The Last Samurai

Rating: 6/10 (21 March 2011)

I knew about this film purely because of the theme and the leading actor, and it was rated four out of five stars, so I had to try it, from director Edward Zwick (Glory, Legends of the Fall, Blood Diamond, Defiance). Basically set in Japan in the 1870's, cynical American Civilisation war veteran Nathan Algren (Golden Globe nominated Tom Cruise) works for anyone, and he finds himself hired by the Emporer of Japan. His job is to train his troops, and they will be the first army to use modern warfare, using firearms, and they will also be trying to eradicate the Imperial Samurai warriors. After a big battle or two against what are supposed to be the enemy, Algern winds up with the Samurai army, I think he is captured, and he finds himself impressed with their ways. Along the way of learning the world of the Samurai he is guided and finds friendship with the leader Katsumoto (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Ken Watanabe) who spared his life. This newfound liking for the opposite side seems to place him in between two worlds and two eras, including during battle, and the only thing to guide him is his honour, which he keeps until the end when he returns to the Americans, seemingly as The Last Samurai. Also starring Timothy Spall as Simon Graham, Billy Connolly as Zebulon Gant, Tony Goldwyn as Colonel Bagley, Hiroyuki Sanada as Ujio, Koyuki as Taka, Shichinosuke Nakamura as Emperor Meiji and Shun Sugata as Nakao. Cruise is noble and cool throughout, and from what I remember Watanabe is certainly a worthy award nominee, I may not have understood all the story, but for all the battle sequences and the really good costumes and scenery it is a worthwhile period action drama. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design and Best Sound Mixing, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Original Score for Hans Zimmer. Good!