The Last Samurai [DVD] [2003]

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.

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.

I watched this film last night expecting to be very underwhelmed by Tom Cruise playing a Japanese Samurai - boy was I wrong!

The film is set around 1876 and Cruise plays the role of Nathan Algren, an army captain who is haunted by his memories of slaughtering a group of innocent Indian women and children and he relies heavily on alcohol to help him escape his demons. He is recruited to travel to Japan to help train their army so that they will be ready to defend the country and to defeat what they see as a threat from the last remaining Samurai. After being captured in battle Cruise is taken to live as a prisoner in a remote mountain village where his transformation gradually begins.

The film takes you on an emotional journey where you witness the beauty and simplicity of the daily life of the people in the village. You feel privileged to get an insight into the world of the Samurai and to gain an understanding of their beliefs, training and honour system.

Cruise plays his part incredibly well. He is utterly believable, tough, emotional and it is wonderful to see his character find peace within himself and a set of values with which he feels he can comfortably live with.

Ken Watanabe is superb at playing the role of the Samurai leader Katsumoto and Timothy Spall steals the limelight as an eccentric British writer and photographer - I loved him.

The battle scenes were not overdone as is so often the case with many movies. I felt both sadness as the Samurai army faced an enemy against which they couldn't possibly hope to beat and also pride at witnessing the bravery and courage as they faced their final battle.

A very memorable film and one which is definitely worth watching.