Review the Last Samurai and International Accounting

The Last Samurai an Essay

The Plot of the Film

In 1876, Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is traumatized by his massacre of Native Americans in the Indian Wars and has become an alcoholic to stave off the memories. Algren is approached by former colleague Zebulon Gant (Billy Connolly), who takes him to meet Algren's former ColonelBagley (Tony Goldwyn), whom Algren despises for ordering the massacre. On behalf of businessman Mr. Omura (Masato Harada), Bagley offers Algren a job training conscripts of the new Meiji government of Japan to suppress a samurai rebellion that is opposed to Western influence, led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe). Despite the painful ironies of crushing another tribal rebellion, Algren accepts solely for payment. In Japan he keeps a journal and is accompanied by British translator Simon Graham (Timothy Spall).

Despite Algren's objections, Omura has Bagley order the peasant conscripts to fight early and they are routed when engaging the samurai. Gant is killed and Algren kills leading samurai warrior Hirotaro. Katsumoto is reminded of a vision of a tiger while watching Algren fight with a tiger embroidered spear and orders his capture. Taken to the samurai village, Algren is treated by Hirotaro's widow Taka and Katsumoto's son, Nobutada (Shin Koyamada) and recovers from his trauma. He begins to converse with Katsumoto, study swordsmanship under warrior Ujio (Hiroyuki Sanada) and apologizes to Taka for Hirotaro's death which she accepts because of the honor of battle. Growing closer to her and her children, he later helps defend the village from a night attack by Omura's ninja.

In spring, Algren is taken back to Tokyo as promised. The Imperial Japanese army have become better organized with American equipment and Omura offers Algren command if he reveals information on the rebels. Algren declines, so privately Omura orders his death. Katsumoto offers his counsel to the young Emperor, but finds the Emperor's control is weak. When Katsumoto...