THE LAST SAMURAI (2003) MOVIE REACTION Part 2

Part 1 - • THE LAST SAMURAI (2003...
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[@hydradominatus3641]

"Tell me how he died?" "I'll tell you how he lived."

[@OriginalPuro]

Tell me how he lived.* It's not a question, but a request.

[@jackson857]

One of the great movie lines.

[@soda5128]

이 영화에 모든걸 내포한 대사

[@mnomadvfx]

@Matthias Goth Not the point of the film. For all the pumping up of Algren's character he is basically an observer to the events in the same way that Spall's translator is. The point of the film is that Algren is an observer to the last of the samurai - Katsumoto and his people. Killing the observer before the end would kind of miss that point.

[@gaeljagger3231]

i guess im randomly asking but does anyone know a method to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the account password. I love any help you can give me

[@cesaralarcon5228]

This movie is a mix of 2 very real stories, one of the French officer Jules Brunet who went to Japan to train the samurai and ended up taking their side in battle and the last battle of Saigo Takamori the last samurai who had a last stand of a few hundred against the thousands of soldiers of the imperial armies, Saigo had initially fought for the emperor but he did not want the way of the samurai to be forgotten

[@Sd-cl6of]

It is one of the best movies ever made. Tom Cruise at his best. The soundtrack is one of Hanz Zimmers best. Yet, it never got the recognition that it deserved.

[@Etatdesiege1979]

The same guy that did the music for Glory. Amazing job.

[@runsnaked9253]

This movie bites bad. There is not one thing about it that's factual or true and Tom Cruise's acting was over the top and way to dramatic and the plot is both confusing and way to complicated that's why it never got any attention. May the Force be with you always!

[@benjaminandersson6269]

@@runsnaked9253 what, how is it complicated in any way ? It's true that you probably need to know the historical context, but that should honestly be basic knowlegde for most people. Also the entire situation is a historical event, since it's filmatized it's told as a fictive version, probably to tell a better story. So yes you could say the micro perspective of the story is fictive while the macro perspective is factual to a degree. It should go under the genre of fictive historical war films.

[@henrikandreason7261]

@@Etatdesiege1979 And Gladiator.. I mean, the dude has fire in his mind and hands

[@RyoHazuki224]

Yeah the music really hits me hard. So powerful and beautiful!

[@ThatShyGuyMatt]

This movie makes me cry endlessly everytime.

[@hades217]

Same, Fam. Every. Single. Time.

[@Alpha40M]

It’s hard for me cuz katsumoto looks like my father

[@miketheviking_]

*For Movie Not Actual History* Basically the shortest explanation I can give : The Emperors advisors as well as the Emperor wanted to modernize like Europe and America. His advisors told him the only way was to end the way of the Samurai (which were the emperors personal protection). The Samurai took this as a great offense and disagreed heavily. The Emperors advisors told him that if they don’t agree then they are disgracing him and a threat that needs to be stopped. Remember the Emperor is very young so his advisors know he can be easily manipulated. It took him a long time to figure out his own people where the threat and deeply regretted not finding out/ listening sooner.

[@juanantoniogragasin1685]

Little correction: The Emperor never wanted to remove the Samurai social class. It's just that Japan was adopting a lot of western technology, economic ideologies, and opening the country up for trade. Due to Japan opening it's borders to the rest of the World the merchant class (lowest class in feudal Japan) made more money and some of them we're even more wealthier than the Samurai themselves thus making society more equal in wealth and social status. The Samurai rebelled to maintain their social status. The Emperor never wanted to get rid of them, in fact he wanted them to change and accept new roles. It's just that the Samurai became obsolete to the rapidly changing Japan and they didn't like that. Ofc not all the Samurai rebelled just a handful of Samurai devoted to the old feudal ways.

[@miketheviking_]

@@juanantoniogragasin1685 Yes he didn’t want to because his master was Katsimoto. However he trusted his advisors and they said that the old ways are done and he never thought his own people would use/betray him. He listened to them and it took to the end for him to figure it out and stand up for himself. I was giving a real long short answer lol. Sorta brief points to get the overall picture of what’s going on. I would’ve gone into much greater detail if I explained everything but people would lose interest and it would’ve taken forever haha

[@juanantoniogragasin1685]

@@miketheviking_ oh you were talking about the movie, I was talking about the actual history hahaha. Ellie asked for historical context so that's why I felt your comment needed a correction 😆. Well in the context of the movie your explanation basically sums it up but mine focuses on the actual history.

[@miketheviking_]

@@juanantoniogragasin1685 yea haha I was just describing the movie.

[@Manu-rb6eo]

The real name of the shogun was Tokugawa 😉

[@FreyaofCerberus]

Anyone who can watch The Last Samurai and not cry their eyes out at the end is inhuman.

[@AbrahamLincoln4]

indeed

[@AtticusAng]

They just lack honour or do not understand it.

[@OriginalPuro]

That is simply not true.

[@hellowhat890]

The final battle sequence remains to this day one of my favorite movie sequences ever filmed. The resources and time to get all of the uniforms, outfits, and props... The time it took to plan the sequences. All of the training they had to do for the main characters and all the extras hired. Choreographing the battle on that scale and organizing it all. It was a massive undertaking that contributed to a really beautiful film.

[@MIZZKIE]

In another video, somebody wrote a very long comment about how amazing the HORSES in this movie are, and how well the staff were able to train them to do such dangerous stunts. Horses - despite how much we used to use them in war - are timid creatures, and it takes painstaking training to make them run towards loud noises and things blasting away. This movie doesn't cut cut cut cut cut action scenes like most Hollywood action movies to make up for their lack of skill, and you see a lot of horses falling down in dangerous ways without using dummies nor CG. After reading the comment, I re-watched the action scenes involving horses, and I was blown away. I just love how no matter how many times you've watched a movie, you can still learn new things from other people on KZbin who saw it from a different perspective. The other day, I discovered how much of an artistic masterpiece Kill Bill Vol.1 is (another one of my favourite movies).

[@richardtaylor1652]

They trained the extras pretty well to get the battle looking like two different armies fighting. All of the samurai extras were given sword, naginata and yumi training that would have been appropriate for the Shogun era. The Imperial army were given drill and bayonet training that would not have looked out of place in the 1870's. The result was the choreography really sells it that these are two distinctly different armies and different tactics and training. Still holds up even now.

[@davidgreene805]

I like the part where Katsumoto is dieing and sees the cherry blossoms - 'perfect, they're all perfect - he sees that everyone one is perfect (perfectly itself, for whatever each one's 'imperfections' are)

[@DarthLoki]

"I will miss our conversations."

[@AbrahamLincoln4]

damn that line hit hard... But was funny at the same time.

[@aaronvkim]

zimmer's score is STUNNING.

[@hellowhat890]

Hiroyuki Sanada is seriously one of the best Japanese actors. He plays the samurai role so well. Like, he trains Tom Cruise here in this film. He fights Jackie Chan as the main villain of Rush Hour 3 He befriends and fights alongside Keanu Reeves in 47 Ronin. He fights against Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine And he even has a short appearance fighting Hawkeye in Endgame.

[@Manu-rb6eo]

Sanada (something to do with the sanada clan ?) should have been Tokugawa oh sorry... Katsumoto in the film.... (Nothing against Watanabe but Sanada i think was better for the role) he also made twilight samouraï 😉

[@frankiehernandez6232]

It really pissed me off how they would waste a actor like him on a small role like that, he could have played a bigger role down the line but did him dirty by giving him a meaningless role and only a few lines.

[@saceurai6629]

He's playing Scorpion in the MK movie too :3

[@joreltawaris1736]

@@Manu-rb6eo ohh yeah, a great movie for my opinion

[@romelnegut2005]

@@Manu-rb6eo He's related to the Sanada clan but very remotely.

[@michaelriddick7116]

It was all manipulated by Omura, directly for his own (and his families) personal profit. The Emperor was weak and able to be heavily influenced. It why Katsumoto knew it would really take his death to get the Emperor to realize that he was losing what made Japan, Japan. Its also why the Emperor seized all of Omura's property at the end, when he tried to justify his killing of Katsumoto (the ninja assassins were hired by Omura) and attempts to profit from deals with foreign powers. When they charge the Gatling gun's I was always break down. Its so beautiful and utterly tragic at the same time 😭😭😭💔 Its such a beautiful movie. When Taka clothes him and helps him with the armor ... 💘💘💘💘 Talk about a VERY romantic and vulnerable scene jam packed with metaphor, that is literally the reverse of 99.99% of sensual scenes between a man and a woman. Clothes going on vs coming off. She believes he's going off to die and doesnt want him to go but is willing to help send him off to fight. Hans Zimmer's music score for it is one of the best I've ever heard. The blending of Western and Japanese instruments is just a perfect representation of the movie. 💓💓 I would recommend The 300 next :)

[@51TGM71]

You could also flip and say that Omura was the one doing all the work, buying up and taking land from the old landlords (Samurai) and then paying himself for this new army and getting all this new technology for Japan. But once the samurai was defeated the Emperor took it all from him, risking nothing and gaining everything.

[@Wolfen443]

That period of transition between Modern Japan and the Old was reminiscent of the U.S. Civil War in so many ways. That is why casting Cruise as an American Civil War veteran fits the story.

[@williambrown5662]

The Taka scene is the sexiest scene ever with no sex

[@michaelriddick7116]

@@williambrown5662 Its incredibly intimate. 💖

[@williambrown5662]

@@michaelriddick7116 when watching the movie, at that very moment she is the most desirable woman on earth

[@guesswho4327]

This is why we should never forget the "old ways" (tradition, culture, etc...)

[@gnsgml11]

Old ways are shit. There is a reason why new stuff always replaces the old.

[@vkdeen7570]

@@gnsgml11 a man who forgets where he came from has no idea where he can go

[@chadibelhidane6420]

​@@gnsgml11 Very wrong, the new stuff isn't always good, we all see how fucked up the world we're living in now, it's all messed up in every country even the powerful ones like China USA Russia European union... Don't do that again.

[@gnsgml11]

@@chadibelhidane6420 I was mostly talking about tech

[@mickylove76]

The old ways that still have a place in society...yes.

[@muhest]

“To know where you’re going, is to know where you’re coming from.” Omura was only interested in where Japan was going. He didn’t care about culture, tradition and lifestyle, unless he could profit from it. Katsumoto was not against progress, but he was against moving forward without remembering their heritage. That is why he rebelled. Not against the emperor, but the “advisors” surrounding the emperor.

[@victorcachat7984]

When you cry, I cry, even though I’ve seen this 50 times.

[@MIZZKIE]

I've seen it about 50 times as well, so I'm like "Heck, I've seen it so much so I'm totally fine with the sad scenes (whistle blowing)", but as soon as the gatling gun starts shooting, I start bawling every single time. LOL

[@RedKytten]

As a friend of mine pointed out when she first saw this. "It holds true to the traditions of American and Japanese filmmaking. The American character survives no matter what happens to him, while the Japanese characters all got good deaths."

[@david2012slayer]

10:54 Bob's death, what a badass death¡ Press F to pay Respect

[@EbefrenRevo]

Kasumoto order him to protect Green and he do his duty until the very end. Cant be more honorable and bad ass death than this. Respect. Maybe you cant judge a person for how lives, but certanly you can see valor of how died.

[@raymote9142]

F

[@TheRaptorSh00T]

F

[@bladea_boi5104]

F

[@Grabnarnar]

F

[@yoehonjohn4832]

I remember watching this with my Grandpa. Was a great way of showing Japan's belief and how Japans industrialization changed the Samurai. Some people just don't want things to change and the Samurai fought to keep there ways and belief.

[@Darkpara1]

They didn't really have a choice other than to modernize, big daddy America came swinging in with a couple of ironclads, guns, cannons, and basically said "you'll want to buy our shit or else" which forced a stark change in the whole culture. The Samurai didn't want to lose their status.

[@MIZZKIE]

@@Darkpara1 And it really really sucks to know that primarily America wanted to open up Japan just for the sake of them to have rights to go WHALING in Japan's waters. It makes it even worse by the fact that Americans/Europeans killed whales just for their oil, and would discard almost everything else, whereas Japanese people used every single part of the whale (wasting food is a HUGE no-no for us).

[@formatique_arschloch]

@@Darkpara1 And these days everything with quality and durability, comes from Japan. These days=past 40 years. And that's because of japanese people.

[@matheenarifkhn3548]

Samurai: Training for life to master sword skills🗡️ Peasant: Haha metal stick go boom.💣 Samurai: Years of academic training wasted

[@ajblackman]

Almost all of Edward Zwick's movies are masterpieces that made us cry.

[@CrazeeAdam]

I said it on the other part but both Tom and Ken (Algren and Katsumoto) deserved to win both Oscars this year. Their relationship and overall acting is just amazing and nuanced.

[@Lee-hd3gf]

The ending where he finishes his haiku 😢 “they are all perfect”

[@vincemiller682]

Katsumoto's death is one of the very best death scenes in cinematic history.

[@hatsiepatsie]

The comparison with Native American is about how the samurai feel about the foreign presence in Japan. The time period where this movie plays out is referred to as “Meiji restoration “where the emperor under pressure of foreign relations mainly the United States started to industrialize. This had a major impact on the culture. Some Samurai resisted against the overwhelming cultural impact. Fearing that it would lead them into conflict and subjugation by a western sociological philosophy and ultimately destroy the “soul of Japan “. There is also the issue that for hundreds of years the true rulers of Japan were the Samurai itself . By then they lost a lot of there influence and political powers over Japan an further modernization would make the feudalistic system of rule obsolete, thus ending the age of the samurai. Much like how the Native American culture was snuffed out previously. The reason why the emperor has difficulty intervening with this clash of culture is because he is seen as a spiritual leader almost as a divine ruler. Due to the political conflict impacting traditional rule he has great trouble taking a position between modernization and preserving the spiritual rule. Almost echoed by the same moral and political conflict left at the end of ww2.

[@whatareyoulookingat908]

Agreed. Though it was more out of necessity that they complied. I don't recall the particular but there was a story about a group of traders who were forbidden to land ashore and were threatened. An order by the captain and a volley of cannon fire struck the forest well behind the startle samurai. It was then known that their isolationism had made them severely outclassed and they had to update for their very survival.

[@henryyeung1729]

but historically, the discontent among Samurai is mainly about their privilege being abolished and political conflict. E.g. The Saga Rebellion is related to the coup in Meiji 6th year (1873). The coup is caused by political difference (foreign policy to Korea).

[@stefanforrer2573]

@@henryyeung1729 thank you... finally someone commenting without the rose tinted goggles on

[@hatsiepatsie]

@@stefanforrer2573 This is an entertaining movie and a romanticized work of fiction. Samurai spirit and code of conduct is always portrait as some sort of dramatic moral knights transcending anything selfless. In reality they were power hungry warlords. Quickly adapted to using firearms and no strangers to use Tactics that would be considered dishonorable. Still enjoyed the movie as a work of fiction though.

[@henryyeung1729]

@@hatsiepatsie Using gun powder has no conflict with Bushido. Bushido was never about preserving local culture but loyalty to the lord and family. Not to mention Bushido that modern people familiar with was actually kind of created and promoted by the Tokugawa regime.

[@Taliesyn42]

Gotta admit, I was hoping you'd include the shot where the Emperor offers Omura the sword.

[@ruKUSS_.117]

The term Samurai means "to serve". They served the emperor with whatever means necessary including their lives. The samurai felt they were moving too fast to modernize like Europe and the US. The wealthy liked the power and the Samurai were considered "the old way". People tend to forget who they are and where they come from when they want to move ahead too fast. It took a foreigner who accepted the Samurai way and embraced Katsumotos teachings to make the emperor realize he made a mistake in trying to erase their past and culture. That's why the captain tells the emperor "I'll tell you how he lived."

[@greatace3627]

I have to admit that I haven't cried at most of the movies I have watched until I watch Elle review them. For some reason every time she gets emotional I start getting emotional too. I have seen most of the movies she has reviewed numerous time with out getting any watery eye, but she makes sad when she does every time. It kind of makes me giggle to myself that this happens.

[@reecedignan8365]

So for the actual historical context to the movie. The movie is a combination of the events of the Meiji Restitution (this era spanned several decades) So a quick summary of the three big parts to this story. 1. In 1863 American ships forced the Shogun to open up Japan from its 200 years of self isolation (at the time the most powerful position in Japan, and while the emperor was above them, he held very little power compared to the shogun). They done this at cannon point. The Japanese people took this in a mixed way, many of the conservative elements such as the samurai were heavily against this seeing the Shogun doing this as an cowardice act, which prompted a political party in Japan who’s objective was to “expel the barbarians” - I.e Europeans traders and missionaries. However, while the emperor would back this ideology, he did find a small problem. Having sent out ambassadors from Japan to Europe and America they reported back a grim grim outlook. “If Japan doesn’t adapt now, it will die”. Not so much to being taken over but more due to the fact that Japan was still primarily a rural and feudal age society and them trying to complete with 19th century industrial powers would be their death. As such the emperor and his ministers began adopting a more “Western Technology, Japanese Spirit” view on things. However, the expel the barbarian party was still a big priority to him and the Shogun was a major opponent to this. Part 2 (The Boshin War): Clans of the south of Japan unite to overthrow the Shogun government and reinstate the emperor so he can toss out the barbarian Europeans. These southern clans were very conservative but also very advanced. While the Shogunate had bought a lot of firearms and cannon from the French, and had some drilling from European advisors, the southern clans had been a lot quicker to this. Having been buying British guns and cannon and military advisors for years. Essentially by the first major battle, the Shogun had a few well trained and modern units but the vast majority of its army was still old - some units still being equipped with arcabuses used from almost 200 years ago. This compared to the Imperial Army (the emperor after the first day of battle actually throwing his support behind these men turning them from being rebel clans into what would become the Imperial Japanese army) were well equipped, well t trained and disciplined and while less of their their rifled muskets and breech loaders out shot the shogunates. - essentially the Imperial Forces had made themselves into a true professional army with the buying of equipment and training from primarily the British but also some other European powers. The war would not last long and it would see the emperor restored as the head of Japan and its government and the removal of the Shogun for here on. However, you know how I said the Emperor supported this “expel the barbarian” ideology. Well like a lot of samurai, he had also come to respect much of the Europeans and their technology and ideals and after taking power instead of expelling them embraced them. Part 3 (The Satsuma rebellion): In truth the samurai rebellion didn’t initially start due to this alone. This did put a damper on most of these men who had fought for the emperor only to be told “yeah what we fought for had been changed” but they remained loyal. However, as society began to change more and more - the complete removal of Japans 200 year old Caste system being a big one. Yes no more samurai are samurai, peasants are peasants, merchants are merchants, now anyone can be anything. And many samurai did embrace this. Due to being forced to be essentially warriors they actually found that the merchant caste, the lowest of the low, had become so much more rich and regaled compared to them just due to the fact that samurai were not to be traders but instead relied on just base tax. Now many could become these merchants, and many peasants could become soldiers. Now, a big problem also was that the emperor didn’t want mass daimyo sitting around - essentially warlords - so he began removing/converting them. He’d either buy out their land through a wealth pension/offer or allow them to instead govern the land through the new Meiji government instead of as a solo clan warlord. This did sit well with many but some saw it as a crime to take their lands away from them. Finally what broke the camels back was a weird request. The leader of clan satsuma who had been a very loyal subject to the Emperor and was a complete devotee to the idea of western technology and militarisation was also someone who didn’t like the social changes. And what was his suggestion “to let us samurai go to Korea, take it over and run it as our own daimyo governments again but with loyalty to you”... yeah not going to happen, especially since doing so would also be seen as an aggressive act across the modern world and could reflect badly of Japan and its new European “allies”. Dismissing this Satsuma returned to his clan holdings and academies and essentially just continued to criticise the emperor through his silence and non showing. Insert rumours of a potential rebellion, the emperor sending down spies to check it out and a “weird” confession that said spies were assigned to assassinate satsuma. What resulted next was Satsuma gathering his academy soldiers (around 10,000 samurai. His army still refused peasants and anyone else to join them even in the baggage trains. Also to note they did have guns and cannons. They only stopped using them when they ran out of ammo). He also interestingly enough didn’t declare war against the emperor. No he wore his generals outfit and only stated that he was marching to Tokyo to politely disagree with the emperor, his actual war was with his other ministers (how true this is, is meh. In truth it was an excuse as to make sure he didn’t turn of all Japan against him for fighting the emperor). However, Satsuma did gain some more support with atleast 20,000 more samurai joining him. However, these samurai weren’t all here because of good intentions. Many of them were he because they’d spent all their pensions, they had failed to get new jobs, they had become bandits due to hard times, they wanted to reinstate the samurai class and all its benefits and rights (one right being they could legally kill any peasant who insulted them with no penalty - yes this is real right they had and many did use) Short version of Satsumas campaign. He lost every battle he fought and the Imperial Japanese Army who he was fighting (now primarily made up of trained peasant soldiers and ex-samurai officers - many having opted to stay in a military role as officers in this new army). This resulted in the last stands at Syinama where his 500 remaining samurai took on 30,000 imperial army soldiers. Satsuma was mortally wounded early during the second day and committed sepuku to retain his honour and his most loyal follower took his head and hid it away before joining the last 40-50 samurai in a doomed charge. They all died. Interesting enough Satsuma would be pardoned of his crimes several years later by the emperor and instead he was to be revered as to what it was to be a samurai and what it was to hold to a code no matter what. It was also the establishment of the Bushido within the new Imperial Japanese Army and why it pretty much remained their until Japans defeat in WW2.

[@williamsummerson1204]

Absolutely one of the most beautiful films ever put to screen. Tom cruise is at his very best, hans Zimmer's score is perfection and Edward zwick's direction is nothing short of a masterpiece.

[@jamezmcc]

This is some of Hans Zimmer's finest work. Incredible film and score.

[@fabiosana4303]

The soundtrack was amazing

[@jamesjr.1902]

history always repeats itself when dealing with traditions or customs. it usually begins from within and similar events took place in indigenous peoples, it took our own people who believed that traditions were against the need to change that initiated diminishing importance of our ways. this movie introduced many themes that correlate with my own traditions but the one that really stood out was the cutting of bun which means alot to our (dine)people. long hair represents knowledge, wisdom, and traditions, unlike mainstream western culture. thank you, it was fun watching with you again.

[@yojin4103]

Yeah, this movie really tripped me out when I first saw it. Being half Dine and half Japanese, this movie struck a deep cord within me because I saw many parallels between the struggles to preserve our culture/language/traditions vs the juggernaut of Western culture and their insistence of “modernizing” us “savages” (Native people/Samurai).

[@alexmag342]

@@yojin4103 Vae Victis, savage. The sons of Rome laugh at you crying weaklings

[@pointlessupdate]

@@alexmag342 Rome is dead.

[@Kestrel1971]

The story is very stylised even though the basic events are rooted in truth. The American role in all this was that they were part of a number of western powers that forced Japan to open to trade with the west and it was this event that made Japan realise that they couldn't compete with modern, foreign military forces and needed to modernise; simply put, there was no room for the samurai in a new, modern Japan. The Americans did not train the Japanese at any point - the Japanese modelled their navy on Britain's Royal Navy, and their Army on the Prussian Army. They acquired surplus western equipment and learned how to manufacture it themselves. They also allied with the British Empire (by far the most powerful military force anywhere in the world at the time) requiring both nations to come to the other's aid if attacked; this was considered crucial to Japan's survival.

[@SaRENRampaiger]

Basically, it's Japanese nationalism vs globalism at this point of the movie!

[@sirflappington2484]

This is one of my favorite movies and I am so glad you reacted to this.

[@OriginalPuro]

watched it*

[@Manu-rb6eo]

About 1500 the sengoku jidai begun, it was a civil war, the samouraï clans wanted to take the lead from the shogun. The shogun was a military leader, the emperor more a spiritual one. Tokugawa (katsumoto in the film) became shogun, this family cut all relationships with other countries, from 1600 with the battle of sekigahara, until 1868 (the years are not exact i know) Japan was isolated and no technology since the middle age. When the foreigners arrived the emperor wanted to take all the technology he could get, the shogun however thought the modernisation was to fast. The real influence were more from France and England. Then the boshin war begun emperor vs shogun. Napoleon 3 sent Jules brunet (tom cruise character) to help the shogun, the British helped the emperor. But no in reality the shogun didn't think he is helping the emperor, he was a rival. But the emperor was considered like a god so that's why in the film and reality people show him such a respect. I hope i helped a little bit to understand 😉

[@phueal]

The Samurai were feudal overlords at this time, and we should not lose sight of that. It's really brought home in this movie when they ride into the capital, heads held high and regular people scurrying out of the way (first scene in this part of the reaction); but the samurai are a direct parallel to medieval knights in the west, and they were propping up a feudal system which subjugated most of the population as serfs. Don't get me wrong, I love this movie, and I love the character of Katsumoto. But his opponents, the "bad guys" in the movie, were trying to abolish a dictatorship and create a (somewhat) representative government with separation of powers, economic liberalisation, etc., and Katsumoto is trying to prevent that and retain the feudal system of peasants and aristocracy. It helps to explain why the ordinary people of the capital were fleeing before the approaching samurai.

[@koba9161]

今から１５０年前に実際にあったお話です。政府軍３万対SAMURAI300で戦いました。日本人同士で! 貴女の涙に日本人として感謝いたします。

[@waynee5603]

"Perfect. They are all...perfect."

[@treyb6875]

It wasn't really about becoming "modern", it was about who would be the elites. Samurai used to be the ruling class, but businessmen took power in all the former warrior cultures. Japan was just later to the party due to long isolationism.

[@CoryGasaway]

I swear Ellie would cry during most comedies 😁😁 Get this woman a sponsorship from Kleenex!

[@phoenixsui]

This movie is really sad so yeah. Nothing wrong with that :).

[@CoryGasaway]

@@phoenixsui Oh I know. I love it. I'm not judging her. I just love how the smallest scene can make her breakdown. It shows she has such a heart of gold

[@iluvyummywaffles]

@@CoryGasaway She is the best reactor on the KZbins. You know when a character makes her mad, happy or sad. It is very genuine

[@Marcus-yu9ju]

@@iluvyummywaffles Really? didn´t see a single drop of tears

[@anouar3194]

@@Marcus-yu9ju it's called editing.

[@tonyandraza5662]

If you didn't get all the details of the movie, watch it again. And again. It is a really deep and wonderful movies and one of my favorites. While a lot of it is romanticized, it does a wonderful job of conveying the rich culture and devotion of the Feudal Japanese people and is a wonderful story not simply about a warrior coming to peace with his past but also finding a greater purpose in life in the wake of the great people around him.

[@tonyyul703]

in Martial Arts, you are trained to keep mind, your body and spirit insync with each other. The reason Nathan Augrien is SO GOOOD is because he's had so much experience in battle that he automatically aware of what his mind and body are capable of....

[@mimikurtz4061]

"automatically aware of what his mind and body are capable of....". Is that a paradox or an an oxymoron? Either way it's wrong. Keep practicing every day, get combat experience until most of your peers are dead/disabled, then try again.

[@soulking8034]

I don't know whether you will read this comment or not but if you do I am explaining you my understanding. Tom was a USA army captain and he killed many native American childrens and women. This act tormented him completely, he became an addict. But when he trained by them he learned about spirituality. He learned you live in moment and not in the thought. That's what he meant by empty mind, it means you are fully focused on the present moment and not thinking too much. People try to achieve it by meditation but Samurai try to live by it. He learned you can have respect and compassion even for your enemy, you are fighting for an idea and you are willing to die for it. They wanted the kind to adapt modern weapons but also maintaining samurai tradition but when Emperor didn't respond he understood, king doesn't need him anymore, so they fought for his tradition and died for it. Tom Cruise was so touched by it, he went back to the village as the last samurai.

[@michaelknigge2320]

Allot has already been said about the politics, and why Omura wanted the Samurai gone. And all of it is true to a degree. But there is a Point that seems to have been missed. The Samurai were the Political Elite. They were not only warlords who ruled Feudal Japan, but they were often Judge, Jury, and Executioners. The reason that swords were banned from being worn, was because a Samurai could legally execute you on the spot. Which in the eyes of western cultures, was a horrific thing. Omura wanted to modernize and be like Western Cultures. He wanted their help to do so. And of course be the architect of this change, and be the most powerful man in Japan. By manipulating the Emperor to bend to his will, and removing the Samurai who would stand in his way. The System in place, would not allow for that. So like all political weasels, Omura worked to remove the Samurai from power. The Emperor was a young man, and very easily manipulated. Through both political and peer pressure, they backed him into a corner. Making him terrified to speak up and defend the Samurai. But once the Samurai were killed, he realized it that his silence allowed Omura to do this horrible thing. He learned from his mistake, and finally stood up to those who tried to control him.

[@alucarddgrayson0141]

18 years later i can stil not find many movies who can make me feel like this movie does amazing

[@wasabichips933]

The reason why the Japanese government was in such a rush to modernize was because the country was closed (no Westerners allowed except the Dutch and occasionally Portugese) for 300 years prior to this, meaning they were essentially stuck in the 17th century in a 19th century world where all the major powers in the world were invading other countries and colonizing them. So, Japan knew if they didn't modernize immediately, they would become colonized like most of the other non-European countries in the world. They essentially went through the Industrial Revolution and French and American Revolutions within the span of a decade.

[@larrylouraylo2711]

Thanks. Great historical background. It is also worth mentioning that this drive to modernize eventually led to the Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and the attack on Pearl Harbor.

[@kamaal1509]

"This movie confuse me so much." She didn't even say that after watching "The Matrix" xD

[@anouar3194]

The matrix isn't that confusing.

[@hullmees666]

she maybe doesnt understand how japan was and is. its quite a foreign culture and a person who knows nothing about it may be confused. otherwise its not confusing at all. also the knowing a little about how modern japan came to be helps.

[@mimikurtz4061]

Unfortunately, when I watch a reaction or analysis I expect the host to understand what he/she is seeing/hearing. If I want to hear someone confused and clueless I'll just talk to a student.

[@CrazeeAdam]

I think because of the relationships between Katsumodo and the Emperor was tragic. He was the emperor's former teacher but now "enemy". When it was his advisors pulling the strings against the Samurai. Some things take a second viewing

[@jamesdick2580]

think one of my favorite parts of the battle is how even when his horse is speared and he flew off, Ujio rolled into it, gets back up, draws his sword and starts tearing into the enemy like a badass.

[@MIZZKIE]

Ujio is a BEAST. I bet in an actual 1 vs 1 sword match, he can beat Katsumoto. Just look at how fast he swings his blade! Scary stuff.

[@leonefurlan137]

lets not forget he shruggs off 2 bullet wounds to the chest,and keeps fighting! Total badass! (also the actor playing him is great,he was in Sunshine,Life,and new Mortal Kombat)

[@jamesdick2580]

@@leonefurlan137 he also did awesome as Musashi in the series Westworld and as Shingen in The Wolverine

[@leonefurlan137]

@@jamesdick2580 true! Never seen him in a "shitty" role!

[@jamesdick2580]

@@leonefurlan137 nope

[@mltorrefranca]

Thanks for reviewing this one. As for the Emperor, he was young, raised in a culture that defers to elders and superiors, surrounded by politically experienced advisors with their agendas. Emperor or not, that's a lot of weight to carry when leading an entire nation at a major turning point for the country culturally, economically, socially, philosphically, etc.

[@mltorrefranca]

As for the samurai being painted as enemies of the state, they were carrying out attacks against modernization like destroying railway efforts.

[@pointlessupdate]

@@mltorrefranca I think that the messege of the movie is that modernization always comes with a sacrifice and that the end result is not always worth that sacrifice.

[@MIZZKIE]

Somebody in another video said that Emperor Meiji was only 15. Like daaaayum, poor boy. No wonder he had no confidence.

[@YenAmiracle]

That’s why it’s quite common that eastern cultures use advice with death to their superiors/master. Especially in Bushido. Duty above all, death before honor. And perform your duty(ies) fully is the ultimate honor. So Algren offered the emperor: “Your highness, if you believe me to be your enemy, command me, and I will gladly take my life.” That’s a textbook faithful/loyal official’s behavior in Asian cultures, and the least requirement in Japanese cultures. Stupid? It really depends how people look at it.

[@hadrianbuiltawall9531]

This is one of those films were you shouldn't get attached to any of the characters. Nearly everyone likeable dies. The real tragedy (historically) came later. The US didn't like been told no so they "persuaded" the Japanese using gunboat diplomacy, ie they bombarded coastal settlements, sunk shipping and made life very difficult for the Japanese. So they won in the end any way.

[@Sayu277]

thw coastal bombardements were way earlier. the amercan gunboats came in 1853/54, in this film it's already Meiji. the gunboat diplomacy and the subsequent unequal treaties were primary reasons the ´bakufu fell in the first place and why the meiji government was so keen on modernising the country and its military force. It was to a large extend, to get out of aforementioned treaties and not become a colony or go the way of China.

[@RamboTuRkEy2224]

The samurai were the warrior royalty for almost a thousand years leading to this point. When the emperor wanted to modernize the samurai lost all power, which the samurai didn’t like, hence why they rebelled. They knew it was a lost cause rebellion but historically and portrayed in the movie they’d rather die than be ashamed or admit defeat.

[@kosmokenny]

This is actually heavily based on a true story, but backwards. Japan had a long history of being dually governed between a mostly figurehead emperor, and a militarily lead Shogunate. Foreign trade with anyone was banned with the exception of the Dutch being allowed to trade in one city only. In 1853, the United States parked a couple modern warships in Tokyo Bay and forced them to open trade and diplomatic relations with other countries. This created a flood of western ideas into the country and showed people just how behind Japan was. That started a big push for modernization from the Shogunate. The Emperors set out to take all of the power back from the Shogunate, beginning the Meiji Restoration, and kicking off a civil war with the Shogunate called the Boshin War. Thats where this movie picks up. What the movie gets wrong was it was actually the Shogunate who requested western advisors, and they requested them from the French and not the Americans. Tom Cruises character is based off of a Frenchman named Jules Brunet who was part of the group France sent to train the Shogunates soldiers. The Meiji government expelled the French for supporting the Shogunate, but Jules Brunet and several of his soldiers under him resigned from the French army to stay behind and continue to fight alongside the Shogunate. In losing the war, the Shogunate did succeed in changing the Emperors mind about expelling foreigners again, and set the modernization of Japan.

[@noname-dk7ri]

This film is about the Meiji Restoration, roughly 150 years ago. Yes, the relationship between the emperor and the samurai, history is a bit complicated, especially the confusion of this period is so complicated that it is difficult for people abroad to understand the emperor's position. In fact, the power of the Emperors was replaced by the Samurai about a thousand years ago, and the Samurai unified and ruled all of Japan. And basically, the nobles (the emperor's family) and the samurai had a parallel relationship, so to speak, with each also having different laws. Well, I can't explain everything here, but when the samurai world was ending, the emperor family was like a position used for the cause to end the samurai world about a thousand years after they lost their power. So they are symbols, but they do not have power. In other words, the emperor is like the national flag. The flag is a symbol, but the flag itself has no power. This is probably the background that is difficult for foreigners to understand.

[@philproffitt8363]

One of my favourite films...and one of Cruise's best roles. A respectful insight into the ancient culture and great story. A superb film I recommend is 'Man On Fire' with Denzel Washington. Again, a very touching film rooted in a more modern reality...and similarities with Tom Cruise's disillusioned character. I got a little obsessed with Denzel's films after this. Superb acting...also from child actor Dakota Fanning.

[@blainesjustchillin3509]

aww, I always wanna give Ellie a big hug when she starts crying. This move is super heartbreaking, but the best movies just definitely yank the emotions out of you

[@timclasen7042]

The Emperor at this time was actually only a spiritual leader. And you see he was very very young shy an unsure. But he had a loyal teacher Katsumoto. Japans Politic and especially economic was ruled by minister like Omura. And Omura become very rich on his own rules. So the samurai stand in his way not against the country. So Katsumoto has to be taken out. And the Emperor are helpless with a silent voice.

[@sixtuspettersson6059]

Whas it Ieasu Tokugava Shogunat that start THE JAPAN /NIPPON !!

[@MrZnarffy]

And the US had by force just broken the centuries old self isolation Japan had chosen, and wanted exclusive trade deals. The movie also shows the conflict between the old traditions and way of life, and the new modern society forming very rapidly. Japan went from a feudal state to modern industrial state very rapidly and it caused conflicts and an identity crisis....However as is shown at the end, this Samurai rebellion did spark a respect for the old traditions, which we still can see today....

[@joshuagrover795]

Emperor Meiji who came to power in 1867, (aged 15) probably had the tough job of all the Monarchs of Japan because when he took over, Japan was poor, isolated and very feudal, (unchanged in nearly 700 years). However, incredibly by the time his reign ended in 1912 Japan was a very modern industrialized nation and a World power who in the previous 17 years had decisively defeated China, (1895) and Russia, (1905) but because of these successes in war and at home during Imperial Japan, (1868-1945) Japan always struggled with an identity crisis of the past, but later in his reign Meiji did have a very strong personality that made attempts to manipulate him difficult by ministers, in short real power very much depended on the times and character of the Emperor.

[@lacasadehonor9408]

that was the problem with chinese history, the emperor was a kid and unexpert, china was really ruled by burocrats

[@sixtuspettersson6059]

@@lacasadehonor9408 This movie is about JAPAN :: NIPPON !! NOOOT China !!

[@AlexC-ou4ju]

I think this is loosely based off the real life story of the French military advisor Jules Brunet who went to Japan.

[@gk5891]

It was essentially a dispute about a modern open Japan vs a closed traditional Japan. They essentially went from a Feudal Society to a Modern Indiustrial Society in 50 years.

[@user-ro2cy8hg4c]

The original work of this movie is modeled on Japan's last civil war, the Battle of the South. The name of the model is "Takamori Saigou" My 4th and 5th generation grandfather has died. My fifth grandfather was a close friend and was retired at the time, and I just wanted to see the "Saigou" outing, but suddenly I brought my sword to my house and died. The fifth generation of his son fought until the end, and like the movie, he was "Harakiri" at the age of 25 and pierced the last SAMURAI. The two tombs are now sleeping in the same place as "Takamori Saigou.

[@texaspatriot4215]

You have the most genuine reactions of any I've seen on KZbin, nothing fake or contrived, just real emotions. I hope that you will continue these videos.

[@Edhelthindel]

Saigo Takamori is the real real samurai in whom the character of Katsumoto is based. The historical battle that end the Samurai' s era is called the Battle of Shiroyama. Is dificult to understand the great change that happen in that time in Japan. The country was closed to the world by centurys by the power of the Shoguns, the great samurai's lords. And the society was a feudal one. Similar to Europe in the Middle Ages. The Emperor want to change all that, modernice the country and finish the social class sistem. But to do that, he must put an end to the all traditions. "It's the nature of time That the old ways must give in It's the nature of time That the new ways comes in sin When the new meets the old It always end the ancient ways And as history told The old ways go out in a blaze Encircled by a vulture The end of ancient culture The dawn of destiny draws near" ("Shiroyama", Sabaton)

[@larrylouraylo2711]

Thanks for the historical background. It is also worth mentioning that there was an actual Frenchman who fought with the Last Samuari.

[@dallassukerkin6878]

One of my favourite films of all time, especially as I have been studying Japanese history for a great many years and have trained in the Japanese Sword Arts too - one of the few movies where I can watch the sword fights and name the techniques that are being used :D. It is also one of those movies that reduce me to a blubbering wreck too - I knew it would break your heart to watch and as the pivotal scenes were coming up I was mentally bracing myself because of how it would affect you :hugs:.

[@laszlodajka9914]

Historically as i recall they 'despised' samurai class cause Japan 'needed' to look modern and strong in the eyes of the international powers after realizing they are threatened by those same forces, see foreigners were conquering other parts of Asia and some parts of the high offices in the older system felt like they need to eradicate any traces of the past ways to avoid giving away any signs of weakness. Before the modernisation the upper class truly faced a long series of delicate situations where modern ships heavily armed appeared at the shores of Japan, and if they wanted they could have taken over the islands with their industrialized military forces.

[@k85]

What you saw and cried to at the end of the battle was something infinitely rare in the history of warfare. Extending a gesture of respect to the enemy, unsolicited, for fighting unbelivably well. The effort has to be so unfathomably impressive that it overcomes the hatred and dismissal as less than humans usually felt for the enemy, which usually just cant happen. The confusion in the movie is because the Emperor was not practically in charge. His corrupt prime minister was, due to his economic position and political connections, until he gave the Emperor a reason to condemn him, and when Katsumoto gained the undeniable respect of the military after the battle. Before that, the military was also under the prime minister's influence, but he humiliated himself at the battle.

[@alsale3207]

Sensitive Ellie, It's so good to be in touch with your emotions. In a way the culture is brutal and in another way it is innocent.

[@AitorZulaica]

I think I've never seen you so touched by a movie, it was a joy to watch someone who felt the movie as much as I did.

[@glenmcdonald375]

It was a tale about the need to progress and grow vs the need to remain true to yourself and maintain your identity.... The emperor was young and knew he needed his country to modernize in order to progress and survive... The samurai r eooted in tradition and codes of honour and refuse to compromise that (ie. Will,not change)... Advisors to the emperor used his inexperience and beweilderment to manipulate him enough so thdy can gain their power and profit while givibg him his modernization... Seeing the samurai are in their way, they were able to influence the emperor to decree changes that the samurai would not accept... It defied the samurai code... So the samurai refused to break their code and their honour so became rebels... Enemies of the state... If the emperor was wise or strong enough, or his state advisors werent focussed on personal agendas, a compromise could have been reached... But it becsme a clash of two ideals... Tradition vs progress... And the politics involved meant they could not coexist... So war/ rebellion was the result.... From this, the emperor grew and learned and was able to start making more knowledgeable and tempermental decisions and policies going forward... In the end, the samurai sacrificed themselves for the greater good and do their people will not lose their sense of self as they progress into the modern world... It was a final lesson of the samurai for their emperor...

[@jeffburnham6611]

The movie is loosely based on the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. The biggest issue for many of the Samurai was their decline in status and welfare if Japan adopted Western culture. For centuries, Japan was a strict caste society, with the Samurai near the very top.

[@DougRayPhillips]

The film is not totally historically accurate. But the general idea is, there's a faction of Samurai who believe that it will forever be their duty to protect the Emperor the same way they always have. With a strict code, that (among other things) rejects firearms. They oppose the Westernization of Japan, or at least some aspects of it. Then there's another faction of Samurai who've accepted Westernization/Modernization. That faction, and the Foreign interests and investors, have convinced the Emperor that the traditional faction is a threat. On a vaguely related note, looking ahead 60-some years, the Japanese forces in World War II were a formidable foe. They still embraced some aspects of the Samurai code, and they fought with the most modern weapons they could get their hands on. General Billy Mitchell, in the 1930s, tried to tell the U.S. military that the next big war would be conducted in a whole new way. Sea battles would be mostly fought by planes launched from aircraft carriers, rather than by ships firing at each other directly. And a plane with a large bomb could sink a ship, even with a near-miss, from the water-hammer effect. The U.S. military didn't listen to him, but the Japanese observers did. So, we had Pearl Harbor and Midway.

[@loboastur72]

I can't concentrate on reactions because Ellie's big eyes hypnotize me. She is a very beautiful and sensitive woman. When I see her cry, I get a terrible urge to hug her. She's adorable

[@edwardstowers7272]

I am always touched that the peasant soldiers all bowed out of respect to honor the samurais’ honor to fight to the end and walk their talk. Though the medieval samurai had to be removed to bring Japan into the modern (Meiji) era, the peasants still honored the samurai and their dedication to die as they lived. Bushido was the code of the samurai, and these men lived it to the end. Honor is big in Bushido, as is the concept of saving face. Loyalty is the highest honor. This is very Japanese, and even the soldiers new it. A 600 year era had just ended. The soldiers bowed out of respect. Always so touching to me.

[@galdramann2478]

One reason for the portrayed conflict is the obvious offence, that the samurai took for simply being abolished by the snap of a finger (surface level), another one is the breaking with tradition, the fear of becoming a soulless copy of a foreign culture. Japan was catapulted into modernity, in a manner of speaking, because they had isolated themselves for a long time after brief contact with the Portuguese. It was a gigantic technological and cultural leap, plus the introduction of Christianity. To break that hard with your own culture and from your origins creates extreme tension even in day to day life, because it is shaped by a myriad of aspects of your culture. A warrior culture without warriors and without their warrior philosophy (you should read "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi and "Hagakure" by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, for starters)... Some people are able to go with, others are not and some outright refuse to take in any sort of foreign influence. Every time great changes are introduced into a people in a short amount of time, hard struggles are bound to occur. (That's a very simple look into the matter.)

[@deardeer5215]

Great reaction, I know this would not be highly requested, you probably haven't heard of it, but you should react to Hostiles (2018). It is similar to this movie except it is about the conflict between the US military and the Native American tribes.

[@PaulSchober]

Don't feel too bad. I've seen this film a dozen times and I'm a huge fan of Samurai-era history and fiction, and I still tear up as you did when the soldiers who killed him all knelt at his death.

[@jozupiwa883]

It was not the emperor who wanted to end the samurai, he was Prime Minister Omura. The emperor of Japan was a decorative, sacred and ceremonial figure, he did not actually rule the country.

[@henryyeung1729]

If you are talking about history, that's not true. The emperor after 1867, before 1945 did hold absolute power and was more than a decorative figure. The historical term 大政奉還 and 王政復古 literally mean giving back the regime (to the Emperor) and restoration of ancient political system (Emperor ruling the country) system respectively. Emperor only lost his power after WWII. That's why some people questioned whether Emperor Shōwa should bear responsibility of launching war and war crime or not because he did held power.

[@edp5886]

You have such a pure, sweet heart - watching your emotions lets me know there is still good in this world.

[@MikeHunt-uz1qw]

I really enjoyed this film, but they did borrow heavily from a novel called "Shōgun," by James Clavell. It is based on a true story of an English mariner who was shipwrecked in Japan and became a Samurai. It involves intrigue between Portuguese Jesuits and Protestant English, who were vying for influence in Japan. There is a good miniseries from 1980 that is even better than this movie story-wise (it's 80s TV so the effects aren't very good and there is cheesiness, especially the music) worth reacting to. It is set in the 1600s. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2a3cqSnaJ6Bb7c

[@donlove3741]

No friend it's From real life. French officer that trained Imperial forces and lived his days out in Japan. PS Clavell asian saga Shogun , Taipan , Gaijin , King Rat Noble House and Whirlwind simply mind boggling Historical Fiction.

[@Manu-rb6eo]

The French helped the shogun Tokugawa (in the film katsumoto) the British were for the emperor during this called "boshin war", the fort of hakodate is a star fort build after French architecture. The leader Jules brunet send by napoleon 3 is completely forgotten in France, but in Japan.... Everyone knows his name. The samouraï had guns btw 😉

[@mashek331]

Don't worry, I also had tears in my eyes during that ending way back when I first saw it at the cinemas in 2003. How could you not? You come to love a people and their way of life (while highly idealised and romanticised) through the eyes of Nathan and in the blink of an eye it is all utterly ended.

[@tonyyul703]

to all Warriors............................................................................................................................. DEATH IS AN OPTION.................. IF WHAT YOU FIGHT FOR NEVER GIVE UP.... QUITTING ISN'T AN OPTION..... THIS TRUE FOR SAMURAIS AND ITS MOST CERTAINLY TRUE FOR MANDALORIANS.

[@morganrussell6783]

upon his last breathe, he is TRUELY SAMURAI 💯

[@michaelshultzinger4902]

WWII went much the same way. There were a core of advisors who basically manipulated the Emperor. Unless the man wearing the crown is very strong, the powerful men around him can render him nearly powerless. It wasn't uncommon even in ancient Rome, and even western European kingdoms for this situation to arise. As to the things you were having difficulty understanding about Samurai culture, read up a bit on Bushido. It will give you a much better understanding of what was going on, and why some of the fights went down the way they did, when retreating and regrouping and luring the modern army into traps would have been more effective. One last thing to keep in mind, this movie is to actual history about like romanticized fairy tales are to the actual conduct of European nobility of the middle ages.

[@susanmaggiora4800]

Japan basically HAD to modernize. If they did not, they would’ve been completely taken over by the American & European powers. The fact that they switched from what was essentially a medieval, feudal system, with no trains, guns, cannon or modern infrastructure of any kind to a modern nation in under 10 years is something that quite a few books have been written about. This samurai rebellion was just one of the many growing pains that took place during this period as Japan struggled to modernize quickly.

[@henryyeung1729]

The Japanese already used guns and cannons centuries ago. Back to 1543 a smuggling ship drift to Tanegashima and sell some Tanegashima (鐵砲) to Tanegashima Tokitaka , the ruler of Tanegashima. Since then guns spread over Japan and change the military tactics of Japanese. Guns and cannons played an important role in lots of famous battle of the Sengoku period

[@joshuagrover795]

Japan has always been a remarkable example of where after 1845 and 1868, (birth of Imperial Japan) where they adopted Western technology and standards and were the first country to use these resources against their pioneers during WW2 the time period of where this movie was set the 1870s, its incredible to believe that the Japanese within 25 years would absolutely humiliate and defeat both China in 1895 and Russia in 1904.

[@larrylouraylo2711]

Thanks for the background. For those interested in better understanding the drive to modernize Japan during the Meiji Restoration, there is a great Japanese docudrama called "Ryoma". Although the English subtitles aren't always accurate, it convincingly portrays the side of those who sought to modernize Japan. Watching both "The Last Samurai" and "Ryoma" provides a balanced perspective on that volatile period of history.

[@denabach]

The Emperor of Japan at the time was only around 15 years old, Katsumoto was his teacher. The young Emperor was easily influenced by his corrupt advisors and that's why the Emperor asked Katsumoto what he should do. He only realized after Katsumoto's death what his teacher was trying to convey to him and finally got some courage to stand up to Omura and the American representatives.

[@timclasen7042]

I think it very important and neccessary to remind such storys of the history of our world.

[@Fricai-Andlat]

Yes it's important to remind great historic events but this movie isn't really historically accurate. There is worst than this movie but samouraï wasn't that good people. We are talking about an elite group of nobles with a lot of privileges who are fighting (with guns by the way) to keep their privileges

[@dmwalker24]

The Samurai were not fighting the Emperor. From their perspective, they were fighting for the Emperor. His rule made major progress in dismantling class-based discriminatory systems. Regular people were included in the running of the government. But all of that went against the privileged position of the Samurai. The Emperor wanted to ensure that Japan would not end up colonized by, or subjugated to the west, and for the most part they weren't.

[@stephenmarshall1918]

You are such a sweetheart and your reactions are so real and raw, they were fighting the Samurai because of a word called progress and off course money. The Emperor was young and gullible and was fooled by his so called advisors but thankfully he woke up in the end. Very sad film and so well acted.

[@stt5v2002]

I am an American and I realize from watching your reaction that due to a history of trade, war, and alliances Americans might have a bit more of a familiarity with Japan than Europeans do. For over 200 years, Japan had maintained a very strict isolationist policy. This was abruptly shattered in 1853 when American ships sailed to Japan with intent to coerce Japan into opening trade with the United States. The Americans’ technology and weaponry shocked and scared the Japanese, who were still essentially a feudal society. Subsequently, some of the Japanese leadership pushed for aggressive modernization. But others resisted that idea and wished to maintain a more traditional way of life. This led to considerable conflict as depicted in this movie.

[@Dustyholes]

the final scene with the gatling guns is so brutal. You’re LITERALLY seeing the new way of life kill of the old way of life.

[@Nyarlathotep_Flagg]

It's complicated. But the Samurai were actually fighting against some of the industrialization(which you can consider understandable). They considered it to be ruining Japan and its culture. While the Emperor had to consider both the loss in culture, but also the parts it fixed.

[@Lazy_Swordsman]

As a new age begins The way of the warrior comes to an end As a new age begins The ways of the old must apprehend It's the nature of time That the old ways must give in It's the nature of time That the new ways comes in sin An offer of surrender Saigo ignore contender The dawn of destiny is here Imperial force defied, facing 500 samurai Surrounded and outnumbered 60 to 1, the sword face the gun Bushido dignified It's the last stand of the samurai Surrounded and outnumbered Until the dawn they hold on Only 40 are left at the end None alive, none survive Shiroyama

[@Ny-kelCameron]

Yup. The Last Samurai = tears.

[@evelynne2846]

When I re-watch this movie, I have a hard time watching the battle scenes. Sometimes I stop watching at the battle scene. The soundtrack/score is one of the best ever. I often listen to it. Enjoyed your review.

[@AJR-zg2py]

One of the best moments in a movie theatre I've experienced is when you think the samurai charge will be successful... only to have the triumphant music suddenly stop, and all you hear is the automatic fire from the gatling guns massacring them all. You could hear so many people sniffle and cry (and a few people saying "no!). So emotional.

[@jamesu1540]

It was the emperors corrupt officials who wanted progress (money for them) and so attacked the samurai who represented traditional japan and their values. The emperor was sheltered in his palace and only the officials had his ear so he did not know what was really happening

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

OK, let me help you out a bit about Japanese history in this moment in time. In the 1870s, the Japanese military was transitioning away from the old traditional and Medieval ways of the Samurai, Ninjas, and other soldier types, into a modern military that the rest of the world was using at the time. So when the Emperor announced that this was happening, certain tribes of Samurai rejected the modernization of the military and wanted to hold onto the old traditions. This clashed with the direction the country was going in, so they rebelled. The Emperor had to then put down this rebellion and these last hold out Samurai were then known as "The Last Samurai." The 1870s, were less than 10 years after the American Civil War of the early 1860s, so the tactics being taught to the Japanese military were mirrored from the American military at that time. Men with rifles, cannon, and gatling guns will always overwhelm bamboo armored soldiers on horseback armed with swords.

[@vicabramov8983]

in the samuri dream he sees the white tiger and the captain had the white tiger flag when he was captured - this was an omen that this man was important to the samuri - and in the end made the emperor realizes his errors . it's a great movie .

[@117rebel]

The emperor was fighting the samurai because he wanted to modernize Japan and the samurai was keeping Japan stuck in the past. But he respected the samurai.

[@rexcaliburn]

The Battle of Shiroyama where the heavily outnumbered samurai under Saigō Takamori made their last stand against Imperial Japanese Army. 500 samurai, compared to the Imperial Army's 30,000.

[@aryastark772]

One of the most underrated movies ever made