Yeah!! The 70's were a great film decade.

I think it's a rare instance were "author film making" became the studio system standard. Some incredibly interesting and unique narratives where made backed by studio top dollars.

Talking about "The Driver" I'll add Taxi... making it "Taxi driver".

Hal Ashby, Coppola, Kubrick... The list goes on... Like some of the ones you mentioned... Peckinpah... Cassavettes... Malick...

One of the most interesting times, at least as American film is concerned.

A nice documentary dealing with the 60's and 70's cinema is "
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood "