FILMS that portray a single event from multiple points of view are seen as a bit of a gimmick these days.

But back in 1950, the storytelling technique was truly innovative.

Celebrated Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's Rashômon explores a horrific series of events – an ambush, a rape and murder – but how it happens and the aftermath are up for debate.

The film sees the rape victim, the bandit, a woodcutter who witnessed the crimes and even the ghost of the murdered man (resurrected by a medium) tell their version of events.

It is then up to the viewer to piece it together and decide what they think really took place.

Rashômon is remembered 65 years later because the filmmaking techniques still stand out and its universal theme about the subjective nature of 'truth' is just as relevant today.

The story also keeps you engaged throughout because, in a way, the film turns you into a detective.

You begin to question the motives of those recalling the events – even the witness. Who is trustworthy? What have they got to lose or gain? Is anyone telling the truth?

The British Film Institute's newly released and restored Blu-ray version of Rashômon gives a new generation of viewers the chance to discover an influential classic.

It is worth it because even if you have not previously heard of Rashômon you would have felt its influence.

The 1950 film was remade by Hollywood as The Outrage, starring Paul Newman, and it was a key influence on Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects and Pete Travis's Vantage Point.