The last samurai cast and crew cast photos and info. The last samurai is a 2003 american epic war film directed and coproduced by edward zwick, who. Nov 29, 2016 what makes the last samurai special, beyond those insane worldwide numbers and that it contains an incredible secondact action scene involving honesttogoodness ninjas, is that the movie opened. Cruises character algren is a decorated veteran of the civil war whos lost his soul. There is very little foul language, but be warned, the violence can be extreme. I think that, while the film is better than most american movies at showing japanese culture, it is still pretty romanticized. This beautifully crafted star vehicle serves one of americas modern screen icons, and tom cruise not only rises to the challenge, but carries the film into the history books with great dignity. Jul 28, 2019 wikimedia commons a painting of samurai rebel troops done by none other than jules brunet. Africanamerican film critics association aafca 2003. The international premiere of the last samurai was a challenging experience. Best supporting actor ken watanabe, best art direction, best costume design, and best sound andy nelson. The last samurai 2003 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. Algrens samurai training scenes and many fights are choreographed and shot with great skill and are rousing pieces of action. Actioner about an american soldier who takes his fighting skills to japan.
Nov 30, 2003 the last samurai is as rich in period and historical background as it is deficient in fresh dramatic and thematic ideas. Then, after its obligatory run on tnt, the tom cruise vehicle disappeared into relative obscurity. The last three chinese movies nominated for an oscar and shown in movie theaters around the world are. Jan 30, 2019 and while searching the awards history for the film on imdb, i came across an awards show from 2017 called the all def movie awards. How was the movie the last samurai received in japan. Jan 30, 2004 although certain critics have maligned tom cruise for his role as both star and producer of the last samurai, not to mention that the film was conspicuously passed over in oscar nominations for the big four best picture, best director, best actoractress, and best screenplay, in my estimation, the last samurai outshines them all. Wikimedia commons a painting of samurai rebel troops done by none other than jules brunet. Hes internationally reknowned awardwinning actor and a skilled martial artist.
Not sure how america is the hero of any culture in that movie. Once nursed to health, he learns to know and respect the old japanese way, and participates as advisor in katsumotos failed attempt to save the bushido tradition, but omura gets repressive laws enacted. A westerner tom cruise learns the ways of the samurai in the 1870s. Though its been largely forgotten by pop culture, edward zwicks 2003 film the last samurai is absolutely worth a revisit. In 2003, edward zwicks the last samurai earned four oscar nominations, but went home emptyhanded. List of awards and nominations received by tom cruise wikipedia. Best supporting actor miglior attore non protagonista the last samurai 2003 kinema junpo awards.
More often than not, subscribers arent aware of a movies availability until its. It was a lot more like braveheart meets seven samurai with elements of inculturation a bit reminiscent of wolves and seven years. The cinematography for the last samurai and its production design are excellent, expressing a poetic respect for the japanese culture, land, and history. May 19, 2016 in 2003, edward zwicks the last samurai earned four oscar nominations, but went home emptyhanded. Italian online movie awards ioma 2004 nominee ioma. Mifune is perhaps the only iconic japanese actor to achieve international fame, and for a period in the 50s and 60s, he was the biggest movie star in japan, thanks largely to a series of samurai. Hollywood again fails to learn the lesson of tom cruise. The last samurai cast and crew cast photos and info fandango. Hollywood again fails to learn the lesson of tom cruises. Posted on may 14, 2017 january 5, 2018 posted in california, live events, movie premieres, westwood tagged alyssa milano. Tom cruises character exists as a vehicle to deliver the story. The last samurai is a 2003 american film directed by edward zwick.
In order to prepare for the role of captain nathan algren in the last samurai, tom cruise endured months of strenuous physical training while at the same time trying to get inside his character. In 2003, edward zwicks the last samurai earned four oscar. The last samurai is a pretty solid, although underrated film. Why tom cruises the last samurai is totally underrated inverse.
Pressed to destroy the samurais way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, algren decides to. The title of the movie is the last samurai but the japanese ideograph which overlays it just says samurai. The meiji emperor was leading a cultural shift, away from the feudal traditions of japan toward a more modern, western approach to life. Dec 26, 2017 the last samurai 2003 koyuki interview.
If there was a problem with last samurai, its that it had the misfortune to come out in a year when it wasnt the only game in town, says mark harris, who is following the awards race closely. Directorcoauthor edward zwick imbues every part of the screen with respect, even majesty. The action is well done, and the fusion of old and new, as well as the many ideologies throughout the movie are delivered in an interesting and enjoyable fashion. To optimize your experience with your screen reading software, please use our website, which has the same tickets as our and websites. Hired by the emperor of japan to train japans first modern army, algren finds a kindred spirit. And while searching the awards history for the film on imdb, i came across an awards show from 2017 called the all def movie awards. The last samurai was one of five winners of the most out of place white person in a movie award the other winners were aloha, gods of egypt, doctor strange, and the great wall. In the case of the last samurai, though, while watanabes character is not the protagonist, he is the movies soul. As a captive of the samurai leader ken watanabe, algren learns, appreciates, and adopts the samurai code, switching sides for a climactic battle that will put everyones honor to the ultimate test. Academy awards for best art direction for set decoration 2003.
In 2003, edward zwick s the last samurai earned four oscar nominations, but went home emptyhanded. It has been compared to lawrence of arabia and dances with wolves, films in which westerners learn to respect arabs and indians, but this film goes a step further, clearly believing that katsumotos traditional. The last samurai by edward zwick edward zwick, tom cruise. Nov 25, 2010 the international premiere of the last samurai was a challenging experience. The last samurai ist ein historienfilm des us amerikanischen regisseurs edward zwick aus dem jahr 2003. Dec 05, 2003 it was a lot more like braveheart meets seven samurai with elements of inculturation a bit reminiscent of wolves and seven years. How true to history is tom cruises the last samurai. The last samurai is a war movie set in 19th century japan. Posted on may 14, 2017 january 5, 2018 posted in california, live events, movie. Nominations for the 76the annual academy awards were announced today. May 23, 2012 the last samurai is a war movie set in 19th century japan. Honor samurai swords for sale are 38 78th inches overall in length. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the last samurai near you.
Aabest art directionset decoration nominated academy awards for best costume design 2003. Tom cruise stars as nathan algren, a veteran of the american civil war and the campaigns against the american indians, in the course of which he served under general custer. Best supporting actor the last samurai 2003 asian film awards. The opening voiceover refers to the creation of the japanese islands by a divine sword.
The last samurai presents a timeless story of honor in the cinematic tradition of akira kurosawa. What makes the last samurai special, beyond those insane worldwide numbers and that it contains an incredible secondact action scene involving honesttogoodness ninjas, is that the movie opened. In the case of the last samurai, though, while watanabes character is not the protagonist, he is the movie s soul. See which distinctions were awarded to the last samurai, 2003, directed by edward zwick, with ken watanabe, tom cruise, william atherton. The last samurai breaks with the convention that the western hero is always superior to the local culture he immerses in. The drama went on to be nominated for four oscars at the 76th academy awards, including in the supporting actor category for ken watanabe. The last samurai has some outstanding action scenes and memorable performances, but its greatest strength is its scope. In the last samurai, tom cruise plays tom cruise playing a civil war captain who moves to 19thcentury japan.
He is a large part of the true story behind the last samurai. The scene where she helps him dress for the final rousing and saddening battle is touching and sweet, and filmed with decency. The film stars tom cruise, who also coproduced, with timothy spall, ken watanabe, billy connolly, tony goldwyn, hiroyuki sanada, koyuki, and shin koyamada in supporting roles. Notice how the samurai have both western and traditional equipment, a point of the true story of the last samurai not explored in the movie. Hero 2002 was nominated for best foreign language film. The drama went on to be nominated for four oscars at the 76th academy awards, including in the supporting actor category. The epic reach of the movie is grounded in committed and thoughtful performances, especially watanabe and koyuki as taka, his sister. The opening voiceover refers to the creation of the. Jules brunet and the true story behind the last samurai. Why tom cruises the last samurai is totally underrated. Edward zwicks the last samurai is about two warriors whose cultures make them aliens, but whose values make them comrades. To put in a good word for the interviewer, he was the first person representing a university to interview actor tom.
Rarely does a movie have excellent acting across the board, but all the japanese actors were outstanding, and the americans and europeans were excellent. With high production values and thrilling battle scenes, the last samurai is a satisfying epic. Premiere of the last samurai red carpet photo archives. The following is a list of awards and nominations received by tom cruise throughout his acting career. Starring tom cruise, ken watanabe, william atherton, chad lindberg. In this movie which would have made the taliban traitor, john walker lindh, proud, algren chooses to betray the army who employed him. Academy awards adrien brody alison brie angelina jolie anne poulin athletes california catherine zetajones celebrities charity benefit charlize theron diane keaton elvis. Nathan algren tom cruise is an american military officer hired by the emperor of japan to train the countrys first army in the art of modern warfare. The last samurai is a 2003 american period action drama film directed and coproduced by edward zwick, who also cowrote the screenplay with john logan and marshall herskovitz. No hollywood historical epic is accurate, although almost all are based on a wellknown story or a particularly important.
Opposing this progress is a rebellion of samurai warriors, holding fast to their traditions of honor despite strategic disadvantage. It was directed by edward zwick glory, courage under fire, defiance and released in 2003. The paths of two warriors converge when the young emperor of japan, hires a civil war veteran cruise to train japans first modern, conscript army. If there was a problem with last samurai, its that it had the misfortune to come out in a year when it wasnt the only game in town, says mark harris, who is. It was nominated for academy awards for best supporting actor kenneth watanabe, art direction, costume design, and sound.
The last samurai is as rich in period and historical background as it is deficient in fresh dramatic and thematic ideas. Cruise was nominated for a golden globe award n the best actor category for his portrayal of captain algren. Much of the last samurai hints at the cultural poisoning that was being done to japan in that era. Tom cruise nathan algren is a former us army captain, and a bitter alcoholic traumatized by the atrocities he committed during the great sioux war. Starred in the last samurai with tom cruise, and he actually taught martial arts movement to cruise for the movie. Although certain critics have maligned tom cruise for his role as both star and producer of the last samurai, not to mention that the film was conspicuously passed over in oscar nominations for the big four best picture, best director, best actoractress, and best screenplay, in my estimation, the last samurai outshines them all. Very little of the praise i heaped on cruise the first time around rang true. Badly wounded, algrens courageous stand makes the samurai leader katsumoto ken watanabe spare his life. In recent years tom cruise is most known for his action movie roles such as mission impossible, the last samurai, and jack reacher. Then, after its obligatory run on tnt, the tom cruise vehicle disappeared into relative.
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