The Last Samurai (DVD, 2004, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)

The Last Samurai embodies the true essences of two cultures who come together for power, control, and yes, War. Tom Cruise played his role quite well. He gave the role his own little twist of credibility. Even though he had struggled with alcohol during the first parts of the film, it seemed to bring out a deeper, darker side of him, yet making him appear mortal and weaker than his captors. This film portrays white men in a negative light. Their brutality and greed for money are most definitely present in the film.

Algren (Tom Cruise)is firstly fighting to get paid until the Samurai win him over with their more honorable ideals. Samurai heroes act out of honor and dutiful service whereas western heroes are cold and detached and could care less about saving anyone until someone offers them a bounty.

This film recognized both western and Japanese genres' similarities and differences and incorporated them together. While it's probably a little convenient and hard to stomach that the lone white man would be the last man standing, if you look at how the cultures differ it's a little easier to accept. If a Samurai loses in battle, he has to take his own life. So, they're all essentially fighting to the death. Algren doesn't share the disgraced suicide belief, so when he knows he's beaten, he's more likely to surrender. because he has allies on the opposing side.

A Little Long In Running Time.... But well worth watching!

Tom Cruise comes across well as the main character in this movie, and the other actors do a fine job also!

This is a great period time piece and has enough action to make a guy stay and watch it also!

Recommended viewing!

Michael

This movie just drew me in. The scenery, the costumes, all made me feel like I was living in that time. The storyline is great. Tradition versus modernism and its impact on the culture as a whole. Honor versus betrayal. Love versus self-hatred. Too many themes to list. I admit I was a little concerned about Tom Cruise in this type of movie but he suprised me and did a great job. Ken Watanbe was awesome as usual. I liked the parallels between what the US government did to the Native Americans in the name of progress. This movies makes you think about the cost of industrialism. I highly recommend this movie!!

At first I didn't want to watch this movie because Tom Cruise sincerely churns my stomache. HOWEVER!!!! I must say that he did a nice job. Ken Watanabe played an excellent samurai. The scenery was beautiful, the cinematography was excellent. The swordplay was as realistic as you can get. The style of dress, philosophy and demeanor was portrayed almost to the T. Most definitely a rental or purchase for anyone who has never had a glimpse of old Japan. And for those who have, you won't be disappointed.

You honor me by reading this.

Samurai and old school kung-fu movies are, at their core, Japanese westerns (or maybe I should say our westerns are American Samurai and kung-fu movies or whatever). The greatest samuari movie I've ever seen is "Seven Samurai," which was the inspiration for "The Magnificent Seven." In that legendary movie, there is a scene that has alway stood out to me as the defining saddness of the samurai. The greatest swordsman of the seven, a silent and brooding man, is slicing through the raiders that are attacking the villiage left and right. They are no match for him or his sword. But just as you think he is going to singlehandedly win this fight, his enemies fire off a pistol that fatally wounds him. As he staggers to his death, he takes a last look as his sword and disgusted, he throws it away from him and dies. No matter how great he is with his old weapons, he cannot beat a bullet.

That's what I thought about while I watched "The Last Samurai."

Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is a defeated man. Though he has never lost in battle and is considered a hero, massacring Indian villages (including women and children) for General Custer has robbed him of his soul. When we first see him, he's so self loathing that he only drinks himself into a stupor while trying to shill Winchester rifles in San Francisco.

It is here he gets an offer to do the only thing he believes he's any good at: go back into service, only this time to train troops in Japan the art of Western warfare (complete with rifles and artillary), so they can become a more modern civilization and also defeat the remaining samurai that have fought like rebels to the change. Of course, Japan's current government is wrought with dity politicians and an Emporer too scared to stand up to them.

So, he goes to train an army of farmers and fishermen how to use Western guns and ammo when the order comes in for Algren to lead his forces into battle with Katsumoto (Oscar nominated Ken Watanabe), the leader of last remaining band of Samurai. Algren, knowing his forces are too inexperienced to handle a group who's whole lives are dedicated to battle, tries to resist but is outranked. It is at this battle that he is taken captive by Katsumoto, who spares Algren's life in order to know his enemy better. This all leads to Algren learning the disciplined ways of the Samurai and learing to stand and fight with the very people he came to fight.

When this movie originally came out, I thought it sounded like "Dances With Samurai." And it does have a bit of that feel to it. Many scenes are played out without much dialogue at all as Algren begins to adopt the philosophies and dogma of the samurai. However, the movie comes into it's own very nicely and even the thought of Cruise as the 5'6 warrior melts out of your mind. Even with the film being over 2 1/2 hours, I never felt like things were dragging at all - although I do admit I had the luxury of watching this at home rather than on the big screen. There are also some elements to "Bravehart" during the climatic battle scenes, but they don't drag the movie down for too many unoriginal moments to spoil things.

Cruise is solid, as he always is. The thing about Cruise is that he is a very good character actor trapped in a Hollywood Star body. The real standout is Watanabe, who's quiet charisma comes out in buckets. That's not to say he chews up the scenery - he just simply has such presence on screen that you are riveted every time he shows up. It's a shame he didn't take home the Oscar.

Brilliant film from the funny little man they call tom cruise ;) good plot, fun to watch, looks amazing in blu-ray, well reccomended.

GREAT movie!! Had this on VHS but wanted to upgrade to DVD because it is a movie worth having and watching again and again.

I have seen many war movies and/or Tom Cruise movies, and this one is no doubt one of the best. It has a solid storyline, not just aimless killing. Tom Cruise is an American soldier from the Civil War who has done things that he regrets. He is trying to find peace in his life as he ends up in a Japanese village as a pow. He begins to associate with the samurai's and their way of life. And so, he must defend this way of life at the end of the movie when all the samurai's go to war against the new Imperial Army. This is a deep meaningful movie that is worth watching.

When this movie was released Tom Cruise was being arrogant and allowing his personal religious beliefs to spill over onto everyone's talk show, so the movie received a poor rating. Recently, I had seen parts of this movie on TV and realized what an excellent, historical movie this was. When I say it for sale with one of my favorite sellers, I bid on and won this movie. Shipping was swift and I had my movie in time to share with family for Thanksgiving.

Thanks......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Loved the movie....which I still haven't received from the seller....and paid for on Jan 5th....Have wrote to his several times and no response.....how do I get my money back!!!!! Rating is Excellent for the movie and POOR for the seller so I guess that is an Average....

a really great movie watch it over and over tom cruise is awesome and the scenery and costuming is great the scale of the battles memorable highly recommend

I never did receive the product and since the product was less than 25 dollars, nothing could be done about it.

This movie is awesome. It has a nice story line to it; full of irony. It shows that having a lack of understanding towards another culture is the result of unnecessary hatred and war. I had owned this movie before but somehow it got lost. I bought it off of Ebay to add it back to my growing movie collection. This is one movie you should not be without.

To start with, I never received the item I bought. I mailed the money order, and the person selling the item never emailed me nor did I get the last samurai dvd. I've learned my lesson not to use ebay to buy things. Does not matter if I have to pay the retail cost somewhere else, as long as I get the merchandize I want. My review would really really be poor.

There were no scratches on the dvd, but there was something sticky on the top of it and it got stuck in the dvd player for a while....but other than than that it was good.

Fantastic movie! It is very scenic,old school type movie.Man is captured by enemy to learn their ways and becomes their supporter when he learns who and what they are.Beautiful footage,very historically correct,great plot,and characters are perfect!Places where action kept us on edge of seat,and other laid back moments,and then there's the love story angle in it also.
A perfect movie for man AND woman!

This movie has great action but not to much gore. It is very interesting and fun to watch. At time your on the edge of the seat and others just relaxing.

Outstanding movie. Shows the values, loyalty and integrity that Japan was built on. Goes on to show the downfall of those values by just a handful of greedy can change and influence a country and just the same ...people.

Great movie, probably one of Cruise's best. Story of how western civilization's modern warfare, and technology invades the east, and is met with resistance from the old guardians of Japan, the Samurai. Great story and unbelievable scenary throughout the movie.

A great movie. Intense personal control with a heart changing story line. A persson can get what he or she wants out of this movie.

Well executed historical fiction with exquisite countryside scenery. Tom Cruise and particularly Ken Watanbane gave outstanding performances rendering their characters as the last of dying traditions. It contains graphic war scenes, so it may be more suitable for mature teens and adults.

I like the movie The Last Samurai because it shows a symbolic relationship between the clashes of the past and present. In a world where culture is radically changing, we sometimes forget who we are and what our ancestors were and still are through us.

The Last Samuria is a great movie! I would say that it is one of Tom Cruise's best movies! It has a great plot, followed up by great action scenes! This is an excellent movie!