don't be put off - this is excellent

Rating: 10/10 (5 February 2006)

This is an epic film; probably one of those classics which will shine more brightly down the years. Basically the film hits all the bulls eyes; good plot, powerful characters, fine acting from the leads, great supporting acts from the Tim Small , Billy Connolly and Koyuki (whose ability to conduct feeling through facial expression alone is stunning), great cinematography, stunning battle choreography and a wonderful musical score by Zimmerman. Perhaps the best film I have ever seen.
This film plays well again and again which is a sign of its class. Very few films are good enough for me to say "I'd like to watch that again" and very few films move me to tears. This does both.
TLS undoubtedly deserves 10/10 and the fact that on this site it does not get that mark is due to some very silly and immature remarks from some 'critics' who either do not like Tom Cruise or have some political axe to grind. The rest of the criticisms revolve around "It is surely improbable that .....". Quite lot of them are not accurate; here are a few.
" ..... Ahlgren survives the last battle and does so without without suffering a scratch."
Ahlgren does not inevitably survive the battle; the narrator states that "nobody knows what became of him" and that he may have died of his wounds. Ahlgren does not survive the last battle without a scratch he is hit in the shoulder and leg.
" .... that Ahlgren can learn the art of Japanese sword in 6-9 months."
As a cavalry man and civil war veteran Ahlgren already knew how to handle the sabre for at least ten years before his capture. From sequences it is apparent he is extremely adept and coordinated
in movement and he has six to nine months daily practice in Japanese fighting techniques as a prisoner. Its not inconceivable he could turn into a fairly formidable figure.
" .... that Katsumoto speaks English."
Katsumoto speaks English - not unusual given he is a daimyo and not a samurai from a local village as some commentator mistakenly says. Katsumoto had been a senior figure in government and Japan had been open to the West for 25 years.
".... that Katsumoto speaks English in his final words."
Katsumoto's final words are in English because he is addressing his friend who is American.
"... Katsumoto seeks advice in war from Ahlgren."
Not at all - Ahlgren knows the tactics of the enemy far better than Katsumoto.
"... Ahlgren could learn Japanese in 6 months"
The great Richard Burton remarked that he could "break the back of any foreign language in a month". Burton was extraordinary in learning 40 languages. But he proved what can be done - and Ahlgren was credited in the film as gifted as a linguist.
"... Japanese were advised by an American in military matters."
Yes, correct, Japan was advised by Germans on army matters and British on Navy ones. So really what we should have watched was a guy speaking authentic C19 German with a Prussian accent and subtitles from beginning. What fun - NOT.
People who argue this stuff rarely stop to think that fanatical adherence to historical detail at the cost of rendering a film unwatchable does no good service at all. Historical verisimilitude must be respected as contributing to the film as a piece of art, but when it overrides the mission of the film, it performs no good service. I think Zwicker got this right.
If you're one of these historical nerds who watches a film only to see if they've got the shoulder pads right then you must avoid Shakespeare - he has historical anachronisms everywhere.
"... that the Japanese wife could come to care for the man who killed her husband"
Well Ahlgren did save the life of her child at risk to himself! We can see that Ahlgren killed in the line of duty to defend his own life and that he is a brave & decent man. Perhaps she could see the same - can anyone predict the human heart?
One other criticism you will read here - TLS is like "Dances with Wolves". And so? Dances with Wolves is no doubt similar to one or more of thousands of previous films. This is the silliest criticism.
My advice: go and get the DVD if you have never seen it. Ignore the losers who try to put you off. You're in for a treat. .