Breathtaking battles and spellbound scenarios in this epic Samurai

Rating: 7/10 (12 December 2005)

The picture is based on historic events . Being dead emperor Komei , succeeded in 1867 Mutsu Hito ( at the film is played by Nakamura) , one time crowned as emperor Meiji , he abolished the Shogun , a dynasty occupied by the Togugawa family from XVI century until 1868 and characterized by ruling ¨ Daimios ¨ , confronting occidental people and shunning the opening imposed by Admiral Perry in 1863 ; he was the first foreigner in Japan who undergoes a culture shock ( happenings developed in various films as ¨the Barbarians¨ with John Wayne and ¨ Shogun ¨ with Richard Chamberlain ). Matsu Hito carried out various changes, as a liberal cabinet , creating a Duma or Parliament and following actual models and modern spirit ; plus contracting foreign specialists in Army , military ( at the film Tom Cruise, Tony Goldwyn, Billy Connolly ). Anti-reforms riots to return old values , traditional way of life and code Bushido were realized by the Samurais (in picture , leader is Ken Watanabe ), a type of medieval knight for preventing of occidental life style . Emperor Meiji pulled off two wars , he waged war to China(1894-95) and Russia(1904-05) and when he died the throne was occupied by his son Yoshihito and continuing Hiro Hito and Aki Hito .
Tom Cruise becomes the first Shogun or Samurai warrior from the Western world . Stunning battle images illuminate the full-blown tragedy of Samurais . Glimmer and colorfully filmed by cameraman John Toll . It's an impressive epic , heartbreaking statement about honor , tradition and futility of war . The film deals with conflicts between the radical conservatism and modernism ; upon relation of the West and East World . Besides , a sweeping, complex human drama with all the ingredients : action, spectacular battles, inter-racial love story, Katana duels , emotions and is very interesting . Evocative score by Hans Zimmer. Motion picture is well directed by Edward Zwick . Rating : Better than average .