The Last Samurai

20032003
RR
2h 34m

Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai (2003)

Trailer

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

Director
- Edward Zwick
Writers
- John Logan(story)
- Edward Zwick(screenplay)
- Marshall Herskovitz(screenplay)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Nominated for 4 Oscars
- 20 wins & 67 nominations total

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The Last Samurai

The Last Samurai

Photos190

Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai (2003)

Tom Cruise, Shun Sugata, and Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai (2003)

Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai (2003)

Tom Cruise and Edward Zwick in The Last Samurai (2003)

Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai (2003)

Hiroyuki Sanada in The Last Samurai (2003)

Ken Watanabe and Shichinosuke Nakamura in The Last Samurai (2003)

Tom Cruise, Timothy Spall, and Billy Connolly in The Last Samurai (2003)

Tom Cruise, Tony Goldwyn, Timothy Spall, Masato Harada, and Shichinosuke Nakamura in The Last Samurai (2003)

Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai (2003)

Hiroyuki Sanada and Lee Murayama in The Last Samurai (2003)

Koyuki and Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai (2003)

Director
- Edward Zwick
Writers
- John Logan(story) (screenplay)
- Edward Zwick(screenplay)
- Marshall Herskovitz(screenplay)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

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In the 1870s, Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a cynical veteran of the American Civil War, who will work for anyone, is hired by Americans who want lucrative contracts with the Emperor of Japan to train the peasant conscripts for the first standing Imperial Army in modern warfare using firearms. The Imperial Omura (Masato Harada) cabinet's first priority is to repress a rebellion of traditionalist Samurai, hereditary warriors, who remain devoted to the sacred dynasty, but reject the Westernizing policy, and even refuse firearms. Yet, when his ill-prepared superior force sets out too soon, their panic allows the sword-wielding samurai to crush them. Badly wounded, Algren's courageous stand makes the samurai leader Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) spare his life. Once nursed to health, he learns to know and respect the old Japanese way, and participates as advisor in Katsumoto's failed attempt to save the Bushido tradition, but Omura gets repressive laws enacted. He must now choose to honor his loyalty to one of the embittered sides when the conflict returns to the battlefield. —KGF Vissers

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Taglines
- In the face of an enemy, in the Heart of One Man, Lies the Soul of a Warrior.
Genres
- Action
- Drama
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated R for strong violence and battle sequences
Parents guide

Trivia
Tom Cruise spent almost two years in preparation for this movie, including swordplay instruction and Japanese-language lessons.

Goofs
No one, especially a foreigner, would have been allowed in the Emperor's presence bearing weapons, yet this happens on three occasions.

Quotes
Katsumoto: The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.

Crazy credits
The opening Warner Bros. logo is light blue on a solid black background.

Connections
Featured in At the Movies: The Cat in the Hat/The Cooler/In America/The Last Samurai (2003)

Soundtracks
Kagura-No-Netori
Performed by Tokyo Gakuso
Courtesy of Columbia Music Entertainment, Inc.

Top review

10/10

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.

helpful•532

481

leigh-jeffries
Jan 15, 2005

Budget
- $140,000,000 (estimated)
Gross US & Canada
- $111,127,263
Opening weekend US & Canada
- $24,271,354
- Dec 7, 2003
Gross worldwide
- $454,627,263

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
2 hours 34 minutes
Color
- Color
Sound mix
Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1

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