It's a great line, and a fitting end to a great story. But I cannot help but note that the only peace Algren sought, through battle, was that of the grave. What peace he found, came to him through redeeming his ruined honor.
I’m not the biggest Tom Cruise fan but oh my word, this had to have been his finest role. In the very last shot when Nathan reaches the village and finds Taka working in her garden, you can just see the pain and strife in his eyes so prevalent throughout the entire movie finally melt into one of peace, his burdens being lifted away, knowing he was finally “home”. Hands down one of my all-time favorite movies.
Being Japanese American, this film actually helped me to further appreciate my ancestry and heritage. Minor Edit: To anyone who talks about the bombing of pearl harbor, really? Look, I'm a Japanese American. I was born, bred, and raised in Detroit. I've got distant blood relatives who've fought and died for the Japanese Imperial Army (never met em lol), but I've also got distant blood relatives who also fought for America in WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam. I'm an interracial kid. Japan's done some shady shit, but so has America. And Japan has a longer history of Samurai than bombing United States Naval Bases. Still proud of my heritage just as I am having been proud to be born in America.
'We cannot forget who we are, or where we came from' a quote that shuddered me, realising I know little and have refused to learn about my own race all my life... We can change and modernize all we want, thats evolution, but we should never abandon our history
KoOkiEzRoCkz only east asia can understand this. We lived in relative peace, but modernization was inevitable. But as korea, china, and japan we cannot forget who we once were. Japan the swordsmen, korea the bowmen, and china the spearmen.
Korea the sailors too. Let's not forget the greatest admiral in the history of Asia was Korean. Long before strong Western influences in far eastern Asia, Yi Soonshin was showing western admirals how it's really done.
We don't. We keep slaughtering each others like idiots in the name of false banners. Just as our ancestors always have done. We are still the same rabid, violent dogs we've always been. There's no evolution, only a growing bloodbath. Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.
"Tell me how he died. No, I will tell you how he lived". Such great choice of words I salute to dialogue writers of this movie. This movie will remain close to my heart. It teaches us so many things, life should not be measured on basis of its length, instead we should see how great it was. No one know when they are going to die, irrespective of increasing the length of lives we should focus on improving quality of life of both our and others. Most importantly don't forget your roots, yes modernization is a need and inevitable but do keep a space for your history, culture. Once again hats off to each and every crew member of this movie for giving such beautiful piece of art.
Dude the writing was incredible for the entire film 100% They don't make movies like this anymore; this was the golden age of Blockbuster movie titles. Same time frame as Lord of the Rings; fucking brilliant directors as well.
That line from Algren is crucial. How Katsumoto died isn't as important as the lessons he (because of his position in service of the Emperor) could never teach. Algren's position as a foreigner that understands key aspects of the ancient culture of Japan is now well placed to pass them on to Emperor Meiji.
I feel like the Emperor's speech is something everyone could learn. Remember one's history and cultural, including the good and the bad of it. I see how some people nowadays try to censor history which is one of the sickest things I've ever seen. History is something everyone needs to know so they can learn from past mistakes and improve on the good things that came from the past.
Yea and here we are pulling statues down in America. I wish people would understand sometime you have to put a statue up notfor honor but as a reminder NOT AGAIN
@@johnwhite5897 Nearly everything that is being taken down was put up in my lifetime. They put up statues like crazy from the end of WW2 through the Civil Rights era.
Hans Zimmer pulled a masterpeace with The Last Samurai. But Allgren's struggle in the story is a tear jerker as well. I cried when I watched it at the movies and I still do today.
“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.” - Simon Graham
Joshua Alvarez this movie also talks about me because I come from a family that are Samurais and I am a Samurai as well and my Japanese name is Okuma and the Samurais know who I am and they are watching me everywhere I go and they know that I honor them and I train with no mind and this movie talks about who I come from and I come the Samurais as well
"...but I'd like to think, he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, that few of us ever find." That line followed by the music, man it gives me chills. Brilliant in every way
'' I'd like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek and few of us, ever find...'' I can't begin to describe how this movie makes me feel every time i watch it. The music is magical and the truth that transcends in every character's eyes is unbelievable. I see a sad but beautiful and peaceful ending, and I wish we all, someday, somewhat, feel the way Taka and Algren feel in this final scene.
Incredible how much emotion is displayed by Cruise here. The moment the emperor expresses his unwillingness to leave his country's roots behind is a moment of redemption for Aldgren and his face says everything. Even though it could be considered entirely too late, as the damage had already been done, his refusal to repeat his past mistakes made a difference.
Just watched the movie on tv, at this very scene. Powerful stuff, man oh man. I don't actually care how inaccurate this film is, this is the stuff legends are made of. The samurai of old will surely be proud. I am glad these legendary warriors existed, once upon a time
The logical conclussion of what you have just written is that stuff of legends are made of inaccurate things... Don't get me wrong, i liked the movie, but it is very very inaccurate, and as much as i liked it, we really should be focusing on reality. That is also a reply to Darth Revan. Look it up. very very inaccurate indeed. And as for samurai... just look up the video "why japan's samurai were nothing like you think". That's the short version of letting you know samurai were nothing like you think...
Nick I was more referring to the broad strokes of this starting with the part before this scene with the samurai rebels deciding to go out in one last fight and the rebel leader (saigo Takamori in IRL) being posthumous honoured by the emperor
Norman Braslow facts the samurai didn't end they simply lost their class status the remaining samurai today are actually well known in Japan. Ironically them being fazed gave people a sort of nostalgia for them in Japan
This film always fills me with a sense of calmness and clarity every time i watch it, definitely one of my all time favourites. A brilliant piece of cinema.
Oh my god.I was just thinking the exact same thing. I feel so calm and enlightened.Hands down by far the best roll tom cruise has ever played.I literally cry every time I watch this movie but it is such a good movie and I can totally appreciate history every time I watch this
In the samurai philosophy if you are not come in battle you will die very fast !! Here is what the most famous Samurai of all said !! Whenever you cross swords with an enemy you must not think of cutting him either strongly or weakly; just think of cutting and killing him.“ - Miyamoto Musashi.
I was a guest of the Japanese Emperor. When I was there. I also found the sword in an attic on the Eastern USA seaboard. It is with a congressional or senatoral family.
That look the kneeling Captain Algren gives Omura, when the Emperor lays down the law... The contempt, the resentment. He looks like he's just waiting for the Emperor to tell him he can redeem himself by killing Omura. Tom Cruise made an epic performance in that movie.
Agreed, just seeing Taka and Algren silently stare and smile at each other conveys so much more emotion that simply slamming into each other's embrace and frenching. This and the Emperor's speech are indeed two of some of the most beautiful scenes in the movie and, in my opinion, it has plenty of others to choose from
"We can not forget who we are, or where we come from" Everybody on his comment section, remember these words, be proud of your origins, and herritage. If you are a European-American be proud, Asian-Americans be proud, Latin-Americans be proud and so on.
and if you're native Americans... ehh at least your people tried. Participation awards for all! I kid I kid. Everyone has their own cultural strengths to contribute to the melting pot.
Latin Americans are people in Central and South America who are white people not from Spain, mixed or indigenous. Mexico is its own culture and identity so I didn't include it in Latin American or Hispanic
All cultures are a mix of all other cultures in this world. Just like how our racial DNA is a mix of multiple other races. No culture is truly unique. Be proud of all the good things of your culture and the culture of others because we are all humans and belong to the same race. Take the good from all and leave the bad from all.
I love that line 'if your shame is too unbearable....' holds up sword 'I offer you this sword.' Omura is a confident and arrogant man when he has an army in front of him but in the end he was a coward
The way he looks at Algren, knowing Algren was prepared to die for the Emperor and also that he had helped Katsumoto commit Seppuku yet he cannot even do that. He was purely about greed. Contemptible man who wished to corrupt Japan and its higher ideals for his own self aggrandisement. The Emperor knew it too and Omura failing to take the challenge sealed it.
I love it, when the Emperor stands up to the American Delegate, and refuses to deal with him anymore. I also love the way that he offers Omura the Katana, so that he can "Off himself", so to speak, if Omura's shame is too great! The Emperor has the greatest respect for a former enemy that, in this scene, becomes a friend. The Emperor had gotten a huge wake-up call through all that had recently transpired in the events leading up to that point, and he realized one thing above all else:We cannot afford to compromise our lives in any way, shape, or form! We need to always remember:To thine own self be true!
It shouldn't be just the "Japanese" way. It should be the way of all good and free people. This is just one example of a people aspiring to bring perfection in all they see and do. And in doing so, learn not just of themselves, but of another not like them, but just like them in the discovery of humanity which is in us all.
One of the best movies and music in cinema history....ever... My favorite part is this....the last frase.... As for the American captain He may at last find his small measure of peace...that we all seek and fear of us we ever find..... This is the life of a warrior behind shadows....
As one who descends from a warrior heritage myself. This scene always speaks to me. Wherever we may go and whatever we may endeavor in, we must never forget who we are, and where we come from. In Polynesia voyaging ancestors had a common saying that goes, "When you know where you come from, you know exactly where you're going." Honor to the absolute end. 💯 thank for sharing this. Your Tongan friend ✊🏾💯⚔
Its not about the warrior heritage tho, its about where you come from as a people. We should NEVER forget our history we should always stand ontop of it and strive forward for our ancestors and the ones that made it possible for us to be here. But the world changes so does everything, Warriors do not exist anymore we should honor what they were. But we should remember today its Soldiers who are on the frontlines, can be anybody your little sister or some random person 5 towns over. But they will fight and die for human rights.
I'm a jewish/polish american and this movie made me have more respect for the japanese culture and their samurai. I have lived and seen all of japan in my time being a service member. Beautiful country and amazing people who value honor and tradition.
Carefull though, While Japanese culture and country are indeed beautiful, this movie is extremely american and skews the reality industrial aged Japana.
@@lohengrin5082 true, but if you look at the aspects of Japan even during that time in a historical aspect via text books and other information, then you can grasp the true image of industrial Japan. Even though it is skewered by western film making they do keep a good part of it authentic.
@@dletaman121 Oh very much agreed, the sets and backdrops are amazing. I just found that the movie over romanticized the Samurai as they were sadly more like thugs loyal to a Feudal lord than the Emperor. The struggle to live for perfection and Honnor is actually more a modern Japanese trait (relatively speeking).
Agreed, Algren worked hard to appeal to the village and to earn their trust. If one is able to do that, without being rude about it or taking advantage of them; they can forgive almost anything
Because it shows the true ugliness of the western world and their values no one likes to see their true self same reason why denzel didn't win for Malcolm and they exact reason why brando didn't accept his Oscar
Well, I thought he was great in this. But he was competing against Johnny Depp, Sean Penn, Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, and Jude Law. Honestly you could give it to any of those guys and it's tough to argue.
@@johnwhite5897 kinda ironic how you say this movie "shows the true ugliness of the western world" and how "no one likes to see their true self" yet completely forget we are talking about japan...literally the country that dislikes ANYONE who talks about the shit they did,the shit in their culture and constantly try to erase all their fuck ups under a curtain of mannerism to put it simply,japan is the country that dislikes,more than anyone,being shown their true self and bomb any movie that shows the history they try soooooo hard to deny
@@LonelyStardefender yes, he is absolutely wrong, but so are you. ALL races of human are good and evil. American, African, European, Asian. Criticizing another race is foolish.
This part was so heartbreaking, the theme of the clash of old and new, and throughout the film. What a beautiful film. Thank goodness I have it in our home library.
1:20 I like how the guy's assistant still bowed to respect their host country's customs despite what just happened. I feel like that implies there's an untold background story there, where the assistant got immersed in the culture similary to Algren.
Watched this film in the cinema, 5 times. I have seen it more times than I can remember and yet its still my utmost favourite film ever. Beautiful cinemaphotography, beautiful music score, amazing story and the acting is top line.
Ever since the Shogunate era, the emperors were mostly puppets without real power. Even after emperor gained political power during the meiji reforms, killing a western diplomat in court would plunge the country into full scale war against western empires without any preparations.
This is one of my favorite movies. It allows justice to be served on small cruel men with no vision, while men of honor bear the burdens required of them, unflinching from their duty.
I know lots of people dont like the movie, but I think its a masterpiece. Its beautiful, the music epic and damn have I cried like a baby after watching Kasimodo fall with the others.
The age of the Samurai did end, but their warrior spirit has lived on, inspiring countless of future generations of people, both within Japan and outside.
Being half Japanese I have found solace and peace in this. The Japanese in me yearns for the simplicity and peace that this film displays. As Ive reached the autumn of my years I understand what Cruises character as sought and found.
"I have dreamed of a unified Japan. Of a country strong and independent and modern! And now we have railroads and cannon. Western clothing! But we cannot forget who we are. Or where we come from."
Not a big Tom Cruise fan so I didn't expect much from this movie. Not only was Cruise a lot better than I thought him capable of. the movie was one of the better I've seen.
