Spectators who like military dramas should definitely see the picture “The Last Samurai”. Actor star Tom Cruise, a dynamic plot, large-scale battle scenes - the creators of the historical tape did everything possible to make their brainchild a real blockbuster. Not only Americans, but also Japanese took part in the filming of the film, which allows the story to look as authentic as possible. So whose game deserves applause first?
Actors of the movie "The Last Samurai" and the plot
War drama moves viewers to the mysterious country of Japan. The action takes place in the 70s of the XIX century. The actors of the movie “The Last Samurai” did an excellent job of creating images of people who lived in those distant times. The protagonist of the story is Captain Neyton Algren, whose role went to Tom Cruise. The star's character is a military officer whom the Japanese emperor invites to serve. Algren's task is to train troops in the modern art of combat.
Interesting characters with a rich inner world - the main advantage of the drama "The Last Samurai". Actor Tom Cruise is not the only star involved in the filming of the tape. His opponent, Katsumoto, was played by Ken Watanabe, already then famous in Japan. Katsumoto is the leader of the resistance movement, whose goal is to preserve the samurai principles and rejection of pro-Western politics.
The minister, with almost unlimited influence on the Japanese emperor, is another important figure in the historical drama The Last Samurai. The actor who plays the Omuru adviser is Masato Harada, who has gained worldwide fame thanks to this tape. There is also a love line, for which the Japanese actress Koyuki is responsible, playing the role of a mysterious beauty named Taka.
Who played Tom Cruise
The favorite of American viewers, Cruz took the lead, agreeing to shoot in the drama "The Last Samurai." The actor brilliantly coped with the creation of a difficult image of an army captain who accidentally fell into the epicenter of the struggle of two worlds. Neyton Algren makes every important decision based on his understanding of honor; he is not inclined to thoughtlessly execute orders. Interestingly, during the filming, the actor almost died in the performance of a difficult trick due to a purely technical malfunction. However, he recalls with great pleasure how he mastered the art of handling samurai weapons.
An unlucky entrepreneur, a rich playboy, a secret agent, a brave pilot, a bloodthirsty vampire - it's hard to remember all the roles played in the movie by Tom Cruise. Not surprisingly, the image of the courageous captain Neyton was easily given to the talented American actor.
Ken Watanabe and his hero
As already mentioned, participation in the filming of the charming Tom Cruise is far from the only achievement of the film “The Last Samurai”, the actors and the roles of which are not so purposefully occupied by the audience. Katsumoto is a rebellious samurai who once devotedly served the Japanese emperor. He was forced to raise a rebellion by the pro-Western policy of Minister Omura, who declared the eradication of samurai traditions necessary for the development of the state to be the work of his life. Of course, Katsumoto had followers. The relationship of the character of Ken Watanabe with the hero played by Cruz is interesting. Throughout the film, the characters will move from hatred to friendship.
Ken Watanabe was already popular in Japan by the time the filming began. However, it was the role of the stern warrior Katsumoto, who, if necessary, was able to become a devoted friend, a gentle father, gave the talented actor worldwide popularity, as evidenced by the nomination for an Oscar. Spectators can admire the game of Watanabe in other famous films: “Memoirs of a geisha”, “Batman: The Beginning”.
Other interesting heroes
Of course, it was Cruz and Watanabe who became the stars of the drama “The Last Samurai”. The film nevertheless acquaints the audience with other bright personalities. For example, a very controversial image of Minister Omura was created by an actor Masato Harada, unknown before the release of the picture. His character, of course, works for the good of his country, but uses too cruel methods on the way to his goal. Another famous tape featuring Masato is Fearless.
An interesting character is Taka, the sister of Katsumoto, who becomes the lover of Neyton Algren. The hero of Tom Cruise kills Taki's husband in a battle, which does not prevent the young girl from subsequently falling in love with a handsome captain. Actress Koyuki is known mainly in Japan.
This is the list of actors who played the most curious heroes of The Last Samurai.