Action cinema has evolved significantlythroughout cinematic history.
The genre is as restless as the action it contains.
It has successfully stayed relevant, reinventing itself with different styles, approaches, plots, and actors.
Image by Federico Napoli.
It’s remarkable to see which older action films still hold up within a modern context.
Here are the best action films of each of the past ten decades.
Keaton directed many influential films, includingSherlock Jr.andThe Navigator.
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However, his 1926 historical action-comedy epicThe Generalpushed th' bouGeneral’of what audiencKeaton’sused to seeing on screen.
Flynn’s performance in the 1938 masterpieceThe Adventures of Robin Hoodpersonifies heroism at its finest.
8’Foreign Correspondent' (1940)
1940 was an important year forAlfred Hitchcock.
The Master of Suspense helmed the iconic romantic psychological thrillerRebecca, the best-known film of that year.
However, he made another picture, the underrated spy thrillerForeign Correspondent.
Chasing a good thrill?
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Foreign Correspondentmight not rank as highly when looking at Hitchcock’s oeuvre, but the film deserves more praise.
7’Seven Samurai' (1956)
Akira Kurosawais among the all-time greatest filmmakers.
Seven Samuraitells the story of seven warriors called upon to defend a defenseless village from invading criminals.
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Audiences are left to wonder if Walker is simply dreaming and imagining the events transpiring.
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Indiana Jones was everything audiences wanted to see out of an action hero.
Keanu Reeveshad already proved himself in films likeSpeedandPoint Break, butThe Matrixgave him his best character to date.
2’Miami Vice' (2006)
Miami Viceis among the oddest studio films ever made.
It was an extraordinary move by Mann to satirize and reflect upon his previous work.
Image via Toho
Although it received mixed reviews upon release, audiences now seeMiami Viceas a misunderstood action masterpiece.
However, Miller’s return to The Wasteland in 2015’sMad Max: Fury Roadcouldn’t have been more satisfying.
No one missed the controversialMel Gibsonthanks to the introduction ofCharlize Theronas the fearsome Imperator Furiosa.
NEXT:The Best Action Movies on Disney+ Right Now
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