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Amazon.co.uk Review
The Last Samurai gives epic sweep to an intimate story of cultures at a crossroads as Japan undergoes tumultuous transition to a more Westernised society in 1876-77. In America, tormented Civil War veteran Captain 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 honour 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 honour 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 honour. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, William AthertonDirector: Edward Zwick
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It seems that Hollywood (being quite obviously American) has kept its distance from high budjet films about Japanese culture over the years. Lets face it they have their reasons and don't forget that the old Japanese culture is quite alien to the average Westerner.
With The Last Samurai, the mainstream film makers have finally found a way of producing a quality film which demonstrates quite accurately the attitudes of the Japanese ruling factions of the time. Quite naturally, Hollywood create films to make money and The Last Samurai is no exception. However, as with other similar semi-historic films (e.g. Gladiator) it has been constructed with a care to detail and has embodied within its foundations the very attributes it wants to portrey, namely honour, compassion and indomitable spirit.
As a student of Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, including sword arts, I was pleased to see the accurate depiction of how a katana (Japanese longsword) is used in battle. I was deeply impressed with the efforts of all the actors to accurately use all the weaponry with such dedication. Cruise especially, worked very hard to learn to use the sword, as well as all the other work he put in.
One scene especially caught my eye, where Cruise is attacked in the street by a group of sword bearing attackers. Having spent several long months converting his fighting skills to that of the Japanese style (quite feasable for the dedicated warrior, even in such a short time) he is able to defeat his attackers. The reality of the use of the sword in the Japanese style, is that every second, one is half an inch from death. This was demonstrated with great film making skill.
This film is unmistakably American, but is made with sensitivity and respect for all concerned. Based loosly on the Satsuma uprising of 1986/7, The Last Samurai uses typical poetic licence in changing the facts, but that doesn't really matter. Whether the protaganists were the Americans, or (in reality) the French, the story is primarily about the strength of character of the Japanese warrior and the code of honour which trancends race and is relevent to true warriors of all races. This is a truly memorable film.
With The Last Samurai, the mainstream film makers have finally found a way of producing a quality film which demonstrates quite accurately the attitudes of the Japanese ruling factions of the time. Quite naturally, Hollywood create films to make money and The Last Samurai is no exception. However, as with other similar semi-historic films (e.g. Gladiator) it has been constructed with a care to detail and has embodied within its foundations the very attributes it wants to portrey, namely honour, compassion and indomitable spirit.
As a student of Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, including sword arts, I was pleased to see the accurate depiction of how a katana (Japanese longsword) is used in battle. I was deeply impressed with the efforts of all the actors to accurately use all the weaponry with such dedication. Cruise especially, worked very hard to learn to use the sword, as well as all the other work he put in.
One scene especially caught my eye, where Cruise is attacked in the street by a group of sword bearing attackers. Having spent several long months converting his fighting skills to that of the Japanese style (quite feasable for the dedicated warrior, even in such a short time) he is able to defeat his attackers. The reality of the use of the sword in the Japanese style, is that every second, one is half an inch from death. This was demonstrated with great film making skill.
This film is unmistakably American, but is made with sensitivity and respect for all concerned. Based loosly on the Satsuma uprising of 1986/7, The Last Samurai uses typical poetic licence in changing the facts, but that doesn't really matter. Whether the protaganists were the Americans, or (in reality) the French, the story is primarily about the strength of character of the Japanese warrior and the code of honour which trancends race and is relevent to true warriors of all races. This is a truly memorable film.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and rate it amongst some of the very best I have seen in the last couple of years.
Although one could claim the plot line is a bit formulaic, it's a formula that definitely works and the superb acting that brings the story to life is pure enjoyment. Cruise is outstanding but it is maybe with the top notch supporting cast that really makes this film stand out. Ken Watanabe is on top form making his character take you through a whole ride of emotions but best of all for me was the surprise appearance of both Billy Connolly and Timothy Spall, two of the finest ever British character actors.
Apart from that the locations are beautiful, the action scenes gripping and the storyline delicate but thrilling and told with a great deal of sensitivity.
If you missed this at the cinema, buy the DVD. You won't regret it.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I have to say this is the most dramatic movie I have seen to date in Blu-ray. This movie was made for it. The colours and detail are amazing, I only realised certain things happened in this movie after viewing this movie ie. heads decapitating etc that I never even saw in standard DVD. HIGHLY RECOMMEND in BLU-RAY
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
CRUISE THE SUPER ACTOR!
I liked this movie because of the actors....WATANABE,CRUISE,ETC....
but after seen it twice,the battle scenes,the spirit of Japan is reality indeed!
but after seen it twice,the battle scenes,the spirit of Japan is reality indeed!
Published 1 month ago by Maria Yanagihara
last samurai
very good action film, great for people who love old fighting techniques. tom cruise plays his role very well. would recommend this to anyone.
Published 4 months ago by Christy
The Last Samurai [DVD] [2003]
This is an absolutly fantastic film and has a certain style missing in many many films today! Amazing courage along with sadness go hand in hand so perfectly that I can`t... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Etonie E
The Last Samurai
I watched this film last night expecting to be very underwhelmed by Tom Cruise playing a Japanese Samurai - boy was I wrong! Read more
Published 7 months ago by D. Jones
Pretty nice!
Blu-ray quality for The Last Samurai really is great, it doesn't stands out in any way, maybe for being one of the first blu-rays to come out. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Nicolas Bertolotti
History comes to life....
Konnichiwa
An excellent film in every way - the blue ray version is simply incredible!
Non wire action very well done. Read more
An excellent film in every way - the blue ray version is simply incredible!
Non wire action very well done. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Adam
A good conversation...
I think a few people have missed the point of this film. It's a slice of escapist fun that, more so in the first half, is nicely balanced between the serious issues (the rebellion... Read more
Published 9 months ago by K-Bone Wallace
Simply sensational
The Samurai. A collection of Japanese warriors that fight good with swords. Does this definition do them justice however? No. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Chris Richardson
BREATHTAKING
Still one of my favourite all-time films. Everytime I see it - even after several years, it reduces me to tears. The music is powerful and emotionally-charging. Read more
Published 11 months ago by E. J. Blackstock
Worth Watching
A good film, the Samurai are romanticised and it's typically Hollywood though to say the least.
If you want a more realistic view of the Samurai I recommend watching... Read more
If you want a more realistic view of the Samurai I recommend watching... Read more
Published 16 months ago by ST George
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