List of Films Based On Actual Events - 1970s

1970s

• Shangani Patrol (1970) — A war film, shot on location in Rhodesia, based on the pursuit of King Lobengula in 1893 that ends with the heroic last stand of Major Allan Wilson and his men.
• Patton (1970) — Story of U.S. General George S. Patton.
• Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) — Sprawling Japanese and American production of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
• 10 Rillington Place (1971) — Events surrounding the wrongful execution of Timothy Evans, a Welshman framed for the death of his daughter by his landlord, English serial killer John Christie. Christie would kill women in his flat at 10 Rillington Place, and parts of the film were filmed in that actual location.
• Brian's Song (1971) — Story about Brian Piccolo who played for the Chicago Bears starring James Caan and Billy Dee Williams.
• The French Connection (1971) - Based on the story of drug smuggling from Marseille to New York City in the 1960s.
• Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) - Czar Nicholas II, the inept monarch of Russia, insensitive to the needs of his people, is overthrown and exiled to Siberia with his family.
• Lady Sings the Blues (1972) — Film about jazz singer Billie Holiday, loosely based on her 1956 autobiography.
• Badlands (1973) — Fictionalized account of 1957 Nebraska murder spree by Charles Starkweather and his 15-year-old girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate.
• Dillinger (1973) — Story of the 1930s gangster starring Warren Oates.
• Papillon (1973) - Based on the life of French convict Henri Charriere
• Serpico (1973) — Story of New York City policeman Frank Serpico, played by Al Pacino. Directed by Sidney Lumet.
• The Exorcist (1973) — Based on William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name, which is based on a 1949 case of demonic possession that Blatty heard about as a student at Georgetown University.
• Lenny (1974) — Biographical film about the comedian Lenny Bruce.
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) - Horror film based on the massacre of several people in the USA.
• Jaws (film) (1975) - Thriller film based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name based on shark attacks.
• Dog Day Afternoon (1975) — Events surrounding a 1972 Brooklyn bank robbery. John Wojtowicz, played by Al Pacino, said the film was "only 30% true."
• The Hindenburg (1975) — German airship LZ 129 Hindenburg exploded on landing in 1937. Film's sabotage theme was superseded by new 1990s evidence.
• All the President's Men (1976) — Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncover the details of the Watergate scandal leading to President Nixon's resignation.
• Bound For Glory (1976) — Biopic about Depression-era folksinger and social advocate Woody Guthrie.
• Helter Skelter (1976) — The Tate/LaBianca murders in L.A. in 1969, perpetrated by the Manson Family.
• A Bridge Too Far (1977) — Tells the story of the failure of Operation Market Garden during World War II.
• MacArthur (1977) — Retells WWII-era General of the Army Douglas 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.
• Midnight Express (1978) — Based on the book by William Hayes and his experiences after he is caught smuggling drugs out of Turkey and thrown into prison.
• The Buddy Holly Story (1978) — Biopic about Texas musician Buddy Holly.
• The Amityville Horror (1979 film) (1979) — Based on the alleged real life experiences of the Lutz family who buy a new home in Long Island, only to flee after they experience a series of frightening paranormal events.
• Norma Rae (1979) — Woman (Sally Field) who works in a North Carolina textile mill gets involved in organizing the place.
• Operation Thunderbolt (1973) - Based on the Israeli commando raid in Entebbe, Kenya, to release more than 100 hostages