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The Last Samurai [Blu-ray] [2003]
Front Cover Actor
Tom Cruise
Movie Details
Director Edward Zwick
Studio Warner Home Video
Language English
Audience Rating Suitable for 15 years and over
Running Time 154 mins
Country USA
Color Color
Plot
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
Personal Details
Seen It Yes
Index 378
Collection Status In Collection
Links Amazon UK
Product Details
Format DVD
Region 2
UPC (Barcode) 7321900108096
Release Date 2-7-2007
Nr of Disks/Tapes 1