I know there are many action film fans, and Tom Cruise fans as well here at The Guide, and I'm also certain that many of you have already seen this terrific film in the theater so I won't go into great detail on the storyline.
Basically it's about a battle-weary, and mentally disturbed, American Civil War army Captain who goes to Japan in 1875 as an advisor to the government in its struggle with a group of Samurai rebels led by Ken Wantanabe ( Katsumoto). After cruise is captured, Katsumoto is intrigued by the American's fierce courage and stubborn refusal to accept defeat. Cruise, in turn, becomes fascinated by the Samurai way of living and finds himself attracted to their cause and to the widow of a Samurai warrior he had killed.
Bows and arrows and Samurai sword doesn't seem like it has much of a chance against bullets, cannons and rapid-fire ack-ack guns. Thus the battle scenes are something to behold, as is the courage and fierce fighting ability of the Samurai warrior. This is not a wall to wall action film, but when the fighting is up there on screen, I found myself gripping the arms of my chair from the scary reality of it all.
This is a beautiful films in many ways. It was directed by Edward Zwick who did an excellent job in capturing an important moment in time-- the birth of a modern Japan and the vanishing, traditional way of life known as the Samurai. The story and acting ability of everyone involved is of the highest calibre and you find yourself completely absorbed by not only the story and characters, but by the scenery and atmosphere of this time in history. It is a film that stays with you long after the credits have rolled.
PQ and audio are both as real as it gets. If you are a collector you will want this in your collection.
:5:
Basically it's about a battle-weary, and mentally disturbed, American Civil War army Captain who goes to Japan in 1875 as an advisor to the government in its struggle with a group of Samurai rebels led by Ken Wantanabe ( Katsumoto). After cruise is captured, Katsumoto is intrigued by the American's fierce courage and stubborn refusal to accept defeat. Cruise, in turn, becomes fascinated by the Samurai way of living and finds himself attracted to their cause and to the widow of a Samurai warrior he had killed.
Bows and arrows and Samurai sword doesn't seem like it has much of a chance against bullets, cannons and rapid-fire ack-ack guns. Thus the battle scenes are something to behold, as is the courage and fierce fighting ability of the Samurai warrior. This is not a wall to wall action film, but when the fighting is up there on screen, I found myself gripping the arms of my chair from the scary reality of it all.
This is a beautiful films in many ways. It was directed by Edward Zwick who did an excellent job in capturing an important moment in time-- the birth of a modern Japan and the vanishing, traditional way of life known as the Samurai. The story and acting ability of everyone involved is of the highest calibre and you find yourself completely absorbed by not only the story and characters, but by the scenery and atmosphere of this time in history. It is a film that stays with you long after the credits have rolled.
PQ and audio are both as real as it gets. If you are a collector you will want this in your collection.
:5:
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