Six Films of 1975: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”

Political discord and corruption, false narratives, sexual identity politics, cultural repression, economic and class conflicts, global imbalances, individuality vs. the common good... 2025? Ironically, 50 years ago, six films embodied those same issues, which remain a mirror for us today. Sheriff Brody's familiar line from Jaws opens a window into both a literal description of the crisis in the story and a metaphoric overview of the films. 

Barry Lyndon, Dog Day Afternoon, Jaws, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Picnic at Hanging Rock, and Shampoo provide a unique spotlight into national identity, American and Australian, and present us with an existential statement about the new direction movies will take, as myth begins to overtake reality. 

William “Bud” Cox has taught literature, film, art history, and music history for more than 46 years and remains deeply enthusiastic about teaching. His recent RENESAN courses include Film Noir: Fatalism in L.A., Robert Altman's Nashville, and Great Comic Moments in Cinema.

Host or Publisher RENESAN Institute for Lifelong Learning