Tom Cruise becomes a samurai warrior

Rating: 8/10 (8 May 2016)

By 1876 Captain Nathan Algren, a decorated hero of the American Civil War, has become an alcoholic; haunted by the atrocities to took part in against the Native Americans. He is making a living helping to sell rifles until he is offered a position helping to train the Japanese army who are trying to put down a rebellion by the few remaining samurai. These warriors cling to the old ways and fight with traditional weapons but can't admit that their time is over. Algren quickly sees that the Japanese conscripts he is training aren't ready to fight but they are ordered into battle anyway. He joins then and after they are routed he is captured by the samurai leader, Katsumoto. He is nursed back to health and over the course of the winter he goes to respect Katsumoto, his samurais and their way of life; so much to that he lays down his guns and takes up the samurai sword to fight with them even though he knows that ultimately they cannot win.
This might not be an historically accurate film but it is still gripping. The action scenes are very impressive and feel real as men with swords go up against men with guns. Tom Cruise is on top form as Capt. Algren and Ken Watanabe excels as Katsumoto; an honourable man who continues his fight even though he is fully aware that it isn't a fight he can win. The growing friendship between these two characters is a joy to watch. The rest of the cast were good too; I especially liked Timothy Spall's appearance as an English translator/photographer and Billy Connolly's cameo as Algren's friend Sgt Gant. The New Zealand scenery, filling in for Japan, looks stunning without detracting from the story we are watching. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of the stars or those wanting a gripping war film with some great action scenes and a fine plot.