Director: Ed Zwick
Writer: John Logan
Starring: Tom Cruise, Timothy Spall, Billy Connolly, Tony Goldwyn
Released: January 15, 2004
Rating: (MA)
Runtime: 154 minutes
Websites:
Story: Set in Japan during the 1870s, The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren, an American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare.  As the government attempts to eradicate the ancient Samurai warrior class in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly affected by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his own sense of honor to guide him.
Cast:
Ken Watanabe Katsumoto
Tom Cruise Nathan Algren
William Atherton Winchester Rep
Chad Lindberg Winchester Rep Assistant
Ray Godshall Sr. Convention Hall Attendee
Billy Connolly Zebulon Gant
Tony Goldwyn Colonel Bagley
Masato Harada Omura
Masashi Odate Omura's Companion
John Koyama Omura's Bodyguard
Timothy Spall Simon Graham
Shichinosuke Nakamura Emperor Meiji
Togo Igawa General Hasegawa
Satoshi Nikaido N.C.O.
Shintaro Wada Young Recruit