film Archive as of 2012.

5.5

4.9

Children at Work

1973 • 10 min

In 1970s Ireland, children thrive through play in Montessori schools. A voiceover explains the Montessori approach, set to upbeat jazz flute music, as the film follows three schools: Tigh na nÓg in Blessington, St Kieran’s School in Bray, and The…

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5.6

Four Stones for Kanemitsu

1973 • 28 min

"Four Stones for Kanemitsu" is a 1973 American short documentary film written and produced by June Wayne, and filmed by Terry Sanders. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short. The film is an educational record detailing each…

5.7

5.4

Save the Tiger

1973 • 100 min • Box office $3M

Drama

This character-driven story follows a driven businessman through a challenging 48 hours. He tries to juggle his demanding job and difficult family life, ultimately facing the impact of his decisions. The film realistically portrays both the pressures of corporate life…

6.5

6.9

17+

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The Sting

1973 • 129 min • Budget $5M • Box office $159M

Comedy, Crime, Drama

Two con men team up to avenge a friend's death and strike it rich. A green rookie seeks guidance from a seasoned con artist, and together they plot a major heist: stealing from a powerful mob boss. As they navigate…

8.0

8.2

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American Graffiti

1973 • 110 min • Budget $777K • Box office $140M

Comedy, Drama

The film follows two friends on their final night of freedom before starting university. High school graduates, filled with a sense of adventure and nostalgia, they want to savor their last moments together. They revisit the familiar strip where they've…

7.0

7.4

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The Exorcist

1973 • 122 min • Budget $12M • Box office $441M

Horror

A curious 12-year-old girl unexpectedly develops the ability to perfectly imitate voices and personalities. Doctors are puzzled as her condition worsens, and unexplained deaths begin to occur. Her mother, fearing something supernatural, seeks help from two experienced exorcist priests. They…

7.7

8.1

17+

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Always a New Beginning

1974 • 90 min

This Oscar-nominated documentary follows two doctors on a global journey to understand how children learn across different cultures. It explores the origins and workings of The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential.

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8.8

Journey to the Outer Limits

1973 • 52 min

Journey to the Outer Limits, a 1973 National Geographic documentary directed by Alexander Grasshoff, follows Outward Bound students as they undergo self-discovery during training for a climb of Santa Rosa Peak in the Peruvian Andes. The film was nominated for…

6.2

7.0

Battle of Berlin

1973 • 90 min

The concluding, decisive battle of World War II in Europe.

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6.7

The Great American Cowboy

1973 • 89 min

This Academy Award-winning documentary follows the intense rivalry between seasoned rodeo champion Larry Mahan and rising star Phil Lyne as they compete for the world championship. Narrated by Joel McHera of the Cowboy Hall of Fame, the film offers an…

6.0

6.6

Christo's Valley Curtain

1974 • 26 min

This Oscar-nominated documentary chronicles Christo and Jeanne-Claude's creation of Valley Curtain, a massive orange fabric installation spanning a Colorado mountain range. Shot using a direct-cinema approach, "Christo’s Valley Curtain" documents the negotiations, engineering hurdles, and collaborative work involved in bringing…

6.6

6.8

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Walls of Fire

1971 • 80 min

Narrated by Ricardo Montalbán, this documentary explores the history of Mexican murals and the artists who created them. It features works by José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and David Alfaro Siqueiros.

5.0

—

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

1973 • 99 min • Budget $1M • Box office $1M

Drama, Family

Above a quiet coastal town, Jonathan, a young seagull, feels stifled by the predictable life of his flock. He longs for new experiences beyond their usual routines, but his desire for exploration earns him exile from the group. Undeterred, Jonathan…

6.0

5.7

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Serpico

1973 • 129 min • Budget $3M • Box office $30M

Crime, Drama

Frank Serpico, an honest New York City cop, stands out from his colleagues due to his refusal to accept the widespread bribery within his department. His integrity creates conflict with fellow officers who begin to endanger him with risky assignments.…

7.5

7.7

17+

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A Touch of Class

1973 • 106 min • Box office $18M

Comedy, Romance

Steve, an American living in London with his family, meets Vicki, a recently divorced English woman. They spend a week together in Marbella, and their connection deepens into a passionate affair. Back in London, they decide to create a ménage…

6.0

6.5

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Bang the Drum Slowly

1973 • 96 min

Drama

The story follows two baseball players on a New York team: Henry Wiggen, the star pitcher, and Bruce Pearson, the backup catcher who is deeply liked by his teammates. It’s revealed that Bruce has a terminal illness, making his final…

6.0

6.7

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The Pedestrian

1973 • 98 min

After a fatal car crash, a German businessman becomes the target of investigative journalists eager to uncover past scandals. Their inquiries force him to confront his experiences during World War II in Greece.

6.4

6.5

The Day of the Dolphin

1973 • 104 min • Budget $8M

Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller

Dr. Jake Terrell, a researcher, achieves a remarkable breakthrough: he teaches his trained dolphins to communicate in English. When the dolphins are kidnapped, their ability to speak becomes unexpectedly crucial. They are now caught in a dangerous assassination plot. With…

5.8

6.0

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Tom Sawyer

1973 • 103 min

Family, Music, Adventure

Along the Mississippi River, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn have exciting adventures that mix make-believe with real life. These playful boys enjoy pretending to be pirates and exploring the river like it's a wild sea. Their imaginations lead them to…

6.4

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Last Tango in Paris

1972 • 129 min • Budget $1M • Box office $36M

Drama, Romance

A recently widowed American man forms a secret sexual relationship with a young Parisian woman. He's trying to cope with his loss, finding comfort in their clandestine encounters and the new perspectives she offers. Their intimacy explores themes of desire,…

6.9

6.8

18+

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Robin Hood

1973 • 83 min • Budget $5M • Box office $33M

Animation, Family, Adventure

With King Richard away on the Crusades, his kingdom is thrown into chaos. Prince John and his advisor, Sir Hiss, exploit the situation to burden the people of Nottingham with excessive taxes, aided by the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham. But…

7.3

7.5

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Cinderella Liberty

1973 • 117 min

During a long shore leave, a solitary Navy sailor develops a relationship with a Seattle prostitute and unexpectedly becomes a father figure to her son after his service records are lost.

6.6

6.7

17+

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The House on Chelouche Street

1973 • 110 min

Following the British Mandate, a family without a father moves to Israel and faces considerable difficulties in the country's turbulent political climate. The film depicts their struggles.

6.4

6.7

The Invitation

1973 • 100 min

Rémi, a dedicated bachelor and bureaucrat, hosts a celebratory gathering at his impressive home to mark an inheritance. As alcohol loosens their inhibitions, Rémi and his colleagues let down their guard, revealing their true personalities. But what happens when the…

6.1

7.0

The Paper Chase

1973 • 113 min

Drama

A driven but sensitive law student struggles to balance his academic goals with a complicated romance. He becomes involved with the daughter of a strict professor while facing the pressures of his first year. The film explores the difficulties of…

6.8

7.2

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The Way We Were

1973 • 118 min • Budget $5M • Box office $50M

Drama, Romance

This is a story about two people who find comfort in each other, but their differing beliefs create a rift between them. The film honestly examines how political views can bring people together and tear them apart. A strong romance…

7.0

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Live and Let Die

1973 • 121 min • Budget $7M • Box office $126M

Adventure, Action, Thriller

James Bond investigates the murder of a British agent in New Orleans, becoming involved with a powerful criminal leader called Mr. Big. Using his skills, Bond navigates the city's dangerous underworld to solve the murder and stop Mr. Big. He…

6.5

6.7

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Cries and Whispers

1972 • 95 min • Budget $400K

Drama

This film is a deeply emotional story about three sisters facing a loved one’s approaching death and their own personal difficulties. As Agnes battles cancer, her sisters are consumed by their own emotional struggles, making it hard for them to…

7.9

17+

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Frank Film

1973 • 9 min

Animation

This film presents a collection of images assembled by Frank Mouris from magazines. The film combines two narratives: a mostly chronological account of Mouris' life, and commentary on the visuals or other topics. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive, the…

5.7

5.9