Apu Trilogy: Pather Panchali/Aparajito/The World of Apu, India, 1955/1956/1958, 112 min./108 min./103 min. Starring Kanu Banerji, Karuna Banerji, Pinaki Sen Gupta, Soumitra Chatterjee. Directed by Satyajit Ray. Ray began his career with these three films following the ongoing life of young Apu and his impoverished family, from his youth (Pather) to going to college (Aparajito) to marriage (World). Those who think of Indian films as Bollywood musicals should see these beautiful works.

The Searchers, USA, 1956, 120 min. Starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Natalie Wood. Directed by John Ford. Wayne broke from his typical hero persona to play the racist protagonist, who spends years chasing after his niece who has been kidnapped by Indians. But is his determination really fueled by family devotion or something else entirely? Ford's usual dazzling landscapes stand backdrop to what may be the finest western story he ever directed.

The Seventh Seal, Sweden, 1957, 96 min. Starring Max Von Sydow, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Bibi Andersson. Directed by Ingmar Bergman. A knight on his way back from the crusades stops for a game of chess – with the Grim Reaper. Naturally the stakes of the game are quite high. It is easy to imagine this film being as downbeat as much of Bergman's other work, but people may be surprised upon revisiting it to discover how much humor courses through it.

The Bridge On The River Kwai, UK, 1957, 161 min. Starring William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa. Directed by David Lean. One of the most stirring of all war films finds a group of POWs assigned to build a bridge for the Japanese holding them prisoner, but who's really in charge? Adding to the complexity there is a group of allied soldiers planning on blowing the bridge up. Great adventure and great drama combine to make one memorable cinematic experience.

Wild Strawberries, Sweden, 1957, 90 min. Starring Victor Sjostrom, Ingrid Thulin, Bibi Andersson. Directed by Ingmar Bergman. An aging doctor about to be honored, while on a car trip with his daughter-in-law and a young hitchhiking couple, reflects on his life through recollections, dreams and discussions. Remarkable and highly symbolic study of belief and regret.