Morgan Neville (Lorne, Man on the Run) directs this documentary he co-wrote with Alan Lowe (Mr. November, Lorne) that examines the year 1975 through the lens of the risk-taking movies released that year: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Dog Day Afternoon, Jaws, Shampoo, Three Days of the Condor, and more. There are some factual missteps: The doc brings up Chinatown, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and The Conversation—all fantastic films from 1974—and Taxi Driver, All the President’s Men, and Network—also fantastic films but released in 1976. Maybe it should be renamed Breakdown: Mid-1970s.
BREAKDOWN: 1975
What’s it rated? TV-MA
When? 2025
Where’s it showing? Netflix
That said, it was an admittedly pivotal year culturally between the Watergate scandal and the upcoming Bicentennial, with many stellar films.
However, at just 92 minutes, it doesn’t get very deep into the history of cinema, and its thesis that 1975 was the most important year in the fertile 1970s is obviously subjective, but if you want a reminder of a lot of the great films from that year-ish as well as nostalgic archival footage, historical context, and interviews with folks like Patton Oswalt, Josh Brolin, Martin Scorsese, Seth Rogen, Oliver Stone, and others, it’s a fun look back. Narration is by Taxi Driver star Jodie Foster. (92 min.) ∆
This article appears in April 30 – May 7, 2026.