New Hollywood

New Hollywood, or American New Wave covering roughly the mid-1960s through the early 1980s, marked a major shift in American filmmaking. This era emphasized director-led projects shaped by countercultural influences, breaking away from the rigid formulas of the traditional studio system. Films from this period leaned into raw, unpolished realism, explored anti-establishment ideas, and featured morally complex anti-heroes, often alongside more explicit portrayals of violence and sexuality. Stylistically, they embraced on-location shooting, nonlinear storytelling, and a strong sense of personal artistic vision.

Key Characteristics

Director-Driven (Auteur) Focus: Filmmakers took control from the old studio system, demanding "final cut" authority.

Anti-Establishment & Counterculture Themes: Films reflected youth culture, distrust of government, and social alienation.

Anti-Heroes and Ambiguity: Protagonists were often flawed outsiders or criminals rather than idealized heroes, and narratives frequently concluded without easy, happy ending.

Gritty Realism and Style: Heavy influence from European Art Cinema (French New Wave, Italian Neorealism), characterized by on-location shooting, handheld cameras, and creative editing.

Socially Relevant Content: Themes often tackled taboo subjects, war, civil rights, and complex human relationships.

Focus on the Individual: Contrary to socialist realism—which portrayed idealized workers—the New Wave focused on the alienation, personal struggles, and imperfections of ordinary people.

KEY DIRECTORS AND FILMS:

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

- The Conversation (1973)

- The Godfather (1972-74)

- Apocalypse Now (1979)

MARTIN SCORCESE

- Mean Streets (1973)

- Taxi Driver (1976)

- Raging Bull (1980)

STEVEN SPIELBERG

- Duel (1971)

- The Sugarland Express (1974)

- Jaws (1975)

- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

GEORGE LUCAS

- American Graffiti (1973)

- Star Wars (1977)

BRIAN DE PALMA

- Sisters (1973)

- Carrie (1976)

- Dressed to Kill (1980)

HASKELL WEXLER

- Medium Cool (1969)

ROBERT ALTMAN

- MASH* (1970)

- The Long Goodbye (1973)

- Nashville (1975)

- Three Women (1977)

DENNIS HOPPER

- Easy Rider (1969)

BOB FOSSE

- Cabaret (1972)

- All That Jazz (1979)

PETER BOGDANOVICH

- The Last Picture Show (1971)

- Paper Moon (1973)

JOHN CASSAVETES

- Faces (1968)

- Husbands (1970)

- A Woman Under The Influence (1974)

- The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)

- Opening Night (1977)

JERRY SCHATZBERG

- Scarecrow (1973)

ARTHUR PENN

- Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

MIKE NICHOLS

- The Graduate (1967)

- Catch-22 (1970)

HAL ASHBY

- The Last Detail (1973)

- Shampoo (1975)

- Coming Home (1978)

- Being There (1979)

WILLIAM FRIEDKIN

- The French Connection (1971)

- The Exorcist (1973)

MICHAEL CIMINO

- The Deer Hunter (1978)