Excellent Period Piece

Rating: 7/10 (9 February 2015)

An American military adviser (Tom Cruise) embraces the Samurai culture he was hired to destroy after he is captured in battle.
Say what you will about Tom Cruise. We all know that despite his popularity (or former popularity) he was never a good actor. A very successful, very highly-paid actor, but critically rather bland. This, however, is one of his more interesting roles (even if he is nothing special in it).
Is this remotely historically accurate? Probably not. Granted, it has some nice touches (such as correctly calling Custer a colonel and not a general). And it showcases the samurai culture very nicely. This may be the only American film that has ever made such an attempt. (Fittingly, of course, because what American director would want to compete with Kurosawa?)