Uncovering The Past: Historical Dramas Of The 1970s

Clara Moreau
Clara MoreauDecember 25, 2025
The 1970s was a decade that saw a resurgence in historical dramas, with filmmakers using the medium to explore and reinterpret the past. From the rise and fall of empires to the lives of iconic figures, these films offered a unique perspective on the events that shaped our world.

One of the defining characteristics of historical dramas from this era is their attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Films like 'Caligula' and 'In the Name of the Pope King' transported audiences to a bygone era, immersing them in the sights, sounds, and politics of a forgotten time. Others, such as 'MacArthur' and 'Hitler: A Career', provided a more nuanced understanding of the individuals who shaped the course of history.

The 1970s also saw a proliferation of war dramas, with films like 'A Bridge Too Far' and 'Midway' recreating pivotal battles and exploring the human cost of conflict. These movies not only entertained but also educated, offering a glimpse into the complexities and challenges of warfare. Whether focusing on the grand sweep of history or the intimate lives of individuals, these films demonstrated a profound respect for the past and a desire to learn from it.

As we look back on this remarkable decade, it's clear that the historical dramas of the 1970s continue to captivate and inspire audiences today. With their richly detailed settings, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, these films remain a testament to the power of cinema to educate, entertain, and enlighten. In this collection, we've gathered some of the most compelling and influential historical dramas of the era, each one offering a unique window into the past and a fresh perspective on the events that shaped our world.
Caligula
View Movie

Caligula

#1

After the death of the paranoid emperor Tiberius, Caligula, his heir, seizes power and plunges the empire into a bloody spiral of madness and depravity.

1979156 min
DramaHistory
6.0
901 votes
Zulu Dawn
View Movie

Zulu Dawn

#2

In 1879, the British suffer a great loss at the Battle of Isandlwana due to incompetent leadership.

1979117 min
AdventureDramaHistory
6.0
106 votes
The Tin Drum
View Movie

The Tin Drum

#3

Oskar Matzerath is a very unusual boy. Refusing to leave the womb until promised a tin drum by his mother, Agnes, Oskar is reluctant to enter a world he sees as filled with hypocrisy and injustice, and vows on his third birthday to never grow up. Miraculously, he gets his wish. As the Nazis rise to power in Danzig, Oskar wills himself to remain a child, beating his tin drum incessantly and screaming in protest at the chaos surrounding him.

1979162 min
DramaHistoryWar
6.9
497 votes
In the Name of the Pope King
View Movie

In the Name of the Pope King

#4

In 1867, with Garibaldi's forces close to bringing Rome into the Italian kingdom, Monsignor Colombo da Priverno, a world-weary judge on the papal court, wants to resign, disgusted by the violence to which the papacy resorts to hold secular power.

1977105 min
HistoryDrama
6.7
70 votes
The Man in the Iron Mask
View Movie

The Man in the Iron Mask

#5

Years have passed since the Three Musketeers, Aramis, Athos and Porthos, have fought together with their friend, D'Artagnan. But with the tyrannical King Louis using his power to wreak havoc in the kingdom while his twin brother, Philippe, remains imprisoned, the Musketeers reunite to abduct Louis and replace him with Philippe.

1977100 min
HistoryAdventureTV Movie
6.3
68 votes
MacArthur
View Movie

MacArthur

#6

The film portrays MacArthur's life from 1942, before the Battle of Bataan, to 1952, the time after he had been removed from his Korean War command by President Truman for insubordination, and is recounted in flashback as he visits West Point.

1977130 min
DramaHistoryWar
6.3
86 votes
Hitler: A Career
View Movie

Hitler: A Career

#7

A keen chronicle of the unlikely rise to power of Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) and a dissection of the Third Reich (1933-1945), but also an analysis of mass psychology and how the desperate crowd can be deceived and shepherded to the slaughterhouse.

1977150 min
DocumentaryHistory
7.4
82 votes
A Bridge Too Far
View Movie

A Bridge Too Far

#8

The story of Operation Market Garden—a failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine) was doomed to failure.

1977175 min
DramaHistoryWar
7.2
876 votes
Cross of Iron
View Movie

Cross of Iron

#9

It is 1943, and the German army—ravaged and demoralised—is hastily retreating from the Russian front. In the midst of the madness, conflict brews between the aristocratic yet ultimately pusillanimous Captain Stransky and the courageous Corporal Steiner. Stransky is the only man who believes that the Third Reich is still vastly superior to the Russian army. However, within his pompous persona lies a quivering coward who longs for the Iron Cross so that he can return to Berlin a hero. Steiner, on the other hand is cynical, defiantly non-conformist and more concerned with the safety of his own men rather than the horde of military decorations offered to him by his superiors.

1977132 min
DramaActionHistory
7.1
458 votes
Private House of the SS
View Movie

Private House of the SS

#10

Top Nazi officials, intent on rooting out traitors and those in the military who may be plotting to overthrow Adolf Hitler, recruit and train a group of beautiful prostitutes whose mission is to use any means necessary to uncover plots against the Fuhrer.

197795 min
DramaWarHistory
5.3
53 votes
Fellini's Casanova
View Movie

Fellini's Casanova

#11

Imprisoned for practicing black magic, writer and adventurer Giacomo Casanova escapes and wanders Europe, using his fluid sexuality to find his place in life amid a variety of eccentric and strange characters.

1976148 min
DramaHistory
6.9
239 votes
The Desert of the Tartars
View Movie

The Desert of the Tartars

#12

Lieutenant Giovanni Drogo is assigned to the old Bastiani border fortress where he expects an imminent attack by nomadic fearsome Tartars.

1976140 min
HistoryDrama
6.8
88 votes
Midway
View Movie

Midway

#13

This war drama depicts the U.S. and Japanese forces in the naval Battle of Midway, which became a turning point for Americans during World War II.

1976132 min
ActionDramaHistory
6.6
311 votes
1900
View Movie

1900

#14

The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.

1976316 min
DramaHistory
7.8
657 votes

Recent Reviews

Mikaela

Mikaela

Jan 7, 2026

"Mikaela" is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that takes full advantage of its unique setting - ...

Bureau 749

Bureau 749

Jan 7, 2026

"Bureau 749" is a thought-provoking science fiction film that delves into the life of a traumatized ...

Anaconda

Anaconda

Jan 7, 2026

The 2025 release of Anaconda brings a fresh twist to the classic horror-adventure genre, blending el...

The Unholy Trinity

The Unholy Trinity

Jan 7, 2026

The Unholy Trinity, set against the unforgiving landscape of 1870s Montana, is a Western adventure t...

The Great Flood

The Great Flood

Jan 7, 2026

The Great Flood, released in 2025, is a science fiction adventure drama that promises to deliver an ...

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Jan 7, 2026

James Cameron's latest installment in the Avatar saga, "Avatar: Fire and Ash", is a visually stunnin...

Cyborg She

Cyborg She

Jan 1, 2026

"Cyborg She" is a fascinating blend of action, comedy, romance, and science fiction that tells the s...

Star Trek

Star Trek

Jan 1, 2026

The 2009 Star Trek film, directed by J.J. Abrams, is a masterclass in rebooting a beloved franchise ...

Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes

Jan 1, 2026

The 2001 remake of "Planet of the Apes" is a film that sparks intense debate among fans and critics ...

Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning

Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning

Jan 1, 2026

Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning is a Finnish science fiction comedy that has garnered a cult following...

Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision

Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision

Jan 1, 2026

The original "Timecop" film, released in 1994, was a moderately successful blend of science fiction ...

Yatterman

Yatterman

Jan 1, 2026

The 2009 Japanese film "Yatterman" is a wildly entertaining and action-packed adaptation of the clas...