Crime Films of the 1970s

The 1970s was a pivotal era for crime and criminal justice films in the United States. Many films produced during this period provocatively captured the tumultuous spirit of the era, while also shaping cinematic representations in the decades that followed. This edited volume offers a captivating exploration of the intricate connections between these films and the administration and social perceptions and attitudes toward justice, marginalized individuals, and the complexities of the criminal justice system. Each chapter delves into the intricate connections between these films and the administration of justice, the social construction of justice, as well as the social constructions of marginalized individuals and groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. The contents of this collection provide insightful perspectives on the relationships between past representations and present social and cultural conditions. By examining these crime-based films through a critical lens, this book sheds light on how they have shaped societal perceptions and attitudes towards justice, marginalization, the complexities of the criminal justice system, and the views towards the larger political establishment. This thought-provoking analysis expands our understanding of the enduring influence of these cinematic representations on our collective cultural consciousness.