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The Last Samurai [HD DVD]
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Editorial Reviews:
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Epic Action Drama. Set in Japan during the 1870s, The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a respected American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his own sense of honor to guide him. DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by Edward Zwick
Deleted Scenes:The Beheading (Behind the Beheading) Algren and Katsumoto
Documentaries:History vs. Hollywood: The Last Samurai {History Channel Documentary)
Featurette:Tom Cruise: A Warrior's Journey Edward Zwick: Director's Video Journal {Behind-the-scenes production journal - narrated by Ed 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
Interviews:Making an Epic: A Conversation with Edward Zwick
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While Japan undergoes tumultuous transition to a more Westernized society in 1876-77, The Last Samurai gives epic sweep to an intimate story of cultures at a crossroads. In America, tormented Civil War veteran Capt. 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 honor 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 honor 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 honor. --Jeff Shannon
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The Last Samurai [HD DVD]
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User Comments About The Last Samurai [HD DVD]
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Arrogant, presumptive, historically/culturally inaccurate
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Most samurai at this point were underemployed government bureaucrats. If you want to make a film about Saigo Takamori and the Satsuma Rebellion, please do. I cannot suspend my disbelief for this film. Occasionally it'll do something true to the time period, or at least "true enough," so I'll give it a two, but really, don't waste your time with this one. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce. But this exoticized, orientalist, American-centric pastiche masquerading as a historical drama is just made of fail. They were in a position of privilege, at least theoretically.
The many (many many many many) historical inaccuracies and snafus, as well as the utter arrogance of the premise that we need a white man to be the main character in order to enjoy a historical drama, have been detailed and remarked on other sites and in professional reviews. It's a fascinating moment in history. These samurai would have been farmers. Also, the treatment of samurai as a class is embarrassingly ham-handed. Uh huh. Too many logic/history problems. Also, people did not bow to samurai in the streets. It's nothing but a stereotyped oversimplification of Japanese history and culture.
Most Favored Nation status. Also, has no one ever heard of the Inequal Treaties. Anyone who's actually sat down and STUDIED this time period cannot watch this film without criticizing it. And Japanese is SUCH an easy language to learn. Haha, no.
Ugh. Yeah, sure, rural peasants who are so poor they live in the mountains eat fluffy rich-people white rice. This movie is TERRIBLE. Maybe they were policemen.
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An enjoyable cinematic experience
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Tom Cruise has been in the movie industry for a long time and to date in my opinion this is by far his best performance. This is where the movie really starts to shine and and a beautiful forgotten world that we know little about comes alive thanks to the great director Edward Zwick and the ledgendary Hans Zimmer brings an unforgettable soundtrack.
He discovered after his capture that the samurai are peaceful and as bad as they are made out to be, Cruise's character becomes emotionally bound to them and he integrates himself into their society after working hard to earn their trust. Thanks for it's gripping storytelling, and excellent character design.
Events occur that cause Tom Cruise to be a captive of the deadly but extremely polite Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) who is the leader of the Japanese Samurai.
The Last Samurai is a deep emotional and violent film which has become a triumphant in the movie industry. By far Tom's Cruise's finest hour.
The year is 1876, Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) has been hired by the Japanese in order to help the Imperial Japanese Army become more 'modern' and less 'traditional' and ultimately prepare them to fight the legendary Samurai. Another special part of the film is that a relationship develops between Algren and a quiet widow by the name of Taka, however this isn't a main part of the film it shows that the film isn't all about power and a disappearing nation but an emotional and beautiful aspect of the film.
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I didn't see Dances with Wolves...
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I didn't see any of the reckless grinning that he known for, and he did a great portrayal of a disillusioned but fierce and loyal soldier. Sympathetic, and respectful of our culture. Thank you Hollywood and Zwick and Logan from a 'nihonjin.' I thought Cruise did a great job.
It was a stretch to see Cruise handle a katana so well, and I was prepared to laugh going into the movie, but the story really turned me around, it was so well done that it felt natural. And the love scenes were well crafted, no obligatory sex scene (thats absolutely impossible for a gaijin and nihonjin in that time period.). And this was exactly how many of the samurai felt in that era. You have to remember this is a fairy tale, but the Meiji Restoration was a turning point in Japan's history that I am happy that Americans can be better aquainted with.
I thought this is a well-done film. So I won't make comparisons with that movie. This was a great fantasy film about a time of great change in Japan.
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Okay, so I might like Tom Cruise more than your average person, but no one can say this movie was poorly done or that the acting was bad. EXCELLENT movie.
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Plain greatness. Just a really well done movie. This has it all: an epic scale, a love story, outstanding soundtrack, and fight scenes.
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