FIRST TIME WATCHING: The Last Samurai (2003) REACTION (Movie Commentary)

#thelastsamurai #tomcruise
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[@tommikoistinen2321]

It's one of the few western Samurai movies that is greatly loved by Japanese people. That alone tells how wonderful this movie is.

[@potterj09]

I'm Australian, we and Japan have a modern love of eachother, at least I hope we do. So many years of savagery when it was, I'm 39 now and as a 12yr old kid I had a grandfather who didn't want a Japanese friend of mine in his house. This was possibly 1996. Times do change, I've been to Japan since & if anything I love their way of temporate respect. If Australia & New Zealand are a combination not to be messed with, we welcome our Japanese brothers into the fold now. China is acting so big whilst it starves many citizens, we'll show them what war is whilst protecting our people, not treating them like garbage.

[@kingseb2252]

@@potterj09 i really wanna go to Japan and while they were evil in ww2 they learned from their mistakes and im glad modern Australia and japan are allies and i personally don't blame the emperor in this movie

[@MN-vz8qm]

It is not surprising that japaness people love this movie, as it portrays extremely positively the japaness culture. On the other hand, this is full on fantasy. There was a rebellion in the 19th century by samurais against westernization, and there was a white guy joining the fight (a french guy), but they certainly werent fighting with katanas and armors. To give a comparison, it would be like if you make a western movie (same timeline) where the cowboys wear armors and fight with sword, shield and bows.

[@highviewbarbell]

I think its more like if the last remaining members of a groups of Knights in the 1600s or so decided to go out like this with swords vs cannons and shot

[@LegendOfZeldafan666]

And ken Watanabe and cruise has a good chemestry

[@cklambo]

"I will tell u how he lived" Gets me everytime.

[@clavididk1236]

Same 😭

[@OriginalPuro]

I'll tell you how he lived.*

[@Sunsets330]

@@OriginalPuro "Too many mind."

[@eXcommunicate1979]

I feel like that line is pretty cliché. Love the film though.

[@hellavibesofficial]

Love him or hate him. Tom Cruise did an amazing job. Gotta give respect where its due.

[@GoodAvatar]

I have an odd love/hate relationship with the movie. I Know that this will sound dorky, but I wanted there to be a better contrast between saber fighting and katana fighting. I *KNOW* that's dorky, but saber fighting is an entirely respectable type of swordfighting, and it *WOULD* be comparable to katana fencing.....

[@benjamindorough6129]

@@Nexy9 As iconic as it is, that first lightsaber duel was pretty boring. It was hardly like fencing, they didn't even use any real footwork, and the majority of their attacks were broad slashing motions. They stood still and slapped at each other a bit, then it was over. Also they were using 2 hands the whole time. Not sure you know what fencing is lol. If you have a weapon that weighs nothing AND you have supernatural reflexes, agility, and strength, fighting like they do in the prequels makes far more sense anyway.

[@AscendHumanity]

Tom Cruise is just an amazing actor.

[@Star-gr4fk]

tom cruise is a fantastic actor, but a shitty human. its that simple

[@59Lemony]

@@benjamindorough6129 He wasnt talking about lightsabers, nerd 🤓

[@MasterDirox]

Unfortunately it was cut out, but toward the end, one of my favorite lines from the movie is: Katsumoto: "You believe a man can change his destiny?" Algren: "I believe a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed"

[@blueshell4859]

The reason I think Algren became such a skilled warrior with a katana so quickly is because he was already an accomplished fighter with all of his years of battle experience. So once Ujio taught him the fundamentals of using the katana in combat, he was able to pick it up a lot quicker than most by applying his already vast knowledge of combat to it. It's kind of like when a skilled musician who has already mastered an instrument and reading music decides to learn another instrument. They just need the practical experience of playing their new instrument before they master it because all of the other fundamentals a brand new musician would need to learn their first instrument are already second nature to the skilled musician. Sorry for the wall of text 😐

[@VolrinSeth]

You can be an expert at karate, that doesn't mean you can become a professional boxer in 6 months, much less a an expert swordsman or archer.

[@VolrinSeth]

@@ThatTempesTGuy no saber fighting (one-handed slashing) is no more similar to kendo (two-handed & singlehanded, slashing and piercing), than boxing (fists only) is to karate (open hands, legs and feet).

[@Shendue]

@@VolrinSeth **Cough*Cough*DANSEVERNBROCKLESNAR*Cough*Cough** Movie is obviously exaggerated for fictional purposes, but saying fighting training doesn't help in the slightest into learning a different fighting technique is a bit of a stretch. Let's say reality is in the middle. Fighting experience, especially real fighting experience, logically would help in learning a fighting technique. That said, it will still take way more time to become as proficient as stylized in the movie than just a few months.

[@VolrinSeth]

@@Shendue I dont know what you're referring to between coughs. I am not claiming previous martial experience has no effect on learning new skills. I am saying previous martial experience doesn't translate 1:1 with different styles/weapons and won't allow you to master new weapons/styles within a couple of months. And yes this dramatized fiction, I was simply responding to someone else's post/point.

[@TheFirehands150]

I hope you guys realize 6 months of pretty much nonstop training for a guy who has experience in years of battle is a lot of time.

[@jonathanwelchbmnc7615]

Saw this in the theaters and thought it was great. I bought the double disc DVD when it came out over a decade ago. Earlier this week my daughter didn’t feel so good and stayed home from school. I said, “let’s watch the last samurai”. So we did. I never cried during this movie before. But I understand it better now as a father. My 12 yr old daughter bawled her eyes out. We love this film. Thanks for reviewing it. Your watching good movies.

[@lucykaede3663]

The reason why Hasegawa was beheaded during his harakiri is simple: mercy. It is painful and slow dead, if you was an honored samurai than some one will be next you during the ceremony to end your misery (this is a rare case, most of time it was a punishment)

[@alphamorion4314]

I also understand that if you are an honored samurai, the seppuku must be clean as hell as to avoid any whelps, or pain noises of any kind. You kinda had to went to process showing the utmost stoicism and really not showing any kind of weakness, so the 'assistant' had to be extremely surgical to provide the most clean cut in the beheading part. I think that is why Katsumoto referred to it as an honor, since Hasegawa "trusted" him for that

[@batbrick3949]

22:55 It was the samurai training, combined with his decades of US Army training and combat experience, that made Algren so deadly.

[@dennisjr77]

And his lack of fear, dude didn’t fear death…. He welcomed it.

[@redmoonbloodmoon3161]

The Warrior's Wife: my husband was a soldier, you were a soldier, he was going to kill you, but you killed him, you're both doing your jobs as soldiers of war, there is nothing for me to be upset about, I married a soldier, and death is what happens in war, and this last time, my husband didn't come home alive, but you did, and one day, you too may not come home alive, that is the fate of all soldiers of war

[@dmwalker24]

The way Ujio strikes with that sword is absolutely savage. Explosive speed and power from precise, smooth technique. The idea being one of those inexpecienced soldiers with single-shot rifles, going into a battle against warriors of that caliber is one of the most horrifying things I've ever tried to imagine. And how demoralizing to know that if the Samurai make it into melee range, your death is practically certain.

[@UH1k4ru]

This is one of the best movies to watch. The culture, the visuals, and the story is great. The first movie I encountered Hiroyuki Sanada to whom I see as such an awesome actor. Hiro is also portrayed as Scorpion in the most recent Mortal Kombat movie. Great pick of a movie, I always enjoy your reactions. Keep em’ coming. 💯 Edit: I just realized that you’re also wearing a cherry blossom headband. Cherry blossoms are a part of Japan. Great touch bro, rockin’ it! 🙌🏽

[@georgedepalma429]

Love this movie, great reaction. I'm glad you got it, I've read people criticize the movie for whitewashing, thinking it was Tom Cruise's character that was the last samurai, when it is Katsumoto who is the last samurai.

[@kellieseiler7105]

I'm also pretty sure that samurai is both singular and plural

[@DreadfulAssassin3]

As a mixed African-American and Japanese man I was appalled when I first heard this movie was coming out. Who tf is T.C. to be the "last samurai "...after watching and shedding a couple tears I understood the vision of the film. One of my favorites. Glad you got to experience and realize the magic of film and story.

[@RFD.....]

Just for you, le last samourai was in reality, a french fighter... not american (who have destroy Japan).

[@alexman378]

The Last Samurai in the title isn’t Tom Cruise. It’s Katsumoto and his men, they’re the last Samurai, Nathan is just the one who lives to tell the tale.

[@jessicacooper5622]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. The story, the acting, the scenery, the music! Just beautiful!

[@houseofaction]

the word Samurai is a plural word so when it says the Last Samurai it is referring to the samurai as a whole

[@batbrick3949]

21:25 It wasn’t so much turning on their own people. The samurai had been the nobility class, while these soldiers had been peasants. This was the “lower” class taking out their resentments against those who had previously lorded over them.

[@SteventheShoehanger]

Tom's character was a witness to the last samurai. He wasn't one.

[@kevlar1482]

Exactly. Ken Watanabe, if anyone, was the title character.

[@alexman378]

@@kevlar1482 Katsumoto and his men are the last Samurai, it’s plural

[@zeroevolved]

Amazing movie, story of two worlds colliding, broken man finding a peace, and an ode to profound Japanese culture heritage. To all to that the acting is just great on every level, both Cruise and Watanabe make amazing performances, and the soundtrack is absolutely one of my favorites.

[@tomaskennedy]

The scene where "Jolly Good" has his hair cut in the street by the soldiers and he cries out, almost begging the gods' forgiveness for having allowed himself to be dishonoured like that was 💔!

[@seth.willis.]

Obviously iconic parallels to scalping in that scene too

[@tomaskennedy]

@@seth.willis. True.

[@Razzy1312]

21:00 It's honestly a lot more complicated than it's portrayed here. Those soldiers aren't really "spitting on their own culture" and the samurai are depicted in an overwhelmingly positive way in this film. I'm no expert, but from what I know of Japanese history the Samurai held the "common folk" like merchants and farmers in very low regard and merchants were considered the lowest social tier. Samurai could kill a commoner for "insulting their honor", so you could imagine how this would foster a hate for the Samurai among the commoners with some Samurai probably killing commoners unjustifiably for "insults". During the feudal wars of Japan, let's just say that many Samurai were not very well behaved... When the feudal wars of Japan ended and trade with the West started, the merchant class gained wealth through trade and their power in society increased while the Samurai's influence and wealth decreased. Much of the Samurai resistance during this era was just the Samurai trying to retain their privileged position in society. You could see why a commoner might hate the Samurai of this era; to commoners they were often little more than armed thugs. You can argue that the Western contact didn't so much influence the Japanese commoners as they did empower them. The ironic thing is that a few generations later the Japanese Empire would turn a modernized version of Samurai/Bushido culture into a political tool, partly because they were extremely afraid of communism/socialism spreading to Japan.

[@INSEIKYU01]

That's a very good point and another reason I love this film, so many layers if you choose to research a little.

[@russellward4624]

Some of that is exaggerated. Samurai depended on the merchants to live since they didn't produce anything. So the idea they willy nilly killed merchant's and farmers just isn't accurate.

[@marina7592]

You have got to watch Master and Commander, The Far Side of the World. It is known as being the most historically accurate movie and the director Peter Weir does not sellout to Hollywood with the screenplay. I would love to see your reaction and I know you will love it. As for Japan, it's a beautiful country to visit.

[@michaelvincent8208]

People were laughing thinking Tom was being the 'Last' Samuri, not understanding that it was Ken's character that was being referred to. Pleased you picked that up. He was the lead character, just as the Titanic was the lead character in that film. It was the background for everyone else.

[@Tyleya]

I fell in love with Ken Watanabe when I watched this movie. The soundtrack is AMAZING!!

[@mena94x3]

OMG. Not many actors consistently stir deep emotions from me like Ken Watanabe. His facial expressions and line delivery are otherworldly.

[@lisalynes8140]

To make this movie work they had to have authentic Japanese actors and the way they spoke was pretty accurate for the time frame as well. It really shows their culture and dedication to craft.

[@evelynne2846]

One of my favorite movies. Enjoyed your reaction and summary. Yes Cruise does his own stunts and that was probably a real bloody nose to say the least of his injuries.

[@domingorubies656]

This is another great period epic warfare movie. Ken Watanabe absolutely steals Tom’s Thunder in this one. Beautiful scenery, action and performances. The Patriot and Kingdom of Heaven Director’s Cut are also great period warfare films.

[@rollotomassi6232]

I though both had legendary performances with great chemistry between them. The movie isn't as good without either

[@gorgo5418]

What a great movie our boy saw

[@michaelvincent8208]

You need to watch Ken in 'Letters From Iwo Jima'

[@denisedinwiddie9543]

So good. The movie and the reaction. I own this movie. Watch it whenever I feel like things are not right in the world.

[@antoinettelopes]

I like Hiroyuki Sanada. A lot. He's been in a bunch of American stuff since this movie. He's supposed to be in JOHN WICK 4. That got pushed to next year. So, I wait.

[@stevenhernandeznon-profitf968]

He always looks so believable. Like he legit is trying to kill people

[@davidhasselblad3825]

I always felt this movie wasn’t super accurate to history but it was very respectful toward the culture :)

[@gregkollaeg2365]

That she loved him was the most important message from the movie. You can love your enemy! And for him that he fights for his enemy and is willing to die for them.

[@davidstephens8543]

The last 45 minutes of this movie is one of the most gut wrenching viewings I can recall. From talking to the little boy about being afraid in war to the presentation of the sword... guts me every time. GLORIOUS storytelling and filmmaking.

[@Kaliyahkelevra]

Omg!!! I have waited a long time for you to react to this movie. This is my favorite movie of all time & your my favorite KZbinr. Your so awesome!!!

[@Mubiki]

I'm really glad you likeed it. Some people get pissy about this movie because they think Tom Cruise is "The Last Samurai", and it is some sort of cultural appropriation.. (admittedly, the advertising and pormotion didn't exactly help with this.) But most people don't know that Japanese does not really distinguish plural vs singular. So Samurai is both a single warrior, as well as a collection of Samurai. So the titlte is referring to Samurai as a group, not an individual.

[@chrisinfiesto835]

I love these stories of honor & strength of character; maybe because I see so little of it now days........ 😔

[@traceyreid4585]

for a guy who doesn't cry at movies... who could not feel an emotional riptide at Katsumoto's death. A Perfect blossom

[@seth.willis.]

He couldn't come up with the last line of his haiku. When he died he said "They are all perfect." The final line of his haiku about cherry blossoms

[@lucvanmechelen3920]

At 9:20 General Hasegawa is preforming seppuku otherwise known as hara-kiri. Its an traditional suicide form that samurai's did.

[@mattwhite2328]

What’s more, cutting the head off was a mercy; put them out of their misery before they shame themselves by crying out, etc. It was frequent that a best friend, family member, or respected officer would be asked to do it. The person cutting off the head was called the Kaishaku. This is a basic technique still taught in many Japanese sword schools.

[@Krombop.M]

I watch this movie every few years. It always takes on new meanings, and new details always stand out. It's such a beautiful movie.

[@outshyne666]

This movie is a masterpiece

[@platanoverde9469]

Definitely one of the most epic movies in the last 30 years. Great cast, great score, great history. One of the best movies with Tom Cruise, but Watanabe is so amazing. Thx for this beautiful reactvideo of sepcial movie with culture and honor. Thx bro 😎👍

[@jessecrawford457]

Katsamoto had a vision at the beginning of the movie about his men fighting a white Tiger and he knew it was a sign when he sees Augren fighting his men WITH a flag of a white tiger. That is why he was kept alive!

[@lindyxyo4254]

I was always surprised that this got such a Luke warm reception upon release. I always loved it. If you really want the best Samurai film ever made, or one of the best films period, watch Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa. It's about as masterful as you can get.

[@dennisjr77]

I believe it has been remade

[@lindyxyo4254]

@@dennisjr77 lol, yeah, I think so too. Once or twice.

[@Waynent]

Ken Watanabe’s character Katsumoto is based on Saigō Takamori, which was a real japanese Samurai of the Meji restoration period, he is the real “Last Samurai” he led the unsuccessful rebellion against the new government in a battle very much like in this movie, it is said he commited seppuku on the battlefield after being wounded by enemy fire.

[@RFD.....]

In fact, the «last samurai» was a French captain, Jules Brunet, who loved Japanese tradition and honour and risked everything to defend the shogun’s cause to the very end.

[@mikepappabearcygielnik5030]

you have... hands down, the most intellectual recognition of obscure scenes in your powers!!!! i subscribed specifically for that reason.

[@Reginmund]

If you haven't seen it, Rain Man is possibly Tom Cruise's best movie, greatly helped by Dustin Hoffman's stellar performance. Other great ones are Cocktail and Risky Business. None of these are action movies though.

[@moviemetalhead]

I'll add Minority Report and Collateral to that pot.

[@dennisjr77]

This movie is Cruise’s best performance.

[@Peasant_of_Pontus]

"The Last Samurai" is plural and refers to Katsumoto and his men.

[@slaaneshhedonite7068]

I love this movie. My wife would tell you if I want a good, long well done story it is this and as odd as it may sound the Postman.

[@dennisjr77]

It’s not odd….. the Postman is a great movie!!

[@matthill5426]

lol the thing is, Ken Watanabe is the very last samurai! Tom Cruise is just this guy, that happens to be the one telling his tale!

[@redmoonbloodmoon3161]

I always thought with the practice fight / sparring in the rain where algren gets beaten down, that Algren was also standing up for the boy's/family's honor (as I think it might have been a shameful act of/by the boy to fight/spar against/with Algren), and not just merely trying to get the respect against the 2nd-in-command-warrior guy (never learn/remember his name, lol)

[@JishinDX]

I actually saw this movie for the first time in a theater in Japan. The audience loved it.

[@randallmart92]

This is one of my favorite films of all time bruh! And it's not just the anime fan in me but its a really powerful movie with a lot of great acting and especially the music. Just hits all the right notes.

[@Daggz90]

One of my favourite films of all time. It's freaking fantastic, on so many levels.

[@marcusfridh8489]

actually it is more related to dances with wolves than braveheart, it is a "going native" type of a story.

[@SatsumaTengu14]

The historical event this movie is meant to portray is the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. The last stand of the Samurai. It occurred in Kagoshima city on the island of Kyushu. Katsumoto's actual historical name was Saigo Takamori. The actual history of that war is far more interesting than even this movie depicts it. There was no American advisor in reality. Another point missed is that the wives of the samurai met the Imperial Army at the bridge to the city and died there before their men.

[@overthewebb]

You are missing out the point that the wives of the Samurai were also Samurai. Samurai was not a war position it was about family. The wives were also Samurai and would defend their house and Lord and husband with honour until death. The wives were Samurai even whilst wearing Kimonos. Not about fighting, but about honour of their family or house name and loyalty to their husband or partner if consorts. Honour was everything

[@SatsumaTengu14]

@@overthewebb Samurai was a social class not a job, you are quite right. Sometimes it is easy to forget not everyone understands the basics. Thank you.

[@overthewebb]

@@SatsumaTengu14 No problem, but you see it a bit in this movie, if a Samurai wife had her house invaded or felt she had to defend her husband, she would also grab a sword or another weapon and physically fight until death for her husband and Lord over this

[@theonlykoh4631]

Fucking amazing film. The music and cinematography are fantastic.

[@derrickowen8162]

One of my all time favorite scores by Hans Zimmer.

[@Ceractucus]

If you like Samurai movies, you have to try Akira Kurosawa movies. Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood, Hidden Fortress. Rashoman is another great one but less samurai action.

[@mattvsmetaverse]

"Little Vighorn"? Who did these subtitles? lol Great movie, and a definite tearjerker. Oh, and to explain the beheading in Japanese ritual suicide. It is done as a mercy. The person committing harakiri has to prove they have the grit to stab a blade into their gut and drag it across their abdomen, essentially gutting themselves. Extremely painful and would be a long death. This is done to maintain their honor in death after defeat or disgrace. The beheading is a mercy so that they don't die a slow death bleeding out.

[@Akaeus]

It's not much of a vig deal lol

[@babyfry4775]

I heard Tom say when he was on Oprah say he had to get bigger suits as his arms got bigger with all the sword training for this movie. I can imagine. It’s a great movie and I loved the music. Good reaction.

[@sprung5062]

the leader of the samurai had a vision before this battle and he could not understand it , then he sees tom cruise with the tiger banner spear and he knows this was from the vision the leader had before , thats why they take him along with them to live,

[@connerfarr8072]

That Samurai leader at the beginning had to kill himself to maintain his honor for not only loosing but for refusing to fight his old friend. Because they were friends, like he said, he was honored to end his life quickly.

[@Kim-hc5si]

God, this movie is beautiful. So many lessons for us.

[@Kesedrith]

"Your definition of defeat and his definition are totally different." Which is kind of the point. :D Excellent reaction, sir.

[@Star-gr4fk]

the last samurai and forrest gump are my favorite movies of all time happy you reacted to both of them :)

[@mojavered1273]

Probably Tom Cruise' greatest film. Enjoyed your reaction.

[@PheOfTheFae]

Re: "what was the point of stabbing himself then" ...when people did seppuku, ritual suicide, somebody else taking their head after they had stabbed themselves was a mercy blow. They had done the deed by stabbing themselves and would have died if just left alone, but that's a slow and painful way to go so it was like, "okay, you did the honorable thing, and we're not going to make you suffer for long here." Also, I've always wondered if it was intentional that this movie is basically the novel Shogun, but set during the Meiji restoration at the end of the samurai period instead of at the beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate. Because the story is pretty much the same - white guy lands on Japan, is taken in and taught by some samurai, romance with a woman, ends up fighting with them - but just like 270 years apart.

[@brigittebos6384]

The Last Samouraï is one my favorite movie with Dances with Wolves. I hope you will react soon to Dances with wolves. All is this movie is great. I sure you will love it. An other movie you can watch too is The Abyss of James Cameron. I have apreciate your true réaction

[@emmanuelmedina5535]

This the only Tom Cruise movie I've watched in it's entirety, and more than once.

[@CrownlessKing88]

With seppuku they sometimes have someone to cut off their head to assist them in dying basically.

[@sirken2]

Watching people watch The Last Samurai for the first time is clearly a kink of mine by now.

[@djnytemare903]

You know at 26:22 the music in the background is where Bobby Valentino sampled his song for Slow down

[@laspeziasmartgames]

WHEN YOU SEE GATLING AND HOWITZER SHOOTS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO RED INDIANS AT THE END BUT WITHOUT RETURN

[@tiredoffools8929]

Ken Watanabe is so awesome in this film! I absolutely loved his performance. With that said, Love him or hate him, you always know that Tom Cruise will always give you his all in all of his movies. If you haven't yet seen Rain Man (1988) or A Few Good Men (1992) I highly recommend you add those to your watch list. Oh and your headband in this video is 🔥

[@oddish3022]

It’s funny because samurai were using guns before they opened up Japan and samurai were aristocrats and politicians that used their power for personal gain

[@surfingtothestars]

they were kinda douches if you really think about. If they felt some peasant disrespect them they could behead them on the spot and suffer no consequences

[@oddish3022]

@@surfingtothestars exactly

[@VelkanAngels]

We tend to prefer the romanticized versions of people and cultures. Like pirates. Pirates of the Caribbean had looked a loooot different, had they gone for full realism, lol.

[@VykeKing]

Seppuku: Is the sacred tradition in early Japanese culture where one stabs themselves across the stomach just before being beheaded. They stab themselves and endure a moment of pain as punishment but are then beheaded to put them out of their misery as a way to honor them. Just like Vikings the samurai seeked an honorable warriors death. If you fight to the end as a warrior but survive you may be offered a death by Seppuku in order to keep your honor after death.

[@LuckyNemo03]

Me watching Caped Informer videos: “They are all perfect…”

[@robertnguyen9493]

Katsumoto is played by Jen Watanabe and the Samurai with the beard who didn’t like Tom Cruises character so Hiroyuki Sanada, a legendary Japanese actor, who also played Scorpion in the new Mortal Kombat movie

[@alexman378]

Nathan isn’t the titular Last Samurai. It’s Katsumoto and his men. Samurai is used in its plural form in the title, they’re the Last Samurai.

[@rebekahelliott5297]

Its a grest film when you werp and cherr at the same time katsomotos son charges. And i live the reference to the 300 spartans.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Matsumoto (when he first sees Algren) is not admiring his skill - he is seeing the white tiger fighting (in his vision at the film's start) with Algren waving the white tiger flag! That is why he stops his guys from killing Algren right then and there. Great performance by all, esp. Ken Watanabe (Oscar nominated) & Cruise. Terrific Hans Zimmer score, too. great movie ..

[@ajhaynes8204]

@Caped Informant. That's the whole ritual of hara-kiri or seppuku. One cuts his stomach while the others decapitates him. That is the most honorable death of samurai after defeat. In their own samurai culture, of course. Bushido at its core.

[@basecode8]

This film is absolute gold.

[@dimitrisnikoloulis4071]

Damn ... Katsumoto , is my real mentor ! I salute you 're courage to the end !!! A middle black Shotokan warrior in Greece , salutes you , my master ! Credits to Ken Watanabe , as Katsumoto and to Τom Cruise like a supporter in war !

[@bsegovia23]

Any language sounds fast when the fluent speak to the non fluent. I learned Spanish and French for my second and third language. They sounded like they were speaking gibberish when I first started learning.

[@VelkanAngels]

I think Italian is the only language so far, where it didn't sound like they were speaking at 4839 miles per hour at first to me (though some individuals obviously speak significantly faster than others). Hm... Actually come to think of it, I never had that experience with English either. It's mostly been with languages like Spanish, Japanese, almost all Arabic languages, Polish, Hindi and French. At least of the ones I can think of right now.

[@bsegovia23]

@@VelkanAngels that’s crazy how our ears are so different. I don’t have a problem with Japanese, pronunciation is similar to Spanish. I’m polish and the language still evades me lol. Cheers bud

[@rebekahelliott5297]

The little boy breaks my heart. His father is killed. He lives in the same house with his killer. He feels the self-imposed avenge daddy be the man of the house. He comes to see tom as a father figure. Then faces using him too?? So sad. But the end with the emperor is AWESOME

[@romelnegut2005]

That General or whatever his rank was committed seppuku, the ritual suicide performed by the Samurai, in order to avoid the dishonor brought upon himself for losing that battle and to deny the enemy the chance of killing him in combat.

[@matthewferbrache8860]

It's all good dude. I tear up when Katsumoto dies too. lol Also, when Katsumoto dies, he says, "They are all perfect." Referring to the cherry blossoms. Hence, finishing his poem in the moment of his death.

[@johncopeland3150]

I'm glad you picked up on Katsumoto being the last Samurai, not Algren. Also Algren I think was inspired by Jules Brunet, a French officer who like Algren originally was supposed to train soldiers in western tactics, but instead helped the Samurai fight against the Imperialists

[@heather6668]

Great reaction. Thank you. I absolutely love this movie. TC at his best and Ken Watanabe and all of the others are perfectly cast and do an excellent job. This film hits everyone. I've yet to see a reactor who didn't cry at the end or cheer when Nathan threw the sword at Bagley.

[@RedSinter]

If you want to read a few excellent recent books by an American Teacher who is a professor of Japanese History are the books by Steven Bein. The 1st books are a series though their arc is complete within each though they're all connected by Haunted Samurai Swords made by a Mythic Sword Maker. Their are one maybe two other books not specifically conneted two the first three. The first book in the Series is, Daughter of the Sword.

[@korycoster3586]

And all filmed in New Zealand

[@robrichards8570]

The point of stabbing himself was performing ritual suicide....Kasumoto agreed to act as his second, his role was to finish him if the suicide was not clean which allowed the dead man to keep his honour by giving his life to expiate his shame in defeat

[@renee7407]

Great reaction, beautiful movie.

[@potterj09]

I love how he says "Huh?" in his conversations with Algren. As much as Algren became a samurai, their leader's diction was influenced slightly by him. Completely not at this level but I lived in Texas for 18months as an Australian and literally had alot of people adopting their nomenclature to use the word "mate" heh either this is true or they instilled a conspiracy to make me feel at home, either way it brings a tear to my eye. I miss Texas.

[@granadosvm]

About that love story, Japanese couples are normally not used to explicit displays of affection, the interactions would be realistic by Japanese standards. Regarding falling for the guy who killed her husband I was told (I'm not sure of this one, I have not researched it myself, but this was told by a martial arts teacher) that when Jigoro Kano, the creator of Judo challenged the head instructor of the imperial army for the position, the challenge became a fight to the death. Jigoro Kano killed his predecessor and became the head instructor. Also, he married the daughter of the general he killed. She understood the nature of the challenge, accepted the outcome and married Kano. So, who knows, it could be realistic.

[@normandlavigueur5648]

One of the best movie music score ever

[@theonlykoh4631]

The film is about Algren meeting the last samurai, not being it.

[@synjinkai2411]

They cut his head so he wont suffer but he kills himself to regain his honor. And the scene with sword to the neck is about cruise's character being suicidal.

[@davesunhammer4218]

A good film, a jumbled history, and the name of the "traitor" changed, but a good film. The real leader of the Satsuma Rebellion was Saigo Takamori... and both sides had rifles and gatling guns. There were "Westerners" who managed to "earn" a Samurai sword from an Emperor. Algren is ficticious, but thought to be some embodiment of those who had, as no Westerner was with Takamori when he fell. But it (Satsuma Rebellion) definitely was the end of the Samurai and the beginning of westernization of Japan, Samurai forced to become farmers and melt their swords down to make plow shears. (I always wonder if there wasn't some Catholic influence on that last bit.)

[@soultraveller5027]

The samurai in feudal Japan consider failure in battle and survived a great dishonour so the Samurai would take his own life rather then dishonour the code of Bushido so Hari Kari was the only way to redeem himself the small sword (wakizashi) was used side arm this final act tself of plunging a blade into your stomach and cutting across to disembowel was extremely painful so in order to end the ordeal as soon as possible another samurai would stand by to quickly dispatch him by cutting his head off in one cutting motion