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The film's influence is monumental, laying groundwork for the "assembling a team" trope used ubiquitously in action films and blockbusters. Its innovative storytelling—showing a group of diverse characters learning to work together—became a template for movies like The Dirty Dozen, The Magnificent Seven, and even influences seen in Star Wars.
Cinematographer Kurosawa employed scenes of rain clashes and slow-motion battles, techniques not common at the time, which would be seen in future action movies. Kurosawa’s meticulous approach, spanning 148 shooting days spread over a year, demonstrates the dedication to craft; when production was halted due to studio interference, Kurosawa famously took to fishing, trusting the process would resume.