The last samurai

Title:

The last samurai

Summary:

Tormented Civil War veteran Capt. Nathan Algren is coerced by a mercenary officer to train the Japanese Emperor's troops in the use of modern weaponry. Opposing this modernization are the samurai warriors who are holding fast to their traditions of honor, despite their strategic disadvantage. As a captive of the samurai leader, Algren learns, appreciates, and adopts the samurai code, switching sides for a climactic battle that will put everyone's honor to the ultimate test.

Audience:

MPAA rating: R; for strong violence and battle sequences.

General Note:

Originally released as a motion picture in 2003.

Special features: disc 1: theatrical film with commentary by director Edward Zwick; disc 2: deleted scenes with commentary; history vs. Hollywood: 'The last samurai' [History Channel documentary]; Tom Cruise: a warrior's journey; Edward Zwick: director's video journal; making an epic: a conversation with Edward Zwick and Tom Cruise; a world of detail: production design with Lilly Kilvert; Silk and armor: costume design with Ngila Dickson; Imperial Army basic training; From soldier to samurai: the weapons; Japan premieres (Tokyo & Kyoto red carpet); theatrical trailer; DVD-ROM web link.

Edition:

Widescreen ed.

Contents:

Disc 1: The Last Samurai: theatrical film with commentary by director Edward Zwick -- Disc 2: Special features : Deleted scenes with commentary; History vs. Hollywood: 'The last samurai' [History Channel documentary]; Tom Cruise: a warrior's journey; Edward Zwick: director's video journal; Making an epic: a conversation with Edward Zwick and Tom Cruise; A World of detail: production design with Lilly Kilvert; Silk and armor: costume design with Ngila Dickson; Imperial Army basic training; From soldier to samurai: the weapons; Bushido : the way of the warrior; Japan premieres (Tokyo & Kyoto red carpet); theatrical trailer; DVD-ROM web link.

Physical Description:

2 videodiscs (approximately 154 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.

Genre:

Feature films.

Video recordings for the hearing impaired.

Historical films.

Action and adventure films.

Subject Term:

Samurai -- Drama.

Soldiers -- Conduct of life -- Drama.

Geographic Term:

Japan -- History -- 19th century -- Drama.

Added Corporate Author:

Warner Bros. Pictures (1969- )

Bedford Falls Company.

Radar Pictures.

Warner Home Video (Firm)

Cruise/Wagner Productions (Firm)

Publisher:

Warner Home Video,

Electronic Access:

Connect to IMDb information for this film

Publication Date:

2004

2003

ISBN:

9780790782768

9780790782751

Publication Information:

Award Note:

Academy Awards, 2003: Nominated: Best Supporting Actor (Watanabe), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound.

Call Number:

DVD LASTSAMURAI

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003382820	Entertainment DVDs	LASTSAMURAI	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

Edward Zwick returned to the director's chair for the first time since 1998's The Siege with this sweeping period drama set in 19th-century Japan. After centuries of relying on hired samurai for national defense, the Japanese monarchy has decided to do away with the warriors in favor of a more contemporary military. Tom Cruise stars as Nathan Algren, a veteran of the U.S. Civil War who is hired by the Emperor Meiji to train an army capable of wiping out the samurai. But when Algren is captured by the samurai and taught about their history and way of life, he finds himself conflicted over who he should be fighting alongside. Billy Connelly, Tony Goldwyn, and Ken Watanabe co-star. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi