The Last Samurai Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Tom Cruise | Ken Watanabe

Achara and Kristen react to "The Last Samurai", which follows Captain Nathan Algren, portrayed by Tom Cruise (Top Gun, Mission: Impossible series, Jerry Maguire), an American soldier who becomes deeply involved in the samurai culture while training Japan's Imperial Army during the late 19th century.
Directed by Edward Zwick, the film also stars Ken Watanabe (Inception, Godzilla, Memoirs of a Geisha), Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Westworld), Tony Goldwyn (Scandal, Ghost, Divergent), Shin Koyamada (The Last Samurai, Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior), Masato Harada (The Last Samurai, Chronicle of My Mother), and Timothy Spall (Harry Potter series, Mr. Turner, Enchanted).
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[@coldflamebluedragon196]

The Last Samurai is one of those films that evokes such emotions that I can never get through it without shedding some tears. Hans Zimmer deserves so much credit for the score

[@tomaskennedy]

HANS ZIMMER CAN'T MISS!! His music conveys an entire story by itself. 👏

[@NINJA_OUTLAW420]

No wonder the score is so good Hans muthafckn Zimmer the GOAT!! He did the music for MW2 one of the best if not the best COD ever!!!

[@RichardHunke]

That was the assumption I had when I saw this at 17-18 years old, as well many others had.

[@yonblek4542]

I often go back to it just to see the battle in the mist. And just end up watching the whole movie again.

[@waratahdavid696]

Indeed the score compliments the movie really well. (Later movies where the score overrides the movie)

[@JC-et3mx]

Katsumoto-"The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your entire life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life" His last words - "Perfect. They are all perfect."

[@eatsmylifeYT]

So what's your point?

[@SkyForgeVideos]

​@@eatsmylifeYT That you are not perfect.

[@kingbillajr]

i read that as the bossom...man! :)

[@bufo333]

I think the meaning was, don't waste your life looking for a perfect blossom or for perfect circumstances. Instead treasure every moment, live in the now, as when you run out of seconds, every second was perfect even if it was a moment of suffering every moment you get is a blessing to be enjoyed.

[@K1NGxC1TY]

@@SkyForgeVideosi think Katsumoto’s point was he was searching for the perfect one but before death he realised they were all perfect this whole time.

[@K1NGxC1TY]

I met Hiroyuki here in New Zealand in 2002 as a 16 year old working on my uncle’s dairy farm. They were filming here in Taranaki and we got to take pics with some of the tLS cast. He spoke of the spiritual aspect of our land. Our Ancestral mountain Mt. Taranaki doubled as Mt. Fuji in this movie. Since then I’ve watched nearly everything he’s been in and am currently watching shōgun.

[@blueroninstudios]

Wow, that's awesome!

[@bbcseriesfan]

You MET Hiroyuki??????? Oh my God I'm soooo jealous... (Saying that, I'm quite certain that if I was in his presence I'd be frozen in awe)

[@K1NGxC1TY]

@@bbcseriesfan Back then I had no idea who he was or who he’d become. All the rave in our small community was about Tom Cruise.

[@liotc4166]

Mr sanada est un magnifique acteur

[@loficassette9740]

Shogun so good❤

[@darrenobayashi6528]

“Bob” is a veteran Samurai actor with 1000’s of TV and movie roles, he probably died more than all the other actors combined.

[@deires77]

Say / Think about Tom Cruise what you want, but that man can act! One of my all-time favourite movies

[@trentboultoriginal]

IMO he’s a better actor than Brad Pitt

[@ImperialMJG]

​@@trentboultoriginal yes he is. I remember when they put Cruise and Pitt up against each other as they both were box Office star. As with all those actors from that time TC is the only one that managed to keep the box Office star badge. He is truly the last real movie star of "old Hollywood". Now they go to the movies because of the movie not the actors usually. Specially the blockbuster movies. After MI8 is done filming it seems TCs next will be the one with Inarutu. And I cant wait for that one...that gotta be gold.

[@ImperialMJG]

​​@@trentboultoriginal yes he is. I remember when they put Cruise and Pitt up against each other as they both were box Office star. As with all those actors from that time TC is the only one that managed to keep the box Office star badge. He is truly the last real movie star of "old Hollywood". Now they go to the movies because of the movie not the actors usually. Specially the blockbuster movies. Now they talk about Timothy Chalamet because of how well Dune have done, but god they dont go for him. They go because its DUNE. And the first movie was Great so everyone wanted to see the second. No disrespect to him. After MI8 is done filming it seems TCs next will be the one with Inarutu. And I cant wait for that one...that gotta be gold.

[@trentboultoriginal]

​@@ImperialMJGI don't care for box office much coz it's obvious Tom Cruise is the lonewolfer in that category since the 80s. I meant better actor in terms of sheer ability to act.. for me Tom Cruise can really achieve Jack Nicholson feats if he just gives up doing action movies which's again a predicament coz he makes unbelievably good action movies including the SCI-FI ones. Ever since I watched Jack Nicholson's 'The Shining', the only actor that's coming close to his age and could deliver as convincing of even better performance is Tom Cruise coz he held his very own in front of Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men".. I'd even limb out Tom Cruise above Christian Bale, Joaquin Phoenix in terms of acting and place Tom Cruise just below the likes Daniel Day Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio,Al Pacino , Robert Del Niro and a hand few actors. He would easily make in my top 15 Hollywood actors list coz I'd never seen an actor who's equally good in all the genres(Action,Drama,Sci-fi,Rom-Coms). Easily the top 5 modern actors just neglected in the "Western Society" due to Scientology 😂😂. I never understood the Western norms-- it's okayish to date underage girls,beat your wives & kids, cocaine and drugs but you'd be on the top of the crimes list coz you're a Scientologist and probably a victim and just coz the cult preaches you and treats you like a king and doing all the crimes to other Scientology members under your nose, doesnt change the definition of "brain-washed".

[@trentboultoriginal]

​@@ImperialMJGAlso, I did go to theatres this March to see Dune part 2 outta the hype of the new uprising Timothee Chalamet but more of the "Revenant Mommy" ,I'd say Chalamet is a good actor and gets a lotta unwanted hate but the best performance I found was of Rebecca Ferguson's. I'd love to see though how Timothee Chalamet turns out to be a drama actor coz I've heard he's working on a new biographical movie.

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Ujio, the general of Katsumoto here with the horn helmet is honestly one of the most underrated actor ever ! He's amazing in so many movie and he is a trained swordsman in real life as well as many martial arts, so no limits to what he can do and no wasted movement. This movie, The Wolverine, the Shogun serie right now, Scorpion in Mortal Kombat, Bullet Train, John Wick 4...The guy is making all the right choice of movie and is amazing in all of them !!

[@tomasbiela5860]

He's great in FX's Shogun as well!

[@wahyudiidris9544]

Don’t forget Rush Hour 3

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

we need a guy to wield Katana Hollywood : get Hiroyuki Sanada He was in Avengers Endgame. Glad he got recognition these past years

[@hadoken95]

underrated yet in all those movies and continues to be in things - struggling to understand the definition being applied here

[@Leon-oc4em]

​@@hadoken95underrated has become the new "literally"

[@ps5392]

The scene where Taka prepares Algren for battle is one of my favorite scenes ever in any film. The intense intimacy in these moments is so much stronger than any sex scene could have been.

[@RoxxSerm]

100% agree. I said the same thing to friends and online before. It baffled me how a "non-sex"-scene can be more intimate than one. Testament to the cinematography and their acting.

[@juandelain]

YES! so underated this scene. I mean HZ piece cant get any more beautifull, especially when the orquestra goes silent for a few seconds and you just hear that one note T.T

[@rikudou947]

Was a bit too NTR coded for my taste, personally.

[@TheIrizarr]

This comment exists in some form, with maybe a few words varying, on pretty much every TLS reaction video. Maybe I'm being an originality nazi, but you could at least go one step further and provide some additional analysis, a different interpretation, or some other meaning to discuss. I'll start by citing some history: "In the early feudal period, the Buke was the elite Japanese military class. The Buke women fought fiercely to defend their homes while their samurai husbands were at war. It was not out of the ordinary for women to become samurais and warriors. These women were known as the onna-bugeisha and were expected to show: loyalty, bravery, and take on the duty of revenge if their husband or Daimyo was killed." So, interestingly, based on the history, it is incredibly unlikely that Taka would have ever come to love Algren, let alone adorn him with the armor of her husband, unless the cultural norms for samurai women changed during the Meiji restoration. If portrayed accurately, Taka also would have been quite a bit more fierce in the village battle against the ninja. None of this takes away from the story as it isn't claiming to be historically accurate, but it's interesting to know how reality differed.

[@liotc4166]

Voir L'Histoire de Jules Brunet​@@TheIrizarr

[@HolyMolyPictures]

Tom Cruise should have got an Oscar for his performance.

[@pistonburner6448]

I like to think his Little Half Squat gave him a stick-Oscar.

[@creativitycell]

SHOGUN on Netflix is way better and more authentic than this! Produced by a Japanese actor in The Last Samurai! He wasn't happy with the mistakes about Japanese Culture in the movie! He said they even have Chinese elements in this movie confusing Chinese with Japanese culture, and a Japanese writing upside down! SHOGUN had the best Japanese historians, writers, costume makers on Set! No Hollywood stereotypes or cultural disrespect of Japanese Culture, Language, or Behaviour! The Japanese even have a certain way of moving n walking in these ancient historical times, all of which the movie although great, gets all these details wrong! The Japanese did not like this movie die to its historical and cultural inaccuracies! Typical Hollywood! SHOGUN is a Masterpiece that gets everything right! ❤🙏

[@j45cbee]

@@creativitycell 私は日本人ですが、日本でこの映画を嫌いと言う人は少ないと思います。多くの日本人がこの映画に感動し、賞賛していると思います。 確かに私も今まで、間違った日本を描いたアメリカの映画やドラマをたくさん見ました。 日本人役が中国人、日本語が下手な日本人役、街並みが中国っぽい、手紙を読むシーンでは手紙が横向き、他にもいろいろ。 真田広之出演のハリウッド映画でも多くの「変な日本」が描かれていました。 しかし、この映画は日本の有名俳優も多く、日本や侍の武士道を上手く描いていると思います。 もちろんフィクションなので、全てが完璧な日本ではありませんが。

[@Imari-Tard]

,

[@Andr3y143]

@@j45cbee そう言っていただきありがとうございます。

[@Serai3]

In an interview at the time this came out, Ken Watanabe talked about his character. He said that it was difficult because "English is an expressive language, but samurai are not expressive. So I felt like I was being torn in two."

[@patrickwaldeck6681]

The long shot of Hiroyuki Sanada just tearing through guys on the battlefield like some kind of god of battle is my favorite part of the film. I love that they let the camera sit on him for a while.

[@thedappermagician6905]

That shit where he lifts himself, sends those helping him away, and then just spits blood is so badass...it imprinted on my soul as pre-teen and has refused to leave.

[@dominicstevens5851]

​@@thedappermagician6905when reason fails, give me rage

[@alc4937]

It’s an awesome shot. He’s almost dancing as we cuts a swathe through them.

[@andreshernandez1180]

“Perfect! They are all... perfect”. What a profound realization just as you’re dying. That was worth living many lives and dying many deaths.

[@radeksasinek5838]

The film, even if it doesn't seem like it, is based on reality. The film depicts the Satsuma Uprising in 1877 led by Takamori Saigó. The battle at the end of the movie is the "Battle of Shiroyama". Captain Algren is also supposed to represent a real character. He is based on Jules Brunet, a French soldier who was hired to train Japanese soldiers. Brunet eventually fought alongside the Tokugawa Shogun. I also recommend the song Sabaton- Shiroyama.

[@howardbrown911]

Thank God someone actually went to the real history behind this film.

[@nont18411]

Which in technicality, Katsumoto was the one who overthrew the shogunate founded by Toranaga.

[@TehIdiotOne]

It's more like historical inspired, but for the most part it's quite authentic, so the inaccuracies that are there can be forgiven. Personally my only major gripe is that the Samurai absolutely not disavow firearms, in fact they instantly adopted them once the Europeans arrived in Japan. It was just that for a long time firearms weren't superior to trained Samurai archers. But by the late 19th century the technology of firearms had advanced enough where conscripts armed with firearms were much cheaper and effective enough to make a dedicated warrior class like the Samurai redundant.

[@TehIdiotOne]

@@nont18411Well, *technically* neither of those two people existed, but i get what you mean.

[@KaleRylan]

@@TehIdiotOne I wanna say I read, though I'd have to go double check to be sure, that by the end of the Satsuma Uprising they had in large part reverted to older weapons, but simply because they were out of ammunition, not out of honor or whatever the film says. It does make it more visually striking for the movie though.

[@johnbeans2000]

I'm glad some people get the fact that the last samurai is watanabe's character and cruise is only the witness. I get so annoyed with trolls hating on this movie because of the white man saviour thing. Cruise didn't save anything and he was just our eyes into this world.

[@NikstSWE]

Samurai is both singular and plural. I see "The Last Samurai" as in meaning all of them, all the samurai and their whole culture, being the last samurai.

[@johnbeans2000]

@@NikstSWE this also. Agreed. I'm just voicing my annoyance at people that criticize every movie where a white man learns a new culture they go on about the white saviour thing. I have never watched a movie like this and thought ohh cool I am white an Cruise is white therefore we save asian culture/people. Never. When I watch Last Samurai or Shogun I feel immense respect a d want to learn about Japan. Because of these I came to love Japan.

[@VictorLugosi]

Actually the last samurai is all of them, not Ken.. tom character is based on a real person ..

[@746563686c6f67696b]

@@johnbeans2000 The Last Samurai is a great, well put together movie, but it still carries glaring white-savior tropes. A tragically hurt/morally adrift, and physically malcontent white guy magically learn, and is healed by a mystical and tranquil foreign culture.... then, assimilates and bests multiple native swordsman with their own culture in that alleyway fight. Also cucks the hell out of the guy he killed by gaining the affection of his wife, an insanely attractive woman, takes on the father figure for her children and starts wearing his clothes ---almost as if it plays into the white power fantasy of the sexual superiority of whites. He seemingly assists in preparing these life long, extremely well trained samurai fighters in the final battle ...because, obvi he knows best. he's then welcomed into this extreme honor and tradition and caste based system, and given a position of extreme power and importance for no reason. and then.... despite being shot a bunch, the white character magically survives. while all the asian warrior characters suffer tragic deaths. and to cap it off, the white character is the one who finally gets through to the weak, effeminate Japanese emperor. Cementing one of the key aspects of a white savior trope... ie it being the white character who demonstrates the nobility of some savage or otherwise misunderstood group. and brings about their vindication/salvation. and then as the added bonus ...despite the culture of Japan being highly regimented and based... sorta casually strolls back to the village to f the widow who fell in love with him, and be the father to the two boys. ---bringing the movie, in it's closing moments, entirely and soley back into focus on the journey of the white character. And the total reward of that character. --he's no longer beset by his demons, he survives great peril, and is rewarded with gina, and social status. it literally hits all the check boxes for a white savior movie. that it's not overly racist in it's depictions or characterizations of all the minority characters. or that it features a culture in a certain way, does not eliminate the glaring white savior aspects of the film.

[@VictorLugosi]

@@johnbeans2000you’re a muppet.. you’re the one pushing it by saying this.. they use “white saviour” out of jealousy of white excellence, they also attack Japan because it’s pure Japanese, and they welcomed this real character to their samurai way.. it’s based on a French solider, but still..

[@pronoygms507]

I've watched this movie several times and every time I cried. The first time I cried crazy. This movie is a masterpiece . No matter how modern we become, we must not forget our ancestors and cultures.

[@jenspfennig9226]

The Last Samurai has been very dear to me ever since having seen it on the big screen when it came out. I have seen many reactions to it and (imo) yours is the best, because of Kristen's unique perspective. Thank you Ladies from a new subscriber in Europe.

[@HelloThere.GeneralKenobi]

This instantly became a favorite movie for me. When I got hooked on reaction videos, this is one I will always watch no matter now many times I've seen the entire movie. Initially I was in the same boat with Kristen, I didn't like any character Timothy Spall, played. This role changed my mind. Idk about the validity of this but in my eyes, when Katsumoto was speaking with the Emperor, he kept lowering himself bit by bit because he knew he needed to tell him what to do but at the same time it wasn't his place to do that. At the end Omura was speaking down to the Emperor and even raised his voice. He was then reminded of his place. He felt the Emperor was dishonoring him but also realized that he did that all to himself. This was also the birth of my love of Hiroyuki Sanada!

[@lathspell87]

Of all the movies Tom Cruise has ever been in, I believe this is his best. It's also the only movie of his I've seen where I actually forget I'm watching Tom Cruise. Also, the casting of the Japanese was so well done. They were all such great actors, with Ken Watanabe and Hiroyuki Sanada being a couple of my favorites I've seen.

[@hp_husky]

Vanilla Sky is really good

[@user-hx7wd7wt5v]

Finally really great to watch this reaction with people that actually understand the language and the Customs. The Widow fixing up the captain with her husband's armor has always been since the first time I watched this, and still is, the greatest love scene I've ever seen just getting the armor on her man.

[@michaelfincham2749]

Many people think that Tom is the last Samurai in the movie . He is not. It is Ken. Kens character is based on Saigo Takamori. the head of the Satsuma Rebellion witch this movie is based on. Saigo Holds the honor of being the last Samurai. Toms character is based on a few different western men in Japanese history. Who were Dutch if I'm remembering my college Japanese history, correctly. Forgive me it's been about 40 years since college.

[@TehIdiotOne]

IIRC Algren is actually based on 2 French officers that fought with the Samurai in the Boshin war. And yes, you're correct, i don't think Nathan was really ever considered a Samurai. Samurai is the same in singular and plural, so it's about the last of the Samurai as a group, not Nathan.

[@michaelfincham2749]

@@TehIdiotOne That's right. Jules Brunet was one of them. Thanks for the reminder.

[@pistonburner6448]

Actually the last Samurai was made in Suzuki's factory in Iwata in 1998. There are probably thousands of Suzuki Samurais still being driven in many countries around the world.

[@MustardSkaven]

It's plural. It's about the samurai as a class or that specific group of samurai.

[@KaleRylan]

I think the whole point is that it's intended to be unclear. It's Katsumoto, like you say, it's also the class as a whole, like the responses say, but I do think it's also Algren, but even then I think the point isn't that he LITERALLY became a samurai and is now the last of them, it's about the idea. Remember he's a member of the American military that fought in the Indian Wars of the late 19th century. The Little Bighorn, the dying of the West, all of that. And he wasn't just there, but he's someone that grieves for the loss of the Native American way of life. The point is that he is as much a symbol of these ways of living that are dying out in this period and the cost it exacts upon the survivors as anyone else. He's not a white savior by any stretch, but he's also not thematically separate from the title.

[@technofilejr3401]

10:00, I always go the impression that the Sergeant Gant was Algren's first NCO advisor. It's been a long military tradition to have young officers who are freshly commissioned (and inexperienced) be paired with a non commissioned officer (NCO) who is an older more experience person but of lower rank. The NCO's job is to respectfully advise the young officer in military protocol like working with the enlisted people below them. However, because they are of a lower rank, they that can't countermand the lieutenant's orders. A smart young officer will put their ego aside and learn from their NCO advisor. They are essentially teaching the officer how to lead in the real world. My sister in law worked at the Pentagon for a number of years. She was assigned to work with a full bird Colonel who was highly respected by upper and lower ranks. In a moment of candor, he told her that he placed a lot of his career success on his first advisor. He went on to tell her that because of his NCO's loyalty and know how he avoided a lot of mistakes that young officers make. When the Colonel saw that his NCO truly had his back they became a permanent team. When the officer got promoted or reassigned, he got his advisor promoted and reassigned with him as well. By the time my sister had met them, the Colonel and his Master Sergeant had worked together for over 20 years. Given the dynamic between these two men, I get the impression Gant still sees Algren as his student just like the Japanese conscripts. So he wasn't going to desert any of them to save his own neck.

[@auradzrts691]

The legend in this movie, is Bob, Samurai Bob.

[@ukiyoideas2215]

Algren-SAMA!

[@auradzrts691]

@@ukiyoideas2215 His heroic last moment.

[@ukiyoideas2215]

@@auradzrts691 He even called him Sama, he really respected him at the end

[@edifier107]

samurai bob and samurai jack

[@runeghost4264]

The Last Samurai could possibly be the most perfect film ever made. This reaction is on par with it. You both absorbed and analyzed this movie perfectly and it was genuine. Well done. I am subscribing and looking forward to more.

[@SFAutor]

Since this movie came out, it's my all time favorite. I watched it many times and cried each time. Thank you for your reaction video and greetings from Germany, Thomas.

[@zoolofied4291]

This movie was like those small thing which are so beautiful, you forget them for a while but again you see them and you realise their beauty. Best work of Tom Cruises.

[@nigeljames5622]

Did not think that Achara would crack on this one buy finally the tears flowed

[@Dark__Thoughts]

Meanwhile Kristen was embarrassedly holding herself back from just straight up bursting.

[@howardbrown911]

Excellent reaction Ladies!!!! I have never watched your channel before, but now I have found it for the first time and have subscribed. I lived in Japan for a short time (6-7 weeks) and the difference was astounding. I remember the incredible respect everyone shows eachother and especially the understanding given to me as an outsider who made many a faux pas while there. It was so disheartening to return to the US and being in this country for only a few hours and seeing and hearing an airport employee yelling at passengers, bound for Japan, to hurry it up and get "their shit together." God that was such a bummer and I thought to myself "why did I come back?" My dream is to return there one day for a much longer stay. A beautiful country and a beautiful people.

[@Advoc8te4Truth]

The Last Samurai was an incredibly moving cinematic experience. The typical reaction of the audience, as in passively observing a play, was quite literally impossible. The characters, the plot, the script, and the absolutely beautiful cinematography and soundtrack were transcendent ❤😂

[@AlexisLopez-pb8ms]

You don’t win the Medal of Honor, you earn it through bravery and sacrifice.

[@GhostWatcher2024]

Unless you're Dan Daly, then you earn it 4 times and get awarded twice.

[@AlexisLopez-pb8ms]

@@GhostWatcher2024 very true

[@tonyyul703]

I MUST COMMEND YOU TWO.... You two really brought HONOR to this film... And you too the time to understand everything about how and why The Samurai were the way they were.

[@krono5el]

a masterclass of filmmaking in every aspect. still seems underrated after all this time and i show to everyone i like.

[@nigeljames5622]

This is my favourite film, I have seen it multiple times and it has that perfect blend of outstanding action and amazing dialogue. The whole section of the film based in the village raises the film from being great to being a masterpiece, it is perfectly paced, perfectly observed and every actor is bringing his/her game here. Add to this the finest, and I will die on this hill, the finest film score ever written and you have an outstandingly beautiful, moving, emotive and rewarding experience. Many people look down on this film, they see Tom Cruise in a Japanese film and they dismiss it and by doing that they miss a wonderful cinematic experience

[@JasonAkersMusic]

This film is a beautiful one. Very underrated. You mentioned the alcohol withdrawal. It’s actually very accurate to my own experience of quitting cold turkey after years of drinking heavily every day. Alcohol is one of 3/4 things that you can actually die from the detox itself. I think the other are different pills. It’s lucky he didn’t die, which is what I was told. The delusion and hallucinations, the sweat and pain. My body ached all over and I remember these shooting pains that could come out of no where. I remember kind of speaking, even though no one was there. I locked myself in my apartment and only left for AA meeting each day. Worst thing I’ve ever been through. Anyway, 18 years later and still sober. Not sure why I mentioned it. It’s just this film really reminds me of those days. It’s like a nightmare. But, like many issues in life, the only way out is through. Love this film.

[@lfyoung]

tom cruise spent two years learning the art of the sword before making this movie. learning that made me like him even more than i already did. this is a great movie with so many levels of depth to it. great reaction

[@UmbraFulgur]

Only 8 months, but I agree...

[@Kensoy83]

One of my favorite movie of all time. I actually went to japan a few years ago and rented an old fashioned hotel. All I did that night is listen to this soundtrack. It was one of my favorite moments in my life. Highly recommended if you're a fan of the movie.

[@Jromi]

The music is so good in this movie. And I cried at the end too.

[@series25a]

Seen this 100+ times plus reactions and i still get teary eyed watching this.

[@TajimaMunenori]

_"Perfect. They are all... perfect..."_ Ken Watanabe also played "Date Masamune: The one eyed dragon." It was a historical period drama about Date Masamune's life. I think a young Hiroyuki Sanada is in it too. Or better yet, "Shogun's Ninja." It has a young Hiroyuki Sanada playing a ninja out for vengeance. The best part is his random dance solo in the woods😂 Gaikokujin is polite. Gaijin is rude.

[@quicksimplebeauty]

I read that Cruise wanted Sanada to use a real sword instead of bamboo in the scene when they first arrived in Katsumoto's village. Sanada didn't want to because it was too risky, but acquiesced. Cruise really didn't flinch, and that blood wasn't makeup - Sanada nicked him when they filmed with the real sword.

[@thedarkknight2221]

This first movie I saw starring Hiroyuki Sanada. He very quickly became one of my all time favorite actors. Plus the man is in real life a world class swordsman. Combine that with his knowledge and love of his homeland and he is practically a real life samurai.

[@UmbraFulgur]

He is. Only the prerogatives have been abolished with The Meiji Restoration (Meiji Ishin, in romaji). The samurai still exist.

[@joely6699]

This movie is so good, the shooting, the acting, the score....a masterpiece.

[@michaelriddick7116]

This is my favorite movie ever!! Hans Zimmer's score is PERFECT and how they portray Algren's death wish, and redemption, in large and small ways is beautifully well done!! Taka helping him with his armor is at once both the most sensual and wholesome scene ever filmed imo 😊💗💘🥰🥰

[@michaelriddick7116]

I got to spend a month in Japan for work back in 2007. By the end of the last week I had realized that I had unlocked a new existential dread; that I'll die without ever having gone back. 🥺😢

[@feosu]

This is storytelling at its finest. The acting, soundtrack, cinematography, and story are all at the top of their game. One of the few times I’ve ever been in a full movie theater and everyone left in silence.

[@larrykinnard]

That man with the smile, was Scottish comedic great, Billy Connolly.

[@infinitelybi2064]

The thing that i love about this movie is how it really bridges Native Americans and The Japanese, while there are MORE differences between our Nations, yet our Core Values align to almost a scary degree. Which is why i had no questions when it became clear Nathan Algren would once again, play a role in learning a different culture, yet it consumes him to the point he's down to go against his "Own People" ❤ I am Native American and have an Uncle stationed in Japan, so whenever im over there visiting, i make it a point to make new friends and eventually show them this movie ❤ it goes along way to show a Movie and after immediately understand each other more better on a Spiritual and Cultural level

[@wroot_lt]

I think they also maybe picked Taka's house because it was one of the best in the village and to take care of such unusual prisoner they also needed a person who would do their duty and don't do anything rash. Which is surprising from a western culture perspective, as you would want to keep him as far away from a family of a person he killed as possible. But it makes perfect sense for them.

[@UmbraFulgur]

Glad to see people who understand. Domo.

[@Summer_Sausage]

“Perfect, they’re all perfect.” I took that as the end to his poem. All the samurai’s deaths were perfect, and every blossom is perfect in its way.

[@Paul_Waller]

Hans Zimmer's soundtrack is fantastic! 🖖

[@MichaelPallada]

I saw the thumbnail, the title and that you 2 women were in it and thought, this is gonna be fun 😅😁 Edit: To be clear, I've seen this movie like 5 times and every time i watch my appreciation for it grows. And now, after seeing Blue Eye Samurai and Shogun, even more. And this is one of Tom's best movies, together with Jerry Maguire, Collateral, Rain Man and A Few Good Men. Oh, and Hiroyuki Sanada and Ken Watanabe are always amazing!

[@bryanlobesz7293]

Not only did Bob finally talk at the end but he broke his vow of silence in the end the to save him. Bob is a legend.

[@zacharygeertruida5542]

Fun fact, did you know that that swing with the katana to Tom Cruise's neck was done with a real sword. Tom demanded it to be real.

[@solongdentahlplaan7975]

Yes, Katsumoto kind of had to make his sister, Taka, take care of Algren because it was the safest place. Someone might've assassinated Algren otherwise because of all the losses they suffered. Katsumoto trusted his sister very much.

[@smdownh9]

She isn't just giving the armor to the man who killed her husband it is also the man who saved her 1st born sons life

[@TheSpydyr]

One of the best movies. Ken Watanbe absolutely stole this movie beyond a shadow of a doubt. This was all about him and we all love it.

[@RichardHunke]

I love this movie with all my heart. My brother and I saw this in the theater and it was such an emotional experience, specially for me loving many things Asian. Also, yes dependency in substance just to drown what sorrow hunts you and causes you pain is a B**CH! To overcome it, is quite an accomplishment.

[@Ferruccio_Guicciardi]

50:33 Your reaction was priceless. I also cried on "I will miss our conversation." line. Very emotional.

[@jarikuusila6336]

Very ❤

[@michaelpalma6346]

I love when I get to see people react to my all time favorite movie ever. Movies come close but never surpass the Last Samurai for me.

[@Damson143]

The last line, "small measure of peace that we all seek and few of us ever find " is one of the most important things i took from the movie and is true for everyone back then, currently and in the future

[@TheToscanaMan]

This movie is incredible on so many levels but I am always very taken with the romantic aspect of it though. Koyuki Kato is drop dead gorgeous and does a great job of going full circle with her feeling towards Tom Cruise. I love the ending where Nathan goes back to the village. The scene where she helps Nathan put on the armor is rather sensual. Your reaction was great.

[@meadmaker4525]

One of my all time favorite movies!! So glad you reacted to this one!! Just as a side note - this movie definitely is NOT another "white savior" movie. Katsumoto and his men were "the last samurai," not Algren. Algren is simply the lens through which we, the audience, view the end of the samurai era in Japan and the violent upheaval a change of that magnitude brings. Algren learned from Katsumoto and his samurai, through them and their philosophy on life, or Bushido, and he was thus able to make peace with and overcome the demons of his past. That was Algren's arc. This story is very loosely based on a true story. Per Wikipedia: The film's plot was inspired by the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion, led by Saigō Takamori, and the Westernization of Japan by foreign powers. The character of Algren is based on Eugène Collache and Jules Brunet, both French Imperial Guard officers who fought alongside Enomoto Takeaki in the earlier Boshin War.

[@WhiteRabbitKurai]

This movie is just so beautiful. I enjoyed reliving it with you two!

[@Metaljacket420]

There's a line from Ender's Game, "To defeat your enemy you have to know them, and when you truly know them, you love them."

[@chrisdoyle5450]

Absolutely one of the best reactions I have ever seen! Achara and Kristen, please share more of your backstories with us. You can't leave us hanging like that! Thanks for sharing.

[@Stixenterprise]

Achara and Kristen, I was born in Okinawa, Japan and had to learn English in the U.S. when I was 10 years of age. So I know exactly what you went through. You two created natural dialogues or if I dare say, "great conversations"! Well done! Domo Arigato!

[@paulallas7665]

Yes ladies. Felt the same at the end. 20 years since I first watched this and still one of my favourite movies. First time I ever saw Hiroyuki Sanada in action. So impressed!!

[@TD402dd]

The Last Samurai is the best movie Tom Cruise will ever make.

[@princeraj8089]

Tom Cruise....the most underrated actor of our times.... I hope the coming generations will look more kindly upon him....

[@eatsmylifeYT]

Hiroyuki Sanada seems to have a thing for fans. In "John Wick 4" and "Shogun", he's also shown with a fan.

[@krisoliver6202]

Billy Connelly appreciation comment! Guys seriously funny. Check out the interview he did with Tom Cruise on ‘Parkinson’ 👍🏼

[@maverickfox4102]

Fact: The Samurai had been known to use firearms in real life back in the late 16th century. It was the Portuguese who had introduced the Samurai with the use of firearms. And the Samurai knew the full benefits a firearm can do in a field of battle.

[@thedarkknight2221]

This is one of the most emotionally powerful movies ever made. So many people dismiss this and Dances with Wolves as “White Savior” movies but they’re actually the opposite. They save Nathan by giving him a life of peace, serenity and purpose. He helps by telling them the enemy strategies but that’s about it. Ken Watanabe should’ve gotten an Oscar for this movie, I cry every time I hear him say “They are all perfect”.😭😭 Not to mention Hans Zimmer gives us one of the most beautiful and underrated scores in film history, I listen to the track “A Way Of Life” during meditations. Also the scene in which he ends the duel with Ujio with a draw by completely clearing out his mind is a real life technique. It’s called Mushin or No Mind, the best way to describe it is that it’s exactly like Ultra Instinct from Dragonball Super. Or like Spider-Man’s Spider Sense, you let your body move on it’s own. I felt it myself when I was training in Kenpo Karate as a teenager, my sensei and his other instructors swore by The Last Samurai and told me to pay attention to that scene specifically.

[@si8086]

"I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men." "aNd wOmEn! Just insufferable.

[@felixmendaros5425]

It's interesting that you're Japanese on the inside and American on the outside and it was a culture shock to come to America. I'm part Japanese and it shows on the outside but I'm very American on the inside and I would experience culture shock if I went there. Thank you for watching this movie.

[@tomaskennedy]

14:19 Knowing about the tradition of seppuku and actually seeing it happen are 2 very different things.

[@texwebb]

Anna and the King (1999) with Jodie Foster is another great culture focused movie.

[@strudelarts5081]

Yes Ken Watanabe and Hiroyuki Sanada are in this film, as far as I can remember this is their hollywood debut or made them known to west

[@JackCarnes]

This is the first time I've watched a reaction from you guys. The Last Samurai is a film that was underrated when it came out and only now getting the respect it deserves. I think you two did a wonderful job. "Life in every breath."

[@erenjeager1357]

As far as I think, Tom's character is so ashamed of his life that either he wants to die and is ready for it therefore he never flinches once either during showing the unpreparedness of the soldiers or when the katsumoto's general put his blade on Algren's neck or he wants to gain some honour so he keeps on getting up during rain fight scene or he is punishing himself by getting beat up.

[@QuicknStraight]

A brilliant movie, the best Tom Cruise has ever made. And so relevant to modern life and the loss of traditional morals and values.

[@kevincrawfordphoto]

You guys are great! I really enjoyed watching this a "2nd Time" with y'all!

[@tomaskennedy]

26:32 I feel like a word-for-word translation of what she said covers much more than what was written in the subtitles. I imagine it’s such a complex language.

[@dipankarjoshi3828]

Tom Cruise truly has the greatest filmography that's why he is the biggest moviestsr of all time ❤ Jerry Maguire next

[@timmyg831]

I have this DVD and it’s one of my favorite movies. Watanabe and Sanada were brilliant. Imo this is one of Cruise’s top 2 best movies.

[@jackson857]

One of my favourite ever movies. "Tell me how he died" "I will tell you how he lived"

[@Sir_Alex]

Great performance by Ken Watanabe, I started watching everything with him in it after this movie. Memoirs Of A Geisha is a great movie too.

[@rosario508]

Have you seen Tampopo? Not only the best movie about food ever but one of the funniest films of all time

[@CoconutxKimchi]

The only reactors who caught that hug scene. Hugging your boys is always a sign of weakness. They are raised to be strong and showing emotions & affection is weakness. So it was so powerful when they had the conversation about fearing death in battle and then hugging. I still cry to this day every time I watch that scene as someone who grew up in that type of household.

[@GobiSubramaniam]

Love the scene between the two of them between 14:00 to 14:22 where the scene of harakiri was shown. Kristen's face was priceless. :D Perfect ending when Achara asked "You didn't know they do that?" and Kristen goes - "Watching it and knowing it is different."

[@bbcseriesfan]

Also, Hiroyuki Sanada as Ujio was my absolute CRUSH in that movie...then I grew up, and Katsumoto kind of supplanted him. XD

[@crunchyfrog22]

Just a refreshingly honest and enlightening reaction for the two of you. I appreciate and respect your sharing!! Not to mention an amazing movie to boot! Thank you.

[@BuddhaBless328]

the scene where they cut off Nobutada's top knot is also important and meaningful from the side of the cops/civilians. Up until the meiji restoration samurai were allowed to basically do whatever they want because they were on top of the caste system. This included cutting down civilians in the street for doing small things like bumping into them, so a scene like this where a "regular" person is able to lord over a samurai is verry significant.

[@bigbad69]

When the thumbnail shows a crying Kristen I know i will enjoy the reaction. Not because I am some sick twisted person(I am but not for this reason lol), but when she cries, I cry, her emotions remind me why I fell in love with a move in the first please, so thanks!

[@ghostlee6434]

Exactly. I watched to many reaction channels where they crack jokes every 30 seconds in the reaction. Especially in a dramatic movie I like seeing a reactor get emotionally invested in what they're watching and not performing stand-up during it...cough..John from reel rejects..cough...

[@joits]

yeah but in the scene where algren is putting on the armor, she undercuts any emotions by questioning achara's reaction to that scene

[@mervinmerencio6861]

PS. Tom Cruise did give a couple of small head nods when Katsumotu was on his horse and nodded at him.

[@wdm276]

The ONLY problem with this move is that Samurai were using guns since the earliest Europeans had come to Japan. So regular gun troops and gun samurai were in service for centuries before this movie is set. At least from the 1200's Japanese had guns. So guns being new in the late 1800's and "dishonorable" is the ONE negative thing that this movie presents. Aldo, historically the Katana was a weapons of last resort to be used only when the regular weapons - Polearms and Bows were lost. Historically Samurai were more horse archers than swordsmen.

[@ToddPro]

Great tune, was lucky enough to have seen Nightwish a year or so ago, so much fun and amazing performance, EVERY TIME!

[@AlexisLopez-pb8ms]

Achara’s funny comments brought some levity to what was a serious film. I love it ❤❤❤

[@scottbarkley496]

TOM CRUISE = LEGEND

[@artisan09]

When the new meets the old it always ends the ancient ways. And as history told the old ways go out in a blaze.

[@mormacil]

Of course this war didn't remotely go down like this. Samurai were the primary users of guns in Japan. Their issue lay more in the fact non-Samurai would gain more and more power. It's akin to upper class peasantry and gentry replacing the powers of nobles. It did free up the manpower needed to enact untold imperialist atrocities in the region. I guess that is in a way new, industrialized warfare.

[@noname-dk7ri]

Yes, and I think that "how it ends" is important.

[@Anthony-kw4en]

​@@mormacilexactly. Aristocrats that ruled with an iron fist. The borderline noble savage worship is such an unusual thing for Westerners.

[@Doctor2285]

This is one of my favorite Tom Cruise performances. Incredible film!

[@pedrocabral7650]

My favorite movie, always brings deep emotions. I saw that movie before going into the Police Academy in 2005 and it made me breeze through it and give me the discipline and composure to do the job. Crazy how im about to retire after 20 yrs that this movie is almost 2@ yrs old

[@MarcoMM1]

Great reaction Achara and Kristen like always, love this movie its one of my favourites. When Katsumoto says "Perfect" and the tear rolls off his cheek. That is one of the most perfectly shot scenes I have seen. Many people think that the character of Tom Cruise is the Last Samurai, that is wrong. Contrary to popular conception, the title of the film does not refer to Nathan Algren, or even Katsumoto, as the Last Samurai. The word "Samurai" here is in its plural form and is actually referring to Katsumoto's clan as a whole. This was confirmed by the director. Cruise's character was the narrator of the story about Katsumoto. And a fun-fact, this was filmed in New Zealand and Tom Cruise would have to fly by helicopter from the town he was staying in out to the set in the country side. He would fly over a small country school of only about 20-30 students and they were 5-11 yrs old. Every day they would stand outside and wave to the helicopter and had a little sign they held up saying " Hi Tom". Tom Cruize found out where the school was and arranged for his helicopter to land at the school and spent the morning with the children. Keep up the good work.

[@HowIamDriving]

After watching some episodes of Shogun I noticed I can now recognize Sanada-sama's voice. I usually only watch dubbed films and series.