The Last Samurai

[Iron Chef]

Anybody who caught the recent Matrix Reloaded in theaters may remember seeing an enigmatic trailer for this film starring Tom Cruise and directed by Edward Zwick ("Glory", "Courage Under Fire"), off a John Logan script ("Gladiator"). Set for release on December 5, the film has Cruise playing a late 19th century Civil War hero hired by the Emperor of Japan to educate the country's troops in modern warfare techniques. This leads into a conflict between old and new as the Japanese samurai warriors -- who have been the country's protectors for hundreds of years -- rally against this new wave of militarism sweeping their land.

After digging around a bit, i've managed to uncover a few more details concerning the plot and it sounds like the main story revolves around Cruise as a U.S. soldier recruited to fight a samurai army in Japan only to be captured by the enemy and persuaded to fight along side the samurai warriors after adopting their philosophy as his own... Judging from the cool trailer devoid of any dialogue whatsoever, the film certainly sounds and looks interesting enough and should be worth seeing. Also interesting to note is that there are quite a number of Japanese actors and actresses involved with this movie, a few of whose names i've taken from the cast credits:

Ken Watanabe
Seizo Fukomoto
Masato Harada
Shin Koyamada
Shichinosuke Nakamura
Shun Sugata
Sosuke Ikematsu
Aoi Minato
Koyuki

Catch the official trailer here:

http://www.movie-list.com/l/lastsamurai.shtml

or check out the official website at:

http://lastsamurai.warnerbros.com/home.php

[CFP]

I saw the trailer and I think it might just be a good film. Can't wait to see it!:happy:

[senseiman]

I live in Himeji. Last year, Tom Cruise et al came to town for three days to film scenes for the last samurai. They used Engyoji temple on Shosha Zan as a setting. Its probably the only place in Himeji, outside of the castle, that could pass for 19th century Japan. I didn't get to meet Tom, as you can imagine there were throngs of thousands of girls waiting for him at the base of the mountain everyday. A few of my students got his autograph though. I saw the trailer too and it looks fantastic, I can't wait to see it. And, after you see it, if you want to see where it was filmed come to Himeji!

[Iron Chef]

Heh, sounds very cool. I'm glad to hear they are sparing no expense by actually filming in certain Japan locales in order to make the film look as authentic as possible.
:)

[senseiman]

I think it will be a really good movie. The temple they filmed it at is almost a thousand years old, with original buildings. Its really beautiful. I'm pretty sure they covered up the vending machines during the shoot.

I'm glad that hollywood is doing a Japanese themed movie that isn't about World war 2, karate, or Japanese businessmen taking over America. Hopefully this will be a good opportunity to expose a slice of Japanese history to a larger audience.

[Himura]

The movie seems to be interesting (esspecially for me, the ultimate samurai-fan!!! ;) )

[senseiman]

If anyone is interested in seeing the temple where they filmed the movie, you can see a picture of it at the temple's website at:

www.shosha.or.jp/

I'm not sure how much of the movie was shot there, Tom Cruise was shooting there for 3 days anyway.

[SKiNiToToRo]

Wow Senseiman, those pictures are stunning! That makes me want to see the film more than the trailer did. Should be a good movie I reckon, everyone loves the Cruiser!

[Chipi]

I canｴt wait to see it either!! ^_^ Now I just have to lure someone to watch it with me...(most of my friends just want to see movies like Hulk...how "exciting" ;))
All though, I have my suspicions on the plot...and Tom Cruise in it. I think heｴs a gorgeous man, and a good actor...but as a, samurai ?!?
Iｴm more interested in the scenes,the music,the costumes,the athmospere,the landscape...

[hotani]

yeah, my first impression after seeing the trailer was: "tom cruise is 'the last samurai'???" c'mon!

I would like to see it though, looks interesting.

[jspecdan]

I already like it. actual japanese actors!

[Seppuku]

this is kinda off topic but has anyone seen the movie shogun? its kinda has to tdeal with the same thing. this english man comes to japan(supposed to be the first or the enlgish to go there) he gets captured but learns japanese becomes freind with one of the huge lords who gives him his own army,town,temple ect. its about 8 hours long and it goes really in more depth then i have said, but i found it to be really good. one of the good points(could be bad depending on how you look at it) is that all the japanese speak in japanese with no sub, except for the englishmens translator, and she usually translates what is bieng said but not all the time

[Iron Chef]

I remember watching James Clavell's "Shogun" miniseries when it first aired some time back (starring Richard Chamberlain). It was very good at the time.
:)

[arnadstephen]

I can guess some of the movie.
Probably typical Hollywood stuff
===========================================
--> Tom Cruise meets a princess/queen and they have
a love affair
--> The love affair is already doomed, she is promised to someone else or engaged
--> The Tom Cruise person is a perfect gentlemen, not racist, not angry, just perfect in all ways
--> The Japanese he is helping are awe-struck by Western Technology
--> They, most of the Japanese are liars and cheats or just dumb, and back-stab the Tom Cruise character
--> One general is a nice guy who is also perfect.
--> A big battle at end where the Tom Cruise characters saves the day at the last minute.

HOLLYWOOD IS NOW A FORMULA, WITH GOOD COSTUMES AND SPECIAL EFFECTS. NO MORE THAN THAT

SORRY TO BE SO CYNICIAL, BUT HOLLYWOOD
PLAYS IT SAFE, AND SERVES %99.0 OF TIME
THE SAME FORMULA's OVER AND OVER

Last great movies from Hollywood:
->The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
->Fight Club
->Donnie Brassco
-> Memento (2001, Maybe n-o-t Hollywood)
-> Monsters, Inc. (Animation 2001, very good animation)
.

[senseiman]

Yeah, Hollywood sucks, but I'm still looking forward to the movie. Tom Cruise's character fights on the loosing side of the war, so maybe there won't be a happy ending.

[justin]

It looks like a great movie. I love samurai movies and the pictures of that temple are great. I really like the one of the temple during the winter.

[senseiman]

Yeah, I actually just went hiking up to that temple yesterday. It was over 30 degrees and humid so I almost passed out from the heat, but it was a great time. The grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu is buried there, which I hadn't realized before. I'd really like to go there in the winter and see it with snow, but it only snows once or twice a year and it melts within a few hours, so you have to be on your toes if you want to catch that view.

[neko_girl22]

I really want to see this film too ;) but, I bet it takes ages to come to Japan.....
Alot of the film was filmed in NZ - A Mountain, Mt Taranaki I think.. looks a lot like Mt Fuji.
Cruise loved our fish and chips :)

[senseiman]

It was filmed in New Zealand too? Cool, I guess the scenery must be similar to Japan's, only New Zealand's probably isn't covered in concrete and power lines. I think its coming out in December in Japan.

[phoebe]

I have not seen a Tom Cruiz movie for a long time. I think this is going to worth watching.

[neko_girl22]

actually NZ and Japan are quite different - except I've heard Hokkaido looks a bit like NZ , but I've yet to go there so I can't say. I think it was filmed in NZ cos it's cheap and the mountain does look a lot like Mt Fuji. It's so great to see these big movies being made in NZ!!!
I wanted to go and see Whale Rider (NZ film) - it's just arrived in Japan, but - it doesn't come to Kagoshima!! NO FAIR!!! I hope The Last Samurai makes it this far .....

[Iron Chef]

"I can guess some of the movie.
Probably typical Hollywood stuff
===========================================
--> Tom Cruise meets a princess/queen and they have
a love affair
--> The love affair is already doomed, she is promised to someone else or engaged
--> The Tom Cruise person is a perfect gentlemen, not racist, not angry, just perfect in all ways
--> The Japanese he is helping are awe-struck by Western Technology
--> They, most of the Japanese are liars and cheats or just dumb, and back-stab the Tom Cruise character
--> One general is a nice guy who is also perfect.
--> A big battle at end where the Tom Cruise characters saves the day at the last minute."

I recently saw a Dateline exclusive that featured Tom Cruise being interviewed in Japan by Katie Couric. Trust me when I say the movie will be nothing like what you've mentioned above. I could drop some spoilers but where's the fun in that? Check it out for yourselves people when the film premiers next month... You won't be dissapointed with this one.
:)

[senseiman]

I just saw the movie at a special sneak preview screening last night and I thought it was fantastic. Undoubtedly the best hollywood movie about Japan ever made.

Like you say Iron chef, it avoids all of those pitfalls and stereotypes about Japan. I won't spoil it for anyone, but the acting and sets were fantastic. And the story was quite good too. The charecters aren't just a bunch of stereotypical hollywood creations. The Japanese charecters are quite authentically portrayed, and the love interest is played out in a very subtle Japanese way. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house at the ending!

Much MUCH better than Shogun. I highly recommend it.

[neptunemoon]

Aww i missed that interview cuz i had class. I cant wait for that movie to come out. Ive always wanted to go to a japanese temple it must be so peacful. I just love nature

[senseiman]

Mountain temples in Japan are really fantastic. I live quite close to the temple where a lot of the Last Samurai was filmed (Engyoji temple, about 40 minutes from my place by bicycle) and it is an amazing experience to spend a day up there.

Coincidentally, I just this minute got back from a hike up to another temple on a neighboring mountain called Zuiganji. Its one of the oldest temples in Japan, but was burned down in the 16th century so most of the buildings are only about 300 years old. Quite a nice way to spend a day. I get on my bike in the morning, ride through about 30 minutes of ugly urban landscape and then suddenly you hit the mountains and the sea of concrete and plastic ends. Then you can spend a couple hours hiking through the forests and up the mountains and eventually you are rewarded with the sight of some of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Can't get that back in Canada, where I am from!

[lita hayata]

saw the trailer, and the site - GREAT!!
when will it be released?

and it's not only because i'm a girl and he's cute, but tom cruise's been trustworthy!

[Carolgirl00]

WoW. This movie sounds really great so far! Does anyone know what it's rated? Probably R, though because of fighting, right?

[senseiman]

I think the official release date is December 6.

Don't know what it is rated. The violence isn't too graphic though. Definitely recommend it.

[Porl]

Im really looking forward to this film! I saw the trailer about a month ago on the apple website..then last week on the big cinema screen! it looks ace ace ace!!

Im really wanting to see it now, especially after watching Seven Samurai yesterday ;) :happy:

Porl''

[senseiman]

If you like Seven Samurai, then I definitely think you will like this film.

[mad pierrot]

Well! Here in Wakayama, Japan, they just showed "The Last Samurai" during a special promotion this weekend. Although I didn't go see it, everyone I know who has said it was great! I remain skeptical, but so far so good! Official date here is Dec. 6th.

[Uncle Frank]

December means "THE" movie is coming and my wife and I can't wait !! Also Kill Bill part 2 and Xmas all in one month !!

:happy: :D :eek: :bluush: :p :cool: :clap:

A Very Excited Frank

[Iron Chef]

Don't forget the highly-anticipated LotR: Return of the King. December will be a good month indeed for film buffs... I'm glad to hear early reports from those of you who have seen it that the film confirms my suspicions that this one may finally get Tom the Oscar nod if it's as good as I think and hope it will be (he's never won one to date).
:)

[silver angel]

Want to see it !@_@!!!

[mdchachi]

> Does anyone know what it's rated? Probably R, though because of fighting, right?

Yes, it's rated R.

[senseiman]

Lord of the Rings doesn't come out until February in Japan!

Cruise was good in the movie, but I thought the Japanese cast stole the show. Ken Watanabe was great.

[shiningblue]

yah i really dont think that this movie will fail to please if you have watched glory or know anything about the meiji revolution or the satsuma rebellion then you know the hollywood ending does not apply
i have been looking forward to this movie for about a year since i first heard that they were doing a movie about japanese history
btw...the plural of samurai is guess what...SAMURAI...not samurese, or samurais or -es or anything like that so if anyone is put off thinking that tom cruise is the actual last samurai i dont think that it was intended

oh yeah i also read an article in kung fu magazine saying that the action choreographer made sure not to make cruise godlike at swordplay since he was only supposed to have trained on the katana for a year in the movie...anyways go ahead and support the movie and go see it on Dec 5th!!!

[neptunemoon]

this month I'm going to be very broke and gonna need alot of dates to see all these good movies coming out.

[Eve]

the movie rocks man...its also sad..made my gf cried

[Iron Chef]

I loved it. In addition to solid performances all around, both the cinematography and the original score were very well done. The entire film conveys such powerful emotions...
:)

[neptunemoon]

Man if it made her cry it might make me cry. Havnt found anyone to go see the movie with me yet.

[Iron Chef]

So just go by yourself. The film is definitely worth seeing imho.

[Pete_SJ]

I loved it.

I loved the way Zwick staged the arrival of the Samurai in the forrest. He shot it at eye level with the foot soldiers. So you are looking at a distant misty covered area. You hear all these noise coming from that place. And out of the myst comes the Samurai riding on horse back, brandishing swords, banners, bow and arrows. You definately get a sense of why the soldiers ran for their lives when they saw Katsumoto's Clan.

[Uncle Frank]

The movie struck me as being produced by Japanese instead of Americans. Kinda like they stuck Tom in the movie as a draw to Americans and make more money. 99 % of the movie seemed to be Japanese actors and gave a Japanese viewpoint on things. The few American things and actors thrown in were not anything to be proud of.
I do wish there had been more on the relationship with Taka; although the ending lets your imagination see good things happening!
Anyone who has an interest in Japan will enjoy this flick if you remember it's a movie, not a documentary.

Frank

[lineartube]

I've heard that looks like a Dances with Wolves shot in Japan... :D Don't know if this is a good or bad thing, though I liked Dances with Wolves.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to see it.

[Uncle Frank]

Dances With Wolves bumps into Shogun and go to see Ran togeather!!
Hey, if ya live long enough all movies seem like copies, remakes, and re-runs from ones ya saw years before.

Frank

:o

[senseiman]

I actually liked the fact that the love story with Taka was kept so low key, seemed a lot more authentically Japanese that way. Nothing worse than having some cheesy overblown hollywood love scene spoil an otherwise excellent movie.

[MeiWAkU]

i really wanted to take my mom to see that for her birthday...but then something very tragic happened the day before her birthday. but i will see it.

[MeiWAkU]

@senseiman
i know what u mean..it's kind of like spiderman.

[senseiman]

Yeah, Spiderman was a good one.

And if you look at Star Wars Episode 2, you'll see what I mean about crappy overblown love scenes ruining movies. Not that that was a good movie to begin with though.

[Hidden_Wisdom]

Wow,this MOVIE is great, this has to be one of my favorite Samurais movies i have seen in a while,Well i felt they captured alot of the elements in old japan.The movie was never to fast or to slow,it gave every infomation at the right time creating a great enviroment.:bow:

[x2468]

yeah this movie was the best! i recomend it to everyone. tom cruise actually acted well in this one. i liked and my family liked it, and they aren't japan fans.

[neptunemoon]

i liked it and i didnt have to go alone yay

[Eve]

yea this movie roxs

[kov]

Originally posted by arnadstephen

HOLLYWOOD IS NOW A FORMULA, WITH GOOD COSTUMES AND SPECIAL EFFECTS. NO MORE THAN THAT

Last great movies from Hollywood:
(snipped)
-> Monsters, Inc. (Animation 2001, very good animation)
.

LOL you've got em rolling in the aisles here. Monsters, Inc. wasn't formulaic?????? Not that my 2-year old doesn't love it, but still ...

[Porl]

I saw The Last Samurai last night. Wowzers!!! I thought it was amazing! like someone posted above, it wasn't too slow or too fast. It didn't drag at all. The fight scenes were so good! I had goose bumps when the Ninja's attacked!!

I think i might go and see this film again. I will definetly be getting it on DVD when it comes out!!!!

-goes off too look up buying the soundtrack-

Porl''

[Beatnik]

I liked this movie alot, it had great direction, acting, music and action. Of course its sad that the only way the West can see a movie about another culture is by sticking an American in the main role, but thats to be expected, Hollywood doesnt have alot of imagination or guts left in it these days. I didnt used to like Tom Cruise, but ever since seeing him in Magnolia I've respected him for taking daring roles, he's ok in my opinion.

Now, if you want to see two even better Samurai films, that are more historically accurate than The Last Samurai, then I point you in the direction of recent Japanese films: Twilight Samurai, and When The Last Sword Is Drawn. Both movies were just awesome in the protrayal of the Samurai era and both tend you make you misty eyed in the last half hour (especially Last Sword).

[Chipi]

The movie finally had itｴs premi駻e in Finland, and of course I went to see it...a perfect birthday- The movie was great, it was beautiful. I agree pretty much with Beatnikｴs comments.
I was really afraid that the "american aspect" would ruin the movie with some movie clich駸, but, it didnｴt. I had a great time watching this movie and I was _so_ excited too..i love samurais :)
The only thing that a little bit annoyed me during the movie was the neighbours we had in the theatre...some 60 year old posh people who just couldnｴt keep their mouths shut..they made some noices etc.for example during the tender kissing scene in the movie..

But right now I canｴt wait to see the movie again.

[Onigiri Chan]

Hmm, I heard this movie got HORRIBLE reviews...though I cannot imagine why. I went to the theater expecting to be thoroughly disappointed. I was really shocked when the credits started rolling and people started standing to applause (guess they were funky Japan freaks like me?) I was among them...which is even more shocking still, because i've gotta' be the most critical movie watcher...
I really loved it! Everyone should see it, and if they haven't then...DEATH!