The 1970s saw a wonderfully weird explosion in fantasy cinema. While Star Wars may have dominated the sci-fi landscape towards the end of the era, a fascinating array of fantasy movies, sometimes flying under the radar, offered unique and sometimes truly bizarre journeys into other worlds. Some of them draw on the traditional medieval movie settings that were prevalent in the revivalist ‘60s, while others innovatively blend sci-fi and fantasy.

From animated epics to low-budget dinosaurs and arthouse taking on Arthurian legend, there are 1970s fantasy movies you might have missed. Each possesses a charm and strangeness entirely its own, cementing it in the cinematic context of the decade and making them great movies for fantasy lovers.

The Phantom Tollbooth (1970)

Directed By Abe Levitow, Dave Monahan, & Chuck Jones

The Phantom Tollbooth is a great movie based on an even better book. Also known as The Adventures of Milo in the Phantom Tollbooth, this 1970 adaptation is based on Norton Juster’s book of the same name. This whimsical children’s adventure follows Milo, a listless boy living in a San Francisco apartment. After telling his friend he sees “no rhyme or reason” to his life, a large package suddenly appears – it contains a tollbooth which is a gateway to a bizarre parallel universe. Milo’s mission in this world is to rescue the Princesses of Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason.

The nature of the eccentric characters in The Phantom Tollbooth are reminiscent of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, while the philosophical themes are surprisingly mature for a kids’ movie. Unfortunately, The Phantom Tollbooth was a box office flop, but it still captured the imagination of many children growing up in the ‘70s, and the movie gained a strong following after its initial release (per Variety).

Jabberwocky (1977)

Directed By Terry Gilliam

Also in the Carrollian vein, the 1977 Lewis Carroll adaptation Jabberwocky is based on the nonsense poem of the same name in Wonderland’s sequel, Through the Looking-Glᴀss. It was co-written and directed by the brilliant Terry Gilliam, who had co-directed the classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Terry Jones just two years prior. This lesser-known movie got mixed reviews, but it is well worth a watch for fantasy enthusiasts.

Often overlooked in Gilliam’s oeuvre, Jabberwocky is even certified rotten, but the medieval British comedy transcends simple fairytale satire, offering a potent, if narratively whimsical, critique of societal failings. The movie depicts a kingdom grappling with a monstrous threat while its inept leadership focuses on trivialities and opportunistic merchants exploit the ensuing chaos. This renders Jabberwocky‘s skewering of incompetence and self-interest nuanced and insightful, as well as hilarious.

Bedknobs And Broomsticks (1971)

Directed By Robert Stevenson

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a 1971 masterpiece, but you might also remember growing up with this movie if you’re a ‘90s kid. This is because it was given a major restoration in 1996, reviving it for the next generation. It is a live-action fantasy move with elements of animation based on two works by Mary Norton. It feels spiritually similar to Mary Poppins, and for good reason – it took a long time for the film to get made because of its similarities to the 1964 classic.

During the Blitz in 1940, three London orphans are evacuated to a seemingly reluctant woman in a Dorset village. Their initial escape attempt is thwarted by a magical revelation: their caretaker is learning witchcraft. In exchange for their silence, she offers them a means of magical transportation – a charmed bedknob. However, her studies are cut short, leading the group on a quest to London to find her teacher and the secrets of a crucial final spell. Their search takes them to eccentric places and reveals a tale of a sorcerer, enchanted animals, and a hidden island.

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Directed By Ralph Bakshi

While Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy is widely considered the definitive cinematic adaptation of Tolkien’s epic, Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 animated film served as a crucial, albeit often overlooked, precursor. The very existence and success of Jackson’s later films were likely bolstered by Bakshi’s earlier attempt. Though the animated feature didn’t cover the entire trilogy, it introduced a generation to the world of Middle-earth on the big screen in a visually distinct and memorable way. This initial exposure arguably paved the way for the broader acceptance and anticipation that greeted Jackson’s more comprehensive adaptation decades later.

It’s reasonable to say that without Bakshi’s pioneering effort, Jackson’s trilogy might have faced a more challenging path to mainstream success. Bakshi’s film, despite its limitations and deviations from the source material, demonstrated the cinematic potential of Tolkien’s work and captured the imaginations of audiences. In this light, the 1978 animated Lord of the Rings stands not just as an interesting footnote in cinematic history, but as a foundational stepping stone upon which the monumental success of Jackson’s live-action films was likely built.

The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)

Directed By Nicolas Roeg

Nicolas Roeg’s 1976 film, The Man Who Fell to Earth, is one of David Bowie’s best roles, and had a significant impact on the cinematic landscape of the 1970s. For audiences of the era, particularly those attuned to the burgeoning counter-culture and experimental filmmaking, the movie offered a unique and often bewildering experience. Its psychedelic visuals, unconventional editing, and David Bowie’s ethereal performance as an alien navigating human society created a powerful and lasting impression.

The film’s strangeness, rather than being a detriment, contributed to its cult status and its place within iconic 1970s cinema. In a decade known for its artistic risks and boundary-pushing art, The Man Who Fell to Earth stood out for its sheer audacity and refusal to conform. It became a touchstone for discussions about art cinema, science fiction, and the blurring lines between reality and perception. Even if you find the plot disjointed, you will love the power of its atmosphere and Bowie’s performance.

Lancelot Du Lac (1974)

Directed By Robert Bresson

Lancelot du Lac is perhaps a risky recommendation, but fascinating for being the most bizarre fantasy movie to gain critical acclaim. Robert Bresson’s 1974 film offered a strikingly different vision of Arthurian legend than typical fantasy fare of the 1970s, appealing to a more art-house sensibility. Bresson deliberately focused on the psychological and spiritual consequences of the characters’ actions. This unique approach, reminiscent of French New Wave techniques, highlighted the underlying tragedy of the Arthurian mythos.

His unconventional treatment of a familiar epic was disconcerting for being deliberately badly performed by actors who were largely never seen in a film again, but this bizarre fantasy take resonated with audiences and critics. It’s a great watch for those seeking more than mere swashbuckling adventure. In a decade often characterized by more flamboyant fantasy productions, Lancelot du Lac stood out as a stark deconstruction of the legendary framework.

When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth (1970)

Directed By Val Guest

In the landscape of 1970s fantasy cinema, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970) offered a distinctly imaginative, if scientifically inaccurate, vision that tapped into a primal sense of wonder. Eschewing elaborate fantasy world-building, the film embraced a more fairytale approach, placing primitive humans alongside dinosaurs in a world seemingly created just moments before the story began. This simple premise has an innocent charm, appealing to an audience willing to suspend disbelief for a straightforward adventure – pretty on-brand for Hammer.

A significant draw of When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth for 1970s audiences is undoubtedly its visual spectacle, particularly the stop-motion animation of the dinosaurs. While limited by the technology of the time, these claymation creatures inspire the imagination and would appeal to audiences with CGI fatigue. Scenes like the plesiosaur attack showcased real creative ambition. Overall, this somewhat cheesy but earnest and unironic movie satiates a desire for pure, unadulterated fantasy.

Wizards (1977)

Directed By Ralph Bakshi

Ralph Bakshi’s 1977 animated feature, Wizards, boldly blends post-apocalyptic science fiction with traditional magic. In a decade that saw a burgeoning interest in both fantasy and dystopian futures, Bakshi’s creation offered a singular vision of a world fractured by a cataclysmic war, where the remnants of humanity are divided between those who embrace mystical arts and those who wield the power of technology.

Its cult following solidified its place as a memorable, influential, if unconventional, entry in the 1970s fantasy canon. Bakshi’s distinctive animation style, which incorporates everything from live-action book sequences and storybook illustrations to rotoscoping, lends the film a raw and unpredictable visual texture. Even the seemingly out-of-place 1970s disco soundtrack contributes to its offbeat appeal.

Zardoz (1974)

Directed By John Boorman

The 1970s were definitely a time when filmmakers started getting more adventurous with their sci-fi, and John Boorman’s Zardoz (1974) is a prime example. It’s not a straightforward space adventure. Instead, it throws you into a bizarre future where Sean Connery’s character uncovers a strange truth about the world he lives in, involving a fake god and some rather peculiar immortals. Zardoz isn’t afraid to be insane, blending its science fiction elements with unusual fantasy concepts.

The sci-fi romp could only have been created in the 1970s, and its path to the screen was almost as bizarre as its content. Boorman made the movie after his plans to adapt The Lord of the Rings fell through. The strangeness of Zardoz extended to its soundtrack, for which Boorman surprisingly enlisted early music expert David Munrow. Bucking sci-fi norms, Munrow layered medieval instruments like flutes and bells. This bizarre yet distinctive soundscape, for fantasy audiences, added another layer of the movie’s thought-provoking oddity, blending ancient tones with a futuristic setting.

The Land That Time Forgot (1974)

Directed By Kevin Connor

Kevin Connor’s 1974 adventure fantasy The Land That Time Forgot is a charmingly low-budget romp, which had a remake in 2009. ​​This later version updated the setting to the present day, following newlyweds who stumble upon the dinosaur-inhabited island of Caprona. Unlike its predecessor’s blend of earnest adventure with questionable effects, the remake leaned more heavily into its B-movie status, often prioritizing CGI creatures – this is not a patch on the commitment to practical effects in the 1974 movie, particularly the tangible charm of hand-operated dinosaur puppets.

As a 1970s fantasy release, The Land That Time Forgot (1974) has a fun appeal, straddling the line between a low-budget spectacle and a genuinely engaging adventure. While its special effects might induce more chuckles than awe by today’s standards, there’s an undeniable earnestness to the production and a core narrative that glosses over these elements. This surprising balance, where a sincerely interesting plot and decent acting coexist with hilariously bad creature effects, contributes to the movie’s unique and uncanny appeal, making it a memorable, if flawed, entry in the decade’s fantasy offerings.

Source: Variety