Useless Movie Trivia For
The Last Samurai

Memorable Movie Quotes

Algren: I will miss our conversations.

Katsumoto: I have introduced myself. You have introduced yourself. This is a very good conversation.

Colonel Bagley: Just tell me one thing, what is it about your own people you hate so much?

Katsumoto: The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.

Katsumoto: Many of our customs seem strange to you. And the same is true of yours. For example, not to introduce yourself is considered extremely rude, even among enemies.

Algren: This is Katsumoto's sword. He would have wanted you to have it. He hoped with his dying breath that you would remember his ancestors who held this sword, and what they died for. May the strength of the Samurai be with you always.

Trivia

Tom Cruise took no "up front" salary for this film.

This movie marks the 100th score for composer Hans Zimmer.

The Japanese character that the Taka's younger son paints and gives to Algren is the character for "samurai".

This not only marks the first time Ken Watanabe starred in an American-made film, but it is also the first time he spoke English in a film.

When Taka starts to undress for Capt. Algren there is a shot with her clothes slightly below her shoulders looking backwards over her shoulder. This is a homage to the Hishikawa Moronobu's ukiyo-e painting "backwards beauty"

The final battle takes place on May 26. Die-hard fans and extras watch the movie on May 26 every year.

Contrary to popular conception, the title of the film does not refer to Nathan Algren as the Last Samurai. The word "Samurai" here is in its plural form and is actually referring to Katsumoto's clan as a whole.

Goofs

When Katsumoto is in the courtyard discussing poetry and perfect blossoms, he has a cut on his forehead from the ninja attack. He announces that they will be departing the next morning, but when we see him the next morning, the cut has completely healed.

The technique of drawing a katana and the material of scabbard (saya, made of wood) doesn't generate such sound as it can be heard in the movie.

Japan *did* seek military advisors in the latter half of the 1800s to form a modern Army. The only problem with this is that they didn't consult the Americans to assist them. The most successful army at that point was the Prussian (not yet German) Army, whom they recruited for training purposes... as well as British naval attachés to assist in the creation of a modern fleet (which thoroughly embarrassed the Russians at the Battle of Tsushima in 1905 and established Japan as a fledgling world naval power).

No one, especially a foreigner, would have been allowed in the Emperor's presence bearing weapons, yet this happens on three occasions.

The Gatling Guns used bullets, yet no expended shell casings are ever ejected.

Box Office Info USA

Budget: $140,000,000

Opening Weekend: $24,271,354

Gross: $111,110,575

Filming Dates: October 10, 2002 to May 9, 2003

Filming Locations

Awaji City, Hyogo, Japan
Castle Green - 99 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA
Henderson Valley Studios, Hickory Avenue, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand (Film Studio)
Laramie Street, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
Mount Taranaki, Taranaki, New Zealand(Mt. Fuji Shots)
New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand(Japanese Port Set)
Nijo Castle, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, Japan
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand (rifle training scenes)
Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple, Himeji, Japan
Stage 15, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
Stage 19, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
Uruti Valley, Uruti, Taranaki, New Zealand(Japanese Village Scenes) (Battle Scenes)