12 Shameless Movies from the 1970s That Lack Any Consideration for Your Respect

      These movies from the 1970s unabashedly embrace their sleaziness. While the '70s were a remarkable decade for cinema overall, they particularly excelled in creating sleazy films.

      We're not referring to films with an X rating, as that falls into its own category. We also won't discuss films like Serpico, The French Connection, and Mean Streets, which depict sleaze without being overtly sleazy themselves.

      Instead, we're focusing on 1970s films that shock and pander to audiences purely for the thrill of it, often with amusing results.

      Here’s our list of 12 sleazy movies from the 1970s that have no regard for your esteem.

      Caligula (1979)

      Produced by Produzioni Atlas Consorziate

      When Bob Guccione, founder of Penthouse, aimed to create a mainstream film, it resulted in Caligula — a narrative about the hedonistic Roman emperor featuring notable actors.

      Starring the audacious Malcolm McDowell, alongside Teresa Ann Savoy, Helen Mirren, and Peter O’Toole, this film is most infamous for its excessive sex scenes.

      It was penned by the esteemed Gore Vidal, who distanced himself from the project after director Tinto Brass significantly modified his script.

      The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

      Distributed by Bryanston Distributing Company

      An extraordinary and highly influential movie from the 1970s that brilliantly leverages sleaze, starting with its unforgettable title.

      It's one of the most compelling and chilling horror films ever made thanks to its intense atmosphere filled with sex and violence.

      With the sounds of animals and buzzing flies amplifying its impact, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre leaves no bounds, even before Leatherface's chainsaw is first revved. It stands out as one of the most effective sleazy films of all time.

      Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (1975)

      Produced by Cinépix Film Properties

      One of the pinnacle examples of sleazy cinema, Ilsa, She Wolf of the S.S. presents lofty ideals through a ludicrous opening card (as seen above), serving merely as a pretext to narrate the tale of Ilsa, a cruel Nazi warden determined to showcase that women endure suffering better than men, granting them the right to fight for Hitler.

      She demonstrates this through a series of so-called "experiments" involving scantily clad women, at best. Let’s all agree: “This couldn’t be made today.”

      This Canadian film by director Don Edmonds received a review from Gene Siskel, who labeled it “the most degenerate picture I have seen to play downtown.” It’s unclear if this was a compliment or a critique.

      The Driller Killer (1979)

      Produced by Rochelle Films

      Abel Ferrara has created classic films such as King of New York and Bad Lieutenant, but he initially made his mark with The Driller Killer. (His first film was an adult feature in which he also appeared.)

      Ferrara stars in The Driller Killer (as seen above), portraying a New York City artist who channels his urban frustration into a killing spree using a power tool.

      The film was categorized as a "video nasty" in the United Kingdom, criticized for its extreme and sleazy content.

      Dolemite (1975)

      Produced by Dimension Pictures

      We adore Dolemite, but when the lead character is a pimp, you're clearly watching a sleazy film.

      As one of the quintessential 1970s movies, Rudy Ray Moore's endlessly entertaining Blaxploitation classic originated from his raunchy stand-up routines: He relays tales of a streetwise hustler named Dolemite, who declares, “Dolemite is my name and f—ing up motherf—ers is my game.”

      Dolemite also exemplified the triumph of DIY independent filmmaking — as highlighted in the recent film Dolemite Is My Name, featuring Eddie Murphy.

      Kudos to Dolemite for landing a spot on our list of films that glamorize sex work.

      Thriller: A Cruel Picture (1973)

      Distributed by American International Pictures

      Regarded as one of the finest exploitation films ever crafted, this Swedish production by director Bo Arne Vibenius stars Christina Lindberg as a mute woman who endures a harrowing series of traumas — which Vibenius unabashedly showcases.

      She ultimately acquires a double-barrel shotgun and embarks on a revenge quest that she — and her targets — thoroughly deserve.

      This film recently received a 4K Ultra HD restoration by the esteemed folks at Vinegar Syndrome, known for reviving cult classics.

      The Last House on the Left (1972)

      Distributed by Hallmark Releasing Corp

      We have a strong aversion to this movie due to its sheer effectiveness. As one of the sleaziest films ever made, it possesses a raw quality that renders its violence and cruelty strikingly authentic. It's a