Action movies can be called the purest form of cinema because they tell their stories visually, rather than through dialogue. Summarized in this entertaining book are 101 of the most famous action films of all time, from the early swashbucklers starring Douglas Fairbanks, to sci-fi panoramas like <i>Star Wars </i> and the <i>Terminator</i> series that was made famous by Arnold Schwarzenneger. With insights from critics, film historians, and academics, <i>101 Action Films You Must See Before You Die </i> discusses the movies that made actors like Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Sean Connery into household names. This intensely readable book chronicles the history of action films by dividing them into separate chapters for each decade, starting in 1900 and concluding with films like <i>The Bourne Identity</i> with Matt Damon, and other major releases of the present decade. Each movie is profiled with a plot summary, a listing of cast and credits, and interesting notes about the production. Approximately 200 illustrations include reproductions of movie posters and stills from the films.