The Last Samurai (2003)

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), John Logan (screenplay)

Stars:

Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 21 wins & 62 nominations.

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

Storyline

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...

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Plot Keywords:

historically inaccurate | drunkenness | bowing | alcoholic | prostitute | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and battle sequences

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming took place in New Zealand, mostly in the Taranaki region, with Japanese cast members and an American production crew. This location was chosen due to the fact that Egmont/Mt. Taranaki resembles Mt. Fuji, and also because there is a lot of forest and farmland in the Taranaki region. This acted as a backdrop for many scenes, as opposed to the built-up cities of Japan. Several of the village scenes were shot on the Warner Brothers backlot in Burbank, California. Some scenes were shot in Kyoto and Himeji, Japan. There were thirteen locations altogether.

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Goofs

When they are disembarking the ship in Japan, the green screen spill on the side of the ship and a hole through the ship reveals the CG water behind.

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Quotes

Simon Graham: [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.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Referenced in The Last of Us (2013)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

gripping and visually stunning

Powerful, well-crafted epic set in 19th century Japan about a disillusioned American soldier who's hired to train a group of fledgling 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 vivid, breathtaking scenery. Cruise—sporting authentic Japanese tongue—is outstanding, 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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA New Zealand Japan

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

5 December 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Last Samurai: Bushidou

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$140,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$24,271,354, 7 December 2003

Gross USA:

$111,127,263

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$454,627,263

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., The Bedford Falls Company, Cruise/Wagner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

154 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1