My Mom Watches THE LAST SAMURAI (2003) | Movie Reaction | First Time Watching

An American soldier, hired to train the new Imperial Japanese Army, embraces the Samurai culture after he's captured in battle.
Intro - 0:00
Reaction - 1:34
Discussion - 47:50
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[@-Knife-]

This is one of the best movies ever made. Ken Wantabe, Tom Cruise, Hiroyuki Sanada all are brilliant.

[@mariodiniz21]

I'm not a very emotional person, but seeing this movie really gets me, the scenery, the music, the acting, the history... Everything is just so so perfect and powerful, it makes me cry. What an absolute masterpiece of a movie, my favorite of all time.

[@tomaskennedy]

28:08 When Nobutada cries out like that as they’re cutting off his topknot, it’s like he’s begging the forgiveness of his ancestors for allowing himself to be dishonoured like this. 💔

[@user-EricWatson55]

This is one of Tom Cruise's best performances.

[@heavycritic9554]

This is one of those movies where I don't care about how historically accurate it is. It's a *_beautiful_* movie, with a great story. It's also refreshing to see a movie like this that's not a "white saviour" story, but rather a story where the white man is saved by another culture's values. Also, it's cool that the eponymous "last samurai" is in fact Katsumoto, not Algren - or it may even be all Katsumoto's warriors, since "Samurai" is in fact both singular and plural.

[@kellifranklin9872]

This! What you said!

[@Flix2Us]

I absolutely agree! The marketing makes people think Cruise is the 'white saviour' Last Samurai, but the movie itself does a great job deconstructing that idea.

[@smdownh9]

@@kellifranklin9872 the horses in the gunfire scenes are all mechanical no real horses were doing the stunts

[@MN-vz8qm]

Indeed, I love this movie despite the fact that it is complete fantasy (in particular the orientalism, such as medieval samurais in the 19th century, the US as example of military to the world at the time etc...). There is a real discussion about the fact that popular culture, by being so inaccurate, distord the realities of the world, but meh.. let's have some fun anyway

[@heavycritic9554]

@@MN-vz8qm I'm an activist by heart, but sometimes even I need to just absorb some great movies, and not worry so much. The problems of the world will still be there tomorrow (unfortunately).

[@tomaskennedy]

32:46 That look says "No father has ever been more proud of his son." 💔

[@AparoDedaro]

I've seen a lot of reactions to this film. I love the idea of someone who's seen it before showing it to someone who hasn't. You can point out all the important parts they should note. This was very enjoyable, thank you!

[@kellifranklin9872]

I’m not normally a Tom Cruise fan but he was excellent in this film. Ken Watanabe just absolutely shines in this film. The storytelling, the music score and the cinematography is absolutely flawless here. I still cry at the end of the battle scene. Just a wonderful film!

[@matthewgenyas4454]

I’m normally a Tom Cruise fan and he was excellent in this film

[@robovike]

Check out the film "Magnolia" by PT Anderson. It's not a "Tom Cruise" movie, but rather an ensemble effort that includes performances from Jason Robards, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, and John C. Reilly. I think it's still my favorite Tom Cruise performance, with special shoutouts to this film and TAPS, one of his first.

[@kellifranklin9872]

@@robovike I’ve never seen Magnolia and I think I should now. I’m ashamed to admit I forgot about TAPS. That was a good movie and Cruise was really good in that movie as well.

[@VictorLugosi]

“Not normally a fan” yeah he’s just one of the most talented actors of the last thirty years.. watch eyes wide shut

[@milesb2111]

Hans Zimmer never fails his scores ever

[@deires77]

Think of Tom Cruise's personal life what you will. He is a hell of an actor (especially in this movie) One of my all time favourite movies. 💔

[@Tiisiphone]

One of my absolute favorite movies as well. I watched it many times and cried a river every time. Nathan witnessed and maybe commited war crimes, he became a drunk with PTSD. Embracing the ways of the Samurai allowed him to ger his honor back. As a matter of fact, in real life quite a few westerners became Samurai and embraced the Way of the Bushido, the honor code of the Samurai.

[@cesarvidelac]

many years ago I was a student in a Iaido school under the style Muso Shinden ryu. They (and other schools) teach you the formal way to assist in the seppuku ceremony, how to bow, get up, when to draw the sword and when to finish. it's indeed a great responsibility to perform it precisely and effectively.

[@ArthurFrank-ot4or]

The rifles used in the film are the muzzle loading Springfield Model 1861. Which was used extensively in the US Civil War. A trained soldier could fire 2-3 rounds per minute. Its use was probably a decision by the filmmakers for story/cinematic reasons as the actual rifle the Empire of Japan used in the 1870's was the British breach loading Snider-Enfield Rifle. Which had a rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute.

[@RoGueNavy]

The duel in the rain is where Ujio first started to respect Algren. Tenacity, refusal to yield, and courage in the face of unbeatable odds are qualities very much admired in Japanese tradition. This is why Katsumoto's son willingly threw himself at the soldiers, after being fatally wounded.

[@justintorres502]

Dude... This is one of my all-time favorites and I never noticed the guy getting kicked in the nuts by the horse 🤣. Never even seen it mentioned in all the reactions I've watched. Thank you for that 🙏🏽

[@danielsaurusrex8798]

i did not realize Colonel Bagley was the voice for Tarzan untill y'all said something about it and now MY MIND IS FREAKING BLOWN

[@RoGueNavy]

The ukulele was actually a fan. They were used for battlefield signaling, much like flags are.

[@nefersguy]

"They are all perfect" its the last line of his unfinished poem.

[@astrostar49]

I saw this in theaters 20 years ago my goodness I can't believe it's been that long. Epic experience. Glad your mom got to see it.

[@h4ll1k]

great reaction! "dances with wolves" is pretty similar but also a great movie if you havent seen that one yet

[@wallyboy6666]

Yes, absolutely agree. It reminds me of Dances With Wolves (I prefer that movie) But I do enjoy this movie, too.

[@CarolinaCharles777]

There are echoes of Ed Zwick's earlier film GLORY here.

[@3Kings_Industries]

I can't believe she dropped the S-bomb during the night raid ! Really enjoy your reactions guys. Keep them coming! Please add BLUE EYE SAMURAI to your watch list !!!

[@VelkanAngels]

Question unrelated to the movie here but I have to ask... What in the world is an S-bomb..? 😅

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Ken Watanabe - well deserved Oscar nomination for Katsumoto - in his first American movie. Wish he had won it.

[@Azalin4savioR]

So the actor that plays the "enemy" general from Tarzan he was in the TV series Scandal... he wasn't a badguy there, not in the general sense. Played the president of the united states. He was really goo din that show too!

[@RoGueNavy]

Katsumoto is loosely based on Takamori Saigo, one of the three great leaders of the Satsuma Rebellion against Emperor Meiji's modernization programs. He fell at the Battle of Shiroyama. Historians regard him as one of the quintessential heroes of modern Japan.

[@MN-vz8qm]

Fun fact, the japanese would actually use massive charges against entrenched formations of canons and machineguns well into the 20th century, and succeed doing so, such as during the russo japanese war of 1905 (first victory in a major war of a non european nation against a european great power). This war actually convinced the french to plan for an all out assault strategy against germany as world war one started in 1914; however, due to the extreme concentration of artillery and machineguns, the french charge got decimated, leading to the highest number of deaths in a single day in ww1 (and probably a good contender for the entire 20th century, if we have better day to day accounts for ww2). Germany nearly won the war early due to this event.

[@user-ur1jp9uv6j]

this is one of Tom's movies that was outstanding because there were very view special effects and his true talents are on display just like in Eyes wide shut and Vanilla skies

[@turmat01]

10:52 "Talk about guts, eh!" What guts? *looks at the ground* oh.... these guts...

[@iKvetch558]

This is such a great film...if not a very historically accurate one...I am sure that Mom will love it. I hope that Nick will be there to let her know some of the things in the film that did not really happen...and I am sure that she will not let that really reduce how much she enjoys the movie...that is how I have always seen it. 😁 If you ever get a chance, you folks should check out a movie from 1999 called Topsy Turvy...it is about Gilbert and Sullivan and The Mikado and stars a lot of people you would know....including Timothy Spall (Wormtail) who is in this movie as the translator.

[@_Gato.Negro_]

This movie is fiction but it's inspired by real events (not based, just inspired)... they added an "american captain" because Hollywood... but that's how we can witness this story, through his eyes, so I think it's ok. The character Katsumoto is based on a samurai called Saigo, his rebellion was known as the Satsuma Rebellion and the last battle where they all died was the Battle of Shiroyama. This battle was pretty much like in the movie, 500 samurai against the Imperial Army, the difference was 60 to 1. First there was a huge combat, a big massacre, and finally the last charge of the remaining 40 samurai who ended up dying under a rain of bullets. This was the end of the samurai and people start calling Saigo "The Last Samurai". Really great movie, in my opinion this is the best Tom Cruise film. P. S. There is a band called Sabaton they have a song about this historical events, the song is called "Shiroyama", maybe if you're interested you can listen to it.

[@Flix2Us]

"When the Winged Hussars Arrived" is one of my favourite songs, so I'll have to check that one out!

[@MattCantSpeakIt]

This is my favourite movie of all time!

[@addictedtochocolate920]

So refreshing to watch the reaction of someone who knows at least the basics behind this time period. The movie isn't historically accurate, but to have some understanding of the transition Japan want through in 1877 really ads to the experience

[@SFAutor]

After all these years, it's still my favorite movie of all times. BTW: I do not think they refer to Algreen (Cruise) as the last Samurai, but it's plural as "the last Samurai".

[@koenveltman6376]

40:09 the most thrilling and epic scene in History

[@user-kt6ke3mu3v]

Japanese bushido is all about respect for your enemies and opponents. And then, like cherry blossoms, they scatter.

[@jessestanley1690]

A good soldier can shoot 3 shots per minute with those guns a great can do 4 fresh conscripts can do 1

[@okami36]

I love this movie. Definitely one of my top 5. It's also a prime example of not letting the truth get into the way of a good story. Loosely based on the rebellion of Saigo Takamori, though the historical armies were both modern forces, opposed to Katsumoto's army.

[@andreshernandez1180]

PLEASE check out Arlington Road starring Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins (Shawshank Redemption), amazing movie, I'd LOVE to see your reaction to that one.

[@laoaganlester1728]

This is a true historical events but the film maker made some creative freedom. The American Captain is actually French to mention a few. Kindly research if interested about the true history.

[@simonfrederiksen104]

My favorite Death poem is this: Bury me when I die beneath a wine barrel in a tavern. With luck the cask will leak Moriya Sen'an (d. 1838)

[@TheAlkochef]

i believe sepukku is only "relieved" by someone recognizing anothers respect/honor (beheading, "mercy") eg. a high ranking officer, etc etc... Most common japansese ppl didnt have this "luxury".. I think this somehow spawned the thought of Kamikaze.

[@7GabriEl7FM7]

To see you & your mom react together to a beautiful movie is enjoyable to watch. Cherish every moment in life with your mom, mate.🍻💯💯

[@brandonelkin3166]

Sanada is such a Bad Ass in this movie, u can tell he's a master swordsman by the way he moves he's such a good actor as well can't wait for the NEW SHOW coming next month starring Sanada SHOGUN

[@Flix2Us]

The trailer looks really good for that one!

[@simonfrederiksen104]

Love the quick cuts on the beat - I guess they are called Eisenstein cuts

[@heather6668]

Fabulous reaction that I really enjoyed. I absolutely love this movie. Like you said, possibly Tom Cruise's best. I've been a huge fan since very early films and like you said, he's played so many different characters in his career from romantic lead, to the action franchise of Mission Impossible but this was totally different, as was Collateral. Anyone who is wont to dismiss Cruise as an actor really needs to watch this film. I loved the change in Nathan's character from beginning to end. He was treated with neglect and restrained disdain by the Samurai at first but went on to learn about their culture and earn their respect. Ken Watanabe was brilliant as Katsumoto. The film is beautifully shot and the choreography and score are excellent. There's nothing that stands out as being off in it. Like you said, an almost perfect film.

[@maingate7672]

This film does have some historical inspiration.

[@MetastaticMaladies]

I just want to say that, as much as I love this movie, they get a lot wrong. This film really romanticizes the samurai, in reality they were basically domestic terrorists, or rather, rebels rebelling against their government. Before the Meiji Restoration/revolution, samurai were the ruling class, they held the highest status among the people and the people were afraid of them. They would be well within their rights to cut someone down just because they looked at them funny, I’m not saying that was common, but it wasn’t rare either. Then the government changed, inspired by the west, they wanted to replicate to an extent the way western countries ruled and operated. The samurai did not like that, as that would strip them of their power and so they rebelled. Also, samurai used firearms all the time, ever since the 1600s when the Dutch gave them to them, so by this point they’d already been using guns for a century or two.

[@maingate7672]

Tony Goldwyn (Col. Bagley) has played the good guy in a couple of other movies, ''Kuffs'' and ''Joshua''.

[@maciejdrewnik1537]

Women say "men don't cries watching movies". Yeah? Play him "The Last Samurai" and watch what will happen.

[@maciejdrewnik1537]

Another thing: this movie is loosely based on story of Jules Brunet, French military who join samurai rebellion. Once I've heard nice thing, that scene between Algren and Taka is most romantic scene of dressing UP, opposite to like "normal" love interest story.

[@alexflorea4879]

Great reaction guys 👍If you like Ken Watanabe I would recomend you to react to Sea of Trees an awesome drama with Matthew McConaughey, I haven't seen any reactor watching that movie so if you would like to boldly go where no one has ever been before you should do it ❤

[@promnightdumpsterbaby9553]

This is TC 's magnum opis

[@eddie_77]

It was a beautiful movie, the part where she dresses him with her husband warrior dress, it was gorgeous. They made love without making love. Great reaction!! Maybe react to Born on the Fourth of July, Tom Cruise was phenomenal there.

[@marcbloom7462]

You two should check out Red Cliff.

[@addictedtochocolate920]

So, about the "who wins between a ninja and a Samurai" pop culture debate, it truly has no answer because they weren't opposing factions or roles; Samurai could be ninjas, and the only thing that changes is their purpose and equipment. If we put someone with the equipment of a ninja against someone with the equipment of a Samurai, the Samurai will most likely win due to their armor, which is quite morr effective than most people think. That being said, the ninja was way more effective in other contexts

[@michaelwithrow6748]

This is a favorite of mine. I would love to see a reaction to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, and House of Flying Daggers. Some of the most beautiful and emotional movies I have seen.

[@Flix2Us]

Crouching Tiger is on the list, so we're definitely going to watch that at some point!

[@seanmc1351]

The english guy, who you said was the rat or something, started his fame in the UK, timothy sphall (spell check) in a comedy series, which was huge in the UK, it was working men, brick layers, plummers, that sort of thing, from all parts of the UK, with different accents, went to germany to work on construction he became a huge actor, one of the cast died quite young, drugs, another one of the cast was a TV wrestler, you call it WWE these days, another went on to sing and make some records, another went onto make some other comedy shows, but by far, timothy, came out to have a long acreer, and great career, compared to the rest of the cast

[@doloresmary13]

I really like you and your mom. :)

[@VelkanAngels]

They're among my favourite reactors :D Very genuine, fun, attentive and good people.

[@user-jh9dv3cr5e]

Reaction good , i love ukulele 😅

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

Love this movie even though I hate Tom Cruise

[@Shindai]

"Tarzan is the only movie we've seen where he played a good guy" My introduction to the actor, whose name I forget, was in a movie called Joshua, where... well, it's a christian movie, I dunno if you'd be into that, but it's a good one, and that guy is a really cool guy in it :) In fact seeing him in that is why I always enjoy seeing him as a total asshole in this movie lol I love how actors can carry off being good people and total assholes somehow, it's great fun Also, my weeb days are behind me, but as a point of interest regarding who would win between samurai or ninja, a lot of ninja WERE samurai (and in fact there are records that show ninja were sometimes more likely to call someone out for a straight honourable duel than samurai) which adds to the fun. In the village attack scene I like to imagine the ninja were former samurai under omura's command sent to achieve the objective of killing Katsumoto any way they could, as direct conflict so far hadn't managed to do it.

[@Flix2Us]

Ah, interesting! I always thought Ninja were from the common classes, since weapons like Kunai were developed from farming tools because only Samurai could own swords.

[@satyadasgumbyji8956]

I was never a big Tom Cruise fan, having been introduced in his debut "Risky Business", though hes been excellent in everything ive seen him in & that flick a great 80s Classic if havent seen. But other than Tropic Thunder😅 (stole the show for me!), my two fave roles of his are top-shelf true story "Born On The 4th Of July" & little paid attention to WILD Cameron Crowe(?) Sci-Fi "Vanilla Sky". Co-stars Cameron Diaz &, JUST REMEMBERED, KURT RUSSELL FOR MOM!!! 🤗💕 🤣🤣🤣!!! If haven't seen should add to your list, friends! See ya! ✌️🌎❤️

[@franj1414]

Try "memoirs of a geisha".

[@carlogiurizzato2441]

YOU SHOULD WATCH LEGENDS OF THE FALL

[@carlogiurizzato2441]

brad pitt anthony hopkins julia ormond

[@Jen-Mom]

It's on our list! ❤

[@jillwanlin9558]

@@Jen-Momyay!!

[@felixmendaros5425]

Thank you for reacting to the Last Samurai, I quit enjoyed watching your video. Even if it's a rewatch I hope you check out Glory, with Morgan Freeman and Matthew Brodrick.

[@RonnieG]

React to dances with wolves

[@Jen-Mom]

It's on our list! 😊

[@kukiesstuff9428]

Pls. Watch FX's Shogun. It is 🎆🧨

[@turmat01]

If I ever meet Hiroyuki Sanada or Ken Watanabe, I'm gonna bow to them and probably start crying like a baby. These two guys insipre the utmost respect from me. I love all their work they are absolute top notch. I LOVED 47 Ronin too, starring Hiroyuki Sanada and Keanu Reeves.

[@jobymahon2871]

Are you guys Canadians? I feel like theres Irish in there too though.

[@USABI7095]

高額な報酬で雇われて、敵を殺していた職業軍人が日本の小さな村で暮らし、安らぎを得て最後には愛する者達のために戦った。そして彼は契約金よりも大切なものを得た。

[@thegladve]

24:44, I hear Stockholm syndrome is very nice in this time of year.

[@ArcticSeraph]

Uhm-hmmm

[@martinsandt1135]

🧐👍👍👍

[@philCTO]

Why are you saying thats Tarzan? Thats not the same actor

[@Flix2Us]

Tony Goldwyn voiced Tarzan in the movie.

[@philCTO]

Ok....my bad. I didn't know that one. I thought you were talking about The Legend of Tarzan with Alex Skarsgård . Hes a good Tarzan if you havent seen it or done that reaction FYI. @@Flix2Us

[@Stephanie-es7wv]

​@@Flix2Us Oh, you mean the animated movie. Like @pelbertmyronman I thought you meant the live action movie with Alexander Skarsgard. 😊

[@Flix2Us]

Legend of Tarzan is actually one of our favourites!! Mom first saw Christoph Waltz in that one, and she's automatically repulsed when she sees him anywhere else. That's how effective he was at playing a villain.

[@philCTO]

He is great when he plays evil. He's an incredible Bond villain if you get into the Daniel Craig Bond movies! @@Flix2Us

[@YY-bl1is]

"The Last Samurai" may be good overseas, but it's terrible for Japanese people. Both the outline and the details feel strange.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

40:40+ i dunno' Civil war = YAY? ^You two are from? PS 45:55+ ready for some WWI "fun" next?

[@renewillner5061]

Love ya guys but can’t give Tom Cruise anymore of my time. He is not a good person..lovelovelove ❤️✌🏻❄️

[@VelkanAngels]

Good thing this isn't a tribute movie to Tom Cruise then..? I'm glad I have the ability to separate what/who people are from what they produce or I'd barely be able to enjoy any art, music or entertainment at all. Come to think of it, I wouldn't be able to own virtually anything either, lol. I'm sure some of the people involved in producing the keyboard I'm typing on either did terrible things or have views I vehemently disagree with.