The Last Samurai [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

beautiful movie in HD

True HD

Great quality, under-rated movie

Amazing picture quailty

Surprise, surprise

The Last Samurai [Blu-ray]
Starring: William Atherton , Sr. Ray Godshall , Tony Goldwyn , Togo Igawa , and Shane Kosugi
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000JUB7LW
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Product Description

Warner Brothers The Last Samurai (Blu-ray)
Epic Action Drama. Set in Japan during the 1870s, The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise),a respected American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced 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.

Customer Reviews:

beautiful movie in HD.......2007-03-25

warner made another beautiful HD transfer. I can't find another wrong, no grain anywhere. Just a perfect crystal clear image from start to finish. The cinematography will blow you away. Would give this 6 stars if i could. So far I find warner is the only studio willing to give HD addicts the best video quality possible. Some studios just throw a title on blu-ray and expect us to say, thank you for releasing it.

True HD.......2007-02-15

Frankly i purchased this item just to know how a BD differ from a DVD on my HDTV using my newly purchased PS3. i chose this product cause it has a lot of natural & colorful scenes. the result was really amazing, visualy, blu-ray movies really surpasses DVD. i couldnt test the audio difference, cuz i only have 5.1 Sony decoder. the movie per say is a must see for all those who like action titles.

Great quality, under-rated movie.......2007-02-02

Although not a box-office hit and factually inaccurate, I love this movie and would definitely put it in my top 10 favorites of all time. My wife just bought me a PS3 and I had to pick up a blu-ray disk to see the difference for myself. With SO MANY terrible, terrible movies available on blu-ray (Flyboys, Stealth, and Reign of Fire - the movie i consider to be one of the worst of all time - just to name a few), I decided to pick this up even though I already owned it on DVD. I had seen the movie in HD on DirecTV before, so there were no surprises regarding quality, but I was still really impressed when switching between this and the 480p picture produced by my DVD player. The colors are much more vibrant, the clarity is remarkable and it serves to submerse you in a movie that was already great as it was. As a huge fan of the movie as well as of HD picture quality, I was happy to pick this up at Best Buy for $25, but I probably wouldn't recommend getting this if you have it on DVD already unless you're a big fan. Now, if they could just get the Lord of the Rings Trilogy on Blu-Ray...

Amazing picture quailty.......2007-02-01

Well we already know about the movie so i am not going to comment on it. The most noticable thing about this Blu Ray release is the picture quality, its sharp, vivid colors, simply amazing. :) If you are looking for something to run as a demo on your new HDTV, this is the one. :)

I played it on my PS3 in 720p, its just great.

Surprise, surprise.......2007-01-24

Whoa! This is a surprisingly good movie! Though based on a mishmash of actual events, the mishmash presented here works well. No, an American soldier was not sent to Japan to train the emperor's soldiers so that they could better fight the remaining samurai loyal to the dying Tokugawa regime. The man that Cruise's character is based on actually went to China, not Japan, or so I'm told (read The Devil Soldier by Caleb Carr). However, when the emperor took over Japan, after 264 years of the Tokugawa, shogunate-controlled Japan, there really were samurai that refused to abandon their way of life and philosophy. The samurai were not only warriors, but owners of a rich and complex philosophy and way of life that has been shunned by many modern Japanese (and picked up by Japanese mafia to some extent!) Many refer to the shogunate control of Japan as short-lived, which is interesting considering that the Tokugawa government lasted longer that America has so far! The Last Samurai is a surprisingly rich film, containing accurate portrayals of sword technique, mixed with hand-to-hand jiu jitsu, which is a martial art that real samurai practiced. The show is almost stolen by Hiroyuki Sanada, a Japanese actor who was one of Sonny Chiba's protégés. He was the star of Twilight Samurai, which is simply one of the greatest samurai films of all time. Sanada and Cruise have a slight rivalry going on, and the scene in which they confront each other with wooden swords (kendo swords) is one of the high points of the entire film. Watch and enjoy this heart-breaking film about a dying way of life. If you like it, then also check out When the Last Sword is Drawn, which is a Japanese film about the same events, made the very same year as The Last Samurai!

Average customer rating:

poor sound
HD DVD PQ
DANCES WITH WOLVES IN JAPAN
Last Samurai is a solid HD-DVD
Great Movie but poor Sound

The Last Samurai [HD DVD]
Starring: Ken Watanabe , Tom Cruise , William Atherton , Chad Lindberg , and Ray Godshall Sr.
Director: Edward Zwick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000E5KJDO
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Product Description

Warner Brothers The Last Samurai - HD DVD
Epic Action Drama. Set in Japan during the 1870s, The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), arespected American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first armyin the art of modern warfare. As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Samurai, which places him at thecenter of a struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his own sense of honor to guide him.

Customer Reviews:

poor sound.......2007-08-04

i have last samurai HD DVD and BLU-ray..the HD has a poor sound but the BLU-ray has a great sound...the picture quality is the same for Blu-ray and HD DVD and there`s no much diffrent from regular DVD

HD DVD PQ.......2007-05-02

I only review the picture and sound quality of this HD DVD here.
First of all people who claim there is no difference between this and the SD DVD is either blind, or have bad equipment issues. While it is a definitive step up from the SD DVD I would agree that this isn't among the best I've seen. There is nothing particularly wrong with the transfer, but it lacks that "3d" look that some of the best HD DVD titles offer.The goods are very accurate colors and contrast level, black level is also good with ample shadow detail.Film grain is at minimal, and don't see any edge enhancement.Sharpness is where the problem lies, and so is detail is lacking a bit. This movie didn't have the typical big action picture sound, though it had a sweeping score, and some battle related sound, but it won't be your new demo disc. The Dolby Digital+ sound does as much as it can with the source, and it's by no means is bad, it's just not all that great. All in all it's an above then average discs, and if you like the movie then this is the best it looks right now on home video.

DANCES WITH WOLVES IN JAPAN.......2007-04-10

Tom C's best movie - I am not a big Tom C. fan but this is his best movie. Good pace, good acting, great soundtrack it has it all -

Last Samurai is a solid HD-DVD.......2007-01-20

Alot of people are writing saying this is a real stinker. With poor quality Picture and sound...

They are all wrong. I watched this on my 50" Panasonic Plasma, and whilst i agree it's no King Kong, it's a HUGE difference upon comparison with the SD DVD, which is what it should be compared to.

Clarity of image on HD-DVD is a HUGE improvement over the SD disc, with richer colours, sharper detail. ie. just look at the BG detail.

Clarity of Sound is good, but is mastered at quite a low volume around 10-15db), but is still great.

Don't believe what others have said. This disc truelly shines, and if you're a fan and want the the BEST possible transfer for home viewing,
you won't be dissapointed.

-zallapo

Great Movie but poor Sound.......2007-01-19

Maybe you have already seen this Movie on DVD so you know what I'm talking about. I`ve you're interest in Historic Movie's like Patriot or Bravehearth you will like this Movie. But beware, the Picture looks not real HD, only like a Medium DVD Tranfer. If you have seen King Kong on HD you will be disappointed because the Picture never seems to be real sharp. The same with the Sound - The DD5.1 Downmix is very poor...you must turn the Sound up at near 30% higher as Miami Vice or King Kong to have the same Sound Level...What's up Warner?
But don't understand me wrong, I love this Movie...it has Bookmarks and a good Extras "Setup" - so maybe this is only the beginning for the "Real HD Experience" ;-)

The Last Samurai (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Good Movie
My bro loves it
Very Good Movie
One of my favourites
My thoughts of why this movie was not popular in the US

The Last Samurai (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Ken Watanabe , Tom Cruise , William Atherton , Chad Lindberg , and Ray Godshall Sr.
Director: Edward Zwick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001JXOVC
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Product Description

Epic Action Drama. Set in Japan during the 1870s, The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a respected American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced 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.
Running Time: 154 min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

While Japan undergoes tumultuous transition to a more Westernized society in 1876-77, The Last Samurai gives epic sweep to an intimate story of cultures at a crossroads. In America, tormented Civil War veteran Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is coerced by a mercenary officer (Tony Goldwyn) to train the Japanese Emperor's troops in the use of modern weaponry. Opposing this "progress" is a rebellion of samurai warriors, holding fast to their traditions of honor despite strategic disadvantage. As a captive of the samurai leader (Ken Watanabe), Algren learns, appreciates, and adopts the samurai code, switching sides for a climactic battle that will put everyone's honor to the ultimate test. All of which makes director Edward Zwick's noble epic eminently worthwhile, even if its Hollywood trappings (including an all-too-conventional ending) prevent it from being the masterpiece that Zwick and screenwriter John Logan clearly wanted it to be. Instead, The Last Samurai is an elegant mainstream adventure, impressive in all aspects of its production. It may not engage the emotions as effectively as Logan's script for Gladiator, but like Cruise's character, it finds its own quality of honor. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Good Movie.......2007-09-01

I am not a Tom Cruise fan. In fact I think he is a bit of a nut. But...after saying that this is a good performance for him. While the plot is fairly predictable I think it is an interesting look into a historical time period. A transition from an ancient tradition in Japan into the modern age. I would recommend the film to anyone who loves history.

My bro loves it.......2007-07-28

My brother thinks of this as one of the best movies ever. I thought it was pretty good, but I sent it to him for a what the heck gift, and it was worth it to make him happy.

Very Good Movie.......2007-06-27

Something you'll want to watch a few times. Story of a civil war hero, fighting his own demons,(Tom Cruise) recruited to train the Emperors Army. He is forced to confront those demons and...A lot of similarites to "THE KING AND I". I primarily enjoyed the evolution of the main character brought on by...Lots of action. Lots of personal interaction of a philisophical nature. A somewhat "deep" movie. Hope I didn't spoil it for you!

One of my favourites.......2007-06-05

I don't care what the negative reviewers think, it's just a story, make-believe! Fiction doesn't have to be absolutely perfect, nor absolutely accurate either. You'd be hard-pressed to find any fictional films/stories that are.

And if a few liberties were taken with the historical element well, that's nothing new where Hollywood is concerned is it, and the film isn't meant to be historical in that sense anyway, just uses that period as a backdrop really. Poetic licence.

A number of people have likened it to 'Dances with Wolves'. Sorry but no. 'Dances with Wolves' bored me to tears. But 'The Last Samurai' is a lovely film, very emotive and with a nice soundtrack, and some great perfomances from all concerned. The themes were ones we could all do with being reminded of.

The only things about it that I didn't like were:

1. It didn't go on for as long as I would have liked it to.

2. The battle at the end seemed just a touch not right.

I've lost count how many times I have watched this film.

My thoughts of why this movie was not popular in the US.......2007-05-11

My profile 43 yo no qualifications as a movie critic

Browsing through the reviews (there is just too many), I stopped after finding out one reviewer who reflected on why this movie was not that popular in the US and why it it was almost not mentioned in the Oscar (that was my impression at least).. Well, the reviewer said something about the view of the "whiteman's burden" made have caused unpleasant reactions.. that could be part of the reason, but my opinion is, the movie was released at a bad political timing and was censored by Hollywood as part of the "Patriot" canpaign designed at getting moral support to the invasion of Irak

Now you may label me now as a "conspiracy paranoid", but let me deliniate some aspects too see if they are not logical.. in the movie, americans go to Japan as mercenaries with a agenda of opening the big arms trade with imperial Japan.. to make matters worse, an ethical crisis occurs to the character of Tom Cruise.. an actor who is still remembered as a patriotic pilot who shot down those dreaded MICs in "Top Gun" ( a movie destined to make the public feel good at their defense expenditure)... talk about a bad timing to reflect and see that your goverment; not only sends you to genocide the american indians, now its time to continue somewhere else!! and what's even worse, he joins the other side!!, not exactly the kind of attitude you need on the troop morale sent to invade Irak under weak grounds.. hell, was it not enough the catharsis done by all those Vietnam movies? (where Tom Cruise did a Nam veteran).. well that was then this is now... lets face it.. why such an epic movie, a superb production and what I consider Cruise's pass to inmortality in the world of true films, was given a "foreign movie" treatment??!!

Perhaps after the dust settles and a new peace period begins, this movie can be seen in its proper context..

Average customer rating:

Good Movie
My bro loves it
Very Good Movie
One of my favourites
My thoughts of why this movie was not popular in the US

The Last Samurai (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Ken Watanabe , Tom Cruise , William Atherton , Chad Lindberg , and Ray Godshall Sr.
Director: Edward Zwick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001JXOUS
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Amazon.com

Description

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by Edward Zwick
DVD ROM Features
Deleted Scenes:The Beheading (Behind the Beheading) Algren and Katsumoto
Documentaries:History vs. Hollywood: The Last Samurai {History Channel Documentary)
Featurette:Tom Cruise: A Warrior's Journey Edward Zwick: Director's Video Journal {Behind-the-scenes production journal - narrated by Ed Zwick and Tom Cruise A World of Detail: Production Design with Lilly Kilvert Silk and Armor: Costume Design with Ngila Dickson Imperial Army Basic Training: From Soldier to Samurai: The Weapons
Interviews:Making an Epic: A Conversation with Edward Zwick
Other:Japan Premieres {Tokyo & Kyoto red carpet)

Customer Reviews:

Good Movie.......2007-09-01

My bro loves it.......2007-07-28

My brother thinks of this as one of the best movies ever. I thought it was pretty good, but I sent it to him for a what the heck gift, and it was worth it to make him happy.

Very Good Movie.......2007-06-27

One of my favourites.......2007-06-05

My thoughts of why this movie was not popular in the US.......2007-05-11

Samurai - The Last Warriors (Documentary)

Average customer rating:

Very well made, with plenty of action balanced with history
Excellent

Samurai - The Last Warriors (Documentary)

Manufacturer: Hannover House
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000VD0XI
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Customer Reviews:

Very well made, with plenty of action balanced with history.......2007-02-26

Excellent documentary, on par with the best of History Channel or A&E productions. Perhaps the only, definitive history of these valiant warriors, from their historic emergence, to their place in folklore. Highly recommended.

Excellent.......2006-11-10

On watching this documentry, i found it very informative and learned alot about Japanes culture. If you are interested in the life of the samuria this is a very good dvd to buy.

The Best of Blu-Ray, Volume Two (The Last Samurai / The Phantom of the Opera / Unforgiven / The Fugitive) [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

The Best of Blu-Ray, Volume Two (The Last Samurai / The Phantom of the Opera / Unforgiven / The Fugitive) [Blu-ray]
Starring: Tom Cruise , Emmy Rossum , Clint Eastwood , and Harrison Ford
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000RGX0KY
Release Date: 2007-09-18

The Best of HD DVD, Volume Two (The Last Samurai / The Phantom of the Opera / Unforgiven / The Fugitive) [HD DVD]

Average customer rating:

The Best of HD DVD, Volume Two (The Last Samurai / The Phantom of the Opera / Unforgiven / The Fugitive) [HD DVD]
Starring: Tom Cruise , Emmy Rossum , Clint Eastwood , and Harrison Ford
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000RGX0M2
Release Date: 2007-09-18

Average customer rating:

The Last Samurai
Starring: John Saxon , John Fujioka , and Lance Henriksen
Director: Paul Mayersberg
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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The Last Samurai (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B0001Y7PBC
Release Date: 1990-01-01

The Last Samurai / Interview With the Vampire (Widescreen Edition 2-Pack)

Average customer rating:

The Last Samurai / Interview With the Vampire (Widescreen Edition 2-Pack)
Starring: Tom Cruise , Brad Pitt , Kirsten Dunst , Stephen Rea , and Antonio Banderas
Director: Neil Jordan , and Edward Zwick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002KQNG8
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Average customer rating:

The Last Samurai/Heaven & Earth
Starring: Warner 2pak
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Description

The Last Samurai Set in Japan during the 1870s, The Last Samurai tells the story of Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a respected American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced 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. Heaven and Earth Tommy Lee Jones burns through the screen like white phosphorous" (Newhouse News Service) in Oliver Stone's powerful Vietnam saga of a man who fought, a woman who endured...and a love enmeshed in a war's brutality.

DVD:

DVD

DVD