Ronin  ★★★★

JOHN Frankenheimer was one of the great film directors of the 1960s.

Birdman of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate, Seconds and Grand Prix we’re just some of the features that made him famous.

The ’70s were less productive for Frankenheimer but still produced The Iceman Cometh, Black Sunday and the under-rated The French Connection II.

Then things remained fairly lean until his death in 2002, the exception being the action thriller Ronin.

This 1998 release is old-school cinema at its best, with Frankenheimer making full use of the craft.

For example his trademark extreme close-ups within widescreen format are there along with attention to the smallest of details in settings, locations and production design.

There is one of the best car chases you will ever see, all performed by stunt drivers, and even the claimed use of live ammunition during the impressive shootout sequences in public areas.

The film’s title is derived from the Japanese legend of rōnin, samurai warriors whose leader had been killed leaving them with nobody to serve. They travel the country as mercenaries seeking to regain their sense of purpose.

Some of these modern day ronin in Frankenheimer’s film, such as main characters Sam and Vincent, played respectively by Robert de Niro and Jean Reno, fit the description, but others are in it just for the money.

Natascha McElhone is the sole woman in the principal cast, playing an Irish terrorist who hires a team of mercenaries to retrieve a briefcase handcuffed to the wrist of a man protected by a group of professional bodyguards.

Dierdre refuses to tell them what is in the briefcase, much to the annoyance of Sam whose code includes wanting to know exactly what he is risking his life for. Of course, the mission doesn’t prove as easy as expected and multiple double-crosses and treachery ensues.

Despite the complicated plot, Frankenheimer ensures an attentive viewer is well aware at all times of what is going on through meticulous attention to every detail.

The great cast also includes Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean, Jonathan Pryce and Michael Lonsdale.

And those care chases! They really don’t make them like they used to.