Last Samurai [Blu-ray] [2003] [US Import]

I loved this movie. It was certainly enjoyable with a lot of action and story to it. Tom did an interesting role in this one and to see Billy Connolly in it to even tho he did die fairly early in it. I enjoy movies like these, to me it is worth the watch.

I agree with ALL the others Comments on this Magnificent Film. It is One of the Best in Movie History. The Photography is Superb: the Costumes authentic : the Story Line impressive & the Acting simply great. It is a Film of great respect & gentleness despite the fighting & the final Scene. I LOVE it

In my opinion one of the best films ever made.

Always loved this film

One of the best movies ever made! And, Tom Cruise at his best! I've watched this movie so many times and it never fails to impress. "Perfect!"

Good movie, very Tom Cruise, but all the better for it.

Exceptional film

great movie

トム・クルーズのストイック生活がここから始まる、制作陣の人生を変える程の作品。その様子をもう一枚のディスクで長々と見せてくれます。本編と合わせて、某駅伝大井⇔箱根片道の時間は覚悟しないといけない、濃密な内容。某ヒストリー〇ャンネルのドキュまるまる入っていたり…インタビューあり、現場風景あり。この映像特典だけ見ようと思っていたら、本編が見たくなって結局、観てしまた。

....His diversity of roles. 'The Last Samurai' is a movie that is by the numbers without any great surprises. It is not an epic nor is it a cheapskate historical film. However, it does have a cogent script, fantastic scenery, good photography and solid performances all round from its cast. Movies like this and 55 Days at Peking or The Sand Pebbles perhaps show why China has no trust of the West. They have long memories plus the physical remnants of when the West lorded over them & are determined not to let it happen again. This is an engaging movie that stands up well to repeated viewings.

I think Tom Cruise is a better actor than, for whatever reason, he's given credit for. And as unlikely as it sounds, he actually manages to make his transition in this film from Western mercenary to Japanese samurai work. Who knew? Cruise plays the part of a veteran of the so-called "Indian Wars" which were conducted by the U.S. Cavalry in the American southwest after the Civil War. He is clearly suffering from what now would be recognized as PTSD. Since he can find succour no where else, he drinks, a lot. Also, figuring he has nothing to lose & needs money to continue to keep himself in liquor, his character signs on as part of an American contingent of mercenaries hired by a Japanese magnate to help transform the Japanese military from the fiefdom of the samurai to a modern, Western-style army fighting with rifles instead of swords. As it turns out, Cruise is captured by the very Japanese warlord he was sent to help annihilate. As his captivity lengthens and Cruise is exposed to the culture of his captors, his transformation begins. Although this story covers some familiar ground & is burdened with more than a few cinematic cliches, Cruise & the other players in this tale make what happens still seem fresh. Remember what I said about Cruise being underrated as an actor. The battle sequences, as well as all of those having to do with Japanese locales, are very ably rendered. As well, the film is dealing with events that actually happened. When the Meiji Emperor was restored to effective rule, thereby ending centuries of rule by a Shogun who was always a member of the samurai elite, Japan embraced change with a vengeance, transforming their society from a feudal one ruled by the samurai to a nation that would humiliate & defeat Russia in 1905. The film does a more than credible job of explicating the differences between the feudal samurai code of Bushido & the modern, Western capitalist system of devil take the hindmost that was pushing to replace it. (As it turned out, the Japanese developed a hybrid system that emphasized the worst aspects of both credos.) This is a rollicking good tale that will provide some entertainment perhaps a little better than was expected.

Tom Cruise is a famous actor worldwide. Most of you have seen his work in various films, such as A Few Good Men or Jerry Maguire. However, Tom is back in a new movie, which takes the audience back into an era of the past - one that surrounds us in the days of the Civil War. Tom Cruise portrays a man named Nathan Algren, who is a hero during the Civil War, but is disillusioned of the terrible killings he had to perform under the leadership of Colonel Bagloney against the American Indians. He is hired, by the Japanese Emperor, to take down another rebellion by leading a army of Japanese peasants that never saw a gun in their life. Even though he trains them for a time, the rebels attack and Algren is ordered to track them down and defeat the adversary, despite the fact that more training is needed. Fighting somewhere in the forests of Japan, his army is easily defeated and the rebels capture him and take him back to their village. Becoming a captive and not having a chance to escape, due to the fact that winter's coming, Algren spends his time with these people, already inspired and intrigued. He comes to learn that these people are "Samurai", who serve the Emperor and follow life through a different path and a set of principles that keep their life in balance, using such values as loyalty, duty, and compassion, just to name a few. Only one problem remains - Japan is facing a new modernized world and is seeking to keep up with the times by throwing away the traditions of old in favor of a more-friendly government. The rebellion, lead by a samurai named Katsumoto (portrayed by Ken Watanbe), despies that idea and fight back in order to keep their sacred ways alive. Gaining his sense of honor and redemption back, Algren joins the Samurai and aids them in a fierce battle that decides Japan's history for the rest of time. The movie does have its dose of action scenes and story moments, but what really make this movie unique are its philosophical moments. The Samurai, as you know, are people that follow the way of the Bushido, the traditional code of the Japanese samurai, stressing honor, self-discipline, bravery, and simple living. It's the type of values that most people wish to live by, but the Samurai go far beyond that. If they are defeated in battle, then it means that they have dishonored themselves and their clan, thus will kill them for disgracing their families and those close to him or her. It's a tough life, to be sure, but it's the principles of their life that stands out. Tom Cruise said it best about the Samurai: "They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake, they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue. I have never seen such strong discipline." In order for the movie to display any realism, the movie was shot around various locations in Japan, from a temple located in Kyoto to a small Japanese town called Himeji. Not only the locations needed to be authentic, but also so did everything else, as this movie took place in two different worlds. Everything had to blend in for the movie a sense of honesty into the whole project. Though there is some historical inconsistencies in the plot, since this is based on a certain era in the past, those can be looked past. The action is wild, but again, had to be realistic. So realistic, in fact, that there was some close calls on the set. Tom Cruise could have died, since an actor's sword nearly beheaded him. That's just one example, but just by checking out the loads of extras on the DVDs, the entire team was committed to the project, making sure that everything went smooth and made the picture look good as a whole. The fighting sequences also add some depth and insight as to how the Japanese and Americans deal with combat, especially in the climatic battle that had both samurai and soldier confronting each other in the end. Overall, The Last Samurai is worth checking out, especially if you are a student of Japanese history or if you're into everything or anything Japanese. It's also some of Tom Cruise's best work by far. Anyone that's a huge fan of Cruise ought to pick up The Last Samurai.

The DVD: Delivery speed was ok, packaging was good. Only problem is: I received a Region Coded DVD, which I did not notice previously in the product description. This is region coded to Region 5. Now this should not be problem for DVD/Blue Ray players purchased in India, I understand. since most of them will be free of any Regional Codes. But my blue Ray player was purchased in the US, and hence this DVD won't play there. I tried on my laptops thinking to connect my laptops to the TV by HDMI cable. But my laptops too gave my warnings: I needed to change the region code. So, I played the movie by VLC media player on my laptop, which ignores any Region restrictions. The Movie: This is the hollywood version of the life of one of the most well known Japanese Samurai Heroes: Saigo Takamori, who is regarded as the last samurai of Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saig%C5%8D_Takamori In the Movie the character protagonist samurai Katsumoto played by Ken Watanabe is based on Takamori's life. A few gems that I like in the movie despite its Hollywood version of sense of Drama / melodrama: Katsumoto says in the movie: "One can spend a lifetime studying the cherry blossoms, and it will not be a wasted life" Another something like the following: Our destiny slowly uncovers itself in front of us like the spring time cherry blossom. Yet another, "We are all dying like those cherry blossoms, yet they are beautiful" I also loved the reference of the battle of Thermopylae when the 300 Greek Heroes fought the million soldiers of mighty Xerexes and brought him to his knees. Photography: Excellent and Panoramic