The Last Samurai (2003)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Edward Zwick

Writers (WGA):

John Logan (story)
John Logan (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

5 December 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | War

Tagline:

In the face of an enemy, in the Heart of One Man, Lies the Soul of a Warrior.

Plot:

An American military advisor embraces the Samurai culture he was hired to destroy after he is captured in battle.

Plot Keywords:

Samurai | Emperor | Japan | Honor | Captain

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 39 nominations

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Samurai (USA) (working title)
The Last Samurai: Bushidou (USA) (poster title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and battle sequences.

Runtime:

154 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Japanese | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Malaysia:18SG | Iceland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A | Chile:14 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R13 | Norway:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #40226)

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The Japanese character that the Taka's younger son paints and gives to Algren is the character for "samurai".

Goofs:

Continuity: During the discussion about the scalping, Zebulon Gant's hand jumps around in the background between holding the chair and holding up his glass so that he can sip from it.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Simon Graham: [narrating] They say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word: honor.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Top Gear: (2005-08-07)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Kagura-No-Netori

One of the most beautifully crafted films ever made.

If you have NOT seen the film then stop reading this review and go rent, buy or borrow it right now! What are you waiting for? This is a 10 out of 10 must see.

The casting, location, storyline and direction of this film is simply excellent. I say this is Tom Cruise's finest acting hour. A story of honour, integrity, tradition, courage and love entwined with great battle scenes, beautiful scenery and superb acting, especially in the lead roles of Cruise and Ken Watanabe.

For me personally I have no faults with this film. I do not possess a vast knowledge of Samurai history other than what we see on TV and read in magazines so cannot comment on it's depiction of true Samurai legend. A real gem.