10 iconic 1970s performances that should have been Oscar-nominated
Developed over time first seen 2 hours ago
The article argues that, despite the Academy’s strong record of recognising 1970s acting, the decade’s wealth of excellent films still left notable performances without Oscar nominations. It presents these omissions as examples of work whose value became clearer over time, including roles that challenged actors’ familiar screen personas.
Among the examples discussed are Warren Beatty’s vulnerable, image-subverting role in a Robert Altman film, Vanessa Redgrave’s darkly comic and unsettling performance in Ken Russell’s *The Devils*, and Robert Redford’s portrayal of a lawyer turned political candidate in *The Candidate*. The article also notes that Redford won Best Picture and Best Director for *Ordinary People*, but received only one acting nomination in his career, for *The Sting*.
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In short
- The 1970s Oscars recognised many strong performances, but some were overlooked.
- Vanessa Redgrave’s role in *The Devils* is cited as a striking snub.
- Warren Beatty and Robert Redford also had performances the article says deserved recognition.
How this story developed
- 22 minutes ago The article argues that, despite the Academy’s strong record of recognising 1970s acting, the decade’s wealth of excellent films still left notable performances without Oscar nominations.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Oscar nominations are limited, and the article makes a case that some performances now regarded as unusually bold or revealing were overlooked at the time. Their departures from actors’ familiar personas, and their films’ challenging styles, may have made their craft less readily appreciated by voters; revisiting them can broaden the record of what distinguished acting looked like in the decade.
The case against
The article’s claim is an informed but subjective reassessment: nominations reflect the standards and preferences of their own year, and an excellent performance can miss out amid strong competition without that omission being a failure of recognition. Later esteem may also reflect changing tastes, while a persuasive case for these particular roles does not establish that they were more deserving than the performances voters nominated.
Explained simply
The Academy Awards recognise achievements in films released each year, including acting, but nominations can only cover a limited number of performances. The 1970s brought a wide range of American and British films, and some roles that later drew attention were not nominated at the time.
The examples include Warren Beatty in a Robert Altman film, Vanessa Redgrave in Ken Russell’s *The Devils*, and Robert Redford in *The Candidate*. They show actors taking on roles that differed from their familiar screen images, and Redford’s awards history also illustrates that success as a filmmaker does not necessarily bring many acting nominations.