One of the best things about this whole scene is that Tom Cruise isn't a lethal expert. There is a definite struggle to hold his own, especially in the beginning when he is unclear about what he is fighting.
Yeah, I noticed and liked that as well. He shows off his new training several times but also gets nearly killed several more times and requires either help or time for a new strategy to win
This is the biggest misconception about this movie. Algren IS lethal, and is absolutely meant to be so from the very beginning. The dude is a decorated Civil War and Indian Wars veteran, IE he is a very seasoned soldier. His struggle is that his background is cavalry and is not used to fighting on foot, is using a weapon he's not used to, and is a drunk suffering from pretty heavy PTSD for the first half of the film. In the first battle he's shown wrecking house before his horse gets taken out from underneath him, and chances are that he's most likely a much better horseman than most of Katsumoto's men.
@swoddy Tom I thought of that as well, but I'm not sure if Higen thought about that in this very moment. I like the idea that he acted impulsive and not calculating since he's a boy who experienced true violence and killing for the first time
In my mind, I was thinking that he is a samurai, young, but still a samurai. He has been training to become one since he was born. I thought his act to grab his fathers sword was to protect his Lord.
some of thise movies are really over the top, they're awesome but kinda unrealsitic. This is too, but it feels real you, its a good mix wiht cinematics and some grounded realism, also costume and all that stuff is superb in this movie. I like the story too which adds to the fighting.
Michael Mixon I am part of the Samurai family so I know that my ancestors killed the Ninjas and I am part of the Samurai family because I am an Okuma and we Japanese have history so I am part of the Samurai family and I honor my ancestors the Samurais and I make them proud as a Japanese person that honors my ancestors the Samurais so Samurais are my ancestors
Does anyone else feel deep sorrow at seeing the masked performer die. Dude is just entertaining a crowd with a warrior on stage with him, goofing around, suddenly his entire existence is over.
I love that the ninjas look like they're winning at first. A neck snap from behind, ambush with arrows, one guy gets an unexpected claw to the face, another a thrown star to the throat, another one gets taken down with some sort of thrown rope thingy from behind...then the element of surprise is over, their tricks stop taking the samurais by surprise and suddenly they start losing because it becomes a straight up fight. A great depiction of both types of fighters.
A Ninja, even a Master Ninja is an Ambush Predator (so to speak) - Every last dirty "trick" in the book..? is used by them. For a Ninja, Honor only exists in the completion of their task - Otherwise..? It's Anything Goes. Samurai on the other hand..? Are THE Apex Predator - They are literal Weapons of War. In a straight fight (if such even exists for a Ninja) count on the Ninja being slaughtered. Ninjas are NOT designed for open warfare. Samurai..? *LIVE* for it.
@@Sidragrosm Read this: Humiliated and furious, Oda Nobuo decided to attack Iga immediately in an all-out assault. His *ten to twelve thousand warriors* (10,000 to 12,000 samurai) launched a three-pronged attack over the major mountain passes in eastern Iga in September 1579. They converged on Iseji village, where the 4,000 to 5,000 Iga warriors lay in wait. As soon as Nobuo's forces had entered the valley, *Iga fighters attacked from the front* , while other forces cut off the passes to block the Oda army's retreat. From the cover, the Iga ninja shot Nobuo's warriors with firearms and bows, then closed to finish them off with swords and spears. Fog and rain descended, leaving the Oda samurai bewildered. Nobuo's army disintegrated - some killed by friendly fire, some committing seppuku, and thousands falling to the Iga forces. As historian Stephen Turnbull points out, this was "one of the most dramatic triumphs of unconventional warfare over traditional samurai tactics in the whole of Japanese history." Oda Nobuo escaped the slaughter but was roundly chastised by his father for the fiasco. Nobunaga noted that his son has failed to hire any ninja of his own to spy out the enemy's position and strength. "Get shinobi (ninja)... This one action alone will gain you a victory."
@@AnimalsandInfotainmentTube You said it (or rather, quoted it) yourself - "Unconventional Warfare." But then, many a son behave stupidly trying to impress their fathers (VERY few Sons ever escape the shadow of such Fathers, after all). Beyond that..? The Iga Ninja are INFAMOUS. Moreover, The leader of the Iga (can't recall who that was at that point) doubtless knew his enemy and baited him - The Elder Oda would have been (and History bears this out) FAR more calculating - He certainly wouldn't have let his pride get the better of him. But what was "True" in the 16th Century, wouldn't ~exactly~ apply in the 18th Century. But your point is *very* well made. Shah Mat.
@@AnimalsandInfotainmentTube More skilled..? Not ~exactly,~ no. They DO have more options in terms of weapons & tactics, as many of said options fly in the face of the Samurai's code of Bushido. Or, in the words of the Original Uber-Space Ninja Darth Revan: " *Honor is a Fool's Prize. Glory is of no use to the dead.* " A sentiment every last Ninja doubtless lives by. (Ironically, this was also true of Miyamoto Mushahsi, who tended to go into battle wearing neutral colors...)
@@MizanQistina No, he's not the Shogun. The Shogun was the military head of Japan in the Samurai period, the ruler. Katsumoto was never ruler of Japan, hence his deference to the Emperor. He was a Daimyo, nothing more.
InformantⓋ According to Iga Museum's demonstration, they'll try to minimize combat intensity as low as possible, sometimes even avoid fighting completely, basically feudal Japan CIA (Which is available for hire). Plus guerrilla warfare means get the enemy into the place where you have a full advantage (shadow for ninja's case).
Bara Thrum, absolutely! I think this is his best ever movie, and certainly Tom Cruises best! It was well done in every respect, even how long it took for Algren to realize the difference in fighting techniques and learn thier ways, and earning the respect of those around him as the movie progresses! Just a great film!
Many Ninja were former samurai and they DID take part in actual real life historical battles in Japanese history. The ninjas specialized in covert missions but could be used effectively to harass the enemy with guerrilla warfare type tactics, such as ambushes, of which many samurai were not familiar with or prepared for. Ninjas were a specially trained group of spies and assassins but also MERCENARIES. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, assassination, and open combat in certain situations. The Koga Ninja were noted to have taken part in many battles during the warring states period of Japan. So, the battle scenario being presented in this film is really not as far fetched as many here seem to think.
I'm agree with you.And i'd like to add that i don't think Ninja were always mercenaries(i know you didn't say that but it's a precision).Sometimes they were at the service of a lord and were loyals.Some acess to samurai rank as a reward for their good service.
Eριcα/Pяιηcεss/Кетрін very true, however originally before being seen as usefull by the fuedal lords, The Ninja were originally Farmers and peasents who grew tired of being abused and oppressed by the Shogun's main elite guard. Many of their teachings, from combat to spiritual awareness and meditation stem from esoteric bhuddist Sects such as Shugendo. Many of those handsigns are mudras and mantra for meditation from such sect. Kugi-in and Kuju-kiri....you see this in Naruto allot (except Naruto is not a very good "ninja" anime....they are more like battle mages) it wasnt until the Tokugawa that the Ninja and Ninjitsu became a tool for the Warlords....
I'm Japanese and the most incredible thing about this movie is that Ken Watanabe, who played Katsumoto, was 43 years old at the time. I still can't believe it.
Out of ALL the crazy action here, is a point I find most endearing: Katsumoto, for all his grand reputation and solid, established authority, allowed himself to be a point of humor and fun in a play. And it worked to expand his role culturally. He wasnt afraid of fun and mockery, and actually joined in on the silly shenanigans. THAT is the mark of a true, confident leader. i would have followed him too after this.
Recently rewatched this. When i was a kid it was only an action scene but it hits differently as an adult. The samurai followed a strict life of daily training and meditation but a sneak attack killed plenty of those who were unprepared and even when they prepared, a rifle on the hands of a decently trained farmer will beat a veteran samurai. It was truly the death of the old way of life. I found myself tearing up at the gatling gun scene.
Samurai adapted very quickly to firearms, and adopted them in place of bows, which until then had been their primary weapon. I doubt a farmer would have it quite as easy as one might think.
youre acting like the ninjas are a bunch of paid street thugs. the ninjas are also well trained, probably better trained than the samurai they are facing. probably even former samurai.
That chant at the end! What a glorious exhilaration that must be to fend off a surprise attack on your village and to have your surviving comrades shout out in victory. This movie definitely still holds up.
I still regard this as one of the finest films I've ever seen. The evolution of every character in this movie....every character... is amazing to watch. Even those with little screen time. All of it set to the real backdrop of the industrial and cultural revolutions in a turn of the century Japan. And masterfully scored by Hanz Zimmer... nothing in this film is not enjoyable
One thing in particular I like about this scene his how the two ninjas confronting matsumoto are hissing like snakes, imagine how intimidating it would be. Everything bout this scene is awesome !
idk how certain are you that came from them and not the scene.. i mean, were people playing the drums in the background too ?? it was a party after all
At 3:18 when the boy takes the sword really lifts emotions even higher in this already remarkable scene. Great movie to own on DVD and watch it again and again.
The choreography, as it should, is a storytelling device itself. Ujio, a master swordsman among professional swordsmen, moves with absolute artistry - yet the artistry isn't flamboyant, it remains completely efficient. Algren, though not nearly as skilled, displays uncanny ingenuity and an ability to adapt, however he reaches his zenith when he joins Katsumoto. The two synergize perfectly with each other, as if some higher power had destined them to fight side-by-side.
This fight is so well choreographed. Not too many spliced scenes and fast/slow parts that give you a chance to breathe it in. And the last yell at the end is perfection
The best part is after Algren rushes in and takes out one of two ninjas facing Katsumoto, and two others rush in. Algren has to take an odd man at Katsumoto's back, but get into the two again facing Kastsumoto; he relies both his skill and that of Katsumoto, going under a pending blade strike/stirike, to the come and attackalong with Katsumoto. That's part of the reason, I think, Katsumoto stares at Algren at the end of the battlle - like, dude, that was a 10/10 move to save my ass!
@@Sorter_123 Wary. He knows his target is more dangerous than any other foe. But whoever sent them miscalculated- they didn't realize how much Algren had learned, was still learning, or how loyal to his new friends/former captors he'd become.
The first time he’s handled a real weapon since his time at camp, and he used it to defend the Samurai and their families. That’s why Katsumoto had the look he did at the end.
@@lordofrubies8508 Sad truth 😪. Aging sucks. But at least I can enjoy the movie. And so can you. Unfortunately Hollywood doesn't make these movies anymore. Went woke and are now going broke. Eventually they will right the ship to survive. Will take time PS. Twilight Samurai is a excellent movie that delves into this time period. The Samurai losing their privileged status is discussed a bit. I recommend this movie highly if you haven't seen it
This has to be one of the best choreographed sword fight scenes in cinematic history. But for real, think about how much time they had to spend to plan all of this. The fact that it looks so natural, so matter-of-fact (but so fooooking intimidating and scary) without trying is a testament to the incredible choreographer.
3:44 So beautifully directed and composed. After such a long and enduring battle, the film and score take a short time to breathe whilst maintaining its adrenaline-filled tension. Then Cruise enters the scene to bring the fight back to life, with Hans' epic score to accompany it.
Morale is no joke. My former boxing coach told me that you always gotta have heart because no matter how fast or strong you are, if you dont have that heart and bravery to have hope in surviving a fight, if things go outside of your expectation, you'd lose. When these samurai acted as one and defended each other rather than just themselves and when it was over, you could hear that strength of spirit and heart in their yell it sends goddamn goosebumps man. It feels like the battle of thermopylae in 300 or the fight in the beach of troy when achilles was in the phallanx leading forward without fear! It sounds corny and looks epic but seriously, in life, you don't realize it but when you grind for the better with the mindset of a warrior and treat work, studies, and everything as a fight and you wake up everyday to face it bravely--Kudos to you friend! You may not kill another man in the fight of the blades but you are killin life itself by grinding for the better and even for others! OSU!
General Pepe Pinochet Oh, there's this Japanese guy who's a bit err, fatty, and he seems like a very rich guy. He also commands the American army above the colonel. He's wearing black clothes and a small boll hat. Is that the one you meant?
3:57 - SUPREME skill when Katsumoto uses Mumyou Ryu (the no-spin or half-spin throw) w/his wakizashi into that mercenary's back. For those of you know are interested it is a Japanese style of throwing straight objects instinctively without much rotation.. Works with things like knives, forks, pens, screwdrivers, scissors even... and if you're strong enough shorter blades.
I was so pumped after seeing this scene the first time in the cinema! Love the still with Katsumoto holding the two ⚔️ and the resulting stand-off. Also, when the ninjas keep appearing in pairs to fight. Just awesome.
We must give credit to the young boy, he pulled up his father sword to defend the one man that killed him 💯 also how the boy is able to handle the sword is commendable, he fought bravely.👏
Ninjas were great at suprise attacks, but once the element of suprise was gone. They had no shot against Samurai who are best at duel face to face combat. This is why Ninja usually traveled in solo or small groups. Meanwhile, Samurai attacked in open field. Samurai was a Warrior Class, meaning to rule with strength and courage. Ninja trained in espionage, deception, and surprise attacks. Tactics Class. Samurai considered Ninjas beneath them for their cowardly fighting style. Samurai fought for honor and belief, so they lived country-side without getting paid by government. Ninjas try to eliminate Samurai cause they were hired by Japan Imperial to assassinate the Samurai Lords. But when Samurai eventually got eliminated Ninjas were quick to realize they were going extinct too. Because without a foe, no one would pay Ninjas anymore for protection. The last chant the guy says. Where is our enemys. The group responds "Slain!"
This is such a shit comment, 90% of the shinobis belonged to the samurai class. Also ninjas(shinobis) ussually didn’t even fight or assasinate, but just spied. Modern people are romanticizing them so much its fucking cringe
Cruise did so well here to hold up with the lead Japanese actors, all of whom have many years experience in acting in Samurai dramas. Those swords are beautiful but chilling; have handled quite a few firearms none came close to the feeling of holding an instrument of death as a katana.
They need to make an RPG game with an eastern theme. The warrior class can be your samurai, rogue class are ninjas, cleric/paladin class are monks and sorcerers will be sorcerers. That would be awesome.
Too right mate, too right. If you choose the path of the ninja too, the stealth should be extremely important like it was in Tenchu 1-3, the only real ninja game. Not like the stealth in The Elder Scrolls or other RPG's which is pretty weak in comparison. I could imagine taking missions from your master, then choosing your gear and tackling the mission however you want, and you've got a huge world, maybe the size of GTA 5, all themed in 16th century Japan, every city and region has its own feel and character (no repeated building spamming like most open-world games). That'd be MY kinda game. I could go on and on. Me and my mate have had this convo so many times lol.
This is the only movie that I saw that the legendary rivalry of ninjas and samurais are being portrayed....I'm love ninjas but I'm a samurai warrior....
They didn't have any legendary rivalry though. Samurai were warriors and ninjas were spies. Wars were fought between clans which could have both on their side and they could fight each other. Even in the movie, the war is between Katsumoto and his last samurais and Omura the businessman pushing for westernization. Tom Cruise's character is initially hired by Omura to fight against Katsumoto, then is captured and joins him. The ninjas in this scene were hired by Omura to assassinate Katsumoto as he is an obstacle against his westernization plans.
Great scene. From Ujio, Nakao and "Bob" tearing things up outside, to Algren trying desperately to find his feet, before joining Katsumoto, and that final shout from Ujio and the responding blast from the victorious Samurai. Tingles.
Ninja's tended to be peasent's that were trained to be very agile assassins- mastering the art of stealth. A Samurai was a flat-out brute warrior. In a one-on-one open battle, a Samurai would of course win. In a real life situation, it's likely the Ninja would not put himself in that situation, and would have killed the Samurai before he was aware the Ninja was there.
nikgeos I am afraid a Samurai would hands down win since they were literaly trained for one-on-one situations. The Ninja would win situationally as it would depend on his gear and the skill gauge of his opponent.
***** Samurai, Ninja/Assassin, they're literally the same thing. Hell an Assassin would of been dressed as a Samurai, prostitute, politician or as a peasant in the Feudal era.
Ninja were spies , first and foremost . Few , if any , records of ninja assassinations . Yes , every once in a blue moon they " assassinated " people . But weren't " assassins " per se .
