The 1970s were packed with unforgettable films, many of which drew inspiration from real-life events. However, Hollywood has never been one to let the truth get in the way of a good story. Some of these films took major creative liberties, while others stuck fairly close to reality but still embellished a few details for dramatic effect. Let’s look at 12 hit movies from the ’70s that were based on true stories—sort of.
1. Serpico (1973)
Al Pacino delivered a powerhouse performance as Frank Serpico, a real-life New York cop who exposed widespread corruption in the police department. While the film sticks close to the facts, it simplifies some events, and Serpico himself has said certain details were exaggerated for dramatic effect. The biggest liberty? The idea that he was always a lone wolf—while he did operate independently, he wasn’t entirely isolated in his fight against corruption. Despite the embellishments, Serpico remains a gripping look at one man’s struggle against a broken system.
2. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Al Pacino struck gold again with Dog Day Afternoon, based on the true story of John Wojtowicz’s ill-fated bank robbery in 1972. The film captures the bizarre and tragic elements of the real event, including Wojtowicz’s motive—to fund gender-affirming surgery for his partner. While much of the film’s dialogue was improvised, and some events were streamlined, it stays remarkably faithful to reality. The biggest departure? The real Wojtowicz later claimed the film left out crucial details, especially about his co-conspirator and how the robbery unfolded.
3. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
One of the most terrifying horror films ever made, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was famously marketed as being “based on true events.” In reality, the film was inspired by the crimes of Ed Gein, a murderer from the 1950s who made household items out of human remains. However, the events of the film—including the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface and the cannibalistic family—were entirely fictional. While Gein’s gruesome crimes influenced many horror movies, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre took the most liberties with the truth.
4. All the President’s Men (1976)
This political thriller chronicled the real-life investigative reporting of Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward as they uncovered the Watergate scandal. The film is largely accurate, sticking closely to their book and even using real dialogue from their notes and recordings. However, some minor characters were composites, and a few details were streamlined to keep the pacing tight. Still, in terms of Hollywood dramatizations, All the President’s Men remains one of the most faithful true-story adaptations of the decade.
5. The Amityville Horror (1979)
This supernatural horror film claimed to be based on the terrifying true story of the Lutz family, who fled their haunted home after just 28 days. While the house itself was the site of a real mass murder in 1974, many investigators and journalists have debunked the paranormal claims made by the Lutzes. Some have even suggested that the entire story was a hoax orchestrated for financial gain. Despite its questionable accuracy, The Amityville Horror became a massive hit and launched a franchise that persists to this day.
6. Midnight Express (1978)
This harrowing prison drama was based on Billy Hayes’ real-life experience of being arrested for smuggling drugs in Turkey. While the film captures the brutality of his imprisonment, it exaggerates several details, including the level of violence he endured and the depiction of Turkish authorities. The real Hayes later criticized the film for portraying all Turkish people as cruel, when in reality, he encountered many who were kind. Despite these changes, Midnight Express remains a gripping, albeit sensationalized, depiction of one man’s desperate escape.
7. A Bridge Too Far (1977)
Based on the real-life Operation Market Garden during World War II, A Bridge Too Far aimed to be as historically accurate as possible. The film’s enormous ensemble cast brought real-life military figures to the screen, and many of the battle sequences were recreated with stunning precision. However, some details were simplified, and a few historical figures were merged into single characters for storytelling purposes. While not perfect, it remains one of the most ambitious and detailed war films of the decade.
8. Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Agatha Christie’s famous novel was inspired by the real kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh’s son in 1932 and a real train stranded in snow in the 1920s. While the film’s murder mystery is entirely fictional, its themes of revenge and justice echo the public’s reaction to the Lindbergh case. The details of the crime itself were purely Christie’s invention, but the real-life inspirations are hard to ignore. The film remains a classic, even if the “true story” elements are more of a loose connection than a direct adaptation.
9. The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
This biopic tells the story of rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly, but it takes some serious liberties with the facts. Key details, like how The Crickets broke up and the events leading to Holly’s tragic plane crash, were significantly altered or omitted. The film also invented characters and changed the timeline of Holly’s rise to fame. While it captures the spirit of Holly’s music, it plays fast and loose with the real details of his life.
10. The Deer Hunter (1978)
This Vietnam War epic tells the harrowing story of American soldiers captured and forced to play Russian roulette. While the film was inspired by real accounts of war brutality, no documented evidence suggests that prisoners of war were ever forced to play Russian roulette in Vietnam. The film’s depiction of small-town America, the impact of war on soldiers, and the psychological trauma were all accurate, but the infamous Russian roulette scenes were purely a dramatic invention. Despite this, The Deer Hunter remains one of the most powerful war films ever made.
11. Patton (1970)
This Oscar-winning biopic of General George S. Patton is widely regarded as a strong representation of the legendary WWII commander. Many of the speeches and events are historically accurate, and the film even incorporates some of Patton’s real quotes. However, some dramatic moments were exaggerated, and certain military strategies were simplified for storytelling purposes. Despite these adjustments, Patton remains a well-respected depiction of the controversial but brilliant general.
12. Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
This tense thriller is based on the real 1962 escape of Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers from the infamous Alcatraz prison. While the film follows the escape plan closely, it speculates about the fates of the prisoners, who were never conclusively found. Some minor details were changed, but the core story remains true to the real-life event. To this day, the real escape remains one of history’s greatest unsolved mysteries, adding to the film’s lasting intrigue.
Hollywood loves a good true story, but the truth is often stretched, reshaped, or even completely rewritten in the name of entertainment. Whether it’s altering key details, inventing dramatic moments, or taking artistic license with history, these films prove that “based on a true story” can mean just about anything. That said, even with their inaccuracies, these movies have captivated audiences for decades. After all, sometimes the best stories are the ones that feel true, even if they aren’t entirely factual.
