You have 3 free guides left 😟
Unlock your guides7.1 Transformation of American cinema in the 1960s and 1970s
5 min read•july 30, 2024
The 1960s and 70s saw a seismic shift in American cinema. As the old studio system crumbled, a new wave of filmmakers emerged, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative techniques to the big screen.
This transformation reflected broader societal changes, from the rise of to political unrest. directors challenged conventions, exploring taboo subjects and experimenting with storytelling, forever altering the landscape of American film.
Decline of Classical Hollywood
Legal and Technological Challenges
Top images from around the web for Legal and Technological Challenges
Paramount Theatre, Youngstown, Ohio in 1930 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original
Is this image relevant?
Paramount Theatre, Oakland, California, 1975 | The Paramount… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
Paramount Theater marquee [01] | Restored marquee for the Pa… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
Paramount Theatre, Youngstown, Ohio in 1930 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original
Is this image relevant?
Paramount Theatre, Oakland, California, 1975 | The Paramount… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Legal and Technological Challenges
Paramount Theatre, Youngstown, Ohio in 1930 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original
Is this image relevant?
Paramount Theatre, Oakland, California, 1975 | The Paramount… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
Paramount Theater marquee [01] | Restored marquee for the Pa… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
Paramount Theatre, Youngstown, Ohio in 1930 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original
Is this image relevant?
Paramount Theatre, Oakland, California, 1975 | The Paramount… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- of 1948 forced major studios to divest theater chains impacted vertical integration and profit structures
- Television's widespread adoption in 1950s provided competing entertainment drew audiences away from theaters
- Changing demographics and suburban migration altered traditional movie-going habits challenged established distribution patterns
- Rising production costs and diminishing box office returns in late 1950s and early 1960s led to financial instability for major studios
- Examples of high-cost productions (Cleopatra, 1963)
- Trend of decreasing theater attendance (peaked in 1946 at 90 million weekly, dropped to 60 million by 1960)
Industry Restructuring
- Collapse of Production Code in 1968 and replacement with allowed more diverse and adult-oriented content
- New rating categories (G, PG, R, X)
- Examples of films pushing boundaries (, 1969)
- Conglomerate takeovers of major studios in 1960s shifted focus towards profit-driven decision-making altered traditional production strategies
- Gulf+Western's acquisition of Paramount (1966)
- Transamerica Corporation's purchase of United Artists (1967)
- Rise of independent producers and production companies challenged studio monopoly on talent and resources
- Formation of United Artists by Chaplin, Fairbanks, Pickford, and Griffith (1919)
- Success of independent productions (, 1969)
Counterculture's Impact on Cinema
Social and Political Themes
- and influenced filmmakers to address social and political issues more directly
- Anti-war films (, 1970)
- Civil rights-themed movies (, 1967)
- Themes of rebellion, sentiment, and youth culture became prevalent reflected era's zeitgeist
- Depictions of generational conflict (, 1967)
- Portrayals of counterculture lifestyle (, 1969)
- Taboo subjects explored more openly pushed boundaries of censorship
- Drug use (, 1967)
- Sexuality (, 1972)
- Violence (, 1967)
Aesthetic and Structural Changes
- Emergence of "" genre catered to baby boomer generation and cultural interests
- Music-centered films (, 1970)
- Coming-of-age stories (, 1973)
- Documentaries and experimental films gained prominence offered alternative perspectives on social issues and artistic expression
- movement (, 1960)
- Underground film scene ('s experimental works)
- Counterculture aesthetics influenced mainstream filmmaking techniques
- (Head, 1968)
- (2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968)
- Films like Easy Rider (1969) and The Graduate (1967) exemplified counterculture's impact on content and style
- Use of contemporary rock music soundtracks
- Exploration of alienation and disillusionment themes
Auteur Cinema's Influence
Rise of Distinctive Directorial Voices
- popularized by French critics in 1950s gained traction in American film criticism and production
- 's "Notes on the Auteur Theory" (1962)
- Emphasis on director as primary creative force
- Directors emerged as distinctive voices with recognizable styles and themes
- ( trilogy)
- (Mean Streets, Taxi Driver)
- (MAS*H, Nashville)
- European directors influenced American filmmakers with innovative techniques and personal visions
- 's surrealism (8½, 1963)
- 's psychological depth (Persona, 1966)
- 's narrative experimentation (Jules et Jim, 1962)
Institutional and Creative Shifts
- and rise of independent filmmaking fostered experimentation and personal expression
- Formation of the (1962)
- ' independently produced films (Shadows, Faces)
- Film schools produced new generation of directors versed in film history and theory contributed to self-reflexive approach
- USC (, )
- UCLA (Francis Ford Coppola, Paul Schrader)
- NYU (Martin Scorsese, )
- Studios granted more creative control to directors led to production of personal and artistically ambitious projects
- Warner Bros.' support of 's Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
- Universal's backing of 's early works
- Critical and commercial success of auteur-driven films solidified importance of director-driven cinema
- The Godfather (1972) - both critically acclaimed and highest-grossing film of its time
- Taxi Driver (1976) - winner at Cannes Film Festival
New Genres and Styles in New Hollywood
Genre Innovations
- emerged deconstructed traditional tropes offered complex portrayals of American frontier
- (1969) - violent deconstruction of Western myths
- (1971) - subverted heroic cowboy archetype
- Paranoid thriller genre reflected societal anxieties about government conspiracies and corporate power
- (1974) - explored political assassinations and cover-ups
- (1975) - critiqued CIA operations
- films gained popularity featured African American protagonists addressed racial issues
- (1971) - introduced iconic black action hero
- (1973) - showcased strong female lead in genre
- Disaster film genre emerged reflected societal fears showcased ensemble casts and special effects
- (1972) - set standard for disaster film formula
- (1974) - combined star power with spectacular effects
Stylistic and Narrative Innovations
- New approaches to science fiction blended philosophical themes with groundbreaking visual effects
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - redefined visual and narrative possibilities in sci-fi
- (1972) - incorporated environmental themes
- Rise of the blockbuster introduced new economic model for Hollywood
- (1975) - pioneered wide release strategy and summer blockbuster concept
- (1977) - established franchise model and merchandising potential
- Documentary techniques and cinéma vérité style influenced narrative filmmaking created more realistic aesthetic
- (1969) - blended fictional narrative with actual footage of 1968 Democratic Convention
- (1971) - used handheld cameras for gritty
- "Film school generation" introduced self-referential style paid homage to classic Hollywood and European cinema
- American Graffiti (1973) - nostalgic look at 1960s youth culture
- (1974) - neo-noir reimagining of classic detective films
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
