The Last Samurai

R

Released Dec 5, 2003

2h 34m

Adventure

Drama

War

Action

List

66%

221 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is an American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the government attempts to eradicate the ancient Samurai warrior class in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly affected by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds.

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Critics Consensus

With high production values and thrilling battle scenes, The Last Samurai is a satisfying epic.

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Kauã M

As much as we can see this type of plots a lot, "The Last Samurai" delivers an incredible experience despite the persares, Tom Cruise fits perfectly into the role, delivering a great performance in a somewhat elongated but captivating and well-directed plot.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/28/24

Full Review

Matheus p

Acho um filme bastante subestimado. Diferente de outros filmes épicos. Ele se atenta aos detalhes do idioma falado por cada personagem. E a mensagem que o filme passa, é linda. O roteiro é bom, a direção e fotografia são medianos. Resumindo, é um bom filme.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Karim L

"The Last Samurai" is an electrifying masterpiece that showcases Tom Cruise in a role like never before. He seamlessly becomes Nathan Algren, a haunted war veteran finding redemption in the world of the samurai. With an epic soundtrack that elevates every scene, unforgettable moments like the samurai emerging from the fog will leave you breathless. The film's gripping fights and genuine dialogue will have you on the edge of your seat. Despite any clichés, it's a journey that touches your heart and ignites your spirit. Don't miss the chance to witness this cinematic triumph!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/06/24

Full Review

Michal K

One of the best movies ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

Very B

In my personal ranking this movie is in second place and competes with such holy monsters as De Niro (first way) and Pacino, I consider it a masterpiece that in my case speaks to my soul. I don't know how many times I've seen it, I think it's around 50, I know the lines by heart but every time I watch it I punctually shed tears, it means it has an emotional power over me that at this point I'm curious to see when it runs out. The Last Samurai has a flavor of another time, the scenography and the music are one of the great feelings it leaves behind, but in front of Tom Cruise's performance one is left breathless, it is quite long but it is not noticeable because from the very beginning one is transported into that world and to that journey that the torn soul of the protagonist little by little is reconstructed in such a distant, formal but also natural culture. By the end of the film you feel the protagonist's feelings on you. Tom Cruise is crazy in this role and I still cannot get over the fact that he was not given an Oscar. Absolute must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Affleberry F

An All-Time favorite film. Quite possibly Cruise's best performance, at the very least one of them. Zwick does an excellent job directing. The biggest stand out, at least in my opinion, is the performance of Ken Watanabe. His portrayal of Samurai General Katsumoto is the prize of the film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

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Edward Zwick

Director

Tom Cruise

Capt. Nathan Algren

Ken Watanabe

Katsumoto

Timothy Spall

Simon Graham

Billy Connolly

Zebulon Gant

Tony Goldwyn

Col. Bagley

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Outstanding action and performance; lots of blood.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 28, 2010

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

It's easy to stand back and wax ironic about The Last Samurai. But it's not all that difficult to succumb to its full-spirited romanticism either.

Aug 25, 2008

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Competently mounted in its studiedly immersive, elongated way, Zwick's earnest costume epic dresses a knee-jerk, reactionary sensibility in exotic garb.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Anderson Jones

E! Online

Is a romance really necessary, no matter how ridiculous, just to prove the two male leads aren't in love with each other?

Apr 26, 2022

Full Review

Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

The Last Samurai delivers one of the stronger historical adventure epics of recent years.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 16, 2021

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Zwick's film idealizes the "noble savage" and denigrates modern society not from the point of view of a serious critique of capitalism, but in a misanthropic, right-wing populist manner.

Feb 15, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is an American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the government attempts to eradicate the ancient Samurai warrior class in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly affected by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds.

Director: Edward Zwick
Screenwriter: John Logan, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Radar Pictures, Warner Brothers, Bedford Falls Productions, Cruise-Wagner Productions
Rating: R (Strong Violence|Battle Sequences)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, War, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 5, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $111.1M
Runtime: 2h 34m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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