Welcome To My Movie Countdown!

Kris Kristofferson opens his arms to all of you, fellow movie lovers, especially those who like classic cult movies!

Kris has ten great films to share, as I continue by “Movies A-Z” list of classic cult cinema!

Uh oh! Gene Hackman is so choked up about this list that I feel the need to explain: in doing my list of “Movies A-Z” – I found myself in a quandary with the letter “P” – I found ten classic cult from from a very specific period in Hollywood!

Cult “P” Movies From 1968-1975!

As you can see from this picture, Steve McQueen can’t wait to bust out and see my list as well – because he made this list…but sadly, I had to leave out more recent great films that begin with “P” – but there are ten great reasons why – these seven years (1968- 1975) gave us amazing movies!

So, in chronological order, here are ten great films that begin with the letter “P” – beginning in 1968 with a science fiction masterpiece!

10 – “Planet Of The Apes” – 1968

Charlton Heston and his fellow Astronauts crash land on another planet – a “planet of the apes!”

Here is the trailer:

This is one of the greatest science fiction films of all time – and of course, the single greatest “twist” ending of all time – written by “Twilight Zone’s” Rod Serling!

Charlton Heston had a “perfect storm” of sci-fi movies, including the movie that inspired Green Day to name their band! See that story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/23/cult-sci-fis-godfather-charlton-heston-omega-man-planet-of-the-apes-soylent-green-is-people/

That same year, Rock Superstar Mick Jagger shed his Rolling Stone image to star in a movie where he sat in a bathtub naked!

9 – “Performance” – 1968

This is a wild movie – check out the trailer:

“Performance” is notorious for including scenes of Jagger bathing with Keith Richards’ girlfriend – sparking a bitter feud – read that story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/26/mick-jaggers-naked-performance-keith-richards-girlfriend-feud-a-cult-classic-on-blu-ray-2/

We jump forward to 1971 now, the year that Clint Eastwood had three classic films, including his directorial debut:

8 – “Play Misty For Me” – 1971

Clint stars as a successful DJ who attracts a fan who becomes a crazed stalker – here is the trailer:

Jessica Walter is great as the deranged fan, and the bartender is played by legendary Director Don Siegel – who directed Clint TWICE that year – in “Dirty Harry” and “Play Misty For Me!”

See more about this trifecta of great cinema here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/12/clint-eastwoods-1971-triple-play-of-classic-films-dirty-harry-play-misty-for-me-the-beguiled/

Also in 1971, Al Pacino burst on the scene as a junkie hanging out in New York’s infamous “needle park”:

7 – “The Panic In Needle Park” – 1971

This raw movie about young drug addicts was filmed on location – here is the trailer:

Pacino would go on to star in “The Godfather” a year later – here is more trivia about his great cult movie:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/19/al-pacinos-a-junkie-a-scarecrow-classic-early-al-pacino-performances/

In 1972, “disaster” films were the rage, and none better that this great film with the classic tagline:

“HELL UPSIDE DOWN!”

6 – “The Poseidon Adventure” – 1972

What a great film – an ocean liner capsized on New Year’s eve, and the only way out is to climb UP to the bottom of the ship! Here is the trailer:

“The Poseidon Adventure” had an all-star cast – and won an Oscar for best song! See that video here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/18/celebrity-smackdowns-hell-upside-down-the-disastrous-duo-of-poseidon-adventure-and-towering-inferno/

That same year, Hackman starred in a gritty crime drama alongside Lee Marvin – a real slice of greenhouse cinema!

5 – “Prime Cut” – 1972

Hackman played a Kansas City Mobster who decides NOT to pay his Chicago mob bosses – who send Lee Marvin to collect what’s due!

Here is the trailer:

“Prime Cut” was Sissy Spacek’s movie debut, and she and Marvin get chased by a wheat harvester – this is a great action movie – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/23/prime-cut-grindhouse-classic-gene-hackman-vs-lee-marvin/

Another 70’s action hero had a smash hit in 1973 with the true story of one of the world’s greatest prison escapes!

4 – “Papillon” – 1973

Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman star in the film, based on the best-selling autobiography by the French convict Henri Charrière.

The film’s title is French for “Butterfly,” referring to Charrière’s tattoo and nickname. Here is the trailer:

This film is amazing, as it documents what these prisoners endured as they tried to escape…a great film and McQueen has never been better. He was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the time – click here to see more of his great movies!

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/02/hollywoods-coolest-star-steve-mcqueen-chicagos-most-amazing-stunt/

Director Sam Peckinpah released one of his greatest movies in 1973 – with two big Hollywood stars as well:

3 – “Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid” – 1973

Kris Kristofferson and James Coburn starred in this great film about the last days of the wild west – check out the trailer:

At the time, Peckinpah had a reputation as a wild man, so the cast took a picture with him in a hospital bed – and sent it to the movie studio!

Here are more wild stories about this legendary Director:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/02/21/the-wild-bunch-billy-the-kid-sam-peckinpahs-soup-tossing/

Now, one of my five favorite films of all time – courtesy of Director Brian DePalma and Singer/Songwriter Paul Williams!

2- “Phantom Of The Paradise” – 1974

DePalma’s updated “Phantom Of The Opera” wasn’t a hit at the time, but is now considered a masterpiece – check out the trailer:

A new blu-ray has a ton of great extras, including an in-depth conversation between Paul Williams, who starred in the film and wrote all the music, and Director Gillermo del Toro…you can see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/02/27/cult-classic-phantom-of-the-paradise-guillermo-del-toro-talks-up-paul-williams-great-new-special-edition/

Finally, Jack Nicholson starred in a great European film directed Michelangelo Antonioni.

1 – “The Passenger” – 1975

This hypnotic road movie gave us a chance to see a different side of Jack Nicholson – here is the trailer:

While it was never announced officially, rumors have been flying for a few years now that Jack retired from film – if that’s the case, now is the time to go back and see great films like this – here is a list of some of his best – oh, and my “Jack” moment at the Cannes Film Festival!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/04/22/happy-80th-birthday-jack-nicholson-his-greatest-roles-my-jack-moment/

There you go – ten great films, all released between 1968 and 1975 – there are so many great films beginning with “P”, but these are classics from a specific era in film.

I you missed by previous lists, here are my “Movies A-F”:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

For all the rest, go to my home page and click “movies” and you will find every letter so far! Let me know if your favorite “P” film is actually “Hell, Upside Down!”

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