Underappreciated 70s Horror Films This article highlights three significant 1970s horror films that are often overlooked but have had a profound impact on the genre. 'Duel' (1971) by Steven Spielberg established the road-thriller horror subgenre with its tense visual storytelling. 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976) by John Carpenter blended Western, action, and horror elements to influence the action-horror genre. 'Phase IV' (1974) pioneered the eco-horror subgenre with its story of hostile evolved ants. The movie industry is in a constant state of evolution, and there are certain points in its history that mark major shifts or the beginning of all-new ideas. Modern cinema is often defined by the prominence of specific genres, with movies typically falling into certain narrative or conceptual categories. However, the boundaries of each genre aren't easily defined, and many movies blur the lines between multiple categories to deliver stories that feel unique. Throughout cinematic history, there have always been movies considered groundbreaking or influential, inspiring other films and establishing popular ideas or tropes that become widespread, if not standard, for similar movies further down the line.Underrated 1970s Cinema InfluencesThe 1970s were an interesting decade in movie history, with a handful of iconic movies standing out as especially influential. However, there are also many forgotten and underrated films from this era that had a much bigger influence than they receive credit for. The following movies are all far more influential than their respective reputations suggest, having shaped their genres only for their influence to become widely overlooked in the years that followed.'Duel' (1971) is a telefilm that has become a truly iconic piece of cinematic history, but very few people have actually seen - or even heard of - 1971's 'Duel'. The movie was Spielberg's feature directorial debut and follows a traveling salesman, played by Dennis Weaver, who finds himself being chased and menaced by the driver of a semi-truck in rural California.As 'Duel' was the work of a then-unknown director, it failed to make a huge impact immediately upon release, even though critics praised both the movie as a whole and Spielberg's direction specifically. Its use of more visual storytelling and a simple premise to elicit fear through repetition and mounting tension was truly ahead of its time, and it often sees 'Duel' considered the first true road-thriller horror movie.Spielberg Debut Duel LegacyWhile the genre it shaped might itself be relatively niche, it's truly astounding that more people aren't aware of how influential Spielberg's debut was.'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976) and its impact on the action-horror genre. 'Phase IV' (1974) and its contribution to the eco-horror subgenre.