IMDb > The Last Samurai (2003)
The Last Samurai
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The Last Samurai (2003) More at IMDbPro »

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The Last Samurai (2003) -- An American military advisor embraces the Samurai culture he was hired to destroy after he is captured in battle.
The Last Samurai (2003) -- An American military advisor embraces the Samurai culture he was hired to destroy after he is captured in battle.
The Last Samurai (2003) -- An American military advisor embraces the Samurai culture he was hired to destroy after he is captured in battle.
The Last Samurai (2003) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   96,603 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 29% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
John Logan (story)
John Logan (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Last Samurai on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 December 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
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. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 39 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(210 articles)
Ninja Assassin review
 (From QuietEarth. 24 November 2009, 11:56 AM, PST)

'47 Ronin' Lands a Director
 (From CinemaSpy. 18 November 2009, 11:00 PM, PST)

User Comments:
gripping and visually stunning more (886 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Samurai (USA) (working title)
The Last Samurai: Bushidou (USA) (poster title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence and battle sequences.
Runtime:
154 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Tom Cruise took no "up front" salary for this film. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: At the beginning of the film, the narrator talks of a "sword" which was dipped into the sea and the four islands of Japan were formed. This is factually incorrect; it was actually a jewelled spear, called Ame no nuhoko and is detailed in the Kojiki, the book of the Shinto faith. more
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.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Fear of Clowns (2004) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Kagura-No-Netori more

FAQ

Is Omura fired as the emperor's adviser?
more
57 out of 86 people found the following comment useful.
gripping and visually stunning, 26 March 2004
Author: Special-K88

Powerful, well-crafted epic set in the 19th century about a disillusioned American Army Officer who's hired to train a group of inexperienced Japanese soldiers and lead them into battle against a rebellious samurai. Having been defeated and held captive by the enemy, he gradually begins to understand and develop a great respect for the man who should be his adversary. Long, but faultlessly performed and richly detailed with compelling battle scenes and breathtaking scenery. Cruise, sporting authentic Japanese tongue, is excellent, but Watanabe steals the film in a moving and forceful performance as the fierce but honorable samurai warrior. Only letdown is the finale, which seems a bit too conventional, but it's still a remarkable tale of life, honor, and courage. ***½

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
it just makes me wonder... animalz619
This film makes me cry cooluone
Horses falling down After_the_goldrush
Ujio and Nobutada ShenStyle178
How the Samurai Could've Won the Battle? attentionspike
What about the ninja? michaelmansy
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