Review of “The Last Samurai”

“The Last Samurai” is a 2003 film directed by Edward Zwick. It is actually based on a true story that took place in Japan in the 19^th century. The movie was filmed in many countries: from Japan to New Zealand and the USA. All the characters are interpreted by amazing actors such as Timothy Spall, Billy Connolly and Hiroyuki Sanada, but what makes it truly magnificent are the outstanding performances of Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe.

The plot

Training the army

The main character is Nathan Algren, an American soldier who was hired by Omura, a rich Japanese politician, to train Japanese soldiers in the use of firearms. Nathan, performed by the well-known actor Tom Cruise, accepts the offer for money and travels to Japan. Once he arrives there he is welcomed, along with the other Americans, at the court of the Emperor Meiji. As he starts training the army, he realises the soldiers  have absolutely no experience in the field. Unfortunately he doesn’t manage to prepare enough the army because there is a sudden attack from samurai rebels and Omura wants him to bring there the soldiers in order to attack them back. This leads Nathan to guide the army into a dangerous battle against the skilled warriors known as samurai.

Period at the samurai village

This “rebel” group is led by Katsumoto (performed by the Japanese actor Ken Watanabe), a very wise, curious and compassionate man. The samurai leader decides to take the American to his village as a prisoner after seeing his abilities and his tenacity. The period that follows is really useful for Nathan: he manages not only to recover from his alcoholism caused by a previous war with the American Indians, but also to understand better Japanese culture along with the samurai tradition. After that, Nathan eventually starts training as a samurai, in fact he is taught by one of the most skilled warriors of the village: Ujio. Meanwhile Algren starts feeling affection for Taka, Katsumoto’s sister.

The situation becomes complicated when the village is attacked by skilled ninjas who have to kill Katsumoto, but fortunately he is saved by Nathan. At this point the head of the samurai can only ask the Emperor for a meeting in the city of Tokyo. Katsumoto decides to bring Algren with him in order to free him, but the samurai soon finds out that the Emperor is nothing but Omura’s puppet: this means there is no other solution except war…

An internal conflict

“We must resist the Western powers by becoming powerful ourselves. Our army and our economy must be strong.”

Omura

This is the story of a changing country: from the ancient traditions to new weapons and ways of thinking. An internal conflict caused by the desire to become a modern nation and its contrast with the traditions. Japan finds it difficult to balance antiquity and innovation: for example, the evidence can be seen in the different characteristics of the old samurai army, really loyal to the Emperor and its own philosophy, and the new Western-looking soldiers.

The film explores the situation by analising both points of view. Firstly, Omura’s one (the politician wants the country to be the most powerful one) that represents not only the nobles but also the Emperor Meiji’s desire for Japan to be considered by other countries as a modern one. But, it especially focuses on the other point of view: a country is made both by innovation and its tradition. The traditions are essential because they are what the culture of a nation is based on. So, they must be maintained and respected.

Nathan Algren

The main character represents another type of internal conflict. When he first comes to Japan, his soul is torn apart because of his guilty. Nathan is ashamed of what he has previously done during a “war”, if we can call it like this considering that the enemy was powerless, against American Indians under the command of Colonel Bagley. The American soldier despises his old commander and in fact, at first, he doesn’t want to come to Japan because there he would have to work with him.

Nathan Algren: “What else has she told you?”
Katsumoto: “That you have nightmares.”
Nathan Algren: “Every soldier has nightmares.”
Katsumoto: “Only one who is ashamed of what he has done.”

Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise

During the period he spends at the samurai village, Nathan is helped by Katsumoto’s sister to overcome his fears and his alcoholism, caused by his memories of the war. Moreover, the samurai’s lifestyle really helps him to forgive himself and to start a totally different life. He is amazed by the philosophy and the culture that are characteristic of the samurai: from their way of thinking to their dedication to every little thing.

Katsumoto: “I wish to learn.”
Nathan Algren: “Read a book.”
Katsumoto: “I would rather have a good conversation.”

Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise

True story

As I mentioned before, The Last Samurai is based on a real historical event: the Satsuma Rebellion, an insurgence that took place in 1877 in Japan. The leader of the revolt was Saigō Takamori (1828-1877), a skilled samurai really important for Japanese history. The character of Katsumoto in the film partially represents this Japanese warrior, who was actually killed in the final Battle of Shiroyama (Kagoshima, 24^th September 1877).

Regarding the figure of Nathan Algren we could say he is based on a French officer: Jules Brunet (1838-1911). This man had a really important role in the Boshin War: he was sent to Japan in 1867 to modernise the Shogun’s Army.

Final thought

I strongly recommend The Last Samurai not only because of the exceptional performances of the worldwide-known actors, but also because it touches many different themes such as the Westernization of a country, loyalty and the sense of guilt. Moreover, it explores Japan and its culture giving us a complete picture.

Katsumoto: You believe a man can change his destiny?

Nathan Algren: I think a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed.

Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise