The Last Samurai

2003

Director: Edward Zwick

Distributors: Warner Brothers

Key Elements: Message – Symbolism

My Review:

Nathan Algren lost his soul while working for the American Calvary. He was ordered to slaughter Native American’s, and did so. The guilt of it haunts him.

And so he lives with hate. Hate for the men who gave him the horrific orders. And hate for himself for accepting it.

But then he accepts a new assignment – to train the westernized Japanese troops so they can overthrow the loyal Samurai traditionalists. When he is captured by the rebel loyalists, he is exposed to a new place, a new people and a new way of thinking.

He is reborn. The out-of-control man, has found inner peace.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free.
• I am beset by the ironies of my life.
• What the hell am I doing here?
• What does it mean to be Samurai? To devote yourself utterly to a set of moral principles. To seek a stillness of your mind. And to master the way of the sword.
• They are an intriguing people. …I am surprised to learn that the word Samurai means, 'to serve'
• The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.
• You believe a man can change his destiny? - I think a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed.
• I will miss our conversations.
• It was a good death.
• Tell me how he died.
  - I will tell you how he lived.

Stills: