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1981 in film

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{{Year nav topic5|1981|film|radio|television|music}}

{{Yearsinfilm}}

The following is an overview of events in 1981 in film, including the highest-grossing films, award ceremonies and festivals, a list of films released and notable deaths.

Highest-grossing films (U.S.)

{{See also|List of 1981 box office number-one films in the United States}}

The top ten films released in 1981 by box office gross in North America are as follows:

class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto; margin:auto;"

|+ Highest-grossing films of 1981{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1981&p=.htm|title=1981 Domestic Grosses|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=7 April 2014}}

RankTitleDistributorBox-office gross
style="text-align:center;"| 1

| Raiders of the Lost Ark

| Paramount

| $212,222,025

style="text-align:center;"| 2

| On Golden Pond

| Universal

| $119,285,432

style="text-align:center;"| 3

| Superman II

|rowspan="2"|Warner Bros.

| $108,185,706

style="text-align:center;"| 4

| Arthur

| $95,461,682

style="text-align:center;"| 5

| Stripes

| Columbia

| $85,297,000

style="text-align:center;"| 6

| The Cannonball Run

| 20th Century Fox

| $72,179,579

style="text-align:center;"| 7

| Chariots of Fire

| Warner Bros.

| $58,972,904

style="text-align:center;"| 8

| For Your Eyes Only

| United Artists

| $54,812,802

style="text-align:center;"| 9

| The Four Seasons

| Universal

| $50,427,646

style="text-align:center;"| 10

| Time Bandits

| Embassy

| $42,365,581

Events

Awards

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
rowspan="2" style="width:20px;"| Category/Organizationcolspan="2" style="width:250px;"| 39th Golden Globe Awards
January 30, 1982		rowspan="2" style="width:250px;"| 35th BAFTA Awards
March 18, 1982		rowspan="2" style="width:250px;"| 54th Academy Awards
March 29, 1982
width=200| Dramastyle="width:200px;"| Musical or Comedy
Best FilmOn Golden PondArthurcolspan="2" | Chariots of Fire
Best Directorcolspan="2" | Warren Beatty
Reds		Louis Malle
Atlantic City		Warren Beatty
Reds
Best ActorHenry Fonda
On Golden Pond		Dudley Moore
Arthur		Burt Lancaster
Atlantic City		Henry Fonda
On Golden Pond
Best ActressMeryl Streep
The French Lieutenant's Woman		Bernadette Peters
Pennies from Heaven		Meryl Streep
The French Lieutenant's Woman		Katharine Hepburn
On Golden Pond
Best Supporting Actorcolspan="2" | John Gielgud
Arthur		Ian Holm
Chariots of Fire		John Gielgud
Arthur
Best Supporting Actresscolspan="2" | Joan Hackett
Only When I Laugh		N/AMaureen Stapleton
Reds
Best Screenplay, Adaptedcolspan="2" rowspan="2" | Ernest Thompson
On Golden Pond		rowspan="2" | Bill Forsyth
Gregory's Girl		Ernest Thompson
On Golden Pond
Best Screenplay, OriginalColin Welland
Chariots of Fire
Best Original Scorecolspan="2" | N/ACarl Davis
The French Lieutenant's Woman		Vangelis
Chariots of Fire
Best Original Songcolspan="2" | "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Arthur		N/A"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Arthur
Best Foreign Language Filmcolspan="2" | Chariots of FireN/AMephisto

Palme d'Or (Cannes Film Festival):

:Man of Iron (Człowiek z żelaza), directed by Andrzej Wajda, Poland

Golden Lion (Venice Film Festival):

:Marianne and Juliane (Die Bleierne Zeit), directed by Margarethe von Trotta, W. Germany

Golden Bear (Berlin Film Festival):

:Faster, Faster (Deprisa, deprisa / Vivre vite), directed by Carlos Saura, Spain / France

1981 films

= By country/region =

=By genre/medium=

Births

Deaths

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;"
style="background:#dae3e7; text-align:center;"

! Month !! Date !! Name !! Age !! Country !! Profession !! Notable films

rowspan=6 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| January

| style="text-align:center;"| 10

Katharine Alexanderstyle="text-align:center;| 82style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;| Actress{{hlist|Enchanted April| John Loves Mary}}
style="text-align:center;"| 10Richard Boonestyle="text-align:center;"| 63style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Tall T| Hombre}}
style="text-align:center;"| 11Beulah Bondistyle="text-align:center;"| 91style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|It's a Wonderful Life| Mr. Smith Goes to Washington}}
style="text-align:center;"| 12Isobel Elsomstyle="text-align:center;"| 87style="text-align:center;"| UKstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|My Fair Lady| The Unseen}}
style="text-align:center;"| 16Bernard Leestyle="text-align:center;"| 73style="text-align:center;"| UKstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Dr. No| Goldfinger}}
style="text-align:center;"| 21Allyn Joslynstyle="text-align:center;"| 79style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Jazz Singer| Heaven Can Wait}}
rowspan=10 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| February

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

Wanda Hendrixstyle="text-align:center;"| 52style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Prince of Foxes| Captain Carey, U.S.A.}}
style="text-align:center;"| 2Louise Lorrainestyle="text-align:center;"| 76style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|The Adventures of Tarzan| Near the Rainbow's End}}
style="text-align:center;"| 4Mario Camerinistyle="text-align:center;"| 85style="text-align:center;"| Italystyle="text-align:center;"| Director, Screenwriter{{hlist|Ulysses| Like the Leaves}}
style="text-align:center;"| 11Ketti Fringsstyle="text-align:center;"| 71style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Screenwriter{{hlist|Come Back, Little Sheba| Foxfire}}
style="text-align:center;"| 12Jean Dixonstyle="text-align:center;"| 84style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|My Man Godfrey| Holiday}}
style="text-align:center;"| 21Bernard B. Brownstyle="text-align:center;"| 82style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Sound Engineer, Composer{{hlist|The Wolf Man| Shadow of a Doubt}}
style="text-align:center;"| 21Ron Grainerstyle="text-align:center;"| 58style="text-align:center;"| Australiastyle="text-align:center;"| Composer{{hlist|The Mouse on the Moon| To Sir, with Love}}
style="text-align:center;"| 22Curtis Bernhardtstyle="text-align:center;"| 81style="text-align:center;"| Germanystyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|A Stolen Life| Possessed}}
style="text-align:center;"| 28Virginia Hustonstyle="text-align:center;"| 55style="text-align:center;" | USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Out of the Past| Tarzan's Peril}}
style="text-align:center;"| 28Robert L. Wolfestyle="text-align:center;"| 52style="text-align:center;" | USstyle="text-align:center;"| Film Editor{{hlist|All the President's Men| On Golden Pond}}
rowspan=8 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| March

| style="text-align:center;"| 4

Torin Thatcherstyle="text-align:center;"| 76style="text-align:center;"| UKstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Houdini| Witness for the Prosecution}}
style="text-align:center;"| 5Brenda de Banziestyle="text-align:center;"| 71style="text-align:center;"| UKstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Hobson's Choice| The Man Who Knew Too Much}}
style="text-align:center;"| 6E.Y. Harburgstyle="text-align:center;"| 84style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Lyricist{{hlist|The Wizard of Oz| Gay Purr-ee}}
style="text-align:center;"| 14Eleanor Perrystyle="text-align:center;"| 66style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Screenwriter{{hlist|David and Lisa| Diary of a Mad Housewife}}
style="text-align:center;"| 15René Clairstyle="text-align:center;"| 82style="text-align:center;"| Francestyle="text-align:center;"| Director, Screenwriter{{hlist|It Happened Tomorrow| I Married a Witch}}
style="text-align:center;"| 17Dorothy Dwanstyle="text-align:center;"| 74style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Kid Speed| The Wizard of Oz}}
style="text-align:center;"| 27Oliver A. Ungerstyle="text-align:center;"| 66style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Producer{{hlist|Force 10 from Navarone| Sandy the Seal}}
style="text-align:center;"| 31Hank Henrystyle="text-align:center;"| 74style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Pal Joey| Robin and the 7 Hoods}}
rowspan=5 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| April

| style="text-align:center;"| 7

Norman Taurogstyle="text-align:center;"| 82style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|Skippy| Boys Town}}
style="text-align:center;"| 14Sergio Amideistyle="text-align:center;"| 76style="text-align:center;"| Italystyle="text-align:center;"| Screenwriter{{hlist|Shoeshine| Paisan}}
style="text-align:center;"| 26Madge Evansstyle="text-align:center;"| 71style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Pennies from Heaven| Army Girl}}
style="text-align:center;"| 26Jim Davisstyle="text-align:center;"| 71style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Big Sky| The Maverick Queen}}
style="text-align:center;"| 26Herb Volandstyle="text-align:center;"| 62style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Another Nice Mess| With Six You Get Eggroll}}
rowspan=8 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| May

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

Marlin Skilesstyle="text-align:center;"| 74style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Composer, Musical Director{{hlist|Gilda| Tonight and Every Night}}
style="text-align:center;"| 9Margaret Lindsaystyle="text-align:center;"| 70style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|The House of the Seven Gables| Jezebel}}
style="text-align:center;"| 17Hugo Friedhoferstyle="text-align:center;"| 80style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Composer{{hlist|The Best Years of Our Lives| An Affair to Remember}}
style="text-align:center;"| 18Richard Halestyle="text-align:center;"| 88style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Friendly Persuasion| To Kill a Mockingbird}}
style="text-align:center;"| 18Arthur O'Connellstyle="text-align:center;"| 73style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Anatomy of a Murder| Picnic}}
style="text-align:center;"| 22Boris Sagalstyle="text-align:center;"| 57style="text-align:center;"| Ukrainestyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|The Omega Man| Girl Happy}}
style="text-align:center;"| 23George Jesselstyle="text-align:center;"| 83style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor, Producer{{hlist|Beau James| Nightmare Alley}}
style="text-align:center;"| 28Henry Blankestyle="text-align:center;"| 79style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Producer{{hlist|The Treasure of the Sierra Madre| The Nun's Story}}
rowspan=9 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| June

| style="text-align:center;"| 5

Miguel Torresstyle="text-align:center;"| 81style="text-align:center;"| Mexicostyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|The Mad Empress| Pancho Villa Returns}}
style="text-align:center;"| 9Russell Haydenstyle="text-align:center;"| 68style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Trail of the Mounties| Seven Were Saved}}
style="text-align:center;"| 10Jenny Maxwellstyle="text-align:center;"| 39style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Blue Hawaii| Take Her, She's Mine}}
style="text-align:center;"| 12Eleanor Huntstyle="text-align:center;"| 71style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Blue Steel| Yellow Cargo}}
style="text-align:center;"| 12Evalyn Knappstyle="text-align:center;| 74style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|The Perils of Pauline| His Private Secretary}}
style="text-align:center;"| 17Lou Forbesstyle="text-align:center;"| 78style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Composer{{hlist|Intermezzo| Brewster's Millions}}
style="text-align:center;"| 19Alfred Santellstyle="text-align:center;"| 85style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm| Internes Can't Take Money}}
style="text-align:center;"| 22Lola Lanestyle="text-align:center;"| 75style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Four Daughters| Hollywood Hotel}}
style="text-align:center;"| 23Zarah Leanderstyle="text-align:center;"| 74style="text-align:center;"| Swedenstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|The Blue Fox| Back Then}}
rowspan=7 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| July

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

George Voskovecstyle="text-align:center;"| 76style="text-align:center;"| Czech Republicstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|12 Angry Men| The Spy Who Came in from the Cold}}
style="text-align:center;"| 2Edward Killystyle="text-align:center;"| 78style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|West of the Pecos| Wagon Train}}
style="text-align:center;"| 3Ross Martinstyle="text-align:center;"| 61style="text-align:center;"| Polandstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Great Race| Experiment in Terror}}
style="text-align:center;"| 7Keefe Brassellestyle="text-align:center;"| 58style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Eddie Cantor Story| A Place in the Sun}}
style="text-align:center;"| 20Dale Hennesystyle="text-align:center;"| 54style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Production Designer, Art Director{{hlist|Fantastic Voyage| Annie}}
style="text-align:center;"| 25Gerardo de Leonstyle="text-align:center;"| 67style="text-align:center;"| Philippinesstyle="text-align:center;"| Director, Actor{{hlist|The Moises Padilla Story| Fe, Esperanza, Caridad}}
style="text-align:center;"| 27William Wylerstyle="text-align:center;"| 79style="text-align:center;"| Germanystyle="text-align:center;"| Director, Producer{{hlist|Ben-Hur| Roman Holiday}}
rowspan=8 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| August

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

Paddy Chayefskystyle="text-align:center;"| 58style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Screenwriter{{hlist|Network| Marty}}
style="text-align:center;"| 4Melvyn Douglasstyle="text-align:center;"| 80style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Being There| Hud}}
style="text-align:center;"| 12Shirley Greystyle="text-align:center;"| 79style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Texas Cyclone| Girl in Danger}}
style="text-align:center;"| 16Robert Kraskerstyle="text-align:center;"| 68style="text-align:center;"| Australiastyle="text-align:center;"| Cinematographer{{hlist|The Third Man| El Cid}}
style="text-align:center;"| 18Anita Loosstyle="text-align:center;"| 93style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Screenwriter{{hlist|The Women| I Married an Angel}}
style="text-align:center;"| 19Jessie Matthewsstyle="text-align:center;"| 74style="text-align:center;"| UKstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress, Singer{{hlist|There Goes the Bride| It's Love Again}}
style="text-align:center;"| 21Eddie Byrnestyle="text-align:center;"| 70style="text-align:center;"| Irelandstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Star Wars| Island of Terror}}
style="text-align:center;"| 30Vera-Ellenstyle="text-align:center;"| 60style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress, Dancer{{hlist|White Christmas| On the Town}}
rowspan=8 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| September

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

Ann Hardingstyle="text-align:center;"| 79style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Holiday| It Happened on Fifth Avenue}}
style="text-align:center;"| 6Maria Palmerstyle="text-align:center;"| 64style="text-align:center;"| Austriastyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Lady on a Train| The Web}}
style="text-align:center;"| 11Frank McHughstyle="text-align:center;"| 83style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Going My Way| Manpower}}
style="text-align:center;"| 15Sara Hadenstyle="text-align:center;"| 81style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|The Shop Around the Corner| The Bishop's Wife}}
style="text-align:center;"| 22Harry Warrenstyle="text-align:center;"| 87style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Composer{{hlist|42nd Street| Hello, Frisco, Hello}}
style="text-align:center;"| 23Chief Dan Georgestyle="text-align:center;"| 82style="text-align:center;"| Canadastyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Little Big Man| The Outlaw Josey Wales}}
style="text-align:center;"| 24Patsy Kellystyle="text-align:center;"| 71style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|The Cowboy and the Lady| Rosemary's Baby}}
style="text-align:center;"| 27Robert Montgomerystyle="text-align:center;"| 77style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor, Director{{hlist|Here Comes Mr. Jordan| Night Must Fall}}
rowspan=6 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| October

| style="text-align:center;"| 4

Dorothy Darestyle="text-align:center;"| 70style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|Clothes and the Woman| High Hat}}
style="text-align:center;"| 5Gloria Grahamestyle="text-align:center;"| 54style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|In a Lonely Place| The Bad and the Beautiful}}
style="text-align:center;"| 15Frank de Kovastyle="text-align:center;"| 71style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Ten Commandments| The Mechanic}}
style="text-align:center;"| 19Nils Astherstyle="text-align:center;"| 84style="text-align:center;"| Denmarkstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Bitter Tea of General Yen| Bluebeard}}
style="text-align:center;"| 24Edith Headstyle="text-align:center;"| 83style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Costume Designer{{hlist|Roman Holiday| The Sting}}
style="text-align:center;"| 26Glenn Andersstyle="text-align:center;"| 92style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Lady from Shanghai| M}}
rowspan=10 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| November

| style="text-align:center;"| 2

Ghislain Cloquetstyle="text-align:center;"| 57style="text-align:center;"| Francestyle="text-align:center;"| Cinematographer{{hlist|Tess| The Young Girls of Rochefort}}
style="text-align:center;"| 3Jean Eustachestyle="text-align:center;"| 42style="text-align:center;"| Francestyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|The Mother and the Whore| My Little Loves}}
style="text-align:center;"| 12William Holdenstyle="text-align:center;"| 63style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Stalag 17| Sunset Boulevard}}
style="text-align:center;"| 16Morgan Conwaystyle="text-align:center;"| 78style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Dick Tracy| Jack London}}
style="text-align:center;"| 21Ejner Federspielstyle="text-align:center;"| 85style="text-align:center;"| Denmarkstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|Ordet| Story of Barbara}}
style="text-align:center;"| 21Harry von Zellstyle="text-align:center;"| 75style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Saxon Charm| Son of Paleface}}
style="text-align:center;"| 25Jack Albertsonstyle="text-align:center;"| 74style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|The Subject Was Roses| Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory}}
style="text-align:center;"| 27Lotte Lenyastyle="text-align:center;"| 83style="text-align:center;"| Austriastyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|From Russia with Love| The Threepenny Opera}}
style="text-align:center;"| 29Natalie Woodstyle="text-align:center;"| 43style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|West Side Story| Rebel Without a Cause}}
style="text-align:center;"| 30Robert H. Harrisstyle="text-align:center;"| 70style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor{{hlist|How to Make a Monster| Valley of the Dolls}}
rowspan=5 style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"| December

| style="text-align:center;"| 5

Charles Bartonstyle="text-align:center;"| 79style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|Africa Screams| The Shaggy Dog}}
style="text-align:center;"| 15Karl Strussstyle="text-align:center;"| 95style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Cinematographer{{hlist|Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans| The Great Dictator}}
style="text-align:center;"| 17Ada Krammstyle="text-align:center;"| 82style="text-align:center;"| Norwaystyle="text-align:center;"| Actress{{hlist|The White God| Arven}}
style="text-align:center;"| 27Hoagy Carmichaelstyle="text-align:center;"| 82style="text-align:center;"| USstyle="text-align:center;"| Actor, Composer{{hlist|To Have and Have Not| The Best Years of Our Lives}}
style="text-align:center;"| 28Allan Dwanstyle="text-align:center;"| 96style="text-align:center;"| Canadastyle="text-align:center;"| Director{{hlist|Sands of Iwo Jima| Heidi}}

Film debuts

{{Column list|

}}

Notes

{{reflist|group=nb}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?title_type=feature,short&release_date=1981-01-01,1981-12-31&adult=include&sort=num_votes,desc List of 1981 films] at IMDb
  • [https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1981/?grossesOption=calendarGrosses 1981 Domestic Grosses] at Box Office Mojo
  • [https://www.imdb.com/search/name/?death_date=1981-01-01,1981-12-31&adult=include List of 1981 deaths] at IMDb
  • [https://www.imdb.com/search/name/?birth_date=1981-01-01,1981-12-31&adult=include List of 1981 births] at IMDb

{{1981 films}}

{{Portal bar|1980s|Film}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1981 In Film}}

Category:Film by year