It's definitely one of his most underrated, along with King Arthur, Dunkirk, and Dark Phoenix. One very few choose when listing his best work; often always opting instead for the usual suspects such as Inception, Interstellar, Gladiator, Lion King, Dark Knight etc.... Which are all Masterpieces as well; not denigrating anything this musical genius touches
Some may disagree, but I view this wonderful film as Tom Cruise's best performance by far. Everyone in the cast was perfect and the entire film was perfect. The soundtrack is brilliant and beautiful.
I don't understand your comment, it's like you're saying it is the best performance of Tom Cruise but all your arguments are about other qualities of the movie and not the performance of Tom Cruise. Btw, watch Magnolia. In Magnolia Tom Cruise plays a way more difficult and original character than in the Last Samuraï (which is a quite easy and predictable character, the character of Katsumoto is much more profound and interesting).
''As for the American Captain, no one knows what became of him. Some say that he died of his wounds. Others, that he returned to his own country. But I like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, and few of us ever find''.
They say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word: honor.
"Tell me how he died." "I shall tell you how he lived." Those lines are the most impactful and meaningful to come from any movie with Tom Cruise. The meaning of this movie and it's message I feel is that no matter how we feel about it, we should never forget our history; the good and the bad.
I literally cried with this scene. Especially when the captain offered the Emperor his life, by taking it with the Emperor’s consent. That is a true Samurai!
It's about preservation of culture, not to replace one with another. Japan was going through their own revolution by taking in western values which conflicted with Japanese/Shinto values. The Japanese were made weaker by accepting the new western system but became financially more independent, however there is more depression now. People are looking to the old ways to reconnect with their "Way of Life". Money is not everything...in fact, it's nothing, it's made up, it's bullshit.
@@Jameslawz The reason for the "Westernization" of Japan in those days was because Japan had been isolated for nearly 200 years, not allowing any contact with the outside world, only to be shocked when American ironclad warships rolled up and demanded trade (not a proud moment in US history.) Shocked by this display of power, the Japanese government raced to figure out how not to get conquered both economically and militarily, like China had been in by the UK. The path they chose was to abandon their systems of government and cultural heritage to "Westernize" as fast as possible. By imitating the West, it was hoped that they would copy what had made the West so powerful. It wasn't long, however, before the typical infighting and grudge wars began occurring. One of the first targets was the Samurai. Samurai were, by tradition, the only "legally allowed" soldiers in Japan. They were not allowed, by law, to take up other trades, as their duty was to always be there as soldiers when needed by the Emperor and Shogunate (until the Shogunate was disbanded). The only other duty they had was to manage the land they owned, for the Emperor. This way of life was shattered when the Imperial Government swiftly changed both aspect of society. Now the Samurai were no longer the warrior-class they had been, since now anyone could join the military. Then in an attempt to reform land ownership laws, all of the Samurai's holdings were confiscated to be redistributed at the government's discretion. In a short amount of time, the Samurai had lost everything they had. They were no longer the defenders of Japan, now anyone could be, and they were no longer the land owners, now anyone could be. The Western nations being used as a template for Japan's reform had no warrior-class, thus there wasn't anywhere for the Samurai to fit into the nation that was being built. Remember, these Samurai had been raised for their entire lives for generations to be what they were. Then came the laws that took away what little the Samurai had left. Katana could no longer be carried in public, so now the Samurai couldn't even bear the symbol of their profession and their entire family's honor and heritage, and top-knots were forbidden. The top-knot hairstyle was again, a symbol of their office, and could carry a death penalty for losing, since it meant loss in battle. With everything taken away from them, including the only things that could have given them a place in the new regime, the Samurai revolted. Keep in mind, as a permanent warrior-class, this was all they could do. And so rebellions sparked across the land. The Last Samurai is an idealized and romantic view of this era, leaning more on the honor and lifestyle than the politics and systems of power. But the message it carries is a truly important one; that who we are and what we do is just as important as anything else. Katsumoto reluctantly fights, not to preserve is own power, but to save Japan from what he sees as a "conquest by culture" that his land is losing. He's not fighting for himself, but for Japan itself. The message, as I see it, is what I posted above. Times change, people change, nations change; but that doesn't mean that we should forget or erase where we come from. The Samurai in the film were abandoned by their nation without care, and forced to rebel since it was the only path they could see before them. But through their rebellion and in how they died, they forced Japan and the Emperor to remember them, not simply as warlords and killers, but as what they had been created for; defenders of king and country. Japan needed to evolve to survive, but that didn't mean they should abandon their own people and culture in such a careless manner.
The Last Samurai may be the only movie I would ever call a masterpiece in every single sense of the word. The acting is flawless, the story is flawless, the pacing is flawless, the MUSIC is flawless. There is nothing wrong about this film that I can conjure in my mind. Simply put, a masterpiece.
what about the fact that it is a White Guilt fantasy plot? a white guy becomes the best samurai, and marries the wife of the japanese guy he kills. seriously? same as pocahontas and avatar. the plot is a shallow embarassing colonist fantasy
Dude, I hear ya. It's so tastefully done. There is never a cringey scene.....no cheesy love scene, just pure elegance at its finest. This movie should have made a billion at the box office.
Lots of people think Tom Cruz is the last Samurai in this movie, He's not. The last Samurai is Lord Moritsugu Katsumoto played so powerfully by Ken Watanabe.
Dwayne Deveaux I will tell you how he lived... meaning Tom Cruise will never let Katsumoto or what he taught the Captain fade into the changing world. Powerful.
@@volpez5221 The movie was incredible, a thrilling roller coaster of emotions from its inception to its crescendo. A wonderful masterpiece. Sorry for my bad English.
Went to see Hans Zimmer live in Manchester, and The Last Samurai is one of my favourite films. Hans even said "Here's one of my favourites" and then this started playing. Almost punched my brother in the face next to me I couldn't believe it was actually happening! This was one of the first films my Dad showed me like "I think you're old enough to watch this now." We got tickets for my birthday but unfortunately my Dad passed away from cancer a week later and then Covid happened so had to wait 2 years. The music just reverberated through me, I think I cried all the way through. Thanks for first showing me this Dad, I miss you.
Koyuki Kato is the actress who played Taka in "The Last Samurai." She is the very soul of the film. All the more impressive is her quiet intensity, long suffering grace, and femininity that she brings to the role with so little dialogue to work with. A perfect counterpoint to Tom Cruise' animated performance. An altogether wonderful movie.
Am surprised only 20 Thumbs Up to your comment. Mine was 21st. There should be 20K. Yes, you put in perfect words her character. Whenever she appeared on screen, it was like a new movie chapter beginning for me. She spoke through her eyes.
That scene when the Japanese officer starts crying seeing his countrymen charging with bravery into death while battling internally his own conflict of losing a piece of Japanese culture (Samurai) and participating in their end, that gets me every time. The Last Samurai will never grow old for me. Hans Zimmer gave us a beautiful music score.
This film is an epic masterpiece. They don't make movie's like this anymore....Braveheart, Gladiator, Apocalypto....now all we have is stupid Marvel/DC super hero movies which I simply cannot stand.
He is the BEST composer ever lived...respect for beethoven and all those classics but they come nowhere near Hans Zimmer! Hans is on a whole other level. He knows how to reach peoples hearts. This man made me the person who I am today. I grew up listening to his music while all my friends were listening to techno and all that shit. This is music at it's finest. That is what music is all about. Music doesn't have to have lyrics to tell a story.
it's not underrated. It's very highly praised by the critics. It didn't get Oscars, but let's be honest: who cares about that to begin with, except maybe actors.
“ And so the days of the Samurai had ended. Nations, like men, it is sometimes said, have their own destiny. As for the American Captain, no one knows what became of him. Some say that he died of his wounds. Others, that he returned to his own country. But I like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, and few of us ever find.”
18:55 .."They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue. I have never seen such discipline. I am surprised to learn that the word Samurai means, 'to serve', and that Katsumoto believes his rebellion to be in the service of the Emperor."... ....Ooh the feels...
@@sergezerkin More slaves to the 300 feudal lords under the Tokugawa Shogunate than the emperor. The samurai class had a long downfall starting in the early 1800s as the merchant class started to take off, despite the harsh limits imposed by the bakufu.
@@chrisledruide789 Il n'était pas seul, ils étaient quatre officiers, polytechniciens, mais Brunet était le plus gradé donc on ne se souvient que de lui.
"As for the American Captain, no one knows what became of him. Some say that he died of his wounds. Others, that he returned to his own country. But I like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, and few of us ever find."
This movie, this film is an absolute masterpiece. I know some people are bound to disagree, pointing out the unlikelihood of the only westerner who happened to survive the Samurai's last battle and assume the mantle of the "Last Samurai" - to them I say: You are MISSING the point. The story might be convoluted, even a tad cheesy on occasion, but that's not what the picture is about. The astonishing allegories to our inner deamons and the long, challenging journey to find peace from within, THAT is the point! Add in the unique poetic vision portrayed and the underlying, powerful score by this generation's most gifted film composer and you will understand how this movie goes BEYOND its value on paper. Appreciated the little things and the beauty that surrounds us. THAT is what the Last Samurai has taught me.
Convoluted? It is historically inaccurate. The actual battle was not a bunch of Samurai suicidally attacking a regiment with machine guns. It was far closer to the Alamo, being fought from a castle. And no, there were NO Americans involved.
The Last Samurai is one of those films I could rewatch over & over and absolutely never tire of it. And with each rewatch always as if I'm experiencing this cinematic masterpiece for the first time. And always finding new little details that I never before noticed from my first few viewings. Just an all around, beautifully well done film ❤
...and so the days of the Samurai had ended. Nations, like men, it is sometimes said, have their own destiny. As for the American Captain, no one knows what became of him. Some say that he died of his wounds. Others, that he returned to his own country. But I like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, and few of us ever find...
@Toker Smoker It is true what you say to a degree, so many of us end up doing something to just get by in life, something that never brings true fulfillment.
Agreed. But do not overlook the brilliance of director, Edward Zwick. He has never won an Academy Award despite making some of the best films of our generation. The Last Samurai not only had Cruise but a perfect cast, perfect photography, perfect editing, and of course, this brilliant score.
“Spring, 1877. This marks the longest I've stayed in one place since I left the farm at 17. There is so much here I will never understand. I've never been a church going man, and what I've seen on the field of battle has led me to question God's purpose. But there is indeed... something spiritual in this place. And though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot but be aware of its power. I do know that it is here that I've known my first untroubled sleep in many years.” Putting Zimmer’s music to this scene was so brilliant and creates so much inward reflection.❤️
Many of us waste decades in the pursuit of our own ends, yet there may come a moment in which we might realise that we are merely satisfying our own ego, ignorant of others and greedy. Then perhaps moments of revelatory experience like this come. If we fight such moments we are doomed to end by our selfish ways, but if we learn to change by said moments then we can share our self-discovery with others and end our lives far better than we began.
I love this, his journey in this movie is incredible, but it did not start at this monologue. It starts here. “July 12 1926, There is some., comfort in the ‘emptiness’ of the sea, No past, no future. And then at once, I am confronted by the harsh truth of present circumstances. I have been hired to suppress the rebellion of yet another tribal leader., Perhaps this is ‘the only’ job for which I am suited. ‘I am ‘beset’ by the ironies’ of my life”
This movie could have been made with any one of a dozen lead actors and it would still have been awesome. It is not Cruise that made the movie.....although his 'bankability' got it financed and thus made it possible. But this is pure Edward Zwick fimmaking. He is an artiste.
@@markmacinnis4398 you can say that about so many movies. You are right of course, but Cruise's great performance and amount of effort he put to train himself for it should be recognized and praised nevertheless.
varun singh, Our lives do not need to be lived in endless struggle. Meet Abraham Hicks and learn the Law of Attraction. What we focus our mind on comes into our life. Change your focus to that which you do want, believe it will be, and when you are ready, it WILL be! Suggest you begin your journey by watching YT titled "Interview Esther & Jerry Hicks" to get a feel for the phenomenon which is Abraham Hicks.
No matter what may happen to you, try to live in accordance to your highest good, respect everyone, stand up when the times are the toughest, lift others above yourself, try to face each day with truth and the courage to do what is right even if it really hurts, if I can do all those things even if I feel like I'm getting nowhere fast, I can sleep, knowing I have done whats right and all that I can, and for today that's enough. Namaste
Hans Zimmer understands the feelings of the Japanese people very well. He has probably listened to a lot of ancient Japanese musics and has reflected them in this work. In this work, every music speaks for the Japanese heart.
Where is the Japanese music then? I think it is a complete miss match. If you want a real well done soundtrack for a Japanese setting, check the soundtrack of the game Shogun 2 Total War.
This is not Japaneses music, is western soundtrack played by western orchestra made by western composer, western music not Japanese, and I am not Japaneses but this music speaks to my heart.
@@juleha1 it means something like, the warrior, (tom cruise) that is a american, with, really different ways of the ancient japaneses, have learned their ways, discipline, honor (things considered "old ways) have joined his actions... something like that... ya'know? its philosophical...
As a Cubs fan, this music always makes me think of the 2003 Steve Bartman game. The music starts out with such hope and if fits as the Cubs were just 5 outs from the World Series. And then a fan of all things robbed the Cubs of their momentum and the Marlins all of a sudden put up a ton of runs that inning and win the game. That hope to heartbreak fits so well with this music
Nah. Hans Zimmer scores films well. But his music is generally simpler than the left-hand part in most Mozart piano pieces. Also, thankfully, Zimmer did not die at 35.
I just watched this movie after many years and I must say, I cried at the end. The emotions that are carried through out the movie is just sublime. The art of Samurai is well captured. Hans Zimmer's score is just legendry. The visuals of Japan is just to die for. Truly a masterpiece.
can confirm, it was perfectly crafted to build emotion all along the movie so you can finally burst in tears at the end of the movie. Not gonna lie I enjoyed crying like a baby
I went to Japan when I was only twenty three years old and fell in love with the Country and it's people, when it was time to leave and return to the UK, and the plane took off from the runway and up into the Sky I just cried for having to leave this unique Country that Japan is. I have since been back to Japan twice over the years and the passion for Japan is still within me and will remain with me for the rest of my life.
I also went to Japan at 23 and felt the same way. I came back to my country, and now I'm a university student of Japanese to get a degree and make something out of myself. Thanks Japan.
SensaiMan from I was a child I've deeply admired their culture mainly because of the discipline love and honor they display. It is in sync with who I am. It's not that mistakes don't happen but it's the steps used to correct it. Their peaceful nature just makes me cry. But at the same time, there's some part of the culture that I can not appreciate do the to extremist behavior.
I never see this soundtrack being mentioned in almost all of top 10 Hans Zimmer's soundtrack rankings and it absolutely baffles me.. This piece is filled with so much emotions, such a moving piece
+Jason Donovan I don't know how you manage to forget everything bad in the world while listening to this. It pretty much embodies sadness. But yes, incredibly powerful music.
But i don't want to forget, we can't just ignore all the bad things. We need to strengthen and fight back to destroy all bad shit that exists in our world. I listen to this soundtrack sometimes to help me not giving up on the fight that we all need to have.
I have watched this movie at least 100 times. It speaks to me from the past; honor, integrity, loyalty and serving seem to be the exception rather than the rule today. I am trained in the way of the sword and have several blades that are hundreds of years old. There is something about the intricacy, strength and beauty of these blades that resonates within me.
I want to own one some day. Just looking at pictures of the old swords, you can feel the soul, within the blade. Maybe in another life, many of us were samurai. So much beauty and craftsmanship.
Of all of Zimmer's brilliant work, I think this movie score is the most underrated. The music alone has made me watch this movie many times. So many levels of emotions in this score.
When I close my eyes listening to this soundtrack I can clearly see Taka dressing Nahan her deceased husband armor, with her gentle hands touching his wounded body, her shy looks into his eyes with her slow and steady moves... just looking at her you can feel peace it's almost an art, then suddenly a tear sneak into her cheek as if she was suffering to hold herself ... to hold herself not fall in love with her husband's murder, as if she was about to commit a crime, but only them know the truth, a woman that lost her husband in war and a lost warrior trying to redeem himself, who are we to judge? if peace and love can find a way in their heart, after all they have been through in this rotten world. what more could we wish for?
Beautiful statements,but one slight correction.Nathan did not murder her husband.Her husband died at Nathan’s hand as a combatant of equal stature on even ground.As much as it pained her to look at him everyday while he recovered in her house she knew her husband died in the manner of how he would have chosen.Early on Nathan may as well have been a savage animal as he lacked understanding of the culture he found himself surrounded by.Slowly though in time she saw him emerge and embrace their way of life and I’m sure she imagined that he would have been proud to fall to such a warrior on the field of battle.
How on earth Hans Zimmer crafted such a spot-on score for this movie is completely beyond me.. Incredible talent. You can tell the focus, time and hard work that went into this. Sublime.
I’m Japanese and I love and respect samurai and this movie.I think that this movies samurais is not a real one.But I can feel what they wanted to make.
...Hi KAZU 765, I agree with you about the reality of the movie, but think about it...this movie is a sign of great respect for the Japanese culture !!!...greets from Italy !
6:43 .... you rarely hear such quality in transferring emotions and depth for a movie soundtrack. Simply, a typical Hans Zimmer. What a god-made creature!
Very relaxing. I was listening to the soundtrack one night and my neighbor's wife approached me and asked if that was Han Zimmer and I replied yes. She said that she loves some of the music and was surprised that I enjoyed it also. I'm 53 yrs old inner city and she is from the burbs of Missouri. Music can and always will be one of the common threads we can share together.
This music is truly inspired. It suits the sad inevitable mood of the film to perfection. It has the power to drive one to tears. A mystery how such a film can be so underrated.
It is rare that any film should encapsulate it’s era so well, without regard to modern norms or expectations. The acting, across the board, is top notch, the cinematography fantastic, the direction perfectly pitched and paced. What I think sets this movie apart from so many is it’s ability to capture transitions - from western to eastern philosophy, from enemy to friend, from hatred to love. For me, the scene where Taka dresses Algren in her dead husbands armour is poignant, neither over sentimental nor too trite. Pathos given life in cinema. Her fears writ large, his stoicism, their shared courage and acceptance are a delight. The most sensual thing I have seen in a Hollywood production. Authentic portrayal/Her hand armouring his soul/Protecting future hopes.
This movie is anything but historical. Katsumoto doesn't use fire arm because it would be dishonorable? Any samurai worth his salt got a fire arm as soon as they were introduced to Japan. Do you know why the real life counterpart to Katsumoto didn't use firearms at he end of his rebelion? Because he was out of ammo after months of war.
i was in Japan in march 2023 . I also visited Himeji where you can find the locations of the movie. it was a unique and unforgettable emotion. I meditated and reflected a lot. “The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your entire life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.” are words said halfway through the film then Katsumoto finally reaches another awareness and says "They are all perfect". the mind is in constant search of perfection but whoever has understood, who has reached Zen, knows that everything is already perfect and we are who must surrender to the truth
Guys stop saying best part here best part there..There is no best part. The 40 Minutes are amazing and I'm feeling emorional over the whole thing... Just so beautiful... Every emotion is involved in the music...
the soul of this music is about doing the right thing at all earthly costs, serving the ultimate purpose, enlightening the darkness, growing seeds of perfection, honor and courage in sincerity and honesty, setting the example for generations to come, there have been always humans like this and there shall always be, this music compliments my feelings for gallipoli, a fight given by the very same spirit yet by another race on another continent almost, during which we bravely fought for the very same principles against much stronger enemies and ultimately succeeded, right faith that prevails
Lord of the rings soundtrack is fine but I never had that feeling like when I do with Hans Zimmer his music. Imo Hans Zimmer should've be the one to do the soundtrack on Lord of the rings. I love it though but it could have been much better with Hans Zimmer
@@instrumentaldude8349 nah. Lord of the rings music is on another level. Hans zimmer is great though. But lord of the rings wouldn’t have been what it was without that particular score.
That's because other modern film music composers just pale in comparison. I wont say they suck, but they just lack the intelligence and depth of Hans Zimmer.
I am strong 18y old boy, I almost never cry. But that soundtrack, and the end of the movie, ALWAYS makes me feel so sad, confused... World is so beatifull, love is so beatifull. W cant't forget about existence of these things!!!
+Jan20597 Althougt you are a 18y old boy.. your words are so mature...keep going like that.. keep your mind sharp, your soul pure and your heart warm son
the world keeps spinning for people like you young man. in spite of all the choas and confusion we can choose hope...we can choose love...humility...calmness and compassion
how can sound be so beautiful?, I practice yoga to this and cry every time, there are no words to describe how this makes me feel, pain and beauty and strength. Namaste
One of the best film off all time, this film fits everything even when I'm down or feeling depress listening to this brings back my hopes and continue to my journey reach that goal. One day I will visit Japan fulfill my dreams