The 1960s and 70s saw a seismic shift in American cinema. As the old studio system crumbled, a new wave of filmmakers emerged, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative techniques to the big screen.

This transformation reflected broader societal changes, from the rise of counterculture to political unrest. New Hollywood directors challenged conventions, exploring taboo subjects and experimenting with storytelling, forever altering the landscape of American film.

Decline of Classical Hollywood

Legal and Technological Challenges

• Paramount Decree of 1948 forced major studios to divest theater chains impacted vertical integration and profit structures
• Television's widespread adoption in 1950s provided competing entertainment drew audiences away from theaters
• Changing demographics and suburban migration altered traditional movie-going habits challenged established distribution patterns
• Rising production costs and diminishing box office returns in late 1950s and early 1960s led to financial instability for major studios
  • Examples of high-cost productions (Cleopatra, 1963)
  • Trend of decreasing theater attendance (peaked in 1946 at 90 million weekly, dropped to 60 million by 1960)

Industry Restructuring

• Collapse of Production Code in 1968 and replacement with MPAA rating system allowed more diverse and adult-oriented content
  • New rating categories (G, PG, R, X)
  • Examples of films pushing boundaries (Midnight Cowboy, 1969)
• Conglomerate takeovers of major studios in 1960s shifted focus towards profit-driven decision-making altered traditional production strategies
  • Gulf+Western's acquisition of Paramount (1966)
  • Transamerica Corporation's purchase of United Artists (1967)
• Rise of independent producers and production companies challenged studio monopoly on talent and resources
  • Formation of United Artists by Chaplin, Fairbanks, Pickford, and Griffith (1919)
  • Success of independent productions (Easy Rider, 1969)

Counterculture's Impact on Cinema

Social and Political Themes

• Vietnam War and civil rights movement influenced filmmakers to address social and political issues more directly
  • Anti-war films (MASH, 1970)
  • Civil rights-themed movies (In the Heat of the Night, 1967)
• Themes of rebellion, anti-establishment sentiment, and youth culture became prevalent reflected era's zeitgeist
  • Depictions of generational conflict (The Graduate, 1967)
  • Portrayals of counterculture lifestyle (Alice's Restaurant, 1969)
• Taboo subjects explored more openly pushed boundaries of censorship
  • Drug use (The Trip, 1967)
  • Sexuality (Last Tango in Paris, 1972)
  • Violence (Bonnie and Clyde, 1967)

Aesthetic and Structural Changes

• Emergence of "youth picture" genre catered to baby boomer generation and cultural interests
  • Music-centered films (Woodstock, 1970)
  • Coming-of-age stories (American Graffiti, 1973)
• Documentaries and experimental films gained prominence offered alternative perspectives on social issues and artistic expression
  • Direct Cinema movement (Primary, 1960)
  • Underground film scene (Andy Warhol's experimental works)
• Counterculture aesthetics influenced mainstream filmmaking techniques
  • Psychedelic imagery (Head, 1968)
  • Non-linear narratives (2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968)
• Films like Easy Rider (1969) and The Graduate (1967) exemplified counterculture's impact on content and style
  • Use of contemporary rock music soundtracks
  • Exploration of alienation and disillusionment themes

Auteur Cinema's Influence

Rise of Distinctive Directorial Voices

• Auteur theory popularized by French critics in 1950s gained traction in American film criticism and production
  • Andrew Sarris's "Notes on the Auteur Theory" (1962)
  • Emphasis on director as primary creative force
• Directors emerged as distinctive voices with recognizable styles and themes
  • Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather trilogy)
  • Martin Scorsese (Mean Streets, Taxi Driver)
  • Robert Altman (MASH, Nashville)
• European directors influenced American filmmakers with innovative techniques and personal visions
  • Federico Fellini's surrealism (8½, 1963)
  • Ingmar Bergman's psychological depth (Persona, 1966)
  • François Truffaut's narrative experimentation (Jules et Jim, 1962)

Institutional and Creative Shifts

• New American Cinema Group and rise of independent filmmaking fostered experimentation and personal expression
  • Formation of the Film-Makers' Cooperative (1962)
  • John Cassavetes' independently produced films (Shadows, Faces)
• Film schools produced new generation of directors versed in film history and theory contributed to self-reflexive approach
  • USC (George Lucas, John Milius)
  • UCLA (Francis Ford Coppola, Paul Schrader)
  • NYU (Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone)
• Studios granted more creative control to directors led to production of personal and artistically ambitious projects
  • Warner Bros.' support of Arthur Penn's Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
  • Universal's backing of Steven Spielberg's early works
• Critical and commercial success of auteur-driven films solidified importance of director-driven cinema
  • The Godfather (1972) - both critically acclaimed and highest-grossing film of its time
  • Taxi Driver (1976) - Palme d'Or winner at Cannes Film Festival

New Genres and Styles in New Hollywood

Genre Innovations

• Revisionist Western emerged deconstructed traditional tropes offered complex portrayals of American frontier
  • The Wild Bunch (1969) - violent deconstruction of Western myths
  • McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) - subverted heroic cowboy archetype
• Paranoid thriller genre reflected societal anxieties about government conspiracies and corporate power
  • The Parallax View (1974) - explored political assassinations and cover-ups
  • Three Days of the Condor (1975) - critiqued CIA operations
• Blaxploitation films gained popularity featured African American protagonists addressed racial issues
  • Shaft (1971) - introduced iconic black action hero
  • Coffy (1973) - showcased strong female lead in genre
• Disaster film genre emerged reflected societal fears showcased ensemble casts and special effects
  • The Poseidon Adventure (1972) - set standard for disaster film formula
  • The Towering Inferno (1974) - combined star power with spectacular effects

Stylistic and Narrative Innovations

• New approaches to science fiction blended philosophical themes with groundbreaking visual effects
  • 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - redefined visual and narrative possibilities in sci-fi
  • Silent Running (1972) - incorporated environmental themes
• Rise of the blockbuster introduced new economic model for Hollywood
  • Jaws (1975) - pioneered wide release strategy and summer blockbuster concept
  • Star Wars (1977) - established franchise model and merchandising potential
• Documentary techniques and cinéma vérité style influenced narrative filmmaking created more realistic aesthetic
  • Medium Cool (1969) - blended fictional narrative with actual footage of 1968 Democratic Convention
  • The French Connection (1971) - used handheld cameras for gritty realism
• "Film school generation" introduced self-referential style paid homage to classic Hollywood and European cinema
  • American Graffiti (1973) - nostalgic look at 1960s youth culture
  • Chinatown (1974) - neo-noir reimagining of classic detective films