I watched this movie again last night but still could not pick up on that. What do people think?
shareBecause Katsumoto wanted to understand the enemy. He wanted to understand him as a person.
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Because Katsumoto had a vision of a white tiger
Drawn Together taught me all I need to know about life
Katsumoto had a dream or "vision" involving a white tiger. When the Samurai were going to kill Algren, he defended himself with flag which had a white tiger on it. Katsumoto saw that as a "sign" and kept him alive.
shareApart from the fact that Nathan Algren was obviously the tiger in Katsumoto's vision, I think that Katsumoto instantly respected him as a fellow warrior - and a fierce one. My take is that Katsumoto was surprised to see such ability in a Westerner, so he wanted to learn more about this extremely unusual white man.
shareThey respected him for how hard he fought and thought they could get information out of him.
shareAt the beginning of the film Katsumoto had a vision of a tiger fighting samurais who surrounded him, and that actually happen when Nathan was surrounded struggling with a spear with a flag of a tiger. When Katsumoto said he wanted to know his enemy was a frank excuse to try to understand the reason for which it was Nathan Algren "sent" to him, he actually tell that to Taka.
shareIt is explained quite thoroughly in the conversations between Katsumoto and his fellow Samurai.
Then again, Katsumoto's conversation with Taka tells you something different. I believe the foremost reason is his vision of the white tiger,so you could call it a hunch really.
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While Algren was taking his final stand with the spear, Katsumoto felt a connection between him and the white tiger from his dream, taking it as an omen. Practicing English or knowing his enemy were just secondary interests and easy excuses for his men to understand. I'm sure, in a way, Algren also impressed him as a warrior because he was fighting so vigorously. Katsumoto did await the outcome of the fight vs. Hirotaro, as to let him earn his life first.
shareI had a question that kind of goes along with this. After they took Algren to their camp, why was he allowed to pretty much just live amongst them from the beginning. Wouldn't a guy that was an enemy, killing your people be considered a threat, even if you took his sword? I'd be worried that he might as well murder some people while he's free there. You'd think he would be locked up, at least at the beginning.
Also, I had another question. So the japaneese and samurai were killing each other. Why did they go to the market where they were together. If they are at war and had been killing others, why wouldn't they expect more of it to happen there, even bringing Algren who you were keeping prisoner from them?
*Thanx for any responses to help me understand this more.
Any help on my questions?
shareWell if he was under constant guard from 'Bob' during the day I think it's reasonable to assume he was guarded pretty much 24/7.
As for your second question I guess you need to consider the weight behind the fundamental theme of honour in the movie. The Emperor offered Katsumoto a truce and safe passage. Remember this is a guy who would commit suicide on command so the Emperor and even the crafty Omura knew they could count on the Samurai to honour the truce and there would be no aggression shown on their part.
24/04/1916
'After they took Algren to their camp, why was he allowed to pretty much just live amongst them from the beginning'
As others have stated, plus,,Katsumoto explained to Algren that the mountain pass was 'unpassable' till spring. Meaning, you ain't goin anywhere,, so you try anything,,you die
Frankly autocorrect, I'm getting a little tired of your shirt
Katsumoto was hoping he would be the one to help him finish his poem.
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