Beautifully crafted with strong performances all round

Rating: 8/10 (16 February 2005)

A beautifully crafted film, even the gruesome battle scenes are handled with a delicate poise and elegance. The cinematography in particular grabs you from the very opening sequence.
Tom Cruise gives a solid yet standard performance. The real star of this feature is Ken Watanabe, with his subtle, passionate and stirring performance as the powerful leader and warrior, Katsumoto.
The film narrates in the general accepted layout of most epic battles, pitting protagonist against a rival. However while it avoids the theme of the futility of war, the film does display a healthy distaste for the rigid organisation and obedience of western military, favouring instead the beauty inherent in the notion of honour displayed by the samurai. Though a brutal and unforgiving force, the samurai are remembered for their discipline, integrity and honour as illustrated beautifully by this film.