[Ent] From "sword master" Nick Powell to the last Samurai Tom Cruise

[Entertainment] Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai

Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Edward Zwick
Screenwriter: John Logan, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz

Starring: Tom Cruise, Timothy Spall, Billy Connolly, Tony Goldwyn, Ken Watanabe, 
Hiroyuki Sanada, Shun Sugata, Shin Koyamada, Seizo Fukumoto, Schichinosuke Nakamura, 
Koyuki, Masato Harada, Sosuke Ikematsu, Aoi Minato
 
Plot Summary: After examining the ravages of 19th century America in his Academy 
Award-winning Civil War drama "Glory", director Edward Zwick explores the birth of 
modern Japan in "The Last Samurai," a sweeping epic set in Japan during the 1870s. Tom 
Cruise stars as Capt. Nathan Algren, a respected American military officer hired by 
the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. 
As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in 
preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren finds 
himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Samurai, 
which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds, with 
only his own sense of honor to guide him.

Get The sword of The Last Samurai:
http://2222695.898.net/

Or get the poster and teaser:
http://www.lastsamurai.com/

Swordwork Note: (7/20/02) Tom Cruise is being trained in Japanese-style sword work for 
the film by "sword master" Nick Powell, who also trained Russell Crowe for Gladiator, 
the cast of The Mummy and Mel Gibson in Braveheart.

Get The sword of The Last Samurai:
http://2222695.898.net/


Greg's Preview Thoughts:

5/18/03 - The teaser trailer is now in theaters and online over at Apple.com, and I 
think it does a great job of introducing the movie, even if it's a little vague (as a 
teaser can be) about why exactly Tom Cruise is fighting in Japan, etc. One thing the 
teaser *does* accomplish, I think, is that it clearly shows the difference between the 
Samurai warriors and the black-uniformed soldiers who look like they're from 100 years 
in the future (in comparison). That juxtaposition most likely helps make the film seem 
as sad as it is probably intended.

Get The sword of The Last Samurai:
http://2222695.898.net/