I liked it....

Rating: Null/10 (15 October 2004)

I am not sure I can add anything more to what John Ulmer has already said.
But I must say that this is probably my favourite film. (very close call)
I will agree that there are a few corny moments. As for the "tell me how he died" part I don't think that this is overly corny because it is a very important part to Samurai life, how they lived and what sort of examples the set to others. I feel it was mainly done to give the Emperor some guidance on how he should run the country.
I am still not 100% sure what to make of the ending. It is a bit unreal but it is Simon Graham narrating at the start and end of the film and he does say " As for the America Captain no one know what became of him, Some say he died of his wounds, others that he returned to his own country, but I like to think that he found a small measure of peace that all of us look for an few ever find."
It might be corny if you believe that he lived after that battle and what happened to him but it does give you the three options and I would like to believe that he did find a small measure of peace.