Last Samurai, Tom Cruise (2003)
Synopsis of the DVD Movie: Last Samurai
Captain Nathan Algren is a man adrift. The battles he once fought now seem distant and futile. Once he risked his life for honor and country, but, in the years since the Civil War, the world has changed. Pragmatism has replaced courage, self-interest has taken the place of sacrifice and honor is nowhere to be found--especially out West where his role in the Indian Campaigns ended in disillusionment and sorrow. Somewhere on the unforgiving plains near the banks of the Washita River, Algren lost his soul. A universe away, another soldier sees his way of life about to disintegrate. He is Katsumoto, the last leader of an ancient line of warriors, the venerated Samurai, who dedicated their lives to serving emperor and country. Just as the modern way encroached upon the American West, cornering and condemning the Native American, it also engulfed traditional Japan. The telegraph lines and railroads that brought progress now threaten those values and codes by which the Samurai have lived and died for centuries. But Katsumoto will not go without a fight. The paths of these two warriors converge when the young Emperor of Japan, wooed by American interests who covet the growing Japanese market, hires Algren to train Japan's first modern, conscript army. But as the Emperor's advisors attempt to eradicate the Samurai in preparation for a more Westernized and trade-friendly government, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Samurai. Their powerful convictions remind him of the man he once was. Thrust now into harsh and unfamiliar territory, with his life and perhaps more important, his soul, in the balance, the troubled American soldier finds himself at the center of a violent and epic struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his sense of honor to guide him.
DVD Movie Rating for: Last Samurai
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Movie Plot of: Last Samurai
American War Captain Nathan Algren (Cruise) trains and lead's a group of Japenese soldiers to defeat a rebellion of the countries remaining Samurai. Algren is captured by the Samurai and soon becomes part of the village he is being held hostage in and find's that his true warrior is becoming unleashed as he trains to become a Samurai with the very people we once called his enemies. Soon, the Japenese forces begin to search for the Samurai again... ready to begin a war with them that will soon determine the fate of Japenese traditions, and thier lives.
DVD Production Details of: Last Samurai
Starring: Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise
Director: Edward Zwick
Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: May 4, 2004
DVD Features:
Disc One
Theatrical Film With Commentary by director Edward Zwick
Disc Two
Deleted Scenes with commentary
History vs. Hollywood: The Last Samurai {History Channel Documentary
Tom Cruise: A Warrior's Journey
Edward Zwick: Director's Video Journal
Making an Epic: A Conversation with Edward Zwick and Tom Cruise
A World of Detail: Production Design with Lilly Kilvert
Silk and Armor: Costume Design with Ngila Dickson
Imperial Army Basic Training
From Soldier to Samurai: The Weapons
Japan Premieres {Tokyo & Kyoto red carpet)
Theatrical Trailer
Widescreen anamorphic format
Number of discs: 2
DVD Easter Eggs
None
Cast of the movie: Last Samurai
- Ken Watanabe .... Katsumoto
- Tom Cruise .... Nathan Algren
- William Atherton .... Winchester Rep
- Chad Lindberg .... Winchester Rep Assistant
- Ray Godshall Sr. .... Convention Hall Attendee
- Billy Connolly .... Zebulon Gant
- Tony Goldwyn .... Colonel Bagley
- Masato Harada .... Omura
- Masashi Odate .... Omura's Companion
- John Koyama .... Omura's Bodyguard
- Timothy Spall .... Simon Graham
- Shichinosuke Nakamura .... Emperor Meiji
- Togo Igawa .... General Hasegawa
- Satoshi Nikaido .... N.C.O.
- Shintaro Wada .... Young Recruit
- Shin Koyamada .... Nobutada
- Hiroyuki Sanada .... Ujio
- Shun Sugata .... Nakao
- Koyuki .... Taka
- Sosuke Ikematsu .... Higen
- Aoi Minato .... Magojiro
- Seizo Fukumoto .... Silent Samurai
- Shoji Yoshihara .... Sword Master
- Kosaburo Nomura IV .... Kyogen Player #1
- Takashi Noguchi .... Kyogen Player #2
- Noguchi Takayuki .... Kyogen Player #3
- Sven Toorvald .... Omura's Secretary
- Scott Wilson .... Ambassador Swanbeck
- Yuki Matsuzaki .... Soldier in Street #1
- Mitsuyuki Oishi .... Soldier in Street #2
- Jiro Wada .... Soldier in Street #3
- Hiroshi Watanabe .... Guard
- Yusuke Myochin .... Sword Master's Assistant
- Hiroaki Amano .... Samurai Ensemble
- Kenta Daibo .... Samurai Ensemble
- Koji Fujii .... Samurai Ensemble
- Makoto Hashiba .... Samurai Ensemble
- Shimpei Horinouchi .... Samurai Ensemble
- Takashi Kora .... Samurai Ensemble
- Shane Kosugi .... Samurai Ensemble
- Takeshi Maya .... Samurai Ensemble
- Seiji Mori .... Samurai Ensemble
- Lee Murayama .... Samurai Ensemble
- Takeru Shimizu .... Samurai Ensemble
- Shinji Suzuki .... Samurai Ensemble
- Hisao Takeda .... Samurai Ensemble
- Ryoichiro Yonekura .... Samurai Ensemble
- Ryoichi Noguchi .... Samurai Ensemble
- Darin Fujimori .... Gatling gun operator (uncredited)
Photo Gallery of the movie: Last Samurai
Click on one of the thumbnails to see the full size, high resolution photographs
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Reviews of the movie: Last Samurai
Brilliant!
I was skeptical about this movie because not every high-budget feature with Tom Cruise is guaranteed depth or serious acclaim, although it may gather at the box office. And Warner Bros put me through TORTURE to see this pic - changes of times AND locations, over and over. I felt like was on an survival test, an unbearably annoying treasure hunt over weeks and was frankly ready to give it a negative review (which I'm writing on behalf of a publication). However, I found the movie truly and unequivocally remarkable and cannot contain my review in 350 words.
First, the experience was powerful. Edward Zwick was a masterful director. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The action, sets, scenery and story - even the dialogue - were riveting. Clearly, a ton of historical and cultural research and care went into the script, sets, costumes, casting. They didn't just Hollywoodize Kurosowa's "Seven Samurai" as a Tom Cruise vehicle. Nor was it Dances with Wolves or Seven Years in Tibet, two PC-preaching pics of yesteryear. It was a lot more like Braveheart meets Seven Samurai with elements of inculturation a bit reminiscent of Wolves and Seven Years.
Rarely does a movie have excellent acting across the board, but all the Japanese actors were outstanding, and the Americans and Europeans were excellent ... Tom Cruise was at the top of his game. His Independence Day angst combined with his moral nobility in A Few Good Men and The Firm. Ken Watanabe as co-star exemplifying bravery, wisdom and nobility was outstanding.
In spite of this historical epic being "in vogue" at present, there were surprisingly few cliché story elements. Even the requisite (American-made movie) romance with Take (Koyuki in this role was wonderful) furthered the cross-cultural elements of the plot in such a way that neither culture was violated - and above all the `chemistry' was discreet in Japanese fashion, taking a necessary backseat without overshadowing the main story line, actually adding richness to the process of "going native" for Captain Algren (Cruise). The subplot went far beyond an added market draw. Very tasteful and artful scriptwriting, with many colorful, developing characters.
The thrust of the film was the Western-Japanese cultural divide, differing concepts of value and valor and the political issues surrounding Japan's efforts to "Westernize." [cross-cultural studies have become a cinematic trend: Lost in Translation, Beyond Borders, The Missing, Japanese Story, etc.] Where most of the other films fell short (and The Statement was an abomination], this film succeeded brilliantly. The differences between the two cultures were considered and portrayed without completely bashing one (except in the political arena, but even there, the Japanese seemed to be inviting their own downfall, in many ways). There was no simple scapegoat or cultural domination message. The American Civil War captain, Nathan Algren (Cruise) goes abroad as not only a war hero but also a cross-cultural and linguistic expert. Being in Japan, (at first as a mercenary hired to train Japanese in Western ways of war), he takes on the study of the people and their language. Although Algren's sometimes superhero abilities are a bit of a stretch at times, taking the native language seriously is unique in American filmmaking (and American culture, hence our lowly reputation when traveling). Usually the American walks into the foreign scene and the pic automatically shifts to all-English. I was truly grateful to find the dialog half in subtitles because half the characters were Japanese - and Algren was speaking with them. Secondly, this movie honors both cultures for their recognized strengths, even in their distinctiveness. For example, when the woman who is hosting Algren (in captivity) makes dinner, he helps her. "Japanese men don't do these things," she tells him. "But I'm not Japanese," he says (in Japanese). Algren is not ashamed to uphold his homeland customs (although this was 1876... pre-sensitive 90s man era, long before women's lib let alone men entering kitchens) when his own cultural customs or inclinations are ways of caring rather than domination. Another and more important example: Algren demonstrates American resilience and perseverance when he rises again repeatedly after defeat. This baffles the Japanese who are accustomed to falling on their swords in shame after defeat, for them a noble death. In these and many other ways, the Japanese Samurai (especially Katsumoto, Watanabe's character) and Algren learn to appreciate each other's ways. In many respects, the film moves past the usual PC party line [of Dances with Wolves, Seven Years in Tibet and most others of similar ilk out of Hollywood] and reflects on the beauty and dignity in the midst of difference between the two worlds, and how much they need to learn from one another without money or domination as a motive. The dignity of the young Emperor Meiji finding his own cultural center, at the end, was especially moving. Overall, the film had depth and substance with brilliant work in almost every area of production and performance. The editing was marvelous - although it's long, there's no unnecessary material remaining. Not a moment of boredom. Props all around!
The Last Samurai gives epic sweep to an intimate story of cultures at a crossroads as Japan undergoes tumultuous transition to a more Westernised society in 1876-77. In America, tormented Civil War veteran Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is coerced by a mercenary officer (Tony Goldwyn) to train the Japanese Emperor's troops in the use of modern weaponry. Opposing this "progress" is a rebellion of samurai warriors, holding fast to their traditions of honour despite strategic disadvantage. As a captive of the samurai leader (Ken Watanabe), Algren learns, appreciates, and adopts the Samurai code, switching sides for a climactic battle that will put everyone's honour to the ultimate test.
All of which makes director Edward Zwick's noble epic eminently worthwhile, even if its Hollywood trappings (including an all-too-conventional ending) prevent it from being the masterpiece that Zwick and screenwriter John Logan clearly wanted it to be. Instead, The Last Samurai is an elegant mainstream adventure, impressive in all aspects of its production. It may not engage the emotions as effectively as Logan's script for Gladiator, but like Cruise's character, it finds its own quality of honour. --Jeff Shannon
Synopsis
Captain Nathan Algren served in the American Civil War where he risked his life for his country. He served out his career in the West where the battle was with Indians and it was here that he became disillusioned and lost... In a far-off land a celebrated Samurai warrior, Katsumoto, is learning about change. A life of service to the Emperor and the country is being replaced with survival in a time of modernisation... Fate has it that both men will face each other and make a stand against those that would threaten honour and values... Captain Nathan Algren is employed to train a group of Japanese conscripts who will replace the Samurai warrior. But he is captured by the Samurai, an enemy he comes to respect and for whom he is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.
