The Films of Samuel Fuller

Samuel Fuller is one of the greatest directors of all time, but sadly his name is not generally spoken in the same breath as auteurs such as Hitchcock, Kubrick or Truffaut. His films showcase a realistic violence years ahead of his time, informed by his service with the U.S. Army during World War II. The only combat veteran to become a Hollywood director, Fuller’s experiences there shaped his life and the films he made. His career as a journalist played just as big of a role, contributing a to-the-point, direct nature to his work that is unlike any other director. His films are largely forgotten but they rank among some of the best cinema has to offer. Martin Scorsese once said, “If you don’t like the films of Sam Fuller then you just don’t like cinema.” Truer words have never been spoken. Thanks to the work of people at Criterion, the Warner Archive and Sony, a number of his previously unavailable films are now within reach. Eventually, I will work my way through all of these, and this page will serve as a hub between all the reviews.