Released in 1954 by Toho studios. Farmers struggling to survive persistent raids by bandits hire a group of Samurai to guard their village. Directed by Akira Kurosawa, one of my favorite directors, this is simply one of the greatest films ever made, and directly inspired The Magnificent Seven, an American western that I like despite the fact that it so closely emulates Kurosawa's masterpiece.
Starring the uber-cool Toshiro Mifune, who was Clint Eastwood before Eastwood was Eastwood, and Takashi Shimura as the master swordsman/sensei/ronin who guides his charges through an impossible situation. This film has been used as a model of philosophy in business, and is a must-see for any movie buff.
Treat yourself tonight and watch this magnificent film.
