CAL Film Series Fall 2026
NAU and the Flagstaff community are invited to come together in front of the big screen for the College of Arts and Letters Film Series.
Discussions and screenings take place most Tuesdays at 7 PM in Cline Library Assembly Hall
All screenings are free and open to the public.
Each classic movie will be preceded by a short introduction from NAU faculty and followed by a community discussion.
The film series promotes understanding and appreciation of cinema through Northern Arizona University and the greater Flagstaff community. The CAL Film Series blends well-known audience favorites along with lesser-known films, as well as a mix of genres, directors, and actors.
This semester we are focused on the New Hollywood, the transformative period from roughly 1967 to 1976 that marked the end of the classic studio era and a bold new chapter in American cinema. Visionary filmmakers challenged convention with daring storytelling, moral ambiguity, and complex, unforgettable characters. With greater artistic freedom, directors, screenwriters, and actors created groundbreaking films that reshaped American culture and influenced generations of filmmakers. This series celebrates one of the most influential and enduring periods in film history.
The film series is made possible with the support of the College of Arts and Letters, NAU’s Cline Library, and the School of Communication. It is directed and facilitated by Professors Paul Helford and Paul Donnelly.
Free weeknight parking is available for community members behind Cline Library and requires a special free permit.
August 25 | 7 PM
The graduate
Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katherine Ross
1967 | 105 minutes | PG | Rotten Tomatoes 87%
Fresh out of college and adrift in suburban ennui, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) is seduced by an older family friend, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft)—only to fall for her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). Mike Nichols’s landmark 1967 comedy-drama, set to Simon & Garfunkel’s soundtrack, captures generational disaffection with wit, style, and enduring resonance.
Watch the trailer here: THE GRADUATE - Official Trailer restored in 4K - Directed by Mike Nichols & Starring Dustin Hoffman
September 8 | 7 PM
Bonnie and Clyde
Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Gene Hackman
1967 | 111 minutes | R | Rotten Tomatoes 91%
Set against the hardships of the Great Depression, Bonnie and Clyde (Dunaway and Beatty) follows two young outlaws whose daring bank robberies made them legends and captured the public imagination. Blending romance, action, and tragedy, this groundbreaking film redefined Hollywood storytelling, influencing generations of filmmakers and helping launch the era of modern American cinema.
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/hZpm1zj9510?si=ThTSPg5xJDcUewCV
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Set in the American South of the 1950s, Cool Hand Luke follows a rebellious prisoner whose refusal to conform inspires fellow inmates and challenges authority. Featuring Paul Newman in one of his most iconic roles, this classic drama captures the spirit of individual freedom and reflects the social tensions of a changing America.
Watch the trailer here: Cool Hand Luke (1967) - Official Trailer - Paul Newman, George Kennedy Movie HD
September 22 | 7 PM
Cool Hand Luke
Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin
1967 | 129 Minutes | PG | Rotten Tomatoes 100%
One World – One Week – One Festival: View some of the finest short films produced over the past year and vote for your favorites along with viewers around the world!
September 29 | 7 PM
Manhattan Shorts 2026
October 6 | 7 PM
Cabaret
Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Michael York
1972 | 124 Minutes | PG | Rotten Tomatoes 92%
Set in Berlin during the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism, Cabaret immerses audiences in the dazzling world of the Kit Kat Club. Starring Liza Minnelli, the film features unforgettable music, romance, and drama, and captures a society on the brink of collapse, offering a powerful and provocative portrait of a pivotal moment in history.
View the trailer here: Cabaret (1972) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers
October 20 | 7 PM
The Exorcist
Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair
1973 | 122 Minutes | R | Rotten Tomatoes 78%
Set in 1970s America amid growing interest in the supernatural, The Exorcist follows the demonic possession of a young girl (Linda Blair) and her mother’s (Ellen Burstyn) desperate search for help. Widely regarded as one of the most influential horror films ever made, it shocked audiences, redefined the genre, and remains a landmark in cinematic history today.
View the trailer here: The Exorcist (1973) - Official Trailer - William Friedkin Horror Movie HD
November 3 | 7 PM
Three Days of the Condor
Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson
1975 | 117 Minutes | R | Rotten Tomatoes 88%
Set amid the mistrust and political intrigue of post-Watergate America, Three Days of the Condor follows a CIA researcher (Robert Redford) who becomes the target of a deadly conspiracy. Combining suspense, intelligence, intrigue, and sharp social commentary, this gripping thriller captures the era’s anxieties about government secrecy and the limits of trust.
View the trailer here: Three Days of the Condor (1975) Trailer #1
Set against the uncertainties and social changes of early 1970s America, Klute follows a small-town detective investigating a disappearance in New York City, where he becomes entangled with a sophisticated call girl (Jane Fonda). Blending mystery, psychological drama, and urban realism, this acclaimed thriller captures the era’s shifting attitudes toward crime, identity, and independence.
View the trailer here: Klute - Original Theatrical Trailer
November 17 | 7 PM
Klute
Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, Roy Scheider
1971 | 114 Minutes | R | Rotten Tomatoes 92%
December 1 | 7 PM
Taxi Driver
Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybil Shepherd
1976 | 113 Minutes | R | Rotten Tomatoes 89%
Set in the decaying streets of New York City during the troubled aftermath of the Vietnam War, Taxi Driver follows a lonely veteran (Robert De Niro) descending into obsession and violence. Martin Scorsese’s landmark film captured the anxieties of 1970s America, influencing generations of filmmakers while becoming one of cinema’s most powerful portraits of alienation.
View the trailer here: TAXI DRIVER [1976] - Official Trailer (HD)