(10/10/02)

John Logan’s script for The Last Samurai is a stirring tale of legendary proportions, and one that effectively tells the story of the samurai and their fall from grace during the late nineteenth century while Japan struggled with modernization.

During his news conference last week announcing the beginning of filming, Tom Cruise, who will star in the film, was quoted as saying, "What we hope to do is to pay homage to the samurai spirit. Our intention is to celebrate the beauty and elegance of that portion of your culture."

If the script that I recently read is to be trusted, than I think it’s fair to say this movie will indeed pay homage to the spirit of the samurai while telling a fantastic story, and the credit belongs first with the screenwriter John Logan. A poignant and enchanting story about a Civil War veteran (Capt. Algren, to be played by Tom Cruise) who is hired by the United States government to aid Japan in the construction of a modern army. What no one knows it that Algren is an alcoholic suffering from severe depression and post war trauma.

Japan wishes to unite all of its provinces including those areas still governed by the samurai. Capt. Algren is hired because he was a war hero, having lead his cavalry unit in a desperate and bloody charge down Sutter’s Hill; Just the kind of man for the job.

Some of the other cast includes: Scottish comedian Billy Connolly to play Sgt. Zebulah Grant, a war comrade of Capt. Algren's; Tony Goldwin as Col. Benjamin Bagly, the officer who recruits Algren to travel to Japan; and Timothy Spall will play Simon Graham, Algren's english translator when he arrives in Japan.

The United States wants to help Japan for obvious economical reasons. By assisting them, the U.S. is all but assured a most favored nation trading status. The Emperor (Meiji) is in favor of modernization for various reasons, the most important being money. The royal family will profit handsomely when Western nations and companies purchase natural resources and other goods from them.

The samurai are held up in a mountain region where Japan is attempting to build a very important railroad, but have been unable to do so because of the samurai. The samurai were at one time consider to be the protectors of Japan. What is ironic, is that the samurai are still very loyal to royal family and Japan, even though they are not wanted. When Japan starts to build its army and threaten the samurai, only then is it that they react with force.

The samurai are lead by a very interesting character, Katsumoto. A fierce warrior who is respected and admired by his small army of 500 samurai, but he is also a poet. The samurai live in a village with their families. They have children, schools, markets and the men put on plays on the weekend for the entire village. The warriors are not just caricatures, but are presented as diverse individuals. We get to know many of these characters and through them gain a better understanding of their culture.

In 1876 Algren arrives in Japan and begins his tasks as an "advisor." He aids the army in drilling and training. After a month or so he is ordered to take his ill-trained and equipped force to the mountain region where the samurai live and attack them. Well, as you can imagine the battle is a massacre and Algren is severely wounded. But instead of executing him, Katsumoto, curious about who this Westerner is, takes him captive.

After many months of healing Algren is allowed to roam free throughout the village where he begins to understand, respect, and appreciate his captors. Ultimately Algren decides to join the samurai and is trained in their ways of fighting and in their philosophies, some of which he doesn’t understand or totally accept, at least right away.

The final act is not complete without another fierce and desperate battle that Algren must fight. Surrounded with his new family and brothers he rides off again facing certain death against an army that outnumbers them ten to one.

It’s a sad story in that the samurai live by a code of honor and respect, something that modern society is decidedly void of. As I pictured the simple life of the samurai and their faith, culture, and ideology, I couldn’t help but think that the modern world we live in is rather bland and often bleak by comparison. This story spoke to me on every level. As a raucous actioneer it provided the goods, and as a drama it filled me with some much needed spirituality. It was perfect timing.

John Logan is quickly becoming one of my favorite screenwriters. His work on Gladiator made all the difference for that movie. Without his contributions to the script (co-written by David Franzoni, who also did an excellent job) I don’t think the movie would have been near as dramatic or effective. Also, his screenplay for RKO 281 was excellent and I thought The Time Machine was a nice effort as well.

Logan gets it. He knows how to tell an entertaining story that delivers good characters, interesting characters, characters you care about, and then he proceeds to put them through agony. And in effect puts the audience through agony, which is what a good screenwriter does. This is going to be an excellent movie.

Edward Zwick (Legends of the Fall, Courage Under Fire, Glory, About Last Night..., The Siege) is the director, which even increases my excitement over this one. He is an outstanding helmer with the right background to tackle such a project. Reading his comments during the press conference before filmming started last week, and it sounds like he is excited and extremely motivated as is everyone involved with the film.

Until next time.

--Chris