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The Last Samurai (2003)
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Tom Cruise, Timothy Spall, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, Tony Goldwyn
Screenwriter: Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, John Logan
Producer: Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Scott Kroopf, Tom Engelman, Ted Field
Composer: Hans Zimmer
DVD Info
Release:
Feb 11, 2007
Blu-ray Disc Features:
- Blue BD Case
- Widescreen - 2.40
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 - English
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound 2.0 - French, Latin Spanish
- Subtitles - English SDH, English, French Narrative, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Commentaries - 1. Edward Zwick - Director
- Interviews - 1. "Making an Epic: A Conversation with Edward Zwick"
- Featurettes - 1. Deleted Scenes
- a. "The Beheading (Behind the Beheading)"
- b. "Algren and Katsumoto"
- 2. "History vs. Hollywood: The Last Samurai {History Channel Documentary)"
- 3. "Tom Cruise: A Warrior's Journey"
- 4. "Edward Zwick: Director's Video Journal {Behind-the-Scenes Production Journal - Narrated by Ed Zwick and Tom Cruise"
- 5. "A World of Detail: Production Design with Lilly Kilvert"
- 6. "Silk and Armor: Costume Design with Ngila Dickson"
- 7. "Imperial Army Basic Training: From Soldier to Samurai: The Weapons"
Reviews
It is definitely a treat for the eyes and ears and well worth a trip to the cinema to see.
Before you can say "I'm turning Japanese I really think so" he’s learnt the way of the samurai and become Japanese in every way except that he's Tom Cruise, all American hero.
The film also looks amazing, with spectacular New Zealand scenery standing in for 19th century Japan. But Zwick's choices as a director are more troublesome.
This is Dances With Wolves meets The Seven Samurai. Razor sharp.
The real point of the film seems to be the poster image of a battle-ready Tom Cruise waving a sword and all decked out in gleaming red-and-black samurai armor.
It's a film at war with itself. Worse, it's a mixed bag of carefully packaged entertainment, with little room for spontaneity or surprise.
Cruise is wasted on this American samurai tale. The movie is pretty to look at but lacks substance or intrigue.
...one has to take into account is the sheer power of the show, the way The Last Samurai can sweep up the susceptible and the willing.
The standout performance is Ken Watanabe as the charismatic Samurai leader, reminiscent of Yul Brynner in looks and demeanor.
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