The Seven Samurai isnยt just one of the most influential Japanese films ever made; itยs one of the most influential films period. Plot elements of this 1954 chambara classic, about a group of ronin hired to protect a village from bandits during the Warring States period, continually pop up in American action movies ย not all of them martial arts-related. How many times have you seen the hero on an action mission (The Rock, Casino Royale), a group of untrustworthy and eclectic individuals gathered to pull off a job (Oceanยs Eleven, Reservoir Dogs) or a war-weary veteran coming back for one last mission (Se7en, The Score)? With its well-constructed script, all-around great acting and gorgeous cinematography, itยs easy to understand why Seven Samurai set a standard for all world cinema.
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This article appears in Aug 23-29, 2007.