The films of akira kurosawa, one of the cinema's greatest auteurs, have had a profound effect on audiences around the world cinema, and his acclaimed samurai epics featuring international star toshir´ mifune have inspired filmmakers a diverse as george lucas and sergio leone. Seven samurai 1954 when the residents of a small japanese village seek protection they hire seven unemployed ronin masterless samurai. Paid only in handfuls of rice, the samurai remain distant from the villagers, knowing that their assignment may prove to be fatal. Unanimously hailed as one of cinema's greatest masterpieces, seven samurai has inspired countless films, including the magnificent seven. Japan 1954 190 minutes original aspect ratio 1.331 throne of blood 1957 in this brilliant re imagining of shakespeare's macbeth toshir´ mifune plays a samurai fated to betray his friend and master in exchange for the prestige of nobility. Kurosawa's bloody tale is a triumph of economic style, and the climactic battle scene is full of remarkable, and brutal, imagery. Japan 1957 104 minutes original aspect ratio 1.331 the hidden fortress 1958 in this classic collaboration between kurosawa and star mifune, a warrior and a princess try against all odds to return to their homeland with their fortune. Acknowledged by george lucas as the inspiration for star wars, the hidden fortress combines an epic tale of struggle and honour with modern comic sensibilities to masterful effect. Japan 1958 138 minutes original aspect ratio 2.351 16x9 enhanced yojimbo 1961 a drifting samurai for hire plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honour. Yojimbo provided inspiration for a fistful of dollars. Japan 1961 106 minutes widecreen 43 format sanjuro 1962 after the success of yojimbo, kurosawa teamed up once again with mifune one year later to make this comedy of manners. The film, which follows a man fighting corruption in local government, offers a twist on the classic samurai tale by gently, but perfectly parodying the conventions of the japanese period action movie tradition. Japan 1962 95 minutes original aspect ratio 2.351 16x9 enhanced running time 633.00 minutes region region 2 subtitles english release date 7 jun. 2010