Last Samurai

[Clive Sinclaire]

Gentlemen

Does anyone know the full name of the fencing instructor who gave Tom Cruz a good kicking in The Last Samurai. I think it is HIRO.....?

Thanks

Clive

[Klop]

Clive,

 

you were right about the Hiro...;

 

Hiroyuki Sanada as Ujio, one of the most dedicated, loyal and fierce samurai under Katsumoto. He teaches Algren the art of Samurai sword fighting, none too gently but eventually grows to respect him. He is one of the remaining samurai to die in the final charge in the last battle.

 

Source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Samurai

 

Love the movie by the way, great music. Reminds of Shogun with Richard Chamberlain (bearded gaijin starts to like Japanese ways).

 

Greetings,

Eric K.

[John A Stuart]

That movie was so inaccurate and redolent with Hagekure bullshido it put back the understanding of real Japanese history 100 years. To think that in one winter in the mountains that an enfeebled alcoholic civil war vet could learn the art of kenjutsu to such a point as to be able to defeat multiple attackers with a masters aplomb made me want to strangle the writers (Cruise himself was one). It never happened this way. Sorry, but, as an amateur historian, it raises my ire. There are many jidaigeki that are more accurate, even though some take artistic license. John

[watsonmil]

It never fails to amaze me how the Movie Producers ( American Movie Houses in particular ), ... I believe Paramount Pictures in this case can take a true story or event which in itself needs absolutely NO SO CALLED ARTISTIC LICENSE, .... and Americanize it to the point that it might be nothing more than a dreamed up novel were it not accepted as being factual by the majority of those who can or will not take the time to learn the truth. There is NOTHING more intriguing nor exciting, nor unbelievable than the truth in most stories if left to the facts.

... Ron Watson

[Andi B.]

That is always the problem when Hollywood tells true stories.

It is a bit sad, that the (few) popular movies like "Last Samurai" always try to cover the biggest target audience at the expense of realism and historical facts.

And so they create a wrong image of Samurai, Japanese history (and of our hobby).

 

To be honest - I like e.g. the old Zatoichi movies where Ichi has a bigger scope of human characteristics (bravery, wiliness, kindness, frowardnes etc.) than the cool guys in those Hollywood movies...

Maybe the stories are not historical facts (that is not the intention) but the persons seem to be more realistic, exhilarant and not deadly serious.

[Ford Hallam]

I love the scene where the little American twit get the begeezus knocked out of him, in the rain and mud, by Sanada :D Quite possibly my favourite cinematographic moment ever...certain adult movies aside

 

Having said that I wholeheartedly agree with John. The film is a travesty. Shogun, that ageing TV series, is a remarkably accurate representation of (albeit early) samurai culture by comparison.

 

More relevant in terms of time frame is Tasogarei Seibei (Twilight Samurai), I think. It's far more nuanced and believable on a human level.

[Andi B.]

...at least the swordsmith played by Kuniiye (Shoji) Yoshihara was realistic.

[Steve Waszak]

Fully agree with most of the sentiments expressed here. "The Last Samurai" is almost unwatchable, except for the scenes with Sanada... :D Ford, couldn't agree with you more: that scene where Ujio kicks the crap out of Algren is deeply satisfying...lol. Also agree on "The Twilight Samurai," probably my personal favorite in the genre of "samurai films." "The Hidden Blade" is also very good, thought not quite up to "Twilight."

 

John, I SO agree with you, too, about the preposterousness of Algren learning enough kenjutsu in his winter in New Zealand to come anywhere CLOSE to touching Sanada or any of those he's combatting. Sheesh. Beyond silly. Truly.

 

By the way, anyone here have any reviews on films made by the same writers/directors of "Twilight Samurai" and "Hidden Blade"?

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[Veli]

If you haven't seen "When the last sword is drawn", I'd recommend it strongly... ( I certainly would not recommend watching "The last samurai...)

 

BR, Veli

[cabowen]

Hollywood is all about entertainment...nothing more....with that in mind, I thought the Last Samurai was pure Hollywood....

[outlier48]

Hope this is not considered off topic. NHK has presented its "Taiga Drama" annually for 49 years. Each year studies in depth an important historical figure out of the samurai past. Last year featured the story of Sakamoto Ryoma. These are generally accurate (with only a little license to make the story flow) and give a great in depth look at not only the main character but several of the other historically important people who lived at the time. I strongly suggest these stories instead of the nonsense put out by hollywood.

 

Charlie Brashear

[sencho]

They are now making a movie of the 47 Ronin, starring... wait for it.... Keanu Reeves!!!

 

Can't wait for that load of old bollocks to arrive!!

 

Cheers

[Jamie]

I went to haloween as algren last year. Yall are making me feel bad.

 

 

[Mark Green]

"Twilight Samurai" Great movie!

Tom's movie, Hollywood kaka. Fun to watch though.

Wasn't that in NZ. where they built the village. Nice place. I could live there.

Mark G

[Lee Bray]

I must have missed the advert that claimed the film was an historical representation.

I also must have missed the period when Hollywood and Tom Cruise were given any credibility.

I'm glad I missed them if they made you guys feel this way about a movie that's not even really true in the first place.

 

To say a Tom Cruise puts the understanding of Japanese culture back a hundred years is giving Tom way, way, way too much credit.

Even more than he gives himself.

[John A Stuart]

Hi Lee, Not so. When someone portrays an historical drama, albeit mostly fictitious, there are certain criteria that should be adhered to. Characterisation of certain historical personages should be based on actual biographical information and a certain faithfulness to historical fact in the events themselves. It isn't those who understand that this is entertainment with no other redeeming quality that I am concerned for, but, the millions whose first exposure to this place and period is provided with a warped portrayal. Shogun by Clavell had many inaccuracies as well, however, it had more thoughtful presentation and engendered desire in many people who are today scholars or aficionados of Japanese culture. Similar to what Pearl S. Buck and others did for China. The big screen has a big impact to the undeveloped mind. John

[Mark Green]

Other then the classics, some of the pretty good 'new' samurai movies are

Samurai Fiction

The Hidden Blade

Love and Honor

Hana

Nothing like good old Shakespeare, "Throne of Blood" though.

Or "Ran" Or any of Kurosawa's movies.

But for good fun, The new Ziotachi , by Takeshi Kitano, is pure bloody fun.

[sanjuro]

Being one who automatically avoids any film with the hollywood garden gnome in it, I didnt actually get to see "The Last Samurai" until it was screened on television and it caught me at an unguarded moment with a drink in my hand. Now you have to appreciate that I am an exponent of kenjutsu. I spent a number of years (and a lot of pain) learning how to become proficient. So as you may imagine, the whole concept of a pocket sized alcoholic civil war vet learning kenjutsu in so short a time irked me more than a little. I actually cheered through the scene involving the instruction of Algren, and rewound and replayed it a few dozen times for my own sadistic edification. It was the only scene that made the movie bearable, and it was way too short. If you watch the movie where he actually uses a sword, his movements are wooden and very badly choreographed, so the little pest didnt learn much in reality.

 

I can recommend a film called 'Ran' which I saw years ago and loved for the atmosphere it generated and the use of real historical locations. A couple of real Japanese castles were featured in the movie. I havent been able to locate a copy of the movie but would love to hear from anyone who knows where I can get one. Kurasawa still has my vote as a director for samurai movies, and its a pity that Toshiro Mifune is like the rest of us getting a little long in the tooth. Nobody but nobody does the samurai characters like he does.

 

Also, for my own nostalgia, does anyone know where I can get a copy of the complete 'Shogun' series with Richard Chamberlain? I sat through all the episodes of that and loved it for its honesty and surprising accuracy. I'd love to watch it all a second time.

 

 

Great thread.....

[Mark Green]

John is right!!! I don't know how many 'kids' I have met who think that the last Samurai was close to real history.

VERY SAD!!!!!!

I love the line " And of course warriors from America"

But here in the US, they don't teach much history in high school any more. For sure not any Asian history. It really is a very sad state of affairs. Dooming us all to repeat the bad drama of days past.

[Mark Green]

Keith, Try ebay, or Yahoo If you have a VCR you can likely find the full Shogun. That's where I found it some years ago.

I have the mini version on DVD too. That should be available. I think it is like 3-4 hrs.

[Lee Bray]

... the millions whose first exposure to this place and period is provided with a warped portrayal.

 

If 'The Last Samurai' is someones first and lasting exposure to Japanese culture, then they get what they deserve.

[Mark Green]

Here you go

http://www.amazon.com/James-Clavells-Sh ... B0000A2ZNX

[sanjuro]

Hi Mark.

 

Do you happen to know where one buys a VCR????? I threw my last one out about ten years ago....... I was hoping that someone had a copy on DVD..... Video may have killed the radio star, but DVD certainly killed the VCR.

 

Edit: Just saw your last post... Thanks...... 1 copy ordered. I wont be available for a while after receiving this :D

[watsonmil]

Dear all,

Just for your information ( and enjoyment ), .... " When The Last Sword Is Drawn " is currently available on YOUTUBE as a 13 part series with English subtitles. I enjoyed it immensly as I did " RAN " before YOUTUBE discovered it was being watched on their site in violation of copyright.

... Ron Watson

[John A Stuart]

Lots of movies here including Ran. I have dealt with them before no problem. John

http://www.goksdvd.com/movies_3.html Ran is in this list.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Keith,

Mifune Toshiro is longer in the tooth than any of us; he died in 1997. If you haven't seen it, "Hell in the Pacific", a movie with only 2 characters, Mifune and Lee Marvin, is a great watch.

Grey

[Mark]

at least the LAST SAMURAI seemed to turn some to think about swords, i noticed an increase in interest in samurai swords after the movie came out.... anything that boosts interst in samurai swords is a plus

[sanjuro]

Grey...

Mifune Toshiro is longer in the tooth than any of us; he died in 1997.

 

That would explain why he hasn't made any movies lately......... :D I really should try to stay abreast of these things. :?

He will however remain immortalised in the characters he played....... (Lofty statement made to cover personal embarrassment)

[Mark Green]

Grey,

IMHO, that is the best acting both of those guys ever did. A wonderful movie.

I saw that as a teen, way before I ever saw any of Mifune's samurai movies.

I remember going to a little out of the way 'art' theater, in China Town, Boston, to see Seven Samurai. From that day, I was hooked. Around 71-72?

 

Good point Mark.

[David Flynn]

Another interesting point, the Japanese army was originally trained by the French. Then when they had a falling out with the Japanese Govt. Their role was taken over by the Germans. Except for trade, America did bugger all.