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''The Last Samurai'' is a 2003 American epic war film directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick, who also co-wrote the screenplay with John Logan. The film stars Tom Cruise, who also co-produced, as well as Ken Watanabe, Shin Koyamada, Tony Goldwyn, Hiroyuki Sanada, Timothy Spall, and Billy Connolly. Inspired by a project by Vincent Ward, it interested Zwick, with Ward later serving as executive producer. The film production went ahead with Zwick and was shot in Ward’s native New Zealand. Tom Cruise portrays a formerly retired officer of the United States 7th Cavalry Regiment, whose personal and emotional conflicts bring him into contact with samurai warriors in the wake of the Meiji Restoration in 19th Century Japan. The film's plot was inspired by the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion led by Saigō Takamori, and the westernization of Japan by foreign powers, though in the film the United States is portrayed as the primary force behind the push for westernization. To a lesser extent it is also influenced by the stories of Jules Brunet, a French army captain who fought alongside Enomoto Takeaki in the earlier Boshin War and Frederick Townsend Ward, an American mercenary who helped Westernize the Chinese army by forming the Ever Victorious Army. ''The Last Samurai'' was well received upon its release, with a worldwide box office total of $456 million.〔 It was nominated for several awards, including four Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two National Board of Review Awards. == Plot == In 1876, U.S. Army captain Civil War veteran Nathan Algren is traumatized by his participation in atrocities during the Indian Wars, and has become an embittered alcoholic. Algren is approached by his former commanding officer, Colonel Bagley, on behalf of Japanese businessman Omura, who wishes to hire distinguished U.S. soldiers to train the Imperial Japanese Army to suppress a samurai rebellion, led by Katsumoto Moritsugu. In exchange, Japan would ratify a lucrative trade agreement that would grant the U.S. exclusive rights to supply arms to the Japanese government. Although Algren despises Bagley for having ordered atrocities during the Indian wars, he accepts the job for the money and sails to Japan. Most of the soldiers being trained are little more than inexperienced peasants and farmers.The training is interrupted when the samurai rebels attack a railroad owned by Omura; Bagley orders the regiment to mobilize, overruling Algren's objection that the soldiers are not ready. Algren is proved correct: during a battle in a foggy forest in Yoshino Province, the undisciplined and intimidated soldiers panic and are quickly routed by the samurai horsemen. Algren kills several samurai with his revolver and saber but is eventually knocked from his horse. Algren desperately fights using a spear tipped flagstaff with a flag of a white tiger until he collapses from complete exhaustion. As he is about to be vanquished, he kills his would-be executioner with the staff's spear tip. His ferocity and refusal to surrender, as well as the image of the white tiger on the flag he is fighting with, reminds Katsumoto of a recurring dream. As a result, Algren is spared and taken captive to the rebels' village in the mountains. In captivity and under guard, Algren is relatively free to explore the village and interact with its inhabitants. He meets with Katsumoto, who wishes to have civilized conversations with him for the purpose of mutual understanding. Algren grows to respect the humble, yet disciplined lifestyle of the samurai and their families. As time passes, he integrates more fully with their society, learning samurai martial techniques as well as the Japanese language. From Katsumoto, he learns that the rebellion opposes the speed of Japanese westernization, and that he believes the samurai are acting in the best interest of Japan. Algren is housed with Katsumoto's sister Taka and her family; she initially dislikes him, but after Algren learns it was her husband (the samurai that was going to execute him) he killed in combat, he apologizes and the two grow closer. His stay in the village allows him to overcome his alcoholism, come to terms with the horrors of his past and learn the samurai way. Algren earns the samurai's respect and acceptance after he helps defeat a band of ninjas sent by Omura to assassinate Katsumoto. Katsumoto is given safe passage to Tokyo in order to meet with his master and former student, the Emperor, and releases Algren. Algren learns that the Imperial Japanese Army has become much better trained and armed over the wintertime. Katsumoto realizes that the Emperor's influence in the government has been subverted by his advisers, led by Omura, who support westernization and intend to use the strengthened army to crush the samurai. In a council meeting, Katsumoto is arrested for carrying a sword. Rather than fulfill Omura's request to lead the Imperial Army against the rebellion, Algren organizes the samurai to free Katsumoto. The raid is successful and many soldiers are killed. Already mortally wounded, Katsumoto's son Nobutada sacrifices himself to allow everyone else to escape. Mourning the loss of his son, feeling defeated and dishonored, Katsumoto contemplates committing ''seppuku'', believing that the samurai are no longer necessary. Algren convinces him that "nothing could be more necessary", and vows to fight the Imperial army at Katsumoto's side. Algren and the samurai return to the village to prepare for the army's coming assault. Before the warriors depart for battle, Taka asks Algren to honor her by wearing her husband's armor. She respectfully dresses him, and the two share a kiss, while Katsumoto presents Algren with a katana. As the battle commences, the samurai use several traps and careful tactics directed by Algren to gain the initial edge over the Imperial Army. The Imperial soldiers are lured away from the protection of their artillery and cut off by a fire trap set by the samurai. Following a lethal hail of arrows, Algren and Katsumoto lead a wave of swordsmen in a charge against them. As both sides clash, more Imperial platoons arrive, only to be countered by samurai infantry and cavalry flanking them. The struggle continues with close combat, leaving many dead on both sides before the remaining Imperial soldiers retreat. Knowing that they cannot withstand the next expected assault, Katsumoto orders a final horseback charge that breaks through the Army's defensive lines (scaring Omura) and is only stopped by his ordering of last-minute Gatling gun fire. During the charge, Algren spots Bagley firing on Katsumoto and kills him by spearing his samurai sword into him. The Gatling fire rapidly cuts down the remaining samurai and grievously injures Algren, who nevertheless helps Katsumoto achieve an honorable death by assisting him in performing seppuku. Ignoring Omura's demand that they kill all the samurai, the Imperial Army collectively kneels and bows in a show of respect for the fallen. Days later, as Imperial negotiations over the trade agreement conclude, an injured Algren interrupts the proceedings and presents Katsumoto's sword to the Emperor, stating that Katsumoto would have wanted him to have it and to remember the cause for which he and his ancestors had died. The Emperor realizes that while Japan must modernize, it must also grow strong in line with its own history and culture. He asserts himself, takes control, rejects the trade agreement and confiscates the Omura family's assets to give back to the people. When the Emperor asks how Katsumoto died, Algren responds that he will tell him how he lived. As the film closes, questions are raised to what happened to Algren, whether he died from his wounds or traveled back to America. The film shows Algren returning to the isolated mountain village to live with Taka and her children in peace 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Last Samurai」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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