The Last Samurai **** (2003, Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, Timothy Spall, Tony Goldwyn) – Classic Movie Review 379

With a flash of his pearly whites and his big Samurai sword, Tom Cruise enjoyed in 2003 perhaps his most complex and demanding role so far as Captain Nathan Algren.

Having battled in the US Civil War, in 1876 Algren is hired to train the Imperial Japanese Army in its war against the last band of Samurai warriors. While fighting in Japan, Algren is seized by the Samurai enemy, but spared, and eventually, befriended by their leader Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), he falls under the spell of the warriors’ lifestyle and culture, and joins a bloody battle against the Emperor’s modern army.

Co-writer, co-producer, director Edward Zwick’s stunning, painstakingly realised epic is perhaps easier to admire than to enjoy. But there are lots of things to be amazed at: the scenery, John Toll’s cinematography, Lilly Kilvert’s set designs, the huge battle scenes and Cruise’s performance, his perfect skin and lovely hair.

Based on John Logan’s story, the screenplay is a little bit talky and draggy in places. But, with so many intelligent ideas and gorgeous images and lots of thrilling action, this heavyweight movie is overall still a heart-pounding experience.

Four Oscar nominations – best supporting actor (Watanabe), art direction-set decoration, costumes, sound – but no wins. Three Golden Globe nominations – best actor (Cruise), supporting actor (Watanabe) and score (Hans Zimmer) – but no wins. In a victory for Cruise’s lovely hair, it did win the best period hair styling award by the Hollywood makeup artists, though!

Brits Billy Connolly (as Zebulon Gant) and Timothy Spall (as Simon Graham) make an impression among the international cast.

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 379

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