The Last Samurai - White Man's Wet Dream

The point about it being unrealistic for a white guy to be able to go against samurai after only a Winter of training is flawed. American soldiers fought with swords back then. It wouldn't be that big of a stretch for Algren to apply his saber training to the katana.

Heck, the film could have presented Algren as needing no training to make a stand against samurai.

You forget that this is a Hollywood movie. Using an "American Hero" in it makes it more successful in America, where all the money is made.

What this movie also does in being successful in America is open more Americans' eyes to other cultures, and gives them the hint to respect those cultures.

I take it you missed that in the movie though, or you would understand.

If it would have been all Japanese guys, there wouldn't have been much for Americans to be influenced by. I think this movie does a great job of telling another culture's story with SOME historical significance, and I imagine that many have actually paid more attention to Japan since its release.

Poposhka

This is one of the best threads I've ever read in these boards. Thank you.

The story is based loosely on Jules Brunet a French army office who fought against the Emperor for the Tokugawa Shogunate...

This movie isnt about some white man's yellow fever obsession with Japanese culture, I resent that, it belittles the movie.

It is a powerful exploration of warrior identities and a sense of honour, courage and a self-less belief in something (be it friendship, love or a sense of morality). I think it explores the tormented existence of a seasoned warrior well, a sense that they are looking to die but want the manner of that death to in some way repent for the sins of their lives. Or better still a violent death befitting their own discomfort with their past (Algren's initial interest in dying in the forest)

If you cant see that then you are hopeless and this movie is completely lost on you. This film has a few powerful scenes that really convey those ideas. The Japanese setting is not important, but was perhaps chosen because what character discussion into the essence of a warrior can ignore Bushido. I think the culture clash of the movie's setting provided some strong imagery to really bring that out. For these reasons Japan and this particular period in history was a great backdrop.

It wasnt some obsession with Japanese culture, what moron could boil it down to that lowest common denominator.

Well...I'm a white teenager and I couldn't give a flying *beep* about Japan or asian women...

I prefer my own race and culture.

Ahahaha so true.... but the movie is in fact based on a real historical figure. So I guess they have that excuse.

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