Yojimbo (1961)

Yojimbo is a classic Japanese action film on which a fist full of dollars was based on. The effective music adds a sense of tension to the atmosphere it is similar to spaghetti western films because of its catchy soundtrack. Whenever the protagonist appears there is a sense of fear in the air the reason being that he is a very skilled samurai who outmatches everyone in the town. The town is separated because of two gangs, when suddenly a stranger who is an expert samurai shows up he is wanted by both sides. He preys on their need for him and uses it to his own devices so he can get money from both sides. He increases their hatred for each other even more by killing members of the gangs and claiming it was the other gang. It has a spaghetti western feel to it with the duals and the camera focusing on one character in a face off then switching to another. This film spawned and inspired lots of other various western films after it came out. The stranger can behave in anyway he likes because he is greatly feared and no one dares challenge his authority. The black and white film adds to the effect and creates suspense. The famous line from this film is "better a long life eating mush" which is used in all different kinds of media. This film is the reason we have all the great western films we have today and it is definitely worth watching.