1967 Movies

The Best Movies of 1967

Wait Until Dark

One remarkable entry from 1967 is "Wait Until Dark," which features a stellar performance by Audrey Hepburn. This film is a suspense thriller that offers more than just chills; it provides viewers with a multi-dimensional plot infused with aspects of comedy and drama. Hepburn portrays a visually impaired woman who finds herself caught in a web of criminal activity due to a stash of heroin unknowingly kept in her apartment.

The film does an excellent job of combining suspense with a character-driven narrative, allowing viewers to invest emotionally. Additionally, the film served as the final on-screen role for Spencer Tracy, adding historical significance to its already impressive resume. Moreover, Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier deliver effective performances, lending depth to an already engrossing plot.

In Cold Blood

Next on the list is the chilling drama "In Cold Blood," a film adaptation of the Truman Capote novel detailing the repercussions of a disastrous robbery that resulted in the death of an entire family. Alan Arkin makes an early career appearance as the mastermind criminal seeking narcotics, contributing a performance that's difficult to forget. The movie transcends its grim premise by focusing on the complexities of its characters, including Hepburn's blind protagonist, who adds emotional weight to the story.

Despite the film's alarming narrative, it successfully avoids categorization as a horror movie. Nevertheless, its portrayal of the after-effects of violent crime and family loss is unsettling, making it arguably more frightening than typical horror movies.

The Dirty Dozen

"The Dirty Dozen" offers viewers a gripping narrative that stems from historical events. This action-packed film stands apart for its complex discussion surrounding the concepts of justice, the legal system, and the death penalty. The movie brings together a team of convicted military prisoners during World War II who are given a shot at redemption via a perilous assassination mission.

The film challenges viewers to think critically about moral and ethical dilemmas set against the backdrop of wartime heroism. Its disconcerting nature stems not just from its based-on-real-events status but also from its willingness to present uncomfortable questions related to justice and the rule of law.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" is noteworthy for its exploration of racial issues within the context of an intimate family setting. The plot revolves around an older Caucasian couple who are confronted with their prejudices when their daughter brings home her African-American fiancée. While the film may show its age in some respects, it remains important for how it broached the topic of interracial relationships at a time when these conversations were often taboo.

Cool Hand Luke

If you are in the mood for action, "Cool Hand Luke" delivers, and it does so in a manner that still holds up more than half a century later. Despite adhering to the formulaic structure common to action movies, including mission planning and execution, it showcases a timeless quality. Remarkably, its action sequences are just as captivating now as they must have been upon its release. The formulaic elements found in this film may remind viewers of contemporary action films, underlining the movie's enduring influence.

In the Heat of the Night

Sidney Poitier graced the big screen in multiple important roles during 1967, including a starring role in "In the Heat of the Night." This crime drama, which also secured the Best Picture award at the 1967 Oscars, places Poitier as an African-American detective investigating a murder in a racially charged small town. Although the film may not tackle its themes with the complexity common to modern interpretations, it nonetheless delivers a convincing narrative and remains a landmark film in terms of its social commentary.

The Producers

Mel Brooks had already garnered attention for his unique comedic style, but "The Producers" set itself apart for its satirical take on the world of musicals and theater. While it may not parody a specific genre, the film's humor and storytelling make it a standout entry. In a year rich with dramatic themes and societal exploration, "The Producers" offered audiences a lighter, yet equally engaging, cinematic alternative.

Bonnie and Clyde

"Bonnie and Clyde" stands as a touchstone in the evolution of crime cinema. The film is a dramatized look at the lives of the notorious bank-robbing couple, and it distinguishes itself through both its narrative and stylistic choices. The film, considered more violent and morally ambiguous than its predecessors, had a profound impact on how movies were made. It incorporated inventive editing techniques that were also featured in French New Wave films, leaving a lasting impression on viewers even decades later.

Le Samouraï

Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Samouraï" showcases a stylistic brilliance and an engrossing narrative focused on a lone hitman evading those who seek to eliminate him. The film is slow-paced but effective, and it gains much of its appeal from the distinct style that Melville imparts to it. Alain Delon's performance is one of the actor's most recognized, defining his career and solidifying the movie as one of the premier French crime thrillers.

The Graduate

"The Graduate" is a movie that truly encapsulates the zeitgeist of its time. While it may not belong to the crime genre, its influence on filmmaking is undeniable. Its story of a young man's dissatisfaction with society and his subsequent unconventional romantic escapades resonated with audiences. The film broke new ground in several ways, from its unusual narrative structures to the themes it chose to explore, contributing significantly to how stories could be told on the big screen.

1967 Movies & Industry Highlights

Milestone Films

The year was marked by a collection of movies that garnered both box office success and critical acclaim. The Graduate led the pack, distributed by United Artists/Embassy Pictures, with an astonishing $43,100,000 in domestic rentals. Coming in second was Guess Who's Coming to Dinner by Columbia Pictures, netting $25,500,000.

Following closely were Bonnie and Clyde, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, which grossed $22,000,000, and The Dirty Dozen by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer with $20,100,000. These movies were more than just financially successful; they were cultural touchstones that redefined narrative styles and thematic focus.

Genre Revolution

Several movies, like Bonnie and Clyde and The Graduate, broke conventional norms, embracing a more forward-thinking approach to storytelling and visuals. Bonnie and Clyde featured an unprecedented level of visual depiction of violence, marking a departure from the sanitized narratives of earlier years. Similarly, The Graduate disrupted traditional storytelling segments, capturing the ambivalence and confusion of youth culture and its conflict with older generations.

International Highlights

Outside of North America, films such as Hamraaz in India and Kidnapping, Caucasian Style in the Soviet Union also drew large audiences. With $6,000,000 and $21,260,000 in gross earnings, respectively, these movies showcased the universal appeal of cinema across different cultures.

Industry Events and Changes

The year 1967 wasn't only about films. It was also significant for industry-wide shifts. A prototype for the I.M.A.X. large-format-film acquisition and screening system was displayed at Expo 67 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, laying the groundwork for future developments in film technology. The MPAA also adopted a new logo, solidifying its identity in a changing environment. Meanwhile, Seven Arts Productions merged assets with Warner Bros., forming Warner Bros.-Seven Arts.

One of the most impactful events was the death of Vivien Leigh, best known for her roles in Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire, due to tuberculosis. This loss was felt deeply within the community, marking the end of an era in some ways.

New Hollywood Era

The success of boundary-pushing films like Bonnie and Clyde ushered in what came to be known as the New Hollywood era. This period was marked by creative freedom, innovative visual styles, and a shift towards narratives that appealed to a younger, more critical audience. The influence of this year's films extended far beyond their time, signaling a new phase of creativity and commercial possibilities.

Walt Disney's Legacy

One of the most notable releases of 1967 was The Jungle Book. It was the last animated feature to be personally supervised by Walt Disney before his passing in 1966. This film stands as a testament to Disney's enduring legacy, capturing audiences with its character animation, voice casting, and memorable soundtrack, which included Academy Award-nominated songs like "The Bare Necessities."