Enjoyable, if you can see past the inaccuracies.

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2003)

All the historical inaccuracies aside (late samurai troops without arquebuses?), this one is an enjoyable film. Watanabe comes off as a bit too "Americanised" for a japanese daimyo, but the sets, wardrobe and camerawork more than make up for the "not-too-believable" main characters.
I have to admit that Cruise in the lead role made the think twice before watching this film, but in the end I'm forced to admit he did a passable job. (I still keep thinking someone else would have been a bit better choise, don't ask me who though... ;) )