The Last Samurai(2003)
“In the face of an enemy, in the heart of one man, lies the soul of a warrior.”
Overview
Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.
Director
Edward Zwick
Studio
Radar Pictures
Budget
$140M
Revenue
$457M
Cast
Tom Cruise
as Nathan Algren
Ken Watanabe
as Moritsugu Katsumoto
Timothy Spall
as Simon Graham
Tony Goldwyn
as Col. Benjamin Bagley
Hiroyuki Sanada
as Ujio
Koyuki
as Taka
Shin Koyamada
as Nobutada
Billy Connolly
as Zebulon Gant
Togo Igawa
as General Hasegawa
Shichinosuke Nakamura
as Emperor Meiji
Masato Harada
as Omura
William Atherton
as Winchester Rep
Where to Watch
Availability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Movie Facts
Release Year
2003
Runtime
2h 34m
Language
English
Rating
7.6 / 10
Budget
$140M
Box Office
$457M
Production Companies
Radar Pictures • Bedford Falls Productions • Cruise/Wagner Productions
You Might Also Like
Action / Drama
The Challenge
1982
Drama / History
The Patriot
2000
Action / Drama
Letters from Iwo Jima
2006
Action / War
Missing in Action 2: The Beginning
1985
Drama / War
Uncommon Valor
1983
Drama / History
Hacksaw Ridge
2016
Drama / Action
The Last Full Measure
2020
Western / Drama
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
2007
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Last Samurai?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for The Last Samurai (2003).
What is The Last Samurai about?▼
Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.
Who directed The Last Samurai?▼
The Last Samurai was directed by Edward Zwick and released in 2003. It is a drama, action, war film.
How long is The Last Samurai?▼
The Last Samurai has a runtime of 2 hours and 34 minutes (154 minutes total).
Who stars in The Last Samurai?▼
The cast of The Last Samurai includes Tom Cruise as Nathan Algren, Ken Watanabe as Moritsugu Katsumoto, Timothy Spall as Simon Graham, Tony Goldwyn as Col. Benjamin Bagley, Hiroyuki Sanada as Ujio and more.
Explore More by Genre
Need a recommendation?
Tell us your mood and we'll pick the perfect movie for you.