Discuss sex and violence in movies of the 70s.

Assignment Brief

• Papers must be typewritten and double-spaced. No papers will be accepted by e-mail. Minimum length: three pages.
• Papers must be stapled
• Name – Class Name – and date must be on the front page on paper. 

Write a paper which answers one of the questions below.

1. What was the status , fictional and real , of women in Hollywood from 1950 to today?
2. If the movie spectacular was basically a failure in the 60s, why did it re-emerge and surge in popularity as the “blockbuster” in the 70s? Was there an essential differentiating trait between the “big” movies of these two eras? Actors? Stories? Effects? Sound?
3. Discuss sex and violence in movies of the 70s. What do you think brought on increasingly graphic scenes of sex in general, but also violent sex and even rape?

Sample Answer

Sex and Violence in 1970s Cinema: A Cultural and Cinematic Shift

The 1970s marked a turbulent and transformative decade for American cinema, as filmmakers began to explore themes that were once considered taboo. Among the most striking trends during this period was the rise in graphic depictions of sex and violence, sometimes separately, but often intertwined. This paper explores the reasons behind the increasingly explicit content in 1970s films, particularly focusing on sexual violence and its portrayal, and offers a perspective on the social, political, and cinematic shifts that gave rise to this controversial era.

Breaking Away from the Hays Code

Until the late 1960s, Hollywood was governed by the Motion Picture Production Code (also known as the Hays Code), which restricted filmmakers from showing anything considered immoral or offensive, including nudity, sexual acts, or excessive violence. However, the Code gradually lost its power, and in 1968 it was officially replaced by the MPAA film rating system. This new system allowed for greater creative freedom, giving directors the ability to depict more mature and provocative content without fear of censorship. The result was an explosion of boundary-pushing films throughout the 1970s.

Cultural Upheaval and Artistic Expression

The cultural revolution of the 1960s spilled over into the 1970s, where themes of rebellion, distrust of authority, and the questioning of societal norms became central to both life and art. The Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, women’s liberation, and the Watergate scandal deeply shaped the public consciousness, and filmmakers responded by reflecting that chaos and trauma on screen.

Graphic violence was used to portray the harsh realities of war (The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now), crime (Taxi Driver, The Godfather), and societal decay (A Clockwork Orange). At the same time, sex, often violent or exploitative, was featured as a tool for psychological exploration or shock value, as seen in films like Straw Dogs or Last Tango in Paris.

The Rise of Auteur Cinema

The 1970s are often referred to as the era of "New Hollywood," where young, experimental directors such as Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Stanley Kubrick were given unprecedented control over their films. Influenced by European cinema, particularly the French New Wave and Italian neorealism, these directors were unafraid to delve into disturbing or controversial subject matter.

This new generation of auteurs saw film as an art form, not just entertainment. They viewed sex and violence not merely as sensational tools, but as narrative devices to explore human nature, alienation, and power dynamics. Unfortunately, this often blurred the line between artistic expression and gratuitous content.

Misogyny or Critique?

While some films aimed to critique violence against women, others arguably crossed the line into exploitation. The infamous rape scenes in Straw Dogs and Deliverance, or the sexual violence in Thriller: A Cruel Picture, sparked intense debate about whether these portrayals raised awareness or simply titillated audiences.

Feminist critics of the time pointed out how women’s bodies were frequently used to provoke emotional reactions or serve as objects of male trauma. While some directors may have intended to condemn violence, the visuals often ended up reinforcing the very horror they claimed to expose.

Continued...