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The Last Samurai

Play trailer Poster for The Last Samurai R 2003 2h 34m Adventure Drama War Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
65% Tomatometer 216 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is an American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the government attempts to eradicate the ancient Samurai warrior class in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly affected by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds.
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The Last Samurai

The Last Samurai

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Critics Consensus

With high production values and thrilling battle scenes, The Last Samurai is a satisfying epic.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 28, 2010
3/5
Outstanding action and performance; lots of blood. Go to Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Aug 25, 2008
It's easy to stand back and wax ironic about The Last Samurai. But it's not all that difficult to succumb to its full-spirited romanticism either. Go to Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Jun 24, 2006
Competently mounted in its studiedly immersive, elongated way, Zwick's earnest costume epic dresses a knee-jerk, reactionary sensibility in exotic garb. Go to Full Review Anderson Jones E! Online Apr 26, 2022
Is a romance really necessary, no matter how ridiculous, just to prove the two male leads aren't in love with each other? Go to Full Review Tony Black Cultural Conversation Feb 16, 2021
4/5
The Last Samurai delivers one of the stronger historical adventure epics of recent years. Go to Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site Feb 15, 2021
Zwick's film idealizes the "noble savage" and denigrates modern society not from the point of view of a serious critique of capitalism, but in a misanthropic, right-wing populist manner. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Terry S @RT84781810 5 days ago Even after all these years it has not lost its impact. Worth watching again! See more Raul R @RT38829054 Oct 5, 2026 It perfectly portrays the atrocities committed by white Americans, maybe that’s why they didn’t like it so much but this is a master piece. See more Max M @Househuntermax Sep 29, 2026 Top notch fight choreography and epic battle scenes with a great story behind it. It’s Braveheart in Japan. Awesome movie highly recommend. See more Kye S @RT44448666 Sep 24, 2026 Good story nice long movie great action scenes and a amazing perform Tom cruise See more Lee J @Wisew08 Aug 22, 2026 ​시작부터 끝까지 단 한 번도 몰입이 깨지지 않았다. 톰 크루즈의 압도적인 비주얼과 연기는 물론, 장면 하나하나가 너무 예뻐서 눈을 뗄 수 없었다. 미군 장교와 사무라이 문화의 참신한 결합, 거침없고 매끄러운 전개, 그리고 완벽한 결말까지 단 하나의 아쉬움도 찾을 수 없었던 완벽한 작품이다. ​From start to finish, the immersion never broke for even a single second. On top of Tom Cruise’s breathtaking visuals and performance, every single frame was so stunningly gorgeous that I couldn't look away. With its fresh blend of an American officer and samurai culture, fast-paced and seamless story progression, and a flawless ending, there wasn't a single shortcoming to be found. Pure perfection through and through. See more Renaldo D @RT30888824 Aug 14, 2026 It’s a film that always sticks in everyone’s mind when the end of the samurai era is discussed. See more Read all reviews
The Last Samurai

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Cast & Crew

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Edward Zwick

Director

Tom Cruise

Capt. Nathan Algren

Ken Watanabe

Katsumoto

Timothy Spall

Simon Graham

Billy Connolly

Zebulon Gant

Tony Goldwyn

Col. Bagley

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Movie Info

Synopsis Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is an American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the government attempts to eradicate the ancient Samurai warrior class in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly affected by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds.
Director
Edward Zwick
Producer
Tom Cruise, Tom Engelman, Marshall Herskovitz, Scott Kroopf, Paula Wagner, Edward Zwick
Screenwriter
John Logan, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Cruise-Wagner Productions, Radar Pictures, Bedford Falls Productions, Warner Brothers
Rating
R (Strong Violence|Battle Sequences)
Genre
Adventure, Drama, War, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 5, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$111.1M
Runtime
2h 34m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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