The Last Samurai - the Gem-Movie

The Last Samurai, having been released back in 2003, is still rather popular and gains the hearts of numerous viewers. There a lot of reasons to enjoy the movie - if you are interested in Japan and its culture or the Oriental culture in general, consider yourself to be a connoisseur of the art of motion pictures or would like to watch well staged and performed sword battles, you are sure to appreciate the Last Samurai.


The Plot and Most Memorable Scenes

Let us first of all remember what the plot of the movie is about. The character of Tom Cruise, Captain Nathan Algren, an American military man, is fated to find himself involved into the samurai mutiny rending the air in Japan. The samurai are trying to keep the country away from the forthcoming changes dictated by the American authorities and maintain the traditions of old Japan. The emperor is at lost what way to follow while the samurai armor and katanas oppose the modern rifles. The main character faces the cultural conflict between the past and the present, between the ancient civilization and the "civilization" of cannons and heavy machine-guns which enters his consciousness and having been among the enemy of the samurai, he gradually becomes their supporter, and finally the very last samurai.

You are sure to enjoy watching the extremely beautiful typical Japanese scenery (it should be mentioned that the part of "Japan" was filmed in New Zealand), and Tokyo of those time is depicted according to the highest level of authenticity. The viewers have a great opportunity to appreciate the views of the falling snow, Fuji radiance, sakura trees in blossom, ideally sharpened steel and horned samurai armor. Besides rendering powerful battle scenes, man-to-man fighting and horse attacks, the Last Samurai creates the true sensation and reality of the aroused problems, the naturalness of spiritual quests of the characters, and strange enough - the irreality and fantastic nature of the events.

Captain Nathan Algren is attracted by the samurai's way of living, incomprehensive yet deep, the samurai with their strictness, discipline and self-denial. Viewers get overwhelmed by the feeling of sympathy towards the character of Tom Cruise and his wish to become filled with the spirit of old Japan and samurai's honor, put on a horned helmet and go into battle nip and tuck with the samurai.

The Last Samurai touches the soul and you will witness no far-fetched episode that would make you feel embarrassed for the film-director.

There are not so many battle scenes in the movie but they are really impressive. The battle between the recruits and Katsumoto's detachment was filmed in the forest with the sun rays shining through the trees. The samurai's detachment appears in the haze and the warriors look as the absolutely fantastic characters.

Another attention-worth scene is the one when the hired ninja-assassins attack Katsumoto's village. The scene makes the viewers feel the danger on the physical level. The Katsumoto and Algren fighting the ninja is just an excellent scene.

The sister of Katsumoto - Taka, starring Hiroyuki Sanada Hoyuki, is also a very nice and interesting character. Captain Algren falls in love with the beautiful Japanese woman but every detail of their relationship is shown in the most virtuous and "Japanese" way. The scene when Taka dresses Algren in Kimono before the last battle is absolutely sensual, however with no erotic elements. Such a scene could be filmed just by real professionals.

The Most Interesting Character - Samurai Katsumoto

Samurai Katsumoto performed by Ken Watanabe is a strict person but no way pompous - he is natural - no matter whether he is sharing his opinion about poetry, talking about the way of bushido, admiring the captain of the enemy army, or fighting with the adversaries.

The prototype of Katsumoto is samurai Saigo Takamori who played a significant role in the Meiji Restoration (1866-1869), events that resulted in changes in Japan's political and social structure. He actively protested against abolition of the samurai's class and the ban for wearing swords. As a sign of one's protest, Takamori left the government, moved away to a province and started training the army. The government tried to come to an agreement with Takamori, but he did not want to compromise.

In 1877 Takamori excited rebellion and with his army (by the way, comprising about 15 thousand people) smashed the army of Kumamoto that stayed faithful to the government. However, the Army of Takamori was done to the wide in the next battle as the government sent the army much exceeding in number of soldiers than Takamori's. Takamori with just a few of faithful warriors was encircled form all the sides and his leg was injured by a rifle shot. One of Takamori's men took his life by his request.

Katsumoto is the last keeper of the samurai tradition. He realized that he and other samurai were in fact condemned to death, but he would rather face the death than resign oneself to the circumstances and take the side of the person who was his personal enemy. Katsumoto is not only a rigid warrior, he is also a considerate father, a wise mentor and excellent companion. Katsumoto's samurais are depicted not just with stony faces but also smiling if the situation is appropriate.

The Last Samurai reflects the crying and rage of a real battle when the camera is tete-a-tete with the fighters and we find out that the characters know the taste not just of the rigid victory but also die with the most admirable honor. And the machine-guns opposing such the heroism seem to represent terrifying barbarity and every viewer realizes the border between the culture and savagery. While watching the Last Samurai, we witness not the confrontation of heroes but the cultural conflict, the confrontation of entire civilizations.


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