Samuel Fuller (1912-1997) was an American director, screenwriter, and producer known for his raw, dynamic, and intensely personal style. A war veteran and former journalist, Fuller infused his genre films (noir, war, western) with a vision that often explored violence, racial prejudice, and the complexities of the human psyche.

His works, characterized by direct narratives, tight pacing, and a quasi-documentary approach, challenged Hollywood conventions. Among his most important films are the Cold War thriller *Pickup on South Street* (1953), the psychological drama *Shock Corridor* (1963), the controversial racial allegory *White Dog* (1982), and the autobiographical war epic *The Big Red One* (1980). Considered an "auteur" and admired by New Wave filmmakers, Fuller remains an influential figure in modern cinema.