Staff Picks
Our Library staff have chosen four (4) recommendations, with some words explaining each pick.
They include everything from films and TV series to books, podcasts, music and beyond.
They can be accessed either online or from the Library's physical collection (for AFTRS staff and students only).
Frazer
Collection Development Librarian
Hayley
Library & Information Services Manager
Tahrin
Contractor Librarian
Raquel
User Experience Librarian
Cathie
Receptionist
Frazer
A NEW LEAF
Dir. Elaine May (1971)
Inspired, eccentric comedy. Elaine May and Walter Matthau are so good together here, with May's brilliant script and direction giving it such a unique personality. There's a playful, unconventional energy in almost every scene and situation, and a rare, winning voice of deadpan humour and genuine heart.
DUEL
Dir. Steven Spielberg (1971)
I always find it interesting to see the first feature film by a major director, to see their work when they were learning the ropes with a smaller budget, and this is no exception. Initially a TV movie was so popular more material was shot and it was given a theatrical release. A taut, effective thriller that's still a lot of fun to watch.
MORNING OF THE EARTH
Dir. Albert Fazon (1972)
The ultimate vibe movie. This cult surf film was shot in Australia, Bal and Hawaii, and it's a great watch even if you're not into surfing. The focus isn't on tricks or any kind of competition, it's more interested in capturing the peaceful energy of a particular lifestyle. There's no narrative here, just enjoy the atmosphere, experimental visuals and great soundtrack.
KILLER OF SHEEP
Dir. Charles Burnett (1978)
A stark, beautiful film and a landmark work of independent filmmaking. Follows a family living in Watts, Los Angeles in a series of vignettes. The approach is a striking mix of neo-realism and a more formally experimental style, which is by turns bleak and tough, while also funny and souring with humanism.
Hayley
THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE
Dir. Ronald Neame (1972)
One of the iconic disaster films of the 1970’s where a cruise ship is flipped over and the surviving passengers need to escape. I love how the different characters interact and the non-stop thrills and obstacles they need to overcome. Will they make it out? You will have to watch to find out!
AIRPORT 1975
Dir. Jack Smight (1974)
I love to watch airplane disaster movies, this may explain why I hate flying and to get my fix the 1970’s Airport series gives you all the ways an airplane can crash, Airport 75 is a particular favourite of mine with the over the top acting of Charlton Heston and Karen Black who are attempting to get an flight attendant to land a 747 after it was hit by another plane.
CHINA SYNDROME
Dir. James Bridges (1979)
Amazing performances from Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Michael Douglas in this suspense thriller about how safe nuclear power plants are. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially now we know how devasting an accident at a nuclear power plant can be. A must watch 70’s disater film.
THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN
Dir. Robert Wise (1971)
Another awesome 70’s disaster movie, this one is about an alien virus that could kill off the world. The cast is amazing and the film keeps the suspense big as the group of scientist try and defeat the alien invader. I really enjoyed this film and highly recommend it.
Tahrin
ALL THAT JAZZ
Dir. Bob Fosse (1979)
This darkly comedic musical follows pill-popping workaholic Joe Gideon, director, choreographer, and surrogate for Fosse. Take Fosse's frenzied editing and striking cinematography, combine with a Roy Scheider performance for the ages. The result is a poignant and sardonic study of a life lived, for better or worse.
F FOR FAKE
Dir. Orson Welles (1973)
Part documentary, part personal essay, this is Welles last film that he would see completed in his lifetime. Welles, with his trademark RKO speech, muses on forgery and fraud, both in the art world and the everyday. Maligned by critics initially, this is arguably one of Welles' masterpieces, a visual cacophony of fakery and honesty.
THE ROLLING THUNDER REVUE: A BOB DYLAN STORY
Dir. Martin Scorsese (2019)
Using footage from Dylan's avant-garde epic Renaldo and Clara, Scorsese assembles a recount of the 1975/76 tour, dubbed the Rolling Thunder Revue. With a menagerie of musicians interviewed (including the elusive Dylan himself), Scorsese and Dylan work together to deceive the viewer at every turn while some of Dylan's finest songs accompany.
THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH
Dir. Nicholas Roeg (1976)
It takes great skill to adapt Walter Tevis' vastly underappreciated novel, but Roeg and David Bowie are up to the challenge. Bowie plays Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien seeking to save his species but who succumbs to the hedonism of the 20th century, more Dorian Gray than ET.
Raquel
3 WOMEN
Dir. Robert Altman (1977)
A strange and beautiful Persona-esque psycho-drama that's just too hard to explain. I was going to say that watching it feels like you're in a dream but then I read that it apparently came to Altman in a dream, so there's that. It stars Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek. Two Queens.
DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE
Dir. Frank Perry (1970)
You will laugh, you will cry, watching this hour and a half torture-sesh about a housewife, trapped in a loveless marriage to a wealthy, demanding asshole (Richard Benjamin in his best role ever). She's berated throughout by him, her kids and eventually her lover (a super sleazy Frank Langella). I don't even know if it was supposed to be a comedy, but it's absolute high camp - from the director of Mommy Dearest no less. Run, don't walk!
INTERIORS
Dir. Woody Allen (1978)
Woody Allen does Ingmar Bergman... and so gorgeously! The colour palette, the clothing, the apartments! It's bleak, but oh so tastefully bleak. The best kind of family drama, it includes an uptight, overbearing mother, a weak, long-suffering father, three sexy neurotic sisters and their lousy excuses for husbands. Make a martini - you'll need it.
GIRLFRIENDS
Dir. Claudia Weill (1978)
Find me a better film about female friendship. I'll wait.
Cathie
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
Dir. John Schlesinger (1969)
Staggering, shattering, heartbreaking, hilarious, tragic, raw and absurd. Midnight Cowboy was the first X-Rated film to be nominated for and win an Academy award for best picture. In 1971 it was given a R rating and was banded from many cinemas. Dustin Hoffman’s performance is ranked 7 on Premier Magazines 100 greatest performances of all times.
THE GODFATHER
Dir. Francis Ford Coppola (1972)
Highest grossing film of 1972. It was nominated for 11 Academy awards and won three, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Screenplay. The Godfather became the golden standard for how mafia films are supposed to feel. Cinematographer Gordon Wills was given the name "Prince of Darkness" for his ability to find the perfect light in the darkest of scenes. Sonny’s death scene took 3 days to shoot, at a cost of $100,000.
NUMBER 96
Created by David Sale (1972-77)
Few Australian shows are more legendary than the serial drama Number 96. This ratings sensation not only made household names of its stars (notably Abigail) and restored the Channel Ten network to financial health. Number 96 broke many taboos, particularly in its treatment of sexuality on Australia television.
THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
By Pink Floyd (1973)
The Dark Side of the Moon is among the most critically acclaimed records in history and is often featured in listings of the greatest albums of all times. The album is estimated to have sold over 45 million copies.