10 Most Influential Directors From The 1970s & 80s, Ranked
Every decade in Hollywood is a new opportunity for different filming techniques, plot development, cultural shifts, and acting talent. The 1970s and 1980s were a pivotal time in film, and all die-hard movie fans know that directing is the bread and butter of any great film.
As time goes on, many directors become influences for new ones, and film continues to grow and develop. For all the movie buffs out there, it's time to get nerdy and celebrate this time period for all the great directors it had and what they brought to the film industry. Here are the 10 most influential directors from the 1970s and 1980s, ranked.
10 Brian Altman
This director had a ton of success with many movies and actually first made it big in the 1950s. However, his films continued to pave the way for new directors as Hollywood transformed. He is best known for his dialogue and how he juggled multiple voices and conversations.
With seven Oscar nominations, Altman had success in the 70s and 80s with MASH and Thieves Like Us. With these hits, Brian Altman certainly separated himself from the masses.
9 John Cassavetes
This iconic American director is known by the masses as a pioneer in the industry, as he was one of the first mainstream directors to finance his own work. While his fame bloomed in the 1960s, this director became a huge influence in the early 70s.
With A Woman Under The Influence and Love Streams, "The New Yorker" actually stated that Cassavates might be the most influential actor and director from the last half-century, which is quite the statement.
8 Brian De Palma
This director first had his name in lights when he released Sisters, which stood out for his voyeuristic style. During the 70s, there was a huge shift to darker and thrilling films, which Brian De Palma was certainly a driving force in.
This is the man that brought Carrie and Scarface to the big screen, but also who directed The Untouchables and Wise Guys. While some movie lovers might not know his name, they certainly know his work.
7 William Friedkin
This director got his break when he directed an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in 1965, where he was memorably criticized by the legend for apparently not wearing a tie. After that, Friedkin became known for his hand-held camera shots of action sequences.
His first iconic hit was The French Connection, which ended up winning five Oscars. Later, he showed his dynamic talent by directing The Exorcist. This director used old-school techniques but ended up making memorable and lasting impacts in Hollywood.
6 John Carpenter
As far as film genres go, this director was certainly an influential creator for the horror side of cinema. Within these two decades, he brought the world the iconic Halloween, which he quickly followed up with The Fog and The Thing.
This director has literally been nicknamed the "master of horror" and has became a household name in both the genre, an in Hollywood as a whole. Every director after him takes a note from his book of horror.
5 Andrei Tarkovsky
While film is usually dominated by Americans, this Soviet director certainly deserves credit on this list. Known as one of the most famous directors from his time, his second flick was actually banned by Soviet authorities. Tarkovsky overcame political roadblocks, but he also created masterful films that stood out among the rest.
With only 12 directing credits to his name, he pushed the envelope with each and every picture. Movie buffs can all appreciate the innovation in Solaris, The Mirror, and Stalker from the 1970s.
4 Sidney Lumet
This director may have burst into the Hollywood scene back in the 1950s, but he became even more influential and recognized during the 70s with huge hits like Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, and Network, all of which have been critically-acclaimed staples in film.
Lumet wasn't afraid to tackle the political landscape of the time and brought forwards many complex and emotional issues. This director was also a huge pioneer of dialogue-driven cinema and realistic pieces that take place in small time frames.
3 Francis Ford Coppola
This five-time Oscar winner's name is still sometimes unknown, but everyone that calls themselves a movie buff certainly knows how iconic this man's work is. The Godfather is arguably one of the most classic flicks of all time, and it brought forwards so many new and innovative ideas.
If that wasn't enough, this man is also behind The Conversation and Apocalypse Now, which both defy boundaries and world context to create cinematic masterpieces.
2 Martin Scorsese
It's probably a crime that Martin Scorsese has only won one Academy Award. However, winners year after year are thanking this legend for his influence on their own careers and art. He's still making it big, but these two decades made for a pivotal period in Hollywood.
During this time, Scorsese released iconic flicks like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Color of Money. All of these are still prominent and timeless films and remain special because of Scorsese's artistic flair and bold choices.
1 Steven Spielberg
There's really no dispute over the fact that Steven Spielberg is probably one of the best directors to ever be in Hollywood. However, he certainly had his shining time in the 70s and 80s.
From Jaws to the Indiana Jones franchise to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, these films weren't just box-office hits, but incorporated things never before seen on the big screen. His innovation has encouraged so many other great flicks, and his legacy is far from over.