Five Masterpieces, One Oscar: Was the Academy Wrong in 1975?

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. Yes, the academy got it right

Ive never seen Barry Lyndon, but despite its reknown for period spectacle, it’s generally considered one of Kubrick’s secondary works.

Nashville, although a biting look at American culture, is an acquired taste for many folks (my wife hated it, said it was pointless and had no plot).

Jaws was the first true Blockbuster movie, great acting and directing, an excellent horror film.

Dog Day Afternoon was a good film, carried largely by the talents of Pacino and Cazale.

Cuckoo’s Nest is the whole package - a compelling story based on Ken Kesey’s actual experiences, perfect casting, outstanding writing and directing, anchored by Jack Nicholson’s performance.

While the other films may have been “daring” or groundbreaking in their own ways, that doesn’t necessarily make them deserving of the Oscar. They are nevertheless unforgettable, and are part of a large group of iconic films unrecognized by the academy.