Starring:
Year of Release: 2003
Rated: R
Director: Edward Zwick
Approx. Running Time: 154 minutes
Format(s): DVD
My Rating: 4 stars (Out of 5)
Trailer:
From Back Cover:
"TWO THUMBS UP!"
-Ebert and Roeper
"A PHENOMENAL ACHIEVEMENT! TOM CRUISE'S FINEST HOUR..."
-Bill Zwecker, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
Tom Cruise plays Civil War hero Capt. Nathan Algren, who comes to Japan to fight the Samurai and ends up pledging himself to their cause. Ken Watanabe (Academy Award nominee) plays Katsumoto, a Samurai leader facing a vanishing way of life, whose destiny becomes intertwined with that of the American captain. Edward Zwick (winner of the National Board of Review's Best Director Award) directs this sweeping and emotional epic tale of the birth of modern Japan.
My Comments:
Do I hate Tom Cruise? Yes. Is this film historically accurate? No. Is the basic plot - disillusioned soldier is reassigned and finds himself in love with the culture that he has been sent to destroy - one that has been done before? Yes. Did I enjoy it anyway? Absolutely. The cinematography is breathtaking. The acting is superb and the story teaches lessons about courage and honor. Watch it.
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Rated R (MPAA)
4 Stars
2003 (Year Of Release)
Historical Features
War/Military Films
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