1975 was an unusual year in that I have all five Oscar nominees for Best Picture on my list. Since the Academy rarely gets it right (in my opinion), that’s an anomaly that’s unlikely to be repeated. They got it right this year with the nominations and the winner is a solid film, even if it wouldn’t be my choice.

Another anomaly is that the majority of the films that made my list are in the English language. Hollywood was churning out quality content in the 1970s that overshadowed a lot of international products. Rainer Werner Fassbinder actually had three films that barely missed the list: Fox and His Friends, Fear of Fear, and Mother Küsters Goes to Heaven.

It was also a year for guilty pleasures. My #1 choice is a fine film and would make many lists, but maybe not the top spot. The fact that it has remained hilarious after 40 years speaks volumes. Even though it is not my favorite Monty Python (that would be Life of Brian), it is one of the most quotable and funniest comedies that I’ve seen. Rocky Horror Picture Show is another example of a guilty pleasure. I have seen it a number of times in theaters with audience participation and never on it’s own. It is not a good film, but the fact that it is still a great time at the theater gives it some sentimental value.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
2. Nashville
3. Picnic at Hanging Rock
4. Love and Death
5. The Passenger
6. Night Moves
7. The Mirror
8. Dog Day Afternoon
9. Overlord
10. Xala
11. Barry Lyndon
12. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
13. Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce
14. The Man Who Would Be King
15. Three Days of the Condor
16. Deep Red
17. The Story of Adele H
18. Jaws
19. The Great Waldo Pepper
20. Rocky Horror Picture Show