Edward Zwick’s ' The Last Samurai ' is an adventure epic that took place in the late 1870’s when Japan was abandoning its feudal system and industrializing. The movie is all about two warriors with very different cultures but whose values make them comrades.

Tom Cruise plays Captain Nathan Algren an American war hero who is immersing in drinks haunted by guilt over the slaughter of innocent American Indians during the Indian war. He gets an offer from the Japanese Government to train Japan’s newly formed Imperial troops in modern warfare, in their fight against the ancient but rebellious Samurai warriors.

The emperor wants to eradicate the Samurai warrior class who is dead against Japan adopting a more westernized and trade friendly policy. Ken Watanabe (Katsumoto) co-star as a civil war veteran who leads the Samurai warriors. Katsumoto is fighting against the emperor’s men just because of the loyalty to the tradition.

Captain Algren is captured by the powerful Katsumoto and while in captivity he learns more about the Samurai warriors and the complicated system of honor and hierarchy under which they live. He slowly begins to respect these noble people who lives to keep up their ideals and values intact. He learns the real meaning of love, honour, friendship and then, he has to choose a side to fight for.

The film recreates the ancient world of the Samurai with élan. The movie shows how the people of old Japan lead a life of honor, loyalty and courage. The sentiment of samurai code runs deep through out the film. The battle scenes are spectacular. Tom Cruise is awesome. But Watanabe as the fierce warrior makes quite an impact with his screen presence that he deserves an award. The supporting cast does a splendid job especially Scichinosuke Nakamura as a shy emperor of that time and the famous Japanese actress Koyuki as Katsumoto's sister. The direction and screenplay are just perfect. The sets of the Japanese village is beautiful.

This is an excellent movie and it is one of the best films of the year 2003. If you are a Tom Cruise fan , you must see this movie. We rate this movie Very Good.