Although many older mystery movies lose their edge over the years, there are still some classics from the 1970s which can shock modern audiences. More so than most other genres, mystery movies are constantly seeking new innovations and quirks, or else they risk becoming stale and predictable. This means that certain mystery movies have a disappointingly short shelf life. Some old classics prove that this isn’t always the case.
The 1970s produced a few outstanding mystery movies which have aged beautifully. Many of these movies adapted the works of revered crime authors like Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler. Whether they were period pieces or set in the 1970s, the best of these movies found ways to revitalize old ideas so that they could shock their audiences. There were also some truly original mystery movies which charted a path forward for the entire genre, likeChinatownandDeep Red.
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From crime and suspense thrillers, to all-out horror films, the 1980s contained some great mysteries that took more than one watch to figure out.
Although Kenneth Branagh has recently developed his ownHercule Poirotfranchise, the 1974 version ofMurder on the Orient Expressis hard to beat, and it is generally considered among the verybest Agatha Christie adaptationsfor the big screen. Albert Finney stars as the mustachioed Belgian detective, and he is surrounded by a blinding ensemble cast which includes Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman and Lauren Bacall.
A lesser director might let such star power overshadow the story, but Sidney Lumet was always an expert at injecting dialogue scenes with captivating tension. In his capable hands,Murder on the Orient Expressfeels new again. It’s still the same Christie that fans know and love, without any drastic changes to the plot, but the cast and Lumet approach it with rare vigor.Sadly, this was Albert Finney’s only performance as Poirot.
Deep Redis one ofDario Argento’s best movies, and one of the defining works of the giallo genre. While this makes it a must-watch for fans of Italian cinema, it still has plenty of appeal for those who aren’t as familiar with giallo. The plot follows an English music teacher in Italy who begins his own amateur murder investigation when he fears that the killer will be going after him next.
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Deep Redhooks the viewer from the beginning, as an ominous pair of black gloves are seen carrying out a heinous murder. These gloves become a symbol of the unknown horror that pervades the atmosphere ofDeep Red. As the story progresses, it spirals further into the occult, and Argento’s flair for psychological horror comes to the fore.Deep Redis more shocking than most mysteries of its time, thanks to Argento’s moody direction.
Don’t Look Nowstars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie as a couple visiting Venice as they grieve the death of their young daughter. It’s an intelligent slow-burn horror movie, but there are also elements of mystery, as John is hounded by strange visions, and the city is gripped by fear as a serial killer is on the loose.Don’t Look Nowis one ofDonald Sutherland’s best movies, and he delivers a characteristically superb performance.
Don’t Look Nowwas ahead of its time, providing some shocks while elevating the horror genre. It seems surprisingly modern for a horror movie to use such compelling metaphors about grief and isolation.Don’t Look Nowmay be most famous for its ending, which caps off a great horror mystery with a bizarre jolt.This ending somehow ties up the entire mystery while simultaneously providing the movie’s biggest scare.It’s a perfect synthesis ofDon’t Look Now’s two conflicting genres.
Gene Hackman turns in a captivating performance inNight Movesas a private investigator who gets tangled up in a dark conspiracy that threatens to take his life. Harry Moseby initially thinks that he can get some quick cash by locating a 16-year-old girl who he figures has run away from home for a taste of excitement. What he uncovers is far more dangerous and complex.
Night Movesis the kind of mystery that draws the audience in just as much as the detective.It also packs in some audacious action scenes. Harry throws his weight around like many a movie private eye before him, butNight Moveshas heaps of originality in its climactic action sequence, in which a low-flying plane and some sunken treasure create the kind of big-screen thrills that are usually in the remit of adventure movies, not detective mysteries.
Elliott Gould added his name to the illustrious list of actors who had played Raymond Chandler’s Phillip Marlowe, but critics weren’t overly fond ofThe Long Goodbyeat the time. Chandler fans were particularly displeased with the liberal adaptation ofThe Long Goodbye,as Robert Altman’s movie chops and changes the plot, and it adapts the setting from the glory days of film noir to the 1970s.
Although the setting changes, Gould’s Marlowe is much the same as the character was 20 or 30 years earlier. He’s a man out of time who speaks and acts as if it’s still the 1950s, which puts him at odds with the world around him. This is something that reviewers have warmed to over the years, andThe Long Goodbyehas undergone considerable critical rehabilitation.The intelligent script acts as a metacommentary on the tired tropes of the mystery genre.
There have been hundreds ofSherlock Holmesmoviesover the years, and that’s not even counting the TV shows.Murder by Decreeis one of the better adaptations, with Christopher Plummer and James Mason playing Holmes and Watson. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s firstSherlock Holmesstory was published just a year before Jack the Ripper’s killings started in London, and there has always been a widespread desire to see Holmes track down the culprit.Murder by Decreeputs this fantasy on the big screen.
AlthoughMurder by Decreechanges a few names, anyone familiar with the prevailing theories about Jack the Ripper will recognize a few of the most prominent historical suspects. Overall, it’s an intriguing take on the case as well as a greatSherlock Holmesstory.Plummer’s version of Holmes is slightly more human and compassionate than most interpretations, and he has a vibrant dynamic with Mason’s Dr. Watson.
Psychostar Anthony Perkins and Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim teamed up to write the script forThe Last of Sheila, a twisty murder mystery based on the parlor games they played with their friends. Hopefully, these games were more lighthearted thanThe Last of Sheila, as the players have their darkest secrets revealed, and two of them are brutally murdered.
The Last of Sheilaprovides a satisfying puzzlefor people who like parlor games as much as Perkins and Sondheim do. It’s also a must-watch for fans ofKnives Out, as Rian Johnson citedThe Last of Sheilaas one of his major influences. In some ways, it’s a classic throwback whodunnit, but it has plenty of surprises along the way to keep things lively and fresh. The ensemble cast includes Ian McShane, Raquel Welch and James Mason, who takes on most of the sleuthing duties.
The cast ofSleuthlists six names, but only Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier are real people. The rest were included as a ploy by the studio to sell the illusion thatSleuthwas more than a two-hander. The movie is based on a Tony-award winning play by Anthony Shaffer, and it has the look and feel of a stage play, which is no surprise considering Shaffer himself wrote the screenplay.
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Sleuthevokes some of Alfred Hitchcock’s most gripping thrillers, as it follows characters in a single location, likeRopeorLifeboat, as they test each other’s limits. It’s a cunning mystery with plenty of twists in the tale, and both performances are superb.Sleuthwas remade in 2007, with Michael Caine graduating to the older part, while Jude Law plays the younger character. The 1972 original is considered the superior version.
Robert Mitchum often does some of his best work when he’s playing villain roles, and he brings a dangerous edge to his interpretation of Philip Marlowe, Raymond Chandler’s famous detective.Farewell, My Lovelyis one of thebest Philip Marlowe moviesof all, as it pays homage to his film noir roots while bringing in the ideas of a new era. Marlowe sets out on a standard investigation which soon turns deadly.
Mitchum shines as Marlowe. He has enough grit when needed, but he also shows off his underrated comedy chops at times. His dry wit makes him a delightful companion as he feels his way though a dangerous case. His charm also makes him a believable romantic lead, and he is paired up with Charlotte Rampling. She plays one of Chandler’s classic femme fatale characters, but she’s deceptively warm.
Jack Nicholson delivers an outstanding performance inChinatown,and this helps createthe most enduring mystery movie of the 1970s.Roman Polanski’s stylish neo-noir is set in Los Angeles in the 1930s, where a private investigator finds out that a typical infidelity case goes much deeper than he can fathom. Soon, Jake Gittes is investigating a murder and a vast political conspiracy, all while intimidating powers beyond his comprehension attempt to stop him.
Chinatown’s twisty plot can often be a puzzle to first-time viewers, but this simply reflects Jake’s loose grip on the situation as the picture continually changes in front of his eyes.Chinatown’s unforgettable endingbrings everything into focus for the first time, although this grim realization doesn’t offer the same satisfaction that mystery fans usually want. As Jake is pulled away from the case for good, he comes to understand his utter powerlessness in the face of corrupt institutions and the cruel hands of fate.
