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What do you think the scene with Ujio was about?

posted 11 years ago by Hanz-Willhelm
9 replies | jump to latest

When he confronts Cruise's character about the wooden sword? To you what was Algren's motivation there? He was no good at fighting Ujio with the sword and was being beaten so what exactly was his reasoning to just keep trying to fight Ujio and why did he even challenge him in the first place? Later, it is said "you do not fear death but you sometimes wish for it." Do you think he was wanting to die and wanted to force a situation where he would have to be killed? I've always been curious as to what Algren was trying to do, what was he trying to prove? It seems that there is much, much more to it than "I'm tough and I won't do what you say or give up" it seems something much more deep is happening, I'm just curious as to what the full scope of Algren's actions there mean. Opinions?

[–] lamensterms 11 years ago

Superficially I reckon it's just a bit of bold rebellion from Algren. I don't really think it was a demonstration of Algren's "death wish"... I personally saw it as Algren trying to earn a bit of respect from Ujio (and the other spectators), the same way that Ken Watanabe 'saw something' during the first battle.

[–] Blueghost 11 years ago

To break him down and get rid of his pride, and to teach him a lesson in discipline.

[–] Hanz-Willhelm 11 years ago

Get rid of who's pride? Algren didn't get rid of any of Ujio's pride and all Algren had to do was just drop the stick so Ujio wasn't trying to teach Algren anything. If he had put the stick down it would have been over. Why does he keep getting up knowing he can't win and that he will get beaten? Who's teaching who about pride there? What are you saying?

[–] tmanqz 11 years ago

Its the inner Samurai spirit of Algren, something that drives him to keep fighting, never give up even though he has no chance.....this is why Algren was spared. Its what the movie is about.

[–] Dark_Sithlord 11 years ago

Interesting topic, Hanz-Willhelm.

I agree with tmanqz. Algren has an indomitable fighting spirit. I think it was Algren's way of showing defiance and standing up to his captors.

The scene not only showed who Algren was but also served to define who Ujio was: a hard ass who will show his opponent no mercy. He was probably the village's best swordsman. I think he scoffed at the idea of an outsider teaching the next generation of samurai how to sword fight. So Ujio had to soundly beat him to a pulp to squash any notion of learning anything from a foreigner.

In terms of film-making, that scene demonstrated Ujio's superior sword fighting skills, setting up the later scene when Algren fought Ujio to a draw, which showed how far Algren had progressed in his abilities. Thus, we are given the opportunity to see that Algren had won over the respect of his harshest critic: Ujio.

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

...that scene demonstrated Ujio's superior sword fighting skills, setting up the later scene when Algren fought Ujio to a draw, which showed how far Algren had progressed in his abilities.

Yes. It was all about getting his mojo back.

[–] roger-395 11 years ago

Precisely. Algren didn't know how to surrender. He was fearless and was willing to fight until he couldn't do it any more.

[–] nightlied 11 years ago

Going further on you supposition that Algren wanted to die, my opinion is that he wanted to get rid of the guilt of participating in the attack against the Native Americans. His emotional conflict led him to throw himself seemingly proud in some trouble-seeking actions, but, instead,he was searching for a moment of mental rest. In his quest he put his warrior inner self as lead, discovering a new approach of the combat: discipline and honor.

[–] Dark_Sithlord 8 years ago

Maybe Algren felt like he deserved that beating to placate a guilty conscience.