"English Subtitle by Do My Best" "They say Japan was made by a sword" "They say the old gods dipped the coral blade into the ocean" "When they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea those drops became the islands of Japan" "I say Japan was made by a handful of brave men" "Warriors willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word..." "Honor" "" The Last Samurai "" "Ladies and Gentlemen ..." "Winchester an American leader in all forms of armament used by the United States Army celebrates our nation's centenial by bringing you a true American hero." "One of our most decorated warriors this country has ever known... winner of the medal of honor for his gallantry on the hallowed ground of Gettysburg" "He's late of the seventh cavalry and their triumph campaign... against the most savage of the Indian nations." "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you..." "Captain Nathan Algren." "Captain Nathan Algren!" "Yes !" "Yes!" "Please, one moment, thank you." "God damn you, Algren!" "Get out of there!" "This is your last performance, you are fired." "Now get out of there!" "Come on!" "I'm sick of this, come on!" "Yes!" "My thanks, Mr. McCabe." "You are too kind." "This, ladies and gents, is the gun that's winning the west." "I... many's the time, I've found myself... surrounded by a swarm of  angry hostiles." "with nothing but this rifle, between me and a certain and gruesome death." "But let me tell you folks... the red man is a fearsome enemy." "If He'd had his way, this scalp of mine would be long gone... and it'd be a balder man standing before you today." "Like those poor bastards out there on the Little BigHorn." "Bodies stripped bare mutilated and left to rot in the sun." "This, ladies and gentlemen, 73 lever-action  Trapper" "7-shot capacity, accurate at 400 yards, one round per second..." "Son, you've seen what this could do to a man?" "It's blown a hole in your daddy 6 inches wide." "That's right, Missy." "This beauty, you'll kill yourself five, six, seven braves... without ever having to reload." "Note the patented loading port... and the smooth cocking action." "My thanks, on behalf of those who died in the name of better mechanical amusements... and commercial opportunities." "Mr. McCabe is here to take your orders" "God bless you all." "I've seen out your flair for the old melodrama." " You are alive." " I'm indeed." "You minded Custer said this, "we're going to the Little BigHorn since I want those weird stuff to walk into take-up for me."" "Now many things happened, I will tell you what else happened." "I've got a good job for the both of us." "God knows specially you're gonna need one for yourself." "What kind of a job?" "The only job you are fit or loyal." "A man's job!" "Unless of course you are considering a career in the theater." "Nathan!" "Just listen to what the man has to say." "Been a while, it's good to see you." "Nathan Algren, I would like you to meet Mr. Omura, from Japan." "and his associate, whose name I've given up try to pronounce." "Sit down, please." "Whiskey." "Now Japan's got it in mind to become a civilized country." "And Mr. Omura here is willing to spend what it takes to hire white experts to train their army." "And he prepared a contract the Emperor grants the U.S... exclusive rights to supply arms." "I have an agreement with the Winchester company, and I am certain that Mr. Omura here has some concept of what an agreement is." "Your performances for the Winchester company bring you $25 a week." "We will pay you $400 a month." "$5 for each." "and another $500 when we get the job done." "How many other genuine war heroes you got lined up?" "He's rude" "That's how it is here." "A land of cheap traders." "Whiskey." "So , who would we be training your boys to fight against?" "His name is Kasumoto Moritsugu." "He was once the Emperor's teacher." "He is a samurai." "Samurai?" "The word you might use is "warrior"" "Mr. Omura is familiar... with our experience in dealing with renegade." "Does he?" "He's even read your book." "Captain Algren's study of the tribes... was a crucial factor in our defeat of the Cheyennes." "Please excuse" "What is funny?" "Because..." "back together again is so inspiring" "Excuse me" "Excuse me." "I need to use the necessity." "This isn't a problem" "I'll just talk to him for a minute." "Colonel Bagley." "We contacted you because you are Captain Algren's superior officer... and you assured us of his participation." "He'll do it." "I just need a minute." "Nathan." "I did what I was ordered to do up there." "And I have no remorse." "what do you say we put the past behind us?" "You want me to kill Jappos?" "I will kill Jappos." "I am not asking you to kill anybody, but the enemy..." "Kill the enemies of Jappos." "Kill the enemies of Jappos." "or Reb, Sioux, Cheyenne..." "For 500 bucks a month, I will kill whoever you want." "But keep one thing in mind..." "I'd happily kill you for free." "June 12th, 1876." "There is some comfort in the emptiness in the sea." "No past, no future." "And I once am confronted by the hard truth of the present circumstances." "I have been hired to help supress the rebellion of another tribal leader." "Apparently, this is the only job for which I am suited." "I am upset by the ironies of my life." "Yokohama Harbor, 1876" "Captain Algren, I presume?" "Yes" "I'm sure that good." "How do you do?" "Simon Graham." "20 years ago, this was a sleepy little town." "Now, look at this." "You see, the emperor is mad for all things western." "and the Samurai believe it's changing too fast." "The ancient and the modern are at war for the soul of Japan" "So your new employer, Mr. Omura... is bringing in every western expert he can get his hands on." "Lawyers of France, engineers of Germany... architects of Holland and now of course, warriors of America." "I came when I was with the British legation, know, years ago..." "I was soon relieved of my position where I had a long long unfortunate tendency to tell the truth... in a country where no one ever says what they mean." "So now, I very accurately translate other people's lies." "For 2000 years, no Emperor was even seen by a commoner." "You have to realise what a treat this is, what an honor." "This is all highly ritualised, of course." "You may look at him, but do not speak." "Unless you are spoken to, obviously." "If he stands, you must bow." "If he bows, you must bow lower." "Do I look presentable?" "I haven't worn this in a decade" "A bit snug around the midriff" "and bow" "The Emperor Meiji bids you welcome." "He's grateful for the assistance your country offers." "We hope to accomplish the same national harmony you enjoy in your homeland." "The Emperor is most interested in the American indians." "If you have fought against them in battle?" "We have, Your Highness." "The red man is a brutal adversary." "The Emperor wishes to ask Captain Algren if it is truth that... they wear eagle feathers and paint their faces before going into battle." "and that they have no fear." "They are very brave." "Bow" "Thank you very much." "Step back step back..step back and turn." "All right, you little bastards, you should stand up straight in a line... or I will passionately shit-kick every one of you sad parade, let it be before my eyes." "Well done, Sergeant." "When you understand the language, everything falls into place." "The first rank kneel, rifles at the ready." "The second rank..." "July 27th, 1876." "For six months of work, I'm to receive 3 years of Captain's pay, teaching oriental soldiers." "They are army of conscripts... most of them are peasants, who have never seen a gun." "Fire!" "Ute!" "They are led by General Hasegawa... a man of small stature and nonetheless commanding enormous respect." "What can General tell me about this man, this samurai..." "Katsumoto." "He seems to have great knowledge of Katsumoto, his rebellion." "I'll count on his help when facing this samurai." "Who supplys their weapons?" "Katsumoto no longer dishonours himself by using firearms." "He uses no firearms?" "To those who honor the old ways, Katsumoto is a hero." "How well does he know this man?" "Well, the General and Katsumoto fought together for the Emperor." "He fought with the samurai?" "He is a samurai." "You must understand Katsumoto pledged the sword to defend the Emperor." "They say the samurai's sword is his soul." "They are paradoxical people, samurai." "I've tried to write a book about them for years... but I seeked in vain to approach them close" "The bastards still wear armor." "Yes, when the Irish were still comporting themselves in loincloths" "These chaps were already the most sophisticated warriors on earth." "I need more detailed information of their battle tactics." "I have several more books just waiting to be translated." "Our captain will be speaking the lingo in no time." "You should hear him blather on in Blackfoot." "Really?" "A fellow linguist?" "Oh, Capital!" "Oh come on Sir, a word or two in the savage tongue." "Just "hello" or "Goodbye"." "No,No.."Cut his tongue out and boil him in the oil"." "Early day tomorrow, Captaindarlin' so it is bed time, isn't it?" "I've always had a dread fascination with scalping." "I've never understood its technique." "Imagine someone who hates you with the uppermost intensity." "Grabbing a handful of your hair while you are lying prostrate and helpless." "And scraping a dull blade of a rusted knife on your scalp... with the soulless emotion." "and let your imagination grasp you can, Mr. Graham, the effect of a strong, quick jerk-out on the turf of your hair." "to loosen clinging part, of course you have, of your nervous system." "You will have some idea of what the hell it is to be scalped." "Mr. Graham." "How soon can you translate those books?" "Right away." "Just delighted to do it, you're taking such interest in Samurai." "I don't give a damn about the Samurai." "I want to know my enemy." "I shall not sleep until it is done." "Ah... foggy" "Have a good night." "Can I get your answer?" "This is a punitive expedition, Captain." "Colonel Bagley, these people have nothing to do with the raids." "Good night, Sir." "Quietly now, boys." "Fire!" "I suppose we should be grateful they will fire in the same direction." "could not put it better myself, Sir." "Rifle butt against your shoulder." "Eye down the sight, now slowly..." "Ute!" "[Japanese] (Fire!" ")" "Well done." "You've got that done." "Nathan..." "Katsumoto has attacked the railroad at the border of his province." "we cannot govern a country in which we cannot travel freely." "He must be stopped now." "My railroad is a priority for this country." "They are not ready." "The rebels don't have a single rifle." "They're savages with bows and arrows." "whose sole occupation for the last 1,000 years has been war." "You have superior fire power and a larger force." "I am ordering your regiment to move against the rebel Katsumoto." "You will track him down and engage him." "Load" "Mr. Graham... tell this man to fire at me." "I beg your pardon?" "Tell this man if he does not shoot me..." "I will kill him." "Captain, if we might have a word..." "Tell him." "Tell him" "Time to get it up." "Shoot him!" "Load." "Shoot him!" "Load" "Faster!" "Faster!" "Shoot me, damn it!" "Fire!" "Fire!" "Ute!" "Ute!" "[Japanese] (Fire!" ")" "They are not ready." "The regiment leaves at 6:00 A.M." "1,000 miles of rail track laid in less than 2 years." "It's astonished." "Omura owns all of this?" "As soon as we exempt with the Samurai." "Oh yes." "How do you intend to find Katsumoto?" "Don't worry, Mr. Graham." "I assure you... he will find us." "Move!" "Hold your position!" "Yoshino Province, 1876." "First Company, follow up the back line around me!" "Second Company, follow up First Company." "Third and Fourth Company follow up!" "Fill it on my command!" " Where is Hasegawa?" " Unclear, he refused to fight against Katsumoto." " Come on now!" " Captain Algren... we are not here as combatants." "Then who's gonna lead these men?" "Their own officers, for Chris sake, let's move to the rear." "We'll be there presently" "Fix bayonet." "Fix bayonet." "Chakken!" "(Fix bayonet!" ")" " Mr. Graham, you'll accompany me to the rear, okay?" " Of course." "Sergeant Gant, report to the rear." "See to the disposition of the supply train." "Sergeant Gant, did you hear my order?" "Aye, I did hear it, Sir." "Good, then you will obey it." "Now!" "No disrespect intended, Sir, but shove it up your arse." " Load!" " Load!" "Samurai come." "You will be fine, son." " Assume firing position!" " Assume firing position!" "Fire on my order only!" "Hold your fire!" "Hold your fire!" "Reload!" "Hold the line!" "Fire at will." "Translate it:" "Fall back!" "Gant!" "He's mine." "Stop!" "Take him away." "What is your name?" "Insolent swine!" "Answer!" "Leave him be." "This is my son's village." "We are deep in the mountains and the winter is coming." "You cannot escape." "Jolly good." "My Lord, why do you spare the barbarian?" "He is ashamed in defeat." "He should kill himself." "This is not their custom." "Then I will kill him." "Father..." "I don't think..." "Ujio there will be plenty of killing to come." "For now we will learn about our new enemy." "Keep him alive." "He's in bad shape." "Sake..." "Sake?" "Sake..." "Sake..." "Taka will take care of you." "Sake..." "Sake..." "Sake..." "Let him drink, aunt." "No." "That will not do." "This is my village." "This is my house." "Please...sake.." "Sugay!" "No!" "No!" "I told you!" "Morning." "Over there." "Over there!" "What's your name?" "You have a name, don't you?" "Name?" "Namai?" "You don't know what I'm saying, do you?" "I know why you don't talk." "You're angry." "You're angry because I make you wear a dress." "Son of a bitch." "This temple was built by my family 1,000 years ago." "My name is Katsumoto." "What is your name?" "Are my words not correct?" "I will practise my English with you... if you would honor me..." "You keep me alive just to speak English?" "What do you want?" "To know my enemy." "I've seen what you did to your enemies." "The warriors in your country do not kill?" "They don't cut the heads off to defeat the kneeling men." "General Hasegawa asked me to help him end his life." "A samurai cannot stand the shame of defeat." "I was honored to cut off his head." "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." "Nathan Algren." "I am honored to meet you." "I have enjoyed this conversation in English." "I have questions." "I have introduced myself, you have introduced yourself." "This is a very good conversation." "I have questions!" " Questions come later." " Who was the warrior in the red armor?" "My brother-in-law, Hirotaro." "and the woman who cares for me?" "My sister, Hirotaro's wife." "Her name is Taka." "I killed her husband?" "It was a good death!" "You!" "Come... please..." "Thank you." "Douzo!" "[Japanese] (please!" ")" "He smells like the pigs." "Tell my brother I cannot stand this." "Why don't you tell him?" "At least make him take a bath." "Nicely done!" "They may be children, but they are strong." "You try." "Fight!" "Muyamini [Japanese] (How absurd you are!" ")" "Put down the sword." "Drop it!" "I just realised..." "I've been remiss." "Forgive me I... forget to thank you for looking out for me yesterday." "It's your job, correct?" "Protecting me." "Well done, "Bob"." "You don't mind if I call you "Bobby"?" "I knew a Bob once." "God, he's a grist mill." "You hear this man, Bob?" "Ujio is teaching you the way of Japanese sword." "Yes, indeed." "You fought against the red indians?" "Yes." "Tell me of your part in this war." " Why?" " I wish to learn." "Read a book." "I'd rather have a good conversation." " Why?" " Because... we are both students of war" "So... you were the General of your army?" "No..." "I was a Captain." "This is a low rank?" "a middle rank" "Then who was the General?" "Don't you have a rebellion to lead?" "People in your country do not like conversation?" "He was a Lieutenant-Colonel." "His name is Custer." "I know this name." "He killed many warriors." "Aye." "Many warriors." "So he was a good General." "No, he wasn't a good General, he was arrogant, foolhardy." "and he got massacred because he took a single battallion against 2,000 angry indians." "2,000 indians?" "How many men for Custer?" " Two hundred eleven." " I like this General Custer." "He was a murderer, who fell in love with his own legend." "and his troopers died for it." "I think this is a very good death." "Oh, maybe you can have one just like it someday." "If it is my destiny." "What you want from me?" "What do you want for yourself?" "What are you doing?" "Why are we having these conversations?" "What the hell am I doing here?" "In spring, the snow will melt and passage will open." "Until that time, you are here." "Good day, Captain." "1876... day unknown, month unknown." "I continue to live among these unusual people." "I'm a captive and I cannot escape." "Mostly I'm treated with a kind of a mind of regret as if I was a street dog, an unwelcome guest." "Everyone is polite, everyone smiles and bows." "But beneath this courtesy, I detect their deep breath of moral feeling." "Higen" "They are intriguing people." "From the moment they wake... they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue." "I've never seen such a discipline." "I'm surprised to learn that the word "Samurai" means "to serve"." "and Katsumoto believes his rebellion to be in the service of the Emperor." "Please forgive, too many mind." "Too many mind?" "Mind the sword, mind the people watch, mind the enemy." "Too many mind." "No mind." "No mind." "Thank you." "More rice?" "Taka." "He spoke Japanese!" "Eat a lot." "Don't be polite." "Not so fast." "What is this?" "Hashi ( Chopstick )" "Hashi ( Chopstick )" "Hai ( Yes ), Hashi." "How can he understand?" "Hana ( Nose )" "Top knot." "Mimi ( Ear )" "Chawan ( Rice bowl )" "Not so fast." "I am Algren." "Algren." "all-gren." " Nobutada." " Nobutada." " Magojiro." " Magojiro." " Higen." " Higen." "Taka." "Brother, please make him leave." "I cannot stand it." "Is he so repulsive?" "The shame is unbearable." "I ask permission to end my life." "You will do as you are told!" "You'd rather I kill him to avenge your husband?" "Yes" "Hirotaro tried to kill the American." "It was karma." "Yes, I know" "Forgive my weakness." "There must be some reason why he is here." "It is beyond my understanding." "She has been very kind to me." "She is honored to have my guest in her house." "Winter, 1877." "What does it mean to be a Samurai?" "To devote yourself utterly to a set of moral principles." "To seek the stillness of your mind." "And to master the way of sword." "He is getting better, no?" "But still so ugly." "Cold" "Samui ( Cold )" "Samui" "Watashi samui ( I feel cold )" "Watashi nimo samui." "( I feel cold too ) also...watashi the fire." "Hi [Japanese] ( fire )" "Hidaga" "Moeru ( to burn )" "Moeru... to burn." "Moeru" "Hideiga moeru" "Hidaga moeru" "No, please." "Japanese men do not help with this." "I am not Japanese." "I'm sorry gomennasai ( Excuse me )" "Gomennasai for your husband..." "Hirotaro." "He did his duty." "You did your duty." "I accept your apology... hahaue ( mom )" "What are you doing here?" "We go inside." "Have you washed your hand?" "Spring, 1877." "It is much longer than I have stayed in one place since I left the farm at 17." "There are so much here that I will never understand." "I have never been a church-going man." "And what I have seen on the field of battle have led me to question God's purpose." "But there is indeed something spiritual in this place." "and though it may forever be obscure to me." "I cannot but be aware of its power." "I do know it is here that I have known my first untroubled sleep in many years." "You gotta get the ball!" "Go get it!" "Not me" "You gotta get the ball!" "the ball!" "Ujio will win in three moves." "In five!" "Next in five moves." "In six." "A draw!" "Who is this amateur?" "Katsumoto!" "Protect Katsumoto!" "Protect our Lord!" "Lord, please go inside!" "A perfect blossom is a rare thing." "You could spend your life looking for one... and it will not be a wasted life." "Who sent those men to kill you?" "I am writing a poem about a dream I had." "the tigers' eyes are like my own." "He comes from across a deep and troubled sea." "Was it the Emperor?" "Omura?" "If the Emperor wishes my death, he has but to ask." "So it was Omura." "I'm having trouble finishing the poem." "Can you suggest a last line?" "I am not a writer." "Yes, you have written many pages since you came here." "What else has she told you?" "You have nightmares." "Every soldier has nightmares." "Only one who is ashamed of what he has done." "You have no idea what I have done." "Go away!" "You have seen many things." "I have." "You do not fear death, but sometimes you wish for it." "Is it not so?" "Yes." "I, also." "It just happens to a man who has seen what we have seen." "And then I come to this place of my ancestors." "I will remember, like these blossoms, we are all dying." "To know life in every breath every couple of tea, every life we take." "the way of the warrior" "Life in every breath." "That is "Bushido"." "Hai. ( Yes )" "The Emperor has granted the safe passage to Tokyo." "We leave tomorrow." " Good." " Good." "when I took this, you were my enemy." "Excuse me." "No, so sorry." "I am finishing." "I must go away." "Hai ( Yes )" "You have been kind to me." "I won't forget" "Algren-san." "Algren-san" "Go!" "Don't move!" "Don't move!" "Algren?" "Algren, my God, you are alive." "Will you never cease to astonish?" "Howitzers" "Yes, indeed." "Soon as the Emperor signs the damn trade agreement." "He gets the whole package... including this particular item." "200 rounds a minute." "and the new cartridge just cut down on jamming." "I need a bath." "After living with those savages, I can only imagine." "Welcome back, Captain." "You rise against me, my teacher." "No, Highness." "I rise against your enemies." "They are my advisors, like you." "They advise in their own interest." "I need advisors who know the modern world." "If I am no use, I will happily end my life." "No..." "I need your voice in the council." "It is your voice we need, Highness." "You are a living God." "Do what you think is right." "I am a living God as long as I do what they think is right." "What sad words you speak..." "Forgive me for saying what a teacher must." "Have you forgotten your people?" "Tell me what to do my teacher." "You are Emperor, my Lord, not me." "You must find the wisdom for all of us." "Ah, gentlemen, come in." "Captain Algren, it seems you have endured your captivity with little ill effect." "I was not ill-treated, Sir." "Mr. Omura, I have here a draft of the arms agreement." "Captain Algren, I'm eager to know how many Samurai have joined Katsumoto." "I'm afraid I don't know." "You spent the entire winter at his encampment." "As his prisoner." "Has he fortified his position?" "has he acquired firearms?" "Come man, tell us what you saw." "As you said, colonel they are savages... with bows and arrows." " Sir, about..." " I'm sure your documents are in order, ambassador, thank you." "If you leave them on my desk, I'll address them at the appropriate time." "With all due respect, Sir." "our president's patience is wearing thin." "Perhaps there's someone else we should be speaking to." "With all due respect, ambassador." "Perhaps there's someone else we should be speaking to." "For instance, French or the English, or with any of the legations waiting in the next room." "Yes. well, we should be looking forward to hearing from you." "Good afternoon, gentlemen." "Captain Algren." "Perhaps you and I might have a word in private." "Please, sit down." "May I offer you a whiskey?" "No, thank you." "Katsumoto is an extraordinary man, is he not?" "He is a tribal leader." "I've known many of them." "But none who are Samurai." "Their way has great appeal." "I don't see how this concerns me." "Ah, but it does." "You see, you were right." "Captain Algren." "Last year we were not prepared to go to battle." "You were right and Colonel Bagley was wrong." "But now we are ready." "If Katsumoto is allowed to attract the other Samurai to his cause, we will have 10 years of rebellion." "This is something I will not allow." "Either I'll stop him at the council today." "or you will lead my army against him." "and with these new weapons, you will crush him." "I appreciate the offer." "It is not an offer." "Mr. Omura, my contract with you, was to train your army." "Then we will make a new contract." "One that recognizes the extraordinary contribution you have made to the Emperor." "Do we understand each other?" "Yes, we understand each other perfectly well." "Then I am pleased." "Follow him." "If he goes anywhere near Katsumoto, kill him." "Captain Algren, what in heaven's name is going on?" "The diplomatic community's abuzz" "Omura has passed laws against Samurai." "Mr. Graham, I need a drink." "He is your friend, Katsumoto, he's planned to go up against the council this afternoon." "You, Samurai!" "Don't you know about the order?" "Oh my God, it starts." "Hey boy, are you listening?" "No wonder the foreigners mock you." "Let's give this Samurai a haircut." "Cut off his top knot." "Get down!" "Kneel!" "Captain Algren" "Lower your weapons!" "Lower your weapons!" "Lower your weapons!" "Lower your weapons!" "Who are you?" "I am Captain Algren." "Stop!" "Get down!" "Let's go." "I'll take you home." "Jolly good" "We must resist the western powers by becoming powerful ourselves." "Our army, our economy must be strong." "Minister, you honor us." "It is my honor to rejoin this council." "Perhaps you are unaware of the law against wearing sword." "I read every law carefully." "Yet you bring weapons into this chamber?" "This chamber was protected by my sword when..." "We need no protection." "We are a nation of laws." "We are a nation of whores, selling ourselves..." "If we are whores, the Samurai made us this way." "I have not seen the Omura family giving gold to the masses." "Minister Katsumoto, it is with great regreat... but I must ask you to remove your sword." "This sword serves the Emperor... only he can command me to remove it." "The Emperor's voice is too pure to be heard in this council." "Then, I must refuse to give up my sword." "Then regretfully, my guards will accompany you to your home in Tokyo." "There you will await our summons." "I heard you are leaving" "Omura offers my job and you run away." "I suppose I should thank you." "$500 a month, including back pay for time spent...in captivity." "Enough there to climb back inside a bottle for the rest of your life." "You are welcome." "Well, and this is putting in my drawer." "Katsumoto is under arrest, Omura won't let him last the night." "With Katsumoto dead, we'll have little trouble handling what's left of the rebellion." "Even without you." "Especially without you." "Just tell me one thing" "What is it about your own people that you hate so much?" "Save us the trouble..." "The Samurai are finished!" "Stop!" "Don't come any closer!" "Don't stop." "Whatever you do, don't stop." "Minister Omura has commanded us to photograph the traitor." "Stop!" "Somebody!" "Bring that equipment here NOW!" "Immediately!" "You stop!" "You insolent, useless son of a peasant dog!" "How dare you show your sword in his presence!" "Do you know who this is?" "This is the President of the United States of America." "He is here to lead our armies in victorious battle against the rebels!" "It's not my responsibility..." "Now get over there and help those men with their equipment!" "Carry the equipment." "President of the United States?" "Sorry, I think I made you sick." "How is your poem coming?" "The end is proving difficult." "This is Mr. Simon Graham." "He would like very much to take your photograph." "This is an honor." "I thought you returned to America." "I decided to stay." "See if I could convince you to escape." "How do you plan to do that?" "Mr. Graham, perhaps you would care to take pictures of my village." "I will be greatly honored." "My Lord!" "My Lord, no!" "Nobutada!" "Father, let me stay." "It is my time." "My lord we must go." "The Emperor could not hear my words." "His army will come here." "It is the end." "For 900 years, my ancestors have protected our people." "Now..." "I have failed them." "So you're taking your own life in shame." "Shame for a life for "Service, Discipline, Compassion"" "The way of the Samurai is not necessary any more." "Necessary?" "What can be more necessary?" "I'd rather die by the sword." "my own or my enemies'" "Then let it be your enemies'." "Together, we will make the Emperor hear you." "He was a good man." "Will you fight the white men, too?" "If they come here, yes." "Why?" "Because they come to destroy what I have come to love." "The way of Samurai is difficult for children, he misses his father." "And he is angry because I am the cause of that." "No." "He is angry because he fears you will die as well." "My father taught me it is glorious to die in battle." "That is what he believed." "I would be afraid to die in battle." "So would I" "But you have been in many battles." "And I was always afraid." "I don't want you to go." "Algren" "They are coming." "I take 2-4 regiments." "Come in the waves of a thousand." " They may have a howitzer." " It makes no difference." "They will come and we will make our stand." "How many men will we have?" "Maybe 500." "Like the general Custer, huh?" "There was once a battle at a place called Thermopylae." "300 brave Greeks held off Persian army of a million men." "a million, you understand this number?" "I understand this number." "For two days, the Greeks made them pay so dearly the Persian army lost all taste for battle." "And they were defeated soon after." "What do you have in mind?" "Take away the advantage of their guns." "I'm confident we can use that." "Move them close, close enough for a sword." "You believe a man can change his destiny?" "I think a man does what he can... until his destiny is revealed." "May 25th, 1877." "This will be the last entry in this journal." "I try to give a true accounting of what I've seen, what I've done." "I do not presume to understand the course of my life." "But I know I'm grateful to a part taken in all of this." "Even if for a moment." "Algren-san, will you come with me?" "If you wear this armor, it will honor us." "You will need this." "What does it say?" "I belong to the warrior in whom the older ways have joined the new." "Good God!" "Sir, The Imperial Army of Japan demands your surrender." "If you and your fellows lay down your arms, you will not be harmed." "This is not possible, as Mr. Omura knows" "Captain Algren... we will show you no quarter." "You rise against us." "You are the same as they are." "I will look for you on the field." " Captain Algren" " Yes, Mr. Graham" "Perhaps you could use this for your book." "Yes, I will." "Captain..." " Godspeed." " Mr. Graham." "Stand up straight!" "Well, they won't surrender." "Are we ready?" "Get into your position!" "Chakken!" "(Fix bayonet!" ")" "Commence firing!" "Ute!" "[Japanese] (Fire!" ")" "Ute!" "Adjust the battery" "Ready!" "Ute!" "Ute!" "They are covering their retreat." "You see, even the mighty Samurai cannot stand up to the howitzer." "Signal the attack." "I advise sending in skirmishers first." "Nonsense!" "Full attack!" "Step forward!" "They are coming." "Wait for a volley." "Second volley." "Set fire" "What on earth!" "What is happening?" "Shoot!" "Their attack has been stopped." "Send in the rest of the regiment." "What happened to the warriors at Thermopylae?" "Dead to the last man." "Algren-san" "Son of a bitch thinks he can win." "There'll be two more regiments up here this time." "we won't be able to stop them again." "You don't have to die here." "I should've died so many times before." "Now you live again." "Yes." "It is not your time." "It's not over." "Cannon, prepare to fire!" "Prepare to fire!" "This is madness." "Is he going to attack?" "Yes." "He is defeated." "He must accept his shame." "Kill them back." "Block them." "Now!" "My horse!" "Fire!" "Ute!" "Attempt" "Attempt" "Fire!" "Fire at will!" "Bring up the new guns!" "Prepare the new guns!" "Ute!" "Quickly!" "Quickly!" "Fire!" "Stop firing!" "Idiots, keep on firing!" "Stop firing!" "Stop!" "No..." "Shoot!" "Kill Katsumoto!" "Kill the American!" "You have your honor again." "Let me die with mine." "Help me up." "Are you ready?" "I will miss our conversations." "perfect..." "They are all perfect." "On behalf of the United States of America, the signing of this treaty... will usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity... and cooperation between our two great nations." "On behalf of the Emperor... we are pleased to have successfully concluded this negotiation." "He is here?" "Highness, if we could just conclude the matter at hand..." "This is Katsumoto's sword." "He would have wanted you to have it that the strength of the Samurai be with you always." "Enlightened One, we all weep for Katsumoto, but..." "He hoped, with his last breath that you would remember the ancestors who held this sword and what they died for." "Your Highness." "You were with him at the end?" "Hai. ( Yes )" "Emperor, this man fought against you." "Your Highness, if you believe me to be your enemy." "Command me... and I will gladly take my life." "I have dreamed of a unified Japan." "...of a country strong and independent and modern... and now, we have railroads, and cannons, western clothing." "But... we cannot forget who we are or where we come from." "Ambassador Swanbeck..." "I have concluded that this treaty is not in the best interests of my people." "Sir, if I may..." "So sorry, but you may not." "This is an outrage!" "Enlighted One, we should discuss this..." "Omura you have done quite enough." "Everything I have done, I have done for my country." "Then you will not mind when I seize your family's assets and present them as my gift to the people." "You disgrace me." "If your shame is too unbearable..." "I offer you this sword." "Tell me how he died." "I will tell you how he lived." "And so the days of the Samurai had ended." "Nations, like men, it's sometimes said, have their own destiny." "As for the American Captain, no one knows what became of him." "Some say he died of his wounds." "Others he returned to his own country." "But I like to think, he may have at last found some small measure of peace that we all seek, and few of us ever find." "English subtitle by Do My Best"