The Last Samurai

Name: The Last Samurai
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
Released: December 5, 2003
Duration: 154 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Billy Connolly, Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise

2003

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 43 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 383 Ratings

See All

8.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 383 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Last Samurai

Now Playing: The Last Samurai

Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 5, 2003 | R

Starring: Billy Connolly, Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise

Summary: The paths of two warriors converge when the young Emperor of Japan, hires a Civil War veteran (Cruise) to train Japan's first modern, conscript army. As he encounters the Samurai traditions, the troubled American soldier finds himself at the center of a violent and epic struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his sense of honorThe paths of two warriors converge when the young Emperor of Japan, hires a Civil War veteran (Cruise) to train Japan's first modern, conscript army. As he encounters the Samurai traditions, the troubled American soldier finds himself at the center of a violent and epic struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his sense of honor to guide him. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Director: Edward Zwick

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 154 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Empire Will Lawrence

The Last Samurai is much more fun than a mere history lesson. Read full review

Kirk Honeycutt

Hugely satisfying entertainment that will attract a broad spectrum of audiences around the world. Zwick fully exploits the star power at his disposal, pairing off Cruise and Japanese star Ken Watanabe as two larger-than-life warriors. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Cruise's undeniable star voltage makes it all palatable, and the film is gorgeous to behold and even to listen to, from the rolling green hills to the galloping horses to the "Lohengrin"-like theme music on the sound track. Read full review

Peter Rainer

The Last Samurai is an idyll in which the savageries of existence are transcended by spiritual devotion. That’s a beautiful dream, and it gives the film a deep pleasingness, but the fullness of life and its blackest ambiguities are sacrificed. Read full review

David Ansen

There are pleasures to be had in the handsome, heroic The Last Samurai. But they' all on the surface. Read full review

Scott Tobias

What it lacks is artistry, those small touches of personality that might have distinguished its lugubrious history lesson from a bunch of pretty pictures with captions telling the story. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Cruise pedals hard through The Last Samurai, and the exertion shows. In fact, the whole picture is belabored and lumbering. Read full review

SEE ALL 43 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Riboflavin7

Jul 15, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of my favourite films. Despite not being historically accurate and having quite a few Hollywood stereotype characters and death scenes. This film really drew me into the character and his journey. As someone who suffers from depression, seeing someone who is all but a broken shell of himself; traumatized by his past and is actively looking to kill himself or get killed. slowly find peace with themselves and find meaning in their lives, something to live, fight and die for. It makes you hopeful watching it. This is a film thats helped me a lot so in my eyes deserves a 10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MrDavidBen

Sep 14, 2014

A beautifully told story with a focus on a number of emotions and feelings setting apart the honour of the Samurai and the modernization of the country they still longed to protect.

The film has an abundance of feeling and emotion with brilliant performances from a range of characters onA beautifully told story with a focus on a number of emotions and feelings setting apart the honour of the Samurai and the modernization of the country they still longed to protect.

The film has an abundance of feeling and emotion with brilliant performances from a range of characters on both sides and the stirring soundtrack of Hans Zimmer. I do not understand how critics could give this film such a bad review, the movie is clearly story driven with the plot not being entirely historically accurate. Most critics probably see the box with Cruise as a samurai and just pass it off as him being some random samurai American and tossing it to one side.

The Last Samurai is very much focused on Katsumoto, one of the last great rebels against the newly modernized ways of Japan, intent on fighting for the emperor and protecting him from such change. Zwick delivers a brilliant story which is paced well across the duration of the film giving the audience a chance to view the conflict from both sides.

Personally this is one of my favourite films of all time and I say that without really needing to doubt it, any film that sucks you in from the start and provokes and emotional response surely must be doing it's job correctly.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

rodericrinehart

Aug 14, 2010

This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I don't even like Tom Cruise. I'm not sure why the critics are so far off the users on this one. It is well worth a view, even for a Cruise hater.

13 of 17 users found this helpful134

xxxxxxxx

Feb 21, 2009

Although this movie, as well as almost every other, does not have an original idea, this movie is an astounding display of culture and reality. This movie has been slammed by several critics for Tom Cruise's role. My personal belief is many critics and people do not like Tom Cruise and Although this movie, as well as almost every other, does not have an original idea, this movie is an astounding display of culture and reality. This movie has been slammed by several critics for Tom Cruise's role. My personal belief is many critics and people do not like Tom Cruise and therefore take it out on the review. While I may not be one of Tom Cruise's fans, his acting was amazing for the part.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

annbd

Jul 7, 2018

Although the storyline is known to the audience, the film still achieved its effect. Thanks to Tom Cruise, The Last Samurai turns to be brilliant and beloved by most of the people, because of it's charm, beautiful details and great directing. It's like the infinite number of war films. TheyAlthough the storyline is known to the audience, the film still achieved its effect. Thanks to Tom Cruise, The Last Samurai turns to be brilliant and beloved by most of the people, because of it's charm, beautiful details and great directing. It's like the infinite number of war films. They are many of them and many new films continue to be made on the same subject. And regardless of the well known subject, if they are made good, they are successful. I give 8/10, because of it's long runtime.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

FilmQueen

Oct 10, 2015

This movie is great. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is is interested in this culture. In fact, I would recommend it to anyone who just wants to watch a beautiful film. It communicates certain spiritual messages, which either you like or not,but the film is enjoyable either way.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

leaveit

Apr 9, 2015

Preceded by Dances With Wolves which was preceded by Lawrence of Arabia, succeeded by Pathfinder and Avatar, this Mighty Whitey film focuses on Japan for its narcissistic and unrealistic boast of cultural tolerance. Look at Tom Cruise's haircut in the poster. Now google "chonmage." There,Preceded by Dances With Wolves which was preceded by Lawrence of Arabia, succeeded by Pathfinder and Avatar, this Mighty Whitey film focuses on Japan for its narcissistic and unrealistic boast of cultural tolerance. Look at Tom Cruise's haircut in the poster. Now google "chonmage." There, now you never have to see this movie.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

SEE ALL 68 REVIEWS

16	#16 Most Discussed Movie of 2003
25	#25 Most Shared Movie of 2003