The Last Samurai (DVD 2004)

Despite being fascinated with the tradition history and romance of the Japanese warrior and culture I had not seen the film starring Tom Cruise as the disillusioned American Army officer who becomes influenced by the samurai lifestyle. It was recommended by a friend that I buy it but I never found myself in that High Street shop remembering to increase by DVD collection. Thankfully with on-line shopping and eBay in particular I was able to remedy that at a fraction of the recommended price.
The story was predicable enough but that did not detract from the excellence of it. For me it captured all the honour, commitment and romance that was the samurai confirming that whilst it portrayed the lifestyle of a long established code of a high class fighting people the commitment to their cause ran through all their social and domestic dealings within their family, their village and their interaction with a modernising country that would inevitably destroyed all they represented. The film was a good spectacle with fighting. romance, reevaluation of a man's character and soul and superb acting. The battle scenes were well constructed and filmed with a sensitivity that brought the viewer not only to admire the samurai but also sympathise with the cause. As a viewer who wants a happy ending I was disappointed with the inevitable conclusion confirming the title and purpose of the film but for Tom Cruise fans well he did have other films to make! One negative - the excellent acting skills - we all seem to think of him as only a brilliant comedian - was the loss far too early in the film of Billy Connelly. He was f*****g magnificent.
Thoroughly recommended for action, history and a lifestyle to admire and copy with 21 st century refinement!

A very well made insight in to the japanese samurai great acting (especially Ken Watanabe) great scenery and script what can i say Brilliant film!

Story:
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.

Comments:
Very Dramatic, Historically Accurate & Superb Acting.

A totally different movie and i loved it. This film goes into my favs of all time. It is a bold and different movie although some may say it is too American which to a certain extent is true. Ignore the American part of the film as you will never get a movie as good as this. The acting and cast were spot on and with good effects. Also it was a subject that has never been covered by looking at the Japenese Civil War although the story is not true not many are. I bought this because it was brilliant. Well worth a try :)

Now we’re talking cinema, and we’re talking beauty - not only the beauty you can see, but the one you can seek. Tom Cruise, veteran of 19th Century American Civil War, stumbles across people who ‘Devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue.’ This is the Samurai path, this is beauty. And Edward Zwick has obviously devoted himself to the perfection of his film.

The making is of the finest kind. There is beauty every picture, in the music, and in the hearts of those heroes - and their relationships are true and intense. The choreography of some sword fights is a blend of elegance and fierce cruelty - there’s no free gore though, the accent not put on the blood but on the causes that shed it. Tom Cruise is in one of his best performances. There’s nothing cheap in this film.

In our Western view war can hardly be seen as an art but for the samurai it is a duty to fight and defeat evil, and so they prepare for the war with art and discipline - but mostly it is about winning the war with (or against) oneself. What you will see in this film is a spiritual journey, actively led by people who will invite you to ‘Devote yourself to a set of moral principles’ and ‘Seek the stillness of your mind.’ In its kind it is a pamphlet against our modern values: in spite of their warlike attitude these samurai live in harmony, according to the karma and natural course of things. Instead of greed and corruption, their hearts is filled with honor and dignity. We would have a lot to learn from those guys.

So, Japanese flute, sword, meditation and art of war. A spiritual journey on an initiatory path. It is the kind of film where, after the last image has gone, you remain immobile for a while, thinking of what you’ve seen, meditating on what you’ve learned.

This is a must see film. Tom Cruise plays a superb part, convincing, moving and thought provoking. I decided to buy the film for my collection as its the sort of movie you can watch again and catch lots of detail you may have missed the first time round.

I wouldn't say I was a great fan of Tom Cruise, but the part he plays in this film is - i believe, one of his best.
In fact the story, the characters, the action and the cinamatography make this one of my favourite films - 10/10

After seeing the film at the cinema, I had to get it on video so that I can watch it again. The storyline is so powerful, it gets to your heart with all the parts, which includes how a Samurai warrior's widow took on the guy who had killed her husband, but because of "honour", she carried out what her brother told her to do. The enemy became a friend with the whole village, and ended up realising what he did was wrong and helped when it was time to fight for their rights.

i have looking for this dvd for some time i decided to purchase it on ebay because of the cost and the delivery was quick also, i picked this dvd because it has the best actor in hollywood so thank you for the good customer service i wish to business again if i require any other dvds

the story was very good,acting superb,great coutryside shots.i bought this for the future as i am sure this type of movie is time limited

Very good product, i love the film and got it for a bargain of a price in 2 dics edition! A*

If you want an action film with a bit of a romance side and one where there's no escape from the outcome then watch this film.
Bought for my hubby after seeing it on tv goodness knows how many times. Brilliantly acted, exciting storyline and one of those that makes you thing!!!

Saw the original film at the cinema and enjoyed it enough to want to own a copy to watch whenever I wanted.

What can i say the filming was excellent.The sound and picture quality
was great.It is a film I would watch again and again

Having converted most of my old video collection to DVD I was thrilled to find this film gem in digital format. If you watch this in widescreen format, it really does the battle scene great justice; coupled with surround sound, you'll be gripped by the amazing cinematography. I would recommend the director's cut that includes scenes about the relationship between the lead character and his estranged wife and helps you to un

Great film, I dont usually like Tom Cruise but hes excellent in this film. Highly recommendedand one to watch over and over again.

I'll just start by saying its a Fantastic film.
tom cruise plays the part very well, Ken Watanabe also played the part of Katsumoto really well.
i would recommend this film to anyone.

This was a great movie,,as a rule i'm not a Tom Cruise fan but this movie could change my opinion about him..
Ken Watanabe was amazing in his role of the leader of the rebel samurai..
Amazing filming locations and fast and exciting sword clashing sequences make this movie a "must have" in my humble opinion

Outstanding film.
Tom Cruise at his best.
Tom amazes me how he gets so into character. This must have been a difficult role, it shows just how dedicated he is to perfection.
Fantastic scenery, directing and acting throughout.

Great storyline with excellent effects and a sobering story about the samurai and there ways.
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This is really a good movie.
once you see, you will see more and more.
If you have never seen before, you have to see
about a real live !!!
for a fighter

Breath taking movie, I really feel good with that movie.
Every one must watch this movie to honour their fate.

I first saw this film at the cinema, on the weekend when i usually don't go as it always seems to be packed and people just seem to go there to talk...

Well the cinema was packed and the talking started, though within 15 minutes and throughout the rest of the film there was total silence. Amazing!!!

The acting is fantastic all all counts and the film just seems to manage to grip you from the start to finish.

The fight scenes and precision and the scenery is surreal, full marks from me :)

An historical epic that is well worth over 2 hours viewing, tom cruise finally delivers. It starts off slow but build up in to an awesome display of courage and honor amongst men from two very different cultures.