The Last Samurai (2003) Full Length Reaction
Added 2021-12-27 14:06:29 +0000 UTCSuch a grand historical epic and I really liked it!
I wonder how much of this movie is based on real events and people, I will definitely need to look it up. I would love to hear if any of you know more about this.
Tom Cruise, handsome as ever, does a great job in this, but the most interesting character for me was Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) and his acting was superb also!
It was heartbreaking to see what happens when Old World meets New World and to see there is just no place for a Samurai in the modern world.
Let me know if there are any other historical epics I should check out!
Thank you for watching along with me :)
⭐A very special thanks to Producers: Baldielox, Kai Dahlmann, CBonius, MattN
Comments
1876 is 100 years after the USA became a country (in 1776). The term "orientals" is considered racist but I remember being used 50 years ago in Texas when I was a kid. When I first watched this movie years ago, made me want to to go to a temple in Japan with the cherry blossoms. I have been to Japan twice, but not in the cherry blossom season. Trivia: The title of this movie does not refer to Captain Nathan Algren or Katsumoto. The word "Samurai" here is in its plural form, and referrs to Katsumoto's clan as a whole.
Clay F
2023-12-03 17:00:39 +0000 UTCIf you've ever heard Tom Cruise attempt accents, THAT's why it was changed to an American. That being said, great movie, great reaction. I typically find a disconnect between Tom Cruise and his female costars, but I really loved the relationship between him and Koyuki (the actress who plays Taka). A lot deeper than you typically find in his "love stories". This movie, however, belongs to Ken Watanabe in my opinion. Such a soulful performance, and the way he communicates with his eyes as effectively as he does is a very rare thing in actors. Some other Tom Cruise recommendations: Jerry Maguire Collateral Magnolia Eyes Wide Shut All the Mission Impossible movies (aside from 2)
Gary Giaimo
2022-04-10 17:05:05 +0000 UTCOh cool. Yes Edge of Tomorrow is another good one Ienjoyed. I akin that to be like a mixture of Source Code, Groundhog Day and Starship Troopers! 🤣 Yep, by still to watch, I mean your reaction of Rain Man. Dustin is obviously amazing in that. I'd say that would be tomorrow night, but Sunday nights I'm always waiting for DW from another channel. We are at a exciting point in the series. Yes Dances stars Kevin Costner, as does Field of Dreams which I referenced the other day. You'd definitely enjoy both of those. Cassie certainly did.
Daryl
2022-02-27 00:03:55 +0000 UTCI'd like to see Tom's stunt work in Mission Impossible series (plus I am a huge fan of the old TV show!). I did just watch Edge of Tomorrow which will be coming soon and I really enjoyed it! He is great in Rain Man, which I have a reaction to here 👍👍 I'd like to see Dances with Wolves too, that's Kevin Costner?
Jen M
2022-02-26 23:43:57 +0000 UTCTonight we have.... Yet another absolute classic. I've watched this film a fair few times. Then a few more times with reactions. Perfectly scored! I read through the comments and it was interesting to learn some bits I didn't know. Braveheart is another solid choice. So are •The Last of the Mohicans •Dances with Wolves I also like •The Man in the Iron Mask Tom's an interesting fella. I wanna say this is probably my favourite of his films. But then I think about.. Rain Man, which I've still to watch. Some others are... •A Few Good Men •Collateral •Jerry Maguire Then there's •Knight and Day, which is just a bit fun really.
Daryl
2022-02-26 22:47:25 +0000 UTCUpon looking into it I don't think I did see Braveheart!! My mom told me we had the VHS but that I was too afraid to watch it as a child lol! I'm putting it on the list to watch right away!!! :)
Jen M
2022-01-11 20:17:06 +0000 UTCThank you for that info!! Honestly it puts my heart at ease about the horses-- my editor texted me too saying she felt so bad for the horses so I'll make sure I show her this message 👍 I was in New Zealand a few years ago, so beautiful! I can totally see why they filmed it there!! 💙 I did see Beaveheart as a child but I really don't remember it at all, except the blue face paint. I'd LOVE to watch it again 👍👍
Jen M
2021-12-29 02:52:57 +0000 UTCOne of the "Manly Tears" series of films for sure :) Such a beautiful film. Hans Zimmer as usual bringing the music. Glad you liked it. Oh and I can probably put your mind to rest about the horses - at the end of the credits of each movie you get that "No animals were harmed during the making of this film". That descriptor has to be vetted by the American Humane Association (although some movies do try and use it without following the guidelines, and then get sued). If it's used properly, it means there are AHA reps on site that are involved in the stunt planning and execution. The horses will be stunt horses, carefully trained to fall. Of course it doesn't mean there aren't accidents or horses/stunt people never get injured, but it's fair to say that there is a great deal of care taken with stunt work on films of this size. There are a few stories that influence the movie, but the closest is about a Frenchman named Jules Brunet, who did end up fighting on the side of a separatist force in Japan. He wasn't captured, so much as the Shogun he was sent to help was overthrown and his forces became rebels against the Emperor. He decided to stay loyal to the shogunate and fight on with the rebels. He openly admired a warrior named Hijikata Toshizō, and the two fought together against the Emperor. There's a few other influences, but really the plot is fictional - yet powerful nonetheless. 1876 is firmly in the "Wild West" kinda period. 100 years after the US became a country, and just over 10 years after the end of their own civil war. Katsumoto's vision at the beginning is a fierce white tiger fighting off several opponents, when he sees Algren doing this, he treats it as an omen and decides to take him prisoner. I did laugh when you said at the beginning battle "Oh Tom Cruise needs a suit of armour like that!" referring to Hirotaro's red armour :D "Braveheart" is another emotional rollercoaster like this (with stabs and slices, of course - as well as an excellent score). Another movie with Zimmer's music and Ken Watanabe (Katsumoto) is Inception, with a lot less stabbing. I've not been there, but no doubt Japan is beautiful - although I can also say that this movie was mostly filmed in my country, NZ :)
crawlie
2021-12-28 22:06:18 +0000 UTCThank you! ☺
Jen M
2021-12-28 13:29:48 +0000 UTCThanks Matt ☺
Jen M
2021-12-28 13:28:34 +0000 UTCI haven't seen this in a long time, so I am glad I could swing back and rewatch it. Great reaction!! And it really knows how to pull the right heart strings and get me good at the end :P Also, that sweater is awesome <3 It is great seeing you back on my dash *plus* extra Boston content always puts a smile on my face! :D
MattN
2021-12-28 08:52:04 +0000 UTCHollywood doing Hollywood things, would be my guess ;)
MisturSmith
2021-12-27 17:53:54 +0000 UTCVery cool, thanks for the info Andreas! The story definitely has a vibe like it is based in real history. Interesting that it was changed to an American in this movie... I wonder why?
Jen M
2021-12-27 17:13:45 +0000 UTCI love this movie to death. One of my all time favorites. To answer your question about whether or not its based on real events, the answer is "kinda". The rebellion, a western officer being sent to Japan to train soldiers, him eventually siding with the rebels - thats all real events. Though the officer was Jules Brunet, a Frenchman, as the Shogunate specifically asked Napoleon III for help. The story in the movie is mostly made up, but the major events, battles, concept and characters are based on real events.
MisturSmith
2021-12-27 16:36:34 +0000 UTC
