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The Last Samurai (2004, DVD)

Movie Description
Edward Zwick directs this sumptuously designed, action-packed period epic that stars Tom Cruise as Captain Nathan Algren. Algren, a former Civil War hero, is adrift in 1870s San Francisco after the war, a lost soul struggling to stay afloat in a booze-soaked stupor. When he is recruited by the Japanese government to train the Emperor's army, he departs for the unknown shores of Japan and begins training the soldiers in American military tactics. But these skills are useless against a band of samurai rebels led by the proud warrior Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), and Algren is easily defeated. He is taken to a remote samurai village where he learns samurai warrior codes and ways of life, developing a deep bond with Katsumoto and sharing philosophical conversations with him. Caught between the feudal culture of the ancient samurai warriors and the encroachment of modern society, Algren is forced to choose between his own culture or Katsumoto's. THE LAST SAMURAI is lavish in its dramatic period costumes and intense performances, and will thrill fans of both historical drama and action films.

Credits
Producer:Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Paula Wagner, Scott Kroopf, Ted Field, Tom Cruise, Tom Engelman
Cast:Billy Connolly, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ken Watanabe, Masato Harada, Timothy Spall, Tom Cruise, Tony Goldwyn

Details
Edition:2-Disc Full-Screen Version

Notes
DVD Features:

Region 1
Double Keep Case
Full-Scree - 1.33
Audio:
   Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
   Dolby Surround 2.0 - English
   Stereo - English
   Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
   Audio Commentary - 1. Edward Zwick - Director
   Deleted Scenes - 1. "The Beheading" (Behind the Beheading); Algren and Katsumoto
   Documentaries - 1. "History vs. Hollywood: THE LAST SAMURAI"
   Featurettes - 1. "Tom Cruise: A Warrior's Journey"
    2. "Edward Zwick: Director's Video Journal"
    3. "A World of Design: Production Design with Lilly Kilvert"
    4. "Silk and Armour: Costume Design with Ngila Dickson"
    5. "Imperial Army Basic Training: From Soldier to Samurai - The Weapons"
    6. "Tokyo and Kyoto Red Carpet Premieres"
   Interviews - 1. "Making an Epic: A Conversation with Edward Zwick"
DVD-ROM Features, Theatrical Release Date: December 5, 2003

Editorial Reviews
"...[A] rousing, smoothly assembled historical fantasia....A handsome epic..."
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (12/05/2003)

"...Cruise plays the role with fierce energy and swings a Bushido blade like a pro..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (12/25/2003)

"[With] some of the most impressively realised battles this side of Middle Earth."
Sight and Sound - Ben Walters (02/01/2004)

"Mr. Zwick has absorbed the lethal agility of Akira Kurosawa; what registers just as powerfully as the sureness of the combatants is the ugly futility of the battles themselves."
New York Times - Elvis Mitchell (12/05/2003)

"THE LAST SAMURAI affords the sort of fizzy enjoyment that can come with epic movie endeavors, including a meticulously detailed world unlike our own, an excellent supporting cast and some pulse-pounding fights."
Los Angeles Times - Manohla Dargis (12/05/2003)

"Beautifully designed, intelligently written, acted with conviction, it's an uncommonly thoughtful epic."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (12/05/2003)

"THE LAST SAMURAI is another stirring Civil War-era epic directed by Edward Zwick."
Widescreen Review - Widescreen Review Staff (06/01/2006)

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    Top Reviews
      Beautiful period piece with heart and spirit!
    Review created: 10/17/06(updated 10/17/06)
    by:
    5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

    This film is set in the 1870's and stars Tom Cruise as Captain Nathan Algren. Algren was a civil war hero and is recently returned from the campaign against the Indians. He's still haunted by what he's seen, and what he's done. Algren, who has become an alcoholic in an attempt to cope, is recruited by the Japanese government to train the Emperor's army. Japan at this time is struggling with its own identity as it attempts to shed its feudal image and become a modern power. Algren must train a group of soldiers to fight the Samurai who for decades protected Japan but are now perceived as standing in the way of progress. Cruise soon leads his soldiers in battle against the Samurai leader, Katsumoto, who is played by Ken Watanabe. After his defeat Algren (Cruise) is taken to Katsumoto's village where he eventually learns the Samurai's codes and ways of life and develops a bond with Katsumoto. Eventually a new Imperial Army is formed and Algren must choose sides for the final epic battle.

    Edward Zwick directs this film and presents us with a period epic reminiscent of some of Hollywood finest movies. The film has heart and spirit and the plot draws you in. Even down to the smallest detail the film is true to the time period and creates an atmosphere in which you really believe these people are living in the 1870's. Everything including the costumes, armor, weapons, etc are authentic and an unbelievable amount of research went into creating this movie as can be seen in the dvd extras (more on that later). The cinematography is stunning and the battle scenes are incredible. These battle scenes are quite graphic and bloody, note the 'R' rating, so if that's something you don't enjoy this movie may not be for you.

    The actor's performances were excellent. This is probably Tom Cruise's best performance and he shines as the soldier with a troubled past trying to regain his honor. The best performance in the movie, however, belongs to Ken Watanabe. His performance as the Samurai leader fighting for his country, and his emperor, and watching as his way of life dies, was nothing short of moving.

    You also can't forget about the dvd extras, and there are some good ones. Included is the History Channel documentary "History vs Hollywood", the director's video journal, interviews with the actors including Tom Cruise, deleted scenes, production and weapon designs and so much more.

    Overall The Last Samurai is a beautiful and visually stunning film and is the best movie that's been released in years.


    Review ID: 10000000002147214
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    Reviews
      I had fun watching it
    Review created: 08/29/08
    by:

    A.W.E.S.O.M.E !!! I recomend!!


    Review ID: 10000000008488838
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      The Last Samurai
    Review created: 08/07/08

    Love getting a good buy to add to my collection. Hope to get more great buys!! Thanks, And can't wait to do it again.


    Review ID: 10000000008260667
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      GREAT MOVIE!
    Review created: 07/30/08
    by:

    i LOVE THIS MOVIE! ONE THAT YOU CAN WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN. BUY IT! BUY IT!
    BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    Review ID: 10000000008118922
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      Very Fast Shipping! Item is Brand New!! Great Seller!
    Review created: 07/25/08

    Item was recieved two days after payment (VERY FAST SHIPPING)!! The case is in Perfect Shape and the item plays perfectly!! Great Seller!! Thanks!!


    Review ID: 10000000008082774
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