Firearms in fact unlike in the film were in some use in Japan even at the time of Perry's voyage. So in a limited sense the Japanese kept up with western technological developments. The Dutch who had very specifically not sent any missionaries to Japan were allowed some extremely limited trading rights in the city of Shiminoseki during this period. They put an almost total embargo on trade or contact of any kind with the west. It seems as though they looked askance at the Christian missionaries and their activities. Over 200 years before the Japanese government had instigated a policy of isolationism in regard to the countries of Europe. The United States had with Commodore Matthew Perry's voyage in 1853 opened Japan and cracked her isolationist policy. Japan was undergoing a tremendous transformation at this point in time. Changing his name much like the way Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan were under different names in Inherit the Wind allowed for some dramatic and historic license. 9/10 Bethany CoxĪlthough the central character is American mercenary Tom Cruise, the story of The Last Samurai is about the little known to occidentals event of the Samurai revolt of 1877 led by Saigo Takamori who operates under a different character name and is played flawlessly by Ken Watanabe. The script is well crafted, and while the Last Samurai is sometimes overly idealistic and a tad stereotypical, me and my brother cannot help deny this is a superbly shot and well performed film. However, it is indeed Ken Watanabe who captivates, and easily walks away with the acting honours. Billy Connelly also handles his role well, though I usually associate him with comedy.

I have never really liked Tom Cruise, but here he gives one of his better performances ever in this film, sometimes I forgot that it was him acting. The story is strong, and the performances and direction are too. Speaking of the battle sequences they were extremely well staged and came across as spine tingling. The music by the ever reliable Hans Zimmer is gorgeous, dramatic in the battle sequences, and poignant in the slower scenes. The Last Samurai is exquisitely shot, with stunning locations, wonderful cinematography and well designed costumes. A beautifully done film, and a sweeping and spellbinding epic in every sense.

The last samurai with subtitles