Akira Kurosawa is truly a giant of cinema. The man made so many masterpieces that this list could consist of only his films. I could have placed Ran or Kagemusha in this place but Seven Samurai is, arguably, his best and most enduring work. Movies don't get much more epic than when Kurosawa is directing them and all of his greatest talents are on display to brilliant effect here. The story is completely engrossing for 3 and a half hours while the characters are fully realized in a way that few films can ever hope to match. There have been many movies made that try to show the horrors of warfare and Seven Samurai deserves its place at the top of the list. The battle scenes have such a realness to them that has never been captured again or mimicked that make the film more than just a story of some warriors and instead it becomes a meditation on honor and duty amidst warriors.