New Hollywood

1967–82·5 films

Studio system collapsed. Young directors brought European sensibilities — ambiguous heroes, downer endings.

Most 'greatest ever' lists come from here.

auteur-drivendark

Filmography

Midnight Cowboy

1969

Schlesinger

Only X-rated Best Picture winner.

The French Connection

1971

Friedkin

Gritty NYC narcotics. Car chase changed cinema.

Straw Dogs

1971

Peckinpah

Pacifist pushed to extreme violence.

Chinatown

1974

Polanski

Neo-noir perfection.

Taxi Driver

1976

Scorsese

Vietnam vet descends into urban madness.

5 films in New Hollywood