The Last Samurai

What were the details of the movie?

The name of the movie I am doing my project

on is 'The Last Samurai'.
Edward Zwick directed the movie.
Tom Cruise, Edward Zwick, Marshall
Herskovitz, Paula Wagner, Tom Engelman and
Scott Kroopf were all producers of the movie.
 Cast

Tom Cruise Ken Watanabe

Nathan Algren Katsumoto

Koyuki Hiroyuki Sanada

Taka Ujio
Billy Connelly Tony Goldwyn
Zebulan Grant Colonel Bagely

Timothy Spall Masata Harada

Simon Graham Omura
 What was the movie about?
Set in Japan, in the 1870s, this movie is about Captain Nathan Algren, a
cynical veteran of the American Civil War. Algren is haunted by his past,
by the part he played in killing a village of innocent Native Americans
during the war. When Algrens former commander approached him with a
job offer, he reluctantly took it. The job entailed training the Japanese
conscripted troops to use firearms and become Japans first modern
army. Algren learns that he is training the army to go up against
Samurai Katsumoto, who is leading a rebellion against the Emperor as
he disagrees with the countrys modernisation. When Katsumoto attacks
a railroad, Algren is ordered to enter into immediate battle. The battle
resulted in many deaths and the capture of Algren himself. Algren was
taken to a village deep in the mountains and was housed by Katsumotos
sister, Taka, and despite knowing he killed her husband, she nursed him
back to health. Over time Algren earns the respect of the villagers, he is
given traditional clothing and is taught Samurai fighting. Algren spends
months in this village, becomes closer to Taka and feels as though he
has finally found peace. Algren fights for Katsumoto and his people
when the village is attacked by the Emperors newly trained army.
Katsumoto and Algren depart for Tokyo. Once there, Algren finds an
army trained and ready to be handed to the Emperor once the Treaty is
signed. Algren is asked to lead an attack against Katsumoto but he
refuses. Algren saves Katsumoto from the Emperors people and they
return to the village. They plan their tactics for the battle to come. The
battle results in the death of Katsumoto. Miraculously Algren survives.
He goes to the Emperor who then embraces Katsumotos advice and
doesnt sign the treaty. Nathan Algren returns to the village in the
mountains and is reunited with Taka, after his traumatic experiences he
finds peace.
What was the most impressive feature of the movie?

All aspects of this movie were well done but I was

particularly impressed by the costumes. From the
very first scene to the last, the costumes added
immensely to the movie. The clothes didnt just
express the characters fashion and personalities,
they represented so much more. The traditional
Japanese clothing given to Algren in the village was
a sign of acceptance and respect. The most
important costume of the movie was the Red
Samurai Costume. It was Takas husband that wore
it and was then killed by Algren. Algren was then
given the costume by Taka herself to wear going into
battle. This represented the importance and respect
Algren had earned from Taka and Katsumotots
people.
 What aspect of the movie did you not like? Why?

I felt the flashbacks of the massacre of innocent

villagers were quite brutal and gruesome. I do
however understand they were necessary and added
to the dramatic effect of the movie. I just thought the
children being killed was possibly too much.
What did you learn about Japanese culture from the
movie?

From this movie I learned a lot about Japanese

culture. I learned about traditional Japanese
fighting. I learned that there is an art and extreme
focus to practising their martial arts. I learned that
there is respect for those who are determined, who
persevere. When greeting someone, in Japan it is
respectful to bow, this was shown many times in the
movie particularly in scenes with the Emperor.
When watching the movie, I learned a lot about
Japans history. I learned about how their
modernisation began and about how Japan was
influenced by the modern western world.