The Last Samurai [Blu-ray] [2004] [US Import] [2003]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Last Samurai gives epic sweep to an intimate story of cultures at a crossroads as Japan undergoes tumultuous transition to a more Westernised society in 1876-77. In America, tormented Civil War veteran Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is coerced by a mercenary officer (Tony Goldwyn) to train the Japanese Emperor's troops in the use of modern weaponry. Opposing this "progress" is a rebellion of samurai warriors, holding fast to their traditions of honour despite strategic disadvantage. As a captive of the samurai leader (Ken Watanabe), Algren learns, appreciates, and adopts the Samurai code, switching sides for a climactic battle that will put everyone's honour to the ultimate test.

All of which makes director Edward Zwick's noble epic eminently worthwhile, even if its Hollywood trappings (including an all-too-conventional ending) prevent it from being the masterpiece that Zwick and screenwriter John Logan clearly wanted it to be. Instead, The Last Samurai is an elegant mainstream adventure, impressive in all aspects of its production. It may not engage the emotions as effectively as Logan's script for Gladiator, but like Cruise's character, it finds its own quality of honour. --Jeff Shannon

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-10-08 rating:
Brilliant film, rubbish history
General I am not the greatest fan of Tom Cruise (this is actually the only film of his I will willingly watch) but I am a great fan of Japanese history and culture and although this film makes Braveheart and 300 look historically accurate in places I still greatly enjoyed it and consider it to be one of my all time favourite films.

The film sees the drunken American Army Captain Nathan Algren hired by the modernising Japanese government to train their troops to fight the rebel Samurai leader Katsumoto. When Algren is captured in battle, however, he comes to get to know his enemy and get to know the Samurai way of life.

As I have already stated I am a fan of Far Eastern history and as such I must say that this film does terribly butcher this period of Japanese history but personally I can forgive the film this because it is an otherwise greatly enjoyable and emotional film. Everyone in the film gives good performances, with the standout being the excellent Ken Watanabe playing Katsumoto, but even Tom Cruise an actor who I usually loath gives a good performance in this film.

The writing is good and the battles are brilliantly choreographed. The film is also beautifully shot throughout and does have one of the best soundtracks I have heard from a western film. The Last Samurai does have a tendency to get a corny in a couple of points in the film but other than this it is beautifully made and I must confess that the ending always reduces me to tears every time I watch it. Overall despite the usual Hollywood history this is a brilliant film and I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

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review by: HSM Freak date: 2008-08-22 rating:
Must Own.
This is a movie event of epic proportions. This film has been my favourite film of all time since it appeared on DVD (i was unable to see it in the cinema cos i was too young).

It gives you a real feel of what traditional Japan was like and what went on there in the late 1800's. Also it commands a strong moral and it gets its message across in many different ways.

Although it can be quite sad at times, it has some great acting, fantastic scenery and possibly one of the best film storylines i have ever seen in my life.

I'm not a big fan of Tome Cruise but he plays the part of Capt. Nathan Algren superbly, and really shows what the character feels and what he thinks of the samurai who turn from his enimies to his friends.

The film is quite long but offers something so great that u'd be unable to tear urself from the screen. Another good thing about it is the wonderfully constructed soundtrack which is also an essential if u buy this film.

So whether you like this type of film or not, it really is captivating and one of the greatest films i have seen so far.

Really really do not miss out on this film, it's great and it may just get you thinking too.

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review by: martin thomas date: 2008-06-07 rating:
popcorn fluff
perfectly watchable popcorn epic.the action is well staged and visuals impressive and the acting is solid

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review by: date: 2008-05-31 rating:
A powerful film for westerners!
I'm not a fan of Ed Zwick films, but this is definitely one of his better ones. It's not often you see a film with so much potential for social change and commentary as this one.

Anyone who's sick of the rat race and materialism should check this out, the whole sub-text of this film deals with our lack of virtues and spirituality which it so excellently portrays.

After watching this film really changed my perspective on things, it does borrow alot from Dances with Wolves, but this isn't a bad thing.

Overall 5/5 stars, for the message of the film regardless of the head-chopping action!





review by: date: 2008-03-29 rating:
Excellent Movie
Enough reviews have been left to say how good this film is, although I have seen comments on the Internet regarding the Region Code, so thought I'd put this on aswell to help others. This is, as with all others a multi-region disc and will play on UK HD-DVD players !

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Similar categories

Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Action & Adventure . All Action & Adventure
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Action & Adventure . Historical
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Drama . Historical
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Drama . Period
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . Blu-ray
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Region(feature_browse-bin)
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 2000 and later
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English

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