The Last Samurai | First Time Reaction | Movie Review & Commentary

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[@phoenixhunter1985]

Japanese Historian here - Katsumoto was loosely based on a man names Saigo Takamori. Saigo was a Samurai who believed that Japan was modernizing too quickly in this period (The Meiji Era), and losing it's identity in the process. He led a rebellion, like in this movie, to remind the Emperor, though the details of the rebellion were wildly different, because Hollywood Adaptations. This still holds up as a fantastic piece of historical fiction, in my opinion, though!

[@henkebenke573]

Thanks for the info

[@reactswithjax]

Wow! I never knew that. Thanks for sharing the backstory! ❤

[@ERRATAS0707]

The difference is Saigo and the rebellion have guns although they use outdated tech at the time some of them used matchlock muskets while the Imperial army got the newest guns. And Saigo was right, Japan lost its identity.

[@faisalmemon285]

How many Hollywood remakes are there? By my count it’s only one (Last Samurai). And Hollywood did not ruin the history of that period. Historians or people studying history read from books, they do not use movies. Use your brain next time.

[@ERRATAS0707]

@@faisalmemon285 they just romanticized it.

[@stevealford230]

Custer isn't in this movie. He died in the story that Algren told ("Custer's Last Stand"). The guy you kept calling "Custard" was Colonel Bagley, not General Custer.

[@reactswithjax]

Oops! 😂

[@stevealford230]

@@reactswithjax Da'sokay, you're forgiven. We all do it every now and then. :) Even sheep. Allegedly.

[@arefxp]

@@reactswithjax General "Beagle" it is. Now you can get a beagle instead of custrad 🤣

[@eatsmylifeYT]

@@reactswithjax It's okay. You were adorable.

[@bradpriebe9218]

This is the first time I've ever watched this movie and wanted pudding.😉

[@fernandof.2225]

fun fact: Samurai "Bob" is a well known actor and he came out of retirement for this movie.

[@odoetah]

"The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life." (Looks at blossoms as he is dying) "Perfect. They are all... Perfect." That was the ending line of his poem. This film is in my personal top 10 films of all-time and my favorite from Tom Cruise.

[@reactswithjax]

I love that! Yeah, this movie is pretty incredible.

[@armandblake]

Same for me. Next to “The Gladiator” and “Braveheart”. I do believe the last samurai is a superior movie compared to the other 2 though

[@TheHersheyr]

Movie was great. Is there really a wasted life? Yes if we all failed to encourage, listen, guide, talk, and learn. I feel bad for the lost and they feel they are deserted and alone.

[@craigmorris4083]

Just a historical note, the emperor portrayed in this movie is Emperor Meiji. He is the grandfather of emperor Shōwa (who you might know as Hirohito).

[@FulcanMal]

"I will miss..our conversations." is a line that makes me cry every time.

[@malyvo0]

My favourite is "When I took these, you WERE my enemy".

[@fernandof.2225]

fun fact: The guy that made the sword is a 4th generation sword maker and he setup the forge and made the sword that Tom Cruise received.

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

Wow! Cool! Thanks for that information. ❤

[@souless08]

Most people miss the magnitude of importance of the emperor taking off his glove to actually touch and hold the sword at the end. The emperor is too godly to touch anything and never does..

[@michaelparsons5299]

Filming took place in New Zealand, mostly in the Taranaki region, with mostly Japanese cast members and an American production crew. This location was chosen due to the fact that Egmont/Mount Taranaki resembles Mount Fuji, and also because there is a lot of forest and farmland in the Taranaki region!

[@Sir_Alex]

Ken Watanabe performance is outstanding ❤

[@KDA8919]

Ken What Ah Nah Be*

[@twiddlinbits]

My take on the main character is that he hates himself after having taken part in massacres and genocide. He doesn't think he's good for anything besides killing. He's drinking himself to death because countless battles haven't got the job done. When he'd been sparring with the kids, and is then taking a beat down from the angry warrior, Jax noted that he just never gives up. But I see it as him feeling like he hasn't yet been punished enough for being who he is. The angry warrior is sometimes his enemy and sometimes his companion, but they're usually pretty much on the same page about what he's worth and what he deserves. Their opinion of him evolves together.

[@user-vf4wi2og8b]

Had an uncle who used drink trying to crush memories of Korea.

[@teximexi836]

One of the beautiful things to consider about the scene where Taka offered Aldren her husbands armor. It's far more than just giving him a suit to protect him. For the family of a samurai, their name and status within the village is heavily dependent on the honor of the samurai himself. So, to offer her husbands armor is also like offering him the position as head of the family. To represent their family's name and legacy in combat. So, to give that to him, even after being the one who killed her husband, was a far more symbolic gesture than it seemed.

[@ronweber1402]

And Taka dressing him in the armour was more intimate than any love scene.

[@andreshernandez1180]

"Perfect! They are all...perfect!". What a profound realization as you're dying. Worth living a thousand lifetimes.

[@reactswithjax]

So true!

[@callumpenman6957]

6:24 I always read it as faith and regret. He's giving the guy a chance to kill him and wants him to succeed. Win win. If he can shoot, Nathan dies. If he can't, it proves they're not ready

[@reactswithjax]

That's great insight!

[@Tantalus010]

Yup, Nathan was clearly miserable at that point in the movie and didn't really care whether he lived or died. I think that's part of why he opened fire at those organ pipes (or whatever they are) during his gun advertisement in the beginning: he wanted someone to think he was a threat to the crowd and shoot him. If it works, he dies. if it doesn't, he demonstrates the rifle.

[@znk0r]

He has ptsd, is ashamed of what he did, drinks to forget and as Katsumoto said "You do not fear death, but some times wish for it."

[@matthewgreganti4838]

Jax - "I think you guys should become best friends." Me - *chokes back tears*

[@loot5532]

my favorite line was missed in the edit, "They have come to destroy what i have come to love". its such a powerful line, because it also speak silently to his time with the native americans, answering Bagley's question of "what is it about your own kind you hate so much?"...

[@Oda_Samurai]

"I think this movie is gona make me cry" That is one of the few movies that makes me cry. And big time crying, not just teary eyes. I'd bet, right now, at 1:24 into the video that you'll cry a lot.

[@shauno7]

“I think this movie’s gonna make me cry”. Truer words have not been spoken lol.

[@auzimatic]

It's not just that he didn't have faith that the recruit wouldn't do it but he is also chasing his own death because his past is haunting him. It is beautiful watching Tom's character evolve out of that and find peace as well as his place, FINALLY.

[@cliveklg7739]

Some of the cast from this are in the "Shogun" series, which is an absolute work of art. The actor playing the harsh Samurai that trains him is one of the leads, and Executive producer of Shogun. It is kind of a similar story, only from an even earlier period. Katsumoto: "The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life." In then end realizeing, "Perfect, they are all perfect." It is interesting that Suicide in the face of dishonor is still a problem in Japan even with programs to try to end the practice.

[@Halesburg]

He also was in one of my favorite movies "Sunshine"

[@Uhlbelk]

Just after the US civil war, the Japanese had a civil war. Previous to the war they had a very rigid class system with Samurai on top. After the war the new government abolished the class system and put laws against much of the trappings/traditions that showed the samurai's position. The US essentially threatened Japan to open its boarders and there was a very rapid westernization of their culture. Obviously you can't completely change a culture overnight, so samurai were still feared and revered by the general population, but they were a huge risk to the new government as a source of new civil war and rebellion for the samurai who wanted their elite position restored. In general, the samurai were either given jobs in the new government or were killed if they stepped out of line. In the movie, Katsumoto is fighting to retain, if not the Samurai's wealth and power, at least their cultural relevance.

[@qrrbrbirbel2]

"He had so much faith he couldn't do it..." 6:02 On the contrary, he could have picked any other soldier to miss if he wanted them to miss, but he picked the guy who he just got to hit a bullseye. Algren doesn't fear death, and tests himself to see if he is supposed to die for what he did to the civilians. The flute that plays during that scene is one of my favourite parts of the soundtrack.

[@AnthonyJonathanYT]

The story of how Custer became Custard. 😂

[@LokRevenant]

The best part is the character isn't even Custer.

[@reactswithjax]

Haha! I thought they said Custard 😂

[@feralgrandad4429]

@@reactswithjax and Custer died year before, he isnt Custer Jax lol.

[@ryanalexander8513]

What you call him isn't nearly as important as the fact that Custer died at the battle of Little Bighorn well before the events of this film. Which is why he does not appear in the movie

[@madhunter896]

😂😂😂

[@chiefcrash1]

*Examines sword* "What does it say?" "Made in Earth Kingdom"

[@eamon5883]

The other side.

[@testgravityy]

never give up without a fight would have been a pretty sick quote on that sword aswell, ngl

[@DisgruntledHippo]

"I will miss our conversations." Gets me every time...

[@reactswithjax]

Such a great line! 😭

[@SolidSnake8295]

27:12 “YOU’RE DRINKING AGAIN!?!” **Slow head-shake** I loved how Jax said it like a disappointed mother. 🤣

[@MrDearmon]

Oh my gosh, Jax totally went into wife-warrior (or worrier) mode. I had a drink in my hand while watching and put it down instinctively. 👿

[@LokRevenant]

Timothy Spall is one of those actors who plays every role he's given EXACTLY the way they should be played. He is, quietly, one of the greatest living actors.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Amazing in Oscar-nominated Secrets and Lies .

[@nicksykes4575]

Sargent Gant is played by one of Scotlands greatest comedians, Mr Billy Connolly, as part of the promotion for this film Billy and Tom appeared on Britains biggest chat show of the time "Parkinson", by the end of it Tom was almost falling off his chair with laughter. You can see it on KZbin. If you want to see Billys most badass film role, try Boon Dock Saints, with Willem DaFoe.

[@reactswithjax]

That's awesome! Thanks for the recommendations! ❤

[@MoniFps]

Koyuki ( The actress that played Taka ) is one of the most beautiful actresses i've ever seen.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

Wow. The way Lamby-sama smiled all the way through the battle scene. Ice in his veins. ⛩🐑⛩

[@chadbailey7038]

There are very few perfect movies. This is one of them. And I still cry every time 😢. 🌸 PS. I don’t know if it just didn’t make the edit, but the head samurai guy takes Nathan captive because of his earlier dream of the white tiger, and then he sees a white tiger on the banner Nathan uses to defend himself! 😮

[@TheHilltopPillbox]

I use this movie in my Film Study class for my high school students. I tell them the run time, and they all groan. Then we watch it. They change their minds. Excellent cinematography, dialogue, score, and the actors were superb.

[@rooroo9216]

We always used to love film time in classes! And this one I was hooked start to finish, id’ve loved to have seen this one in school. I did see Braveheart for the first time in history class though

[@TheHilltopPillbox]

@@rooroo9216 Historical dramas are always fun to watch, and then critique. I don't tend to show movies in my history classes, my Film and TV Study class gets the whole show!

[@canucksfan9332]

Tony Goldwyn’s character is Colonel Bagley. Custer is dead at the time of the movie. He died at Little Bighorn

[@bobarris]

This move was filmed largely in the north island of New Zealand.

[@proteusblack8913]

As any good movie with epic cinematography would be!

[@MarcoMM1]

Great reaction Jax 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 Cruise 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.

[@andyf313]

The last line of the poem was written on the katana he has commissioned for Nathan & presented him before the final battle. Also, I genuinely feel Tom should've received an Oscar nomination for this performance, as it's arguably his best dramatic work.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

The engraving on the katana has nothing to do with "the poem"....the line "they are all perfect" is the last line of the poem. Agree with you about this being one of Cruise's best...I think Watanabe's Oscar-nominated performance made Cruise bring his A Game to every scene he was in.

[@andyf313]

@@jillfromatlanta427 weird. I thought for sure the rhyming line scheme spoken & engraved on the katana was the final piece of the poem, if it isn't, then I'm totally sold on "they are all perfect".

[@Dizzyruptor]

@@jillfromatlanta427 Absolutely. Ken Watanabe knocked it out the park with this movie. Incredible performance.

[@gabriellaguna2551]

And what about Born on the fourth of July ?

[@xexorweglin]

1:11 That would be William Atherton, the reporter from _Die Hard_ - he often plays an arrogant elitist in films, although here he's just an MC for the show ofc.

[@granadosvm]

This is a great fictional story placed in a real time in Japan, called the "Meiji restoration". During the Edo period, Japan was closed to the exterior, shoguns ruled the country and the emperor was almost a mere figure. When Commodore Perry from the US Navy forced Japan to open, they realized they needed to unite behind a single rule to survive, so emperor Meiji had to find his footing to rule the country. He was not as young as portrayed in the movie, but the age of the actor reflects well that the emperor had no actual experience ruling the country. He had to transform from a pampered representation of the traditions into an actual ruler, so I think the way it shows in the movie is well done. Also, during the Edo period everything was highly regulated, including who could wear certain clothes or hair styles. When they banned samurai, they did not ban swords (you can see pictures of World War II Japanese soldiers carrying their swords), but samurai organizations, training and traditional looks to identify themselves as samurai, that's why they cut Katsumoto's hair.

[@jmiyagi12345]

I always took the moment that he asks the poorly trained conscript to shoot him was because he was willing to die, not because he knew he wouldn’t hit the target. Similarly when the samurai stops just shy of slicing his throat it wasn’t because it was a been there, done that but because again, he was OK with dying at that point.

[@roguecalisio4033]

'But i like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace that we all seek, and few of us ever find' is one of the best quotes from any film i have ever watched

[@ThomasKnip]

There are few movies that make grown men cry. This is on top of the list.

[@kaelinvictus6039]

I just remembered that this movie also echoes the same powerful values told by a beloved Japanese role playing game. "Die and be free of your suffering or live to fight your sorrow".

[@thebkg]

The Bow and Arrow revolutionized warfare with the intro of Ranged Weapons. While not it's primary focus, this movie does a great job of depicting how a change in technology has always shifted the balance of power in war. The rifle had greater range than the bow, but its limits left it vulnerable. The Gatling gun however was a devastating advancement that changed war once again. To my knowledge it was the first weapon to virtually removed skill from the equation. No longer did it take years to develop a trained force.

[@2ndTim3_1-6]

ive seen this 100 times, its such a beautiful story all the subtle nuances of the Samurai , his Character arc, the history , the bravery

[@seanmc1351]

Hey girl, The reporter in this movie in the white suits, is tomothy spall, he started his career in the 80's, in a comedy show, and people from different regions of the uk, who went to germany to work as builders, Timothy is probably one of the best to come from the show, and he has a wonderful career, and many awards. Very good friends with tom cruise, as is billy connoly, the long hair scotsman who dies early in the film, he is a stand up comic, one of the very best, a true legend, sadly he has parkinsons now

[@michaelakers8698]

I was laughing my butt off every time you called Bagley Custer 😂😂😂😂😂😅😅😅😅😅😂😂😂😂

[@kookai3125]

FYI : The Japanese actress that you impressed name 'Koyuki Kato' (born Dec. 1976) . She's a famous actress and model in JP. I saw her in some JP.-dramas before surprised when I found her on this big Hollywood in the theater. But in my remembered, she's only 2 film in western (another is 'Blood: The Last Vampire.). She's often be in romantic-dramas series. So when I saw her in The Last Samurai, I thought that's a good choice for this role as same as 'Ken Watanabe' and 'Hiroyuki Sanada' in the main characters of the JP side. My impression of her is her eyes or face expression in her actress. Her deep emotional portray in any casts are so good. She's like 'talk less, act deep'.

[@mattperiolat]

If you loved Edward Zwick’s work here, please add Glory and Courage Under Fire to your future to watch list. Good movies.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Courage Under Fire is often overlooked/unappreciated/ignored...but a favorite of mine. One great performance by Denzel in his earlier films...

[@86leewis]

Its true about the house. The harmony of the house is a very important law. A shogun would not be able to enter someone's house snd disrupt the harmony, even being the military boss

[@fernandof.2225]

fun fact: The Emperor is a Chinese person that does traditional theatre.

[@Raven777777777777777]

This is one of those movies where all the people involved in making of this movie fit together so well that it became a legend.

[@AkodoNoEyes]

“I say dredge it up!!!!” 😂😂😂😂 same girl!!!!

[@DogmaBeoulve]

Jax's laughs and giggles are still some of the sweetest things to be heard on the planet!

[@chaospoet]

I worked in a movie theater when this came out. It didn't do great in theaters. Not that I can blame people as it's competition when it came out were films like Tim Burton's Big Fish and Lord of the Ring: The Return of the King. What got me curious to go see it was the fact that those who did see it all came out crying. What finally made me go "OK, I NEED to see this on my next day off." was one of my regulars was this old, Korean War Vet. He was somewhere around his late 60s early 70s, but tough as nails, and would give you that kind of smile that said "I could still kill you with just my pinky, if I wanted to, but I like you." After he saw a movie, I'd ask him on his way out what he thought? It'd almost always be a short, almost in a grunt, "Good." or "Sucked." When he saw this movie, he had to be helped out, because he was sobbing so hard he couldn't walk. I was both stunned and in awe that a movie could make an old man who was hard as iron and had seen it all weep like that. Saw it on my next day off. I was a wreck for the rest of the day.

[@paulsoldner9500]

Why did you say it didn't do well? It made almost 3 times it's budget & was the 6th highest grossing film of the year, while Big Fish didn't even do double and was 47th.

[@chaospoet]

@@paulsoldner9500 I meant at the theater I was working at. If we got a dozen people to see it that was a good day. Most people were waiting for Lord of the Rings to be the movie they'd go to see that month. I still have PTSD from the opening day for THAT one. Good God!

[@paulsoldner9500]

@@chaospoet AH got it. No worries. And yeah, everyone knows ROTK was the biggest film of that year.

[@reactswithjax]

What a beautiful story! That's such a special memory and makes me love this film even more. ❤️

[@LucasxDucas]

That moment Katsumoto dutifully lifts his son in agonizing grief. Also, can we acknowledge Hiroyuki Sanada being the sword in this movie v. the mastermind as Toronaga in Shogun. Peak performances.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

Sanada also did a great job in John Wick Chapter 4

[@Dizzyruptor]

@@jillfromatlanta427 Indeed. Such an under used actor. It's time he got the recognition he deserves.

[@jillfromatlanta427]

@@Dizzyruptor check out White Countess with Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson and Sanada...on oldie but a goodie

[@The-Real-aPOC]

That's Colonel Bagley, not Custer

[@Gylaran]

Custard

[@justaperson4229]

You asked why some ride horses and others don't? There are different units in each army those on horses are called "Calvary" Those on foot are "Infantry" Those with bows are Archers and so on they each have their own specific purpose and task. Those infantries are usually trained for endurance and close quarters combat, I'm pretty sure they have the stamina for the long haul.

[@bafumat]

They are all perfect was the best line of the whole movie. His realization only at the very end was beautiful.

[@fuzzy__dunlop]

I love that she calls him General Custard all movie. 😂

[@rooroo9216]

😂😂

[@Frankie2012channel]

I hope everyone knows just how POWERFUL Hans Zimmer's Score is for this movie! He elevated every scene of this movie. Hans Zimmer's music knocked it out of the park.

[@SolidSnake8295]

15:09 Algren: “That is your job correct? Protecting me?” Jax: “That is NOT his job.” Actually, it IS his job. Katsumoto wanted to prevent anyone from killing Algren so he assigned “Bob” to protect him. “Bob” knew Ujio wouldn’t kill Algren so there was no need to intervene. Knowing this makes “Bob’s” sacrifice to save Algren at the end much more impactful. He died doing his duty.

[@Gylaran]

I believe Bob didn't sacrifice himself out of duty, but because he started to honor him.

[@bobarris]

The bad guy is baggley, not Custer

[@SolidSnake8295]

That’s “Custard.” 😜

[@wickedsouls3402]

Mission Impossible series and Trophic Thunder are must see...

[@reactswithjax]

I am looking forward to Mission Impossible!

[@erjino]

@@reactswithjax Now, we are, too.

[@DanielRamosMilitaryWiz]

The man you kept referring to as “Custer” is Colonel Bagley, played by Tony Goldwyn. Captain Algren and Colonel Bagley both served in the US 7th Cavalry Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. I wasn’t sure if you were confused as to who Goldwyn was playing in this film, because Lieutenant Colonel Custer died in Montana leading the 7th Cavalry at The Battle of the Little Big Horn on June 25, 1876. We often referred to that battle as “Custer’s Last Stand.”

[@Torzelan]

My favorite stand-alone movie, hits everything "just right" for me. Perfect balance of drama, action, humor and everything. Really appreciate the restraint shown during the Nathan - Taka relationship, wasn't cheapened by forcing it to progress faster or further. All around great cast; my favorite Cruise performance (and character) and really made me a big fan of Ken Watanabe and Hiroyuki Sanada in particular. And of course it's just _beautiful_, especially in Katsumoto's village. Happy this movie is getting the appreciation I think it deserves, not that it did poorly or was panned or anything but used to just hear endless complaints about historical inaccuracies and such as if it was trying to be a documentary. No, it knew what it was doing and it did it pretty much perfectly. 10/10, holds up so well however annoying that it's like the one Cruise movie that hasn't got a 4K UHD release.

[@RedSinter]

Yes, they filmed in Japan. Tom went to Japan 2 yrs in advance to learn Japanese, indulge in the culture, and learn Kenjitsu as best he might. It is just one of the many reasons the Japanese Love TC.

[@Nonamed70]

one of my absolute favorite movies of all time. Perfect cast, such a moving story. and the fact that this story actually happened, where the military would do everything in their power to make the samurai outcasts, while they were protecting the reigning emperor for thousands of years before, its just so heartwrenching. These people still stood loyal to their emperor even after all that they had to endure and wouldnt even flinch for a second to give their lifes for his. What a movie, I think one of tom cruises best roles to date, if not the best. I also dont know why, but this movie always, and I mean ALWAYS brings me to tears. Something about it just resonates with me and I think its the context under which I saw the movie for the first time, being in quite the dark spot and never really being able to let go of my negative emotions except when watching movies that were dear to me. Same with Harry Potter. Something just meditates in me when I watch these movies 😂

[@baron6797]

I'm surprised that no american company has ever brought out a product called General Custard before😂

[@ezioauditore4061]

This was a great movie. Hans Zimmer's soundtrack made it generational. So many emotional moments. Of all the epic period piece movies of the 2000's, this was my favorite. Even above Gladiator. It had more heart than the rest.

[@mrtravdawg]

That victory yell at 22:37 still gives me goosebumps. 💯👍

[@StephFlinger]

Hello This film is adapted from the real story of Jules Brunet, French officer who participated, among others, in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi and in the Battle of Hakodate. Originally, he was in Japan to instruct the army of the Shogun Yoshinobu Tokugawa, but ended up participating in the fights with the men he instructed.

[@neilthornton3544]

This period is also why they drive on the left today. The government contracted British companies to build railways and British trains move forward on the left side track with road travel following the same convention.

[@michaelvincent4280]

Only one other reaction watcher showed him hugging the boy. I feel this was one of the most important scenes in the story. Thank You.

[@randylandreneau1371]

Hey Jax, those guys in black that attacked the Samurai in the night were Ninjas (hired assassins, but some "expert" will probably correct me). I like Lammy.

[@tylorfox783]

I think the scene where Taka helps Algren into his armor is one of the most intimate scenes in a film. Love this movie.

[@ronweber1402]

Agree. Much more emotional than any love scene could have been.

[@tylorfox783]

@@ronweber1402 the tenderness and care in that scene as well as the armor of her deceased husband showing that she’s placing her love for him above any sentimentality, it shows so many emotions and subtleties lost in a gratuitous sex scene.

[@dmwalker24]

Katsumoto's final act restores any honor lost in defeat. And so he reasserts control over his own life. It is the same kind of choice we saw his son make on that bridge. There are many negative aspects to the old system they were fighting to defend, but much of its philosophy and wisdom are just as valid now as they ever were.

[@charleswatkins8558]

This is one of my favorite MOVIES ! I'm so glad you decided to watch this movie. This movie in my OPINION depicts the the struggle between life and death, Wright and WRONG and how to live life itself !!

[@waratahdavid696]

"Don't hiss at him!" Lol = " 'Dis is Samuri, ve don't hiss here!"

[@RedKytten]

A friend of mine made an observation after she saw this in theatres. "It honors the traditions of both American and Japanese action movies. All the Japanese main characters died, and the American survived no matter what happened to him."

[@reactswithjax]

That's a great observation!

[@billbill6094]

I feel like I see this comment said this exact way too many times to believe any one individual friend just happened to make that connection.

[@Pupalah]

in my opinion, youre not a hero unless you die

[@One_foot_in_the_Grave]

​@@Pupalah hahahahaha great tell that to all the family members of the men and women who didn't die on 9/11 but spent hundreds of hours collecting body parts, breathing asbestos... or the men and women who come back from war missing limbs. smfh

[@thebkg]

​@@Pupalahif the ending portrayed is true, then Algren didn't die after the battle, but rather was reborn into a new life that no longer included war. And I would still call him a hero. The definition of a hero is not complicated. A hero is someone who risks their own life to save another's.

[@adrianfuegoscuro6308]

6:54 Samurai War Cry!! Chills everytime

[@billbill6094]

While the story plays a little fast and loose with historical details about the rebellion and the battle, especially the myth that samurai were against guns, it really is a beautifully told story. Tom Cruise demanded real Japanese actors be used to play the Japanese in the movie as Hollywood has a tradition of giving all Asian roles to Chinese actors who were more exploited by the industry and therefore cheaper. I also like how Nathan begins to heal. I see a lot of people reduce it to Hollywood Japanese mystification but there are so many reasons why his healing makes sense. He stops drinking to cope and is forced to confront and process his trauma without the meddling of an addiction. He meditates regularly which psychology has proven is a ubiquitously healthy practice that helps with nearly every mental illness/disorder, including PTSD. He has a support structure, he was on his own since a teenager at war but now he found a family, a culture, and a permanent/stable home for once in his life. He's surrounded by nature and keeps his mind busy by both learning Japanese swordsmanship and language learning, so goal priented exercise and activities. And it all shows in both his behavior and his fighting, when he hits the state of Mushin ("No Mind"). I don't necessarily think they were saying his PTSD was cured, just that he's learned better mechanisms to live with his trauma.

[@frankenstein3526]

Always enjoy watching as reactors dislike Ujio at first, then come to accept him as he trains Algrin in “the way of the sword” , and finally are cheering for him during the final battle… Hiroyuki Sanada really made the character of Ujio so memorable !

[@MrSiriusAB]

44:31 "I like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, and few of us ever find." With 'A Small Measure of Peace" by Hans Zimmer in the background 😭😭😭

[@reactswithjax]

Such a beautiful ending!

[@johnmc128]

. The character of Algren is very loosely based on Eugène Collache and Jules Brunet, both French Imperial Guard officers who fought alongside Enomoto Takeaki in the earlier Boshin War.

[@williambranch4283]

At that time, the peasants hadn't fought for 300 years. Japanese commanders are strongly motivated to win.

[@user-mr6qu8jr3i]

“I always feel so bad for horses because they don’t sign up for it”. It’s interesting that you said this, that was the exact sentiment of my grandfather when recalling his time in World War I (he served in the Canadian artillery). People started the war and people fought the war but so many horses died and they had no choice in any of it.

[@davidyoung745]

I’ve always liked this one. Too many people misunderstand and think the Cruise’s character was the last samurai of the title. But when the movie came out, he said repeatedly in interviews that Watanabe Ken’s character (Katsumoto) was the last samurai. I can never remember the actress’s name who plays the wife of the man Allgren killed…..but for years everyone would say my youngest daughter, Satomi, looked just like her.

[@OneVoiceMore]

The actor who fired Nathan in the early movie is a familiar-looking actor. William Atherton, probably most famous as Mr. Peck from the EPA in "Ghostbusters" Die Hard 1 and 2, (the asshole reporter) and "Looking for Mr. Goodbar."

[@tomaskennedy]

23:22 I think when everyone cleared the street for the Samurai, it was more out of respect than fear.

[@holgerokorn3164]

The American hero returned to the samurai village and impregnated the 500 widows. His grandchildren raided Pearl Harbor.

[@RoGueNavy]

That scene where the Samurai materialize out of the fog, gives me chills, every time.

[@GergC0521]

This is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The gentleman you kept referring to as "Custard" was actually Colonel Bagley. Nathan, speaks of Lt. Colonel George Custer (who was a General in the Civil War) as being a bad leader, leading his men to be slaughtered in Montana. Custer's ego (like Bagley's) and 700 men vs up to 2500 Native Americans. Almost 1/2 Custer's men were killed or wounded compared to only 30-100 from the tribal nations.

[@joshuawiedenbeck6944]

You can find photos online of groups of Samurai like it showed them taking towards the end of this movie. A lot of things you see in this movie loosely happened in real life.

[@lethalchocobo1886]

Nathan Algren is loosely based on a historic character, Jules Brunet. He was a French officer and an artillery instructor for the Shogun (Japan's military ruler), who actively participated in the Boshin war (1868-69), a rebellion led by the Tokugawa Shogunate against the Emperor Meiji, who's also present in this movie. The Shogunate opposed Meiji's policy to open Japan to the West, especially after the humiliating treaties the latter imposed on Japan in 1854 and 1858, and the ever decreasing influence of the nobles and the Samurai. It felt that that West could be an existential threat to the Japanese identity and way of life. Brunet fought on their side, and managed to escape and return to France after the Rebellion was ultimately crushed. Meiji is considered to be one of the greatest Emperors in Japan's history and the father of modern Japan. Nathan is not the Last Samurai in the movie, Katsumoto is.

[@Proteus2905]

"What is it about your own people that you hate so much?" "Just look in a mirror and you'll see."

[@J.Castle]

As a Marine who has done two tours in Iraq. I hated looking myself in a mirror when I was out. 😢

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

Our boy Yoshii Toranaga and Scorpion.

[@FeaturingRob]

If you liked this film by Edward Zwick, he has a truly impressive resume of films he has directed or produced... - Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Julia Ormond...this was the film that put Brad over the top as a star. A love story that is EPIC!!! - Glory with Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman. The story of the 54th Massachusetts, one of the earliest African-American regiments in the Civil War. Denzel won his first Oscar, Best Supporting Actor for his performance. - Jack Reacher: Never Go Back with Tom Cruise in his second and final outing as Lee Child's Jack Reacher, a former Army investigator. The role of Reacher is now in the hands of Alan Ritchson on Amazon's Reacher (who looks more like Reacher should look according to the novels). Still, Cruise does well in the role. - Courage Under Fire with Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, and Matt Damon (pre-stardom). - Love and Other Drugs with Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal - About Last Night with Rob Lowe and Demi Moore As a Producer: - Shakespeare In Love with Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Ben Affleck, and Dame Judi Dench. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Actress (Paltrow), Best Supporting Actress (Dench), Best Screenplay, and several others. This one is kind of controversial as many people didn't like that it took a lot of Oscars from Saving Private Ryan, the other big film that year. Many still feel both the film and Paltrow didn't deserve their awards. For the film, arguments can be made both ways. For Paltrow, I thought that Cate Blanchett should have won for playing Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth (which is the same historic figure that Judi Dench played in Shakespeare In Love, just older). - Dangerous Beauty with Catherine McCormick (Murron from Braveheart), Rufus Sewell, and Oliver Platt. This is a favorite of mine, and a true story of Veronica Franco, a courtesan and poetess from Venice during the Renaissance. - Traffic with Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, and Benecio Del Toro, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. About the illegal drug trade, and the war on drugs. - I Am Sam with Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer. A mentally challenged man fights to retain custody of his daughter (played at various ages by both Elle and Dakota Fanning).

[@desmawalker556]

That guy that you kept referring to as "Custer" 😆😂 is ACTUALLY 'Hollywood Royalty'. His name is Tony Goldwyn - and he's an INCREDIBLE Actor/Director that's been in SO MUCH STUFF it's ridiculous. On-screen, you'll remember him MOST for playing President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Grant on the popular t.v. show SCANDAL; as the love interest of "Olivia Pope". 🔥 (That's one series you might wanna react to on your channel). 👍😀 A few other popular roles of his were in GHOST, TARZAN (he was in the animated version), & GLORY. But, getting back to the 'Hollywood Royalty' thing.... He's the Grandson of Samuel Goldwyn; One of the Founding Members of MGM Studios (Metro/Goldwyn/Mayer).

[@chuckwilson4186]

The purpose of the photographer was to document what went on so generations would know what had happened .. he takes notes writes things down .. so he can put it in a book .. a “ history book “ this is how we know about our own civil war .. photography and diaries .. someone must tell the story

[@kenrobins6262]

"I will tell you how he lived." Great line. So glad you realized that Samurai can be plural and it's about their way of life ending. So many reactors wonder whether Katsumoto or Algren is THE last Samurai.