17 Best Action Movies of the 1950s

Shichinin no samurai also known as Seven Samurai is an Akira Kurosawa directed Japanese masterpiece. The plot revolves around seven rōnin or samurais with no masters who are hired by villagers to protect them against bandits. The final battle sees the eventual victory of the Samurai but at a very high cost. 

An advertising executive Roger Thornhill's life goes upside down when he is mistaken for a certain George Kaplan. He is kidnapped, almost killed, framed for a murder and chased around by men led by Phillip Vandamm. As he sets out to prove his innocence and find the real Kaplan, he is helped by Eve Kendall, who is not what she appears to be.

Throne of Blood is a historical Japanese drama film, which tells the story of a war-hardened general, who receives a prophecy that says that he would become the Lord of Spider’s Web Castle. However, his wife asks him to speed up the prophecy by murdering the current lord and usurping his place. 

In feudal Japan, two peasants returning from war meet General Rokurota Makabe and Princess Yuki of the invaded country, who must cross the enemy line to reach the friendly territory and rebuild their clan with their gold cache. Unaware of their identity, the peasants agree to help in return for gold. The general fights his way through enemies while protecting his precious responsibility, Yuki.

Forbidden Planet is a science fiction adventure thriller film which revolves around a starship crew that decides to investigate the silence of a distant planet’s colony. They soon find that only two survivors are remaining, along with a robot.

This Western action drama film tells the story of Lin, who wins a rare rifle in a contest. However, his brother Henry steals it away. Lin sets off on a difficult journey to track him down and find him, in order to claim the rifle back.  Lin’s journey eventually brings him to Dodge City, Kansas.

Based on real WWII events, the epic war-film depicts scientist Barnes Wallis who develops bouncing bombs that would skip over water (avoiding torpedo nets) to attack dams, an idea that gets vetoed at first. Once the Prime Minister gives his go-ahead, Wing-Commander Guy Gibson’s special squadron is trained for the mission, and the industrial area of Germany’s Ruhr Dam is bombed successfully.

During WWII, Capt. Murrell of American destroyer USS Haynes spots German U-boat helmed by Capt. Von Stolberg in the South Atlantic Ocean. As the two war-ships engage in a long battle of wits, the commanders anticipate other’s strategies and push their crews to their limits. Eventually, both acknowledge their adversary’s abilities and the intense battle brings forth certain respect for each other.

The first of Samurai Trilogy portrays Takezo, who with his friend Matahachi, is chased as deserter. The widow they take shelter with tries to seduce Takezo but he escapes and is captured to be taken to Buddhist Priest Takuan Soho, who locks Takezo in a castle for 3 years, making him learn the Samurai way of life. Finally, Takezo emerges as Samurai Musashi Miyamoto.

The captain of a submarine that was sunk by the Japanese during the Second World War is finally given an opportunity to take charge of another submarine after one year. Now, he is determined to sink a certain Japanese ship, the one that had destroyed his previous submarine, and this determination puts his crew in unnecessary danger.

Bend of the River is a western adventure film which tells the story of Glyn McLyntock and his friend Cole, who are leading a group of homesteaders from Missouri to Oregon. As winter nears, they establish a settlement outside Portland, and look for food supplies. Things take a turn when they soon learn about a gold mining camp nearby.

Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. is an action adventure war film which revolves around the adventures of a British Navy Captain, in the seas of Central America. Along with his crew, he battles a Spanish warship, as well as a group of Central American rebels. He also saves Lady Barbara Wellesley and falls in love with her, but she is unfortunately betrothed to someone else.

The second film in the Samurai Trilogy, it follows Musashi as he strives to enhance his skills as swordsman to earn the reputation as an accomplished warrior. Back in Kyoto, both Akemi and Otsu express their love for Musashi, but he is engaged in defeating Yoshioka school fighters and asks for duel with school-head Seijuro, which is scheduled at Ichijoji Temple. Can he prove his merit?

While an alien invasion threatens the future of the human race, an American man Ray Ferrier struggles to survive the catastrophic nightmare, along with his family.   

This action war drama film revolves around the lives of three soldiers fighting in the Second World War. One of them is Noah, a Jewish American man who has to deal with anti-Semitism after enlisting in the Army.

Sailing to Baghdad to wed Princess Parisa, Sinbad and his crew stop at Colossa Island and are saved from giant Cyclops’ attack by magician Sokurah who joins them but loses his magic lamp. In Baghdad, when Sokurah’s request for return voyage to Colossa for his lamp is declined, he vengefully shrinks Princess Parisa. Now Sinbad must brave several perils to get Parisa back.

The Vikings is an action adventure film which tells the story of Einar, a warrior, and Eric, a former slave, who are half-brothers. They compete for the throne of Northumbria, although the actual root cause of their rivalry is their affection for Princess Morgana.