He said you could spend a lifetime looking for a perfect blossom and it would not be a wasted life. At the end when he was dying he realized that every blossom was perfect.

"Perfect, they are all perfect" ... wonderful performance by Ken Watanabe.

- What happened to the warrios at Thermopylae? - Dead to the last man. - **smiles**🗿

This isn't just a movie, it's cinema.. Masterclass of story telling. Tom Cruise at his dramatic best and chef's kiss to Ken Watanabe!

Dude I love your reaction. 1. You don’t over talk 2. Don’t make silly commentary just to fill the void 3. Authentic reaction 4. And you’re paying attention to the most important scenes and or dialogue. Kudos to you! Look forward to your next film

Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack for this film was one of his best imo. Such pain and tradition wrapped up into these poetic songs fit for the honor, respect, and time of the samurai. This is one of my fav overlooked films

Tom Cruise has made nearly 50 movies in his epic career.. but I still have this one as my #1 favorite. I cannot find one flaw with this movie.. the story, the acting, the script, the action, the culture, the spirituality, it had everything - all.. perfect.

The scene where she's changing him into the suit of armor is BEAUTIFUL. One of the best scenes in the film. There is such a simple intimacy shared through a very complex situation and set of feelings and how it is captured is so beautiful to watch.

I really love the line "When I took these you were my enemy". It implies so many things without even needing to say it and it conveys such a deep level of respect.

I remember when I was 10 years old, my dad was watching this movie. When the final battle played out, was the first time i saw my dad cry. Back then i couldn't understand why he was crying over a movie. 20 years later and it's my turn :)

The character of Katsumoto is based on a real-life Imperial Samurai called Saigo Takamori. His life is truly fascinating and I highly recommend looking it up and reading more about him if this film made you curious. I think one of my favourite subtle things about this film is the development of the relationship between Hiroyuki Sanada's character (the one who knocks Algren down in the rain) and Algren. He begins with such disdain and hatred for Algren, develops grudging respect during their training, and by the end they have a true friendship - as shown by the little things such as the fact he goes along with Algren's escape plan in Kyoto and the "testing" of the armour before the battle. Fantastic but understated character development.

I'm a70 year old great grandfather have seen this movie loads of times ..and cry everytime .....

The Last Samurai is a motion picture adaption and a blend of two separate but _real_ historical people and events. A Japanese Samurai, Saigo Takamori, who this movie portrays as the character Katsumoto Moritsuga; and a French Soldier, Jules Brunet, who this movie portrays as the character Nathan Algren. Great choice.

I've seen hundreds of movies, to me the best quote ever in a movie is "I will tell you how he lived".

29:32 When Nobutada cries out like that when the soldier cuts off his topknot, it’s like he’s begging his ancestors' forgiveness for having allowed himself to be dishonoured like this.

For me, this is a masterclass of film. Everything from the cinematography to the filmscore. Absolute top notch in all regards.

12:50 - It is called Seppuku. Ancient ritual where a samurai is given the right to take his own life to maintain his honor. A person will be asked to cut off his head and the person who asked to do so consider it as an honor to assist. Yes, the Ninjas has throwing stars (called Shuriken).

I cry every time I watch this movie. It's beautiful storytelling. While I think this is Tom Cruise's finest performance Ken Watanabe steals this movie. So well acted and the music is mesmerizing. I think if you don't tear up during this movie then you truly have no heart. I enjoyed your honest reaction.

The lead samurai Hiroyuki Sanada has done many movies including Avengers: End Game and John Wick 4, but he has many many Japanese movie credits. My favorite is Twilight Samurai, awesome movie.

One of Tom Cruise’s best! Your emotionality is what makes us watch your reactions! Keep up the good work!

26:05 that kid was so brave. When his home and family were attacked he didn’t run. He picked up his father’s sword and defended them. That few moments of defiance gave Algren a window to step in. His father and ancestors looked at him from the afterlife and nodded with pride .

That handsome Samurai who sparred with Tom Cruise is the chief choreographer for all the fight scenes...

There's a short list of films that, regardless of how many times I watch it, I will always tear up. This is one of them.

Dont worry about crying! This movie do that to people. I honestly think that people that dont cry to this dont have a heart, i think crying to this movie is a respectful way of showing emotions to the honour some people have in their life. I would love to live the life the way the samurai does. With honour, love for eachother, taking care of eachother as brothers, sisters family, nowdays people dont care about eachother. Most people just shows hate all the time. Egocentric most of the times. Its me me and me. I dont care about others. And we are all living on this planet. We should care for eachother not hate eachother. We are all the same only some people have money and power and some dont. ❤

I really, really, REALLY love how, in one of the most poignant moments of the movie Steph reacts in a very "Japanese" way, though I am sure it was unintentional ;D Katsumoto gives Algren the new sword that codifies him as the Samurai in which the "old ways join the new" and Step says "hm!" Perfect. PERFECT!

Katsumoto death - - - his last words "perfect they are all perfect" is the last line to his haiku if you remember him telling algren that he has difficulty in finishing his poem, his last phrase completes it. I dont remember what was his poem, its been a while since i saw the film, but Katsumoto does read his unfinished poem to Algren. In case you dont know, japanese haiku is a 3 line poem that goes with line 1 containing 5 syllables, line 2 with 7 syllables, and line 3 with 5 syllables. "they are all perfect" has 5 syllables

One of Tom's best, the story, the cast, the culture and human beings coming together and learning about each other. The beauty of the landscape, the Direction of Edward Zwick and the musical score from Hans Zimmer. Just a few reasons why it's one of my favorites. Thank You for your reaction.

Fun fact, In the actual history of the Last Samurai, Saigo Takamori did use firearms. The Samurai had been using them since the late 16th century.

Jesus, the emotions this woman can convey with her eyes is unbelievable

Had those "Return of the King" tears.

And this is why you’re amongst the best reactors on KZfaq, Stef. Less words, let the emotions flood through you, epic film and lovely reaction.

How are all these comments here and none are talking about Shogun?! It's a reboot of a 70's miniseries that's based on a book that's based deeply in real events of 1600's Japan. It stars Hiroyuki Sanada (Ujio) and is two episodes in. In my opinion it will end up being one of the best series of all time. The first two episodes are on Hulu, episode 3 drops Tuesday, it's an absolute must watch!

Can't believe this movie is now over 20 years old. I have loved it more and more every year.

I've always been a fan of the quiet background characters,and "Bob" was my favorite. Never spoke a word until he warned Algren. He was loyal,and obviously wise since he was older,and an experienced warrior. Katsumoto trusted him enough to watch over Algren with his life,and he literally did. Whoever played him did an outstanding job!

Appreciate the emotion in your reaction. I would like to point that that the premise of the movie was not to paint Nathan as the Last Samurai. Katsumoto and the men he fought with, in his journals, were the last samurai (collective, plural). I found it refreshing that this movie had done an uno reverse on the white savior trope and given such profound respect to the culture and to the Samurai themselves. In the end, the white man was not the savior - but it was the culture and people he had been thrown into and surrounded by, that saved him.

13:03 is where the officer/general commited harakiri (self delete) by stabbing himself with a tanto and disembowling himself. People who have lost their way could perform harakiri to restore their honor. Seppuku (practically the same) was meant for samurai, also for restoring honor. The moment someone who commited seppuku/harakiri moved/screamed in agony is when one's head was chopped off. It's a very old tradition dating back from the samurai days.

12:52 even though he was an older soldier serving the emperor with the americas.. hes also samurai too "he was performing his ritual sacrifice like what all traditional samurai warriors did,to honor themselves and their houses.."

38:15 my favourite subtle detail too. where ever they go the citizens always bow in respect to the samurai. means a lot when the infantry all bow at the end of the battle, in respect to the identity of warriors in their tradition and history

24:28 The more correct term for what is shown here is Shinobi. By the time of the Meiji Restoration (the time period where the movie is set), Shinobi were relegated to myth and legend, and while Ninja did exist, they were very very rare. The two names mean almost the same thing: Ninja = "one who is invisible," while Shinobi = "one who sneaks." They were covert mercenaries that were hired for siege, infiltration, assassination, ambush, reconnaissance, espionage, deception, even bodyguarding. They were highly despised by the Samurai as their ways of waging irregular warfare and covert assassination was considered dishonorable. Ninja and Shinobi were far, FAR more prevalent between the 12th and 15th centuries, the Sengoku period, but by Meiji (1860s) they were all but gone, so it's a little bit of creative license for the movie :)

It is pretty cool seeing someone who knows so little about history/samurai reacting to the customs and stuff in this movie. I recall I was terrible with history as well in school, and now that I'm grown, I've really enjoyed learning more, and recalling what I thought I did not absorb in history class.

I'll always love how "The Last Samurai" can be taken three ways - one, the "Last" Samurai refers to Tom Cruise's Algren in the starring role. Second, the "Last" Samurai refers to Watanabe as "Katsumoto" in the secondary role. Thirdly? The "Last" Samurai is something more *ephemeral* and applies, perfectly logically, to *both* in everyone else that fought with them because, of course, the plural of "samurai" is "samurai" ;D Perhaps all of my interpretations are failings of a personal perspective but, honestly, I love them all and, particularly, I find the last to be the most true and the most accurate. While we have a protagonist, we also have an *idea* here that is being represented *before* our protagonist engages with it. Samurai and Bushido are both, really, beautiful concepts (when considered romantically) and, I think we honor this most (and most ideally) in the third interpretation. Algren is the last, Katsumoto is the last, everyone that died fighting against their brothers were the "last" and will, forever more, be that. It's less a person and, much more, an epoch - a movement - an ideal. The last of the "old" meets the first of the "new" and something catalytic and explosive and, ultimately, creative , happens despite how undeniably *destructive* it is. Mono no aware : ) The most beautiful things in the universe do not last and, part of that, is the temporary, transitional, ephemeral nature of all of these undeniably *beautiful* things. Mono no aware.

The music is by Hans Zimmer who also did music for Blackhawk Down, Gladiator, Dunkirk, Inception and the latest Dune Hes a bit damn awesome ;)

The wisdom of the Samurai is legendary

Ms. Stef > Thanks for another great vid ~ Watch SHOGUN (FX) .. .. You'll recognize a very familiar face playing the lead .. .. This story was very, very, loosely based on the end of the Samurai era in the mid-1800s, generally around the time of the US Civil War .. .. In actuality, the Emperor had a loose military agreement with both Prussia (Germany) and England .. .. The United States was just a bystander and watched both sides without any major involvement .. .. The populace wanted dearly to hold on to the Samurai (Bushido) mindset and lifestyle while the Government knew they had to open up to the rest of the world to keep pace, thus the conflict .. ..

Historically samurai also had no issues using firearms. In fact the character Katsumoto historically was based on his clan was well known for artillery use.

Such an emotional movie! Gets me everytime..from him fighting his demons to getting looked after by the wife of the man he killed in battle, to coming to respect their culture and fighting for them

As a Filipino, I've re-watched this movie so many times. The Philippines and Japan are so damn close geographically, but culturally we are so different and unique.

No shame in crying at this movie. This one leaves me in tears every single time. I've seen hardened combat veterans shed more than a few tears at this.

This is one of my favourites. They don’t many movies like this anymore. Another great reaction Stef. Love your reactions and how genuine you are. Have a lovely day and a great week.

38:42 It is actually a very nifty trick of language that they used naming the movie that. You see, the plural of Samurai is... Samurai. It is one of those very rare single/plural words that depending on the way it's used in a sentence determines its meaning. So, in effect, "The Last Samurai" means both Katsumoto's clan (plural), as well as Nathan (singular).

The character's journey to understand what he first sees as a contradictory society, ends up helping him to resolve his own internal contradictions. The film is a truly stunning success at portraying that transformation.

Such a delight to see you once again. I am not always able to watch your reactions, but when I am fortunate enough to be here you make me forget about everything else. Thank you 🌹

Truly one of the greatest films ever made... This is NOT just a movie.. it really is a work of art, a story and an experience. Everyone should really give this a watch!

Your comments at the end of the reaction are very wise, humble and real. Ty for watching my All time favorite movie. Glad I found this channel.

Ain't gonna lie, it was funny to see your face at the execution in the beginning after the first little battle. :P Great reaction as always! This movie is so amazing.

I hope "12 angry men" is still on your list. I requested it in live chat over a year ago. I think it's a very important movie, great acting in basicly one room over the whole movie.

This is one of my favorite movies, not just because of how well made it is (acting, music, story, that sort of thing), but because it touches on something deeper than most films can. The samurai in reality were not a bunch of noble protectors fighting against corruption. Many of them were also just corrupt noblemen who saw the world changing and didn't want to lose their power. However, many of the ideas guiding samurai life were respectable and, I'd argue, good for everyone. There's the obvious example of how disciplined and mentally strong they were due to their lifestyle, and I think our modern lifestyle has made people, for lack of a better word, weak in certain ways. "No mind" is also a real thing, and something I've used many times in the 15 years of karate I did. What is involves is allowing the subconscious mind to take over and guide your actions, with no conscious thoughts or decisions being made. People do this when they are performing tasks at a very high level, like sports or creating art. It's sometimes called the "flow state". Lastly, things like bushido and Katsumoto's realization that all of the cherry blossoms he saw in his life were perfect are philosophical ideas that are expressed in other cultures as well. There isn't a truly "perfect" cherry blossom, therefore, that kind of means that every cherry blossom is perfect in its own way. I believe this is an idea we can apply to ourselves. We can only be what we are at any given moment, and what we are is perfect for that moment. Something like that.

"Tell me how he died." "I will tell you how he lived."

The Last Samurai is a film of epic proportions. Hans Zimmer's score is amazing, the story, the cinematography...the emotion. This movie has several of my favorite moments in cinema history. I saw this in theaters on the big screen...always hits hard. Great reaction, Steph!

"I should have died so many times before. Now you live again" And "You have your honor again. Let me die with mine" are some of the best quotes from any movie.

This is one of my favourite movies of all time! It's absolutely brilliant! It is very emotional, but it's great cinema! 👍

Love the Cyberpunkesque intro. This movie is amazing. I had no idea how Tom Cruise could integrate himself into the samurai lore respectfully, but I think they did a good job of doing so. It’s a fantastic move. Also love the reaction.

It's in my top 5. I could watch it again and again. 🙏🏼

Exceptional movie, and I'm very happy you got to watch it. I hope you enjoyed it. The movie is very loosely based on a similar real life experience, but I think the person is a French military man in the historical record.

Also if you like martial arts Jet Li's ''Fearless'' 2006 is one of the greatest martial artists movies ever made , the story in the movie is great too and will get you emotional as well

Wifey is that you??? 😂 I’m blown away by the emotion your eyes convey. This is my favorite film of all time, glad it touched your soul like it does mine ❤️

This is one of the great must watch movies and all of the acting is perfect. IMO, it’s a masterpiece and they should have won several awards for this especially the two main characters. Watching this is a beautiful thing and heartbreaking at the same time.

As someone who has this movie in their top 5 fav of all time. This was a great reaction. The silence speaks volumes when you have trouble commentating bc of the movies ability to keep you entranced. Great reaction!

13:15 ,That scene is called "Seppuku or harakiri, the samurai suicide.They did this when they thought they had lost honor, so that was the only way to keep it ,"die like a warrior.In the ritual the samurai the samurai stabbed and cut his stomach and other cut his head .☺ Love your reactions, never dissapoint. Esta película es puro arte, música de Hans Zimmer, unos actores brutales y un cuidado del detalle exquisito ,es sin duda una de las películas de mi vida. Un abrazo desde España!

They are all....perfect.Was the end to Katsumotos poem.

The line that always hits me the most is at the end when the leader of the Samurai dies he says 'they are all perfect' he is talking about the buds on the tree being perfect and that means he is finally at peace. Yes the Samurai were a nobal people who served their king and when their king dies they find themselves without perpuse and that is called a Ronin. What happened in the beginning with the general when he killed himself and his head was cut off is called Harakiri and it is what a Samurai feels themselves loosing their honor and that is a way of getting it back in a way. The story Tom Cruiz speaks of with the 300 Spartans vs the persians is fitting for that moment because like the spartans to a Samurai dying in battle is the highest honor one could have. There is a movie called 300 that is about that moment it's very gory and based on a graphic noval but it tells that story of the 300 and is staring Gerad Butler. Any way I love this movie so much and am glad you did as well and yes Ninjas were highered assasins without honor in those days so you are right those were ninjas that attacked them.

The call and response after the ninja attack is simply AWESOME.

I absolutely adore this reaction. Experiencing "The Last Samurai" for the first time and witnessing its impact on you is truly remarkable. It feels like you were fully immersed in every heartfelt moment of the story. Thank you for sharing your experience!

Wow, the scene you taught the little boy was gonna die, what a pure reaction ,masterpiece 👌

Qué excelente!! Love your reaction videos, and makes perfect sense for me that this one carved deeper than others. It is for me, at least, more than just a movie. It's a "filmic document". Even with it's historic inaccuracies. One hell of a story. So what a nice thing to see than you reacting to this wonderful motion picture. Saludos de Chile, me encantó tu canal!!

The last line of Katsumoto, in my mind, means "don't search for perfection, every day is perfect, carpe diem", basically. You live now, stop chasing the future, you'll miss the present.

@Stef Solari Nice to know: this movie is actually based on real events and history - it actually happened nearly exactly this way - the only difference is that the guy played by Tom Cruise in reallife was (I don’t exactly remember that part but he was no American, he was a France general or something like that - but definitely not an american and from Europe, I mean France) and after the newspaper-guy filmed and documented those events it is how he says at the end: „it is not known what happened to ….. but I like to believe he found peace and love“ so that part is made up, but I really like it that they sayed it that way… but after the events he has never been heard of or be seen again, he really could have died due to his injuries, but as he said he really also could lived peacefully till the end of his days… just wanted to point that out, awesome made film 🤙🏻

Love that you reacted to this film; it's one of the top films that showcase how to tell a tale. Amazing choreography and scale, and the story beats are perfect. That said, keep in mind that this is an over-romanticizing of the samurai class. As Japan modernized, there was no need to have a land-owning class of feudal knights who ruled their domains with sometimes very brutal authority (their warrior code very much clashed with their practices). The movie draws inspiration from the Boshin War in the struggle between the ruling Shogunate and the Imperial Court, as well as the foreign interference. Definitely something to look into in your own time. Edit: just wanted to add that this is a very western lense; I would recommend Kurosawa "Ran" from 1985 and its surrealism as well as Miike's "13 Assassins" that touches upon the corruption and brutality of the samurai class (be aware that it's very violent).

This movie is inspired by the true story of a handful of French officers and NCOs sent to train the Shogun's army who ended up deserting when the Boshin War started, to stay with their recruits to fight against the Imperial troops in the Republic of Ezo, that they had founded on the northern island of Hokkaido. Look up Jules Brunet, for example.

Excellent reaction video. You could say nothing and the expressions on your face are incredible. You can seriously cry. You look so beautiful with all those tears. You made me cry :) fun fact: Tom trained 6 months for that fight with all those men. Was worth it. fun fact: The battle with the horses and the samurais coming through the fog took 3 days to film. fun fact: The guy that made the sword is a 4th generation sword maker and he setup the forge and made the sword that Tom Cruise received. fun fact: Samurai "Bob" is a well known actor and he came out of retirement for this movie. fun fact: The Emperor is a Chinese person that does traditional theatre.

I love the scene where Algren declares the regiment unprepared for battle, and then proves it. He was hoping to die, hoping to end his mental pain, grief and shame.

Never seen your channel/reactions before but I can say after watching this I officially subscribed! Your pure/raw/genuine emotion is so refreshing and nice to see, the fact you dont over talk/talk the whole entire reaction is also amazing compared to a lot of channels... you seem to be really into the movie while you're watching it, 18:45 spot on, I understand that all too well This is one of my moms absolute favourite movies and growing up i never understood why... but as i got older i now understand and it breaks my heart watching this movie every single time, but it's such a masterpiece! Thank you for the amazing reaction! PS you're beautiful🥰

"The Last Samurai" and "The Patriot" are my two favorite war films! Would love to see you do a reaction to The Patriot.

i see the last samurai is everywhere now like it should....masterpiece i remember watching it on the movie theater we all cried i was 15, now at 33 nothing changed just cry harder because i am older and i understand deeper...

Stef is one of the most entertaining and wholesome youtubers I've ever watched thank you always, you're content is amazing.

This has one of the highest % for making reactors cry.

Love that you get so invested in this film, Stef, great reaction! :)

You summed it up beautifully at the end... it's hard to find words for this masterpiece, and that sometimes says it all.

You have to check out ''Farewell My Concubine'' 1992 ... It's similar to The Last Samurai in that it was China's Cultural Revolution in which the new leaders tried to do away with the old ways and live in a newer world ... I think for it's year 1992 it won the Oscar for best foreign film and in my opinion it was the best movie of the 90's , absolutely amazing story telling (all based on a real story)

I don't remember seeing her react this intently to a film. Granted, I haven't been a long-time watcher, so my experience is somewhat limited, but this reaction is encouraging because at least she isn't in the camp of continuous chatter and speaking over movie dialogue. And her attention to detail is really good. It's calming and enjoyable.

One of the best movies of all time... I tear like 3 times through it every time.

Funny how we are all very sensitive deep down inside to high concepts like Honor, Morality, integrity. That movie reminded all of us what we have been robbed from. A life worth living, a cause worth dying for. We are spirit. We admire Katsumoto because he was spirit. His body was just his car. And you feel at the end when everyone bows as his spirit leaves.

At 13:01 It's called "Seppuku" (切腹, lit. translate, cutting [the] belly).

“I haven’t cried this much in awhile .” Automatic thumbs up even before seeing the reaction. You have a kind heart.

It’s crazy to see someone who doesn’t know what seppuku entails watch it for the first time. Just a testament to how honorable and real the samurai were. They were the epitome of badass.

One of my late Mrs' favorites, and I very much find it great as well. From my mother's side of the family, I'm descended from samurai, and a grand uncle possessed a "hand-me-down" sword ('twas very impressive to view).

There is a huge lesson in this story as well. How in moving “forward” with the world we in many ways leave behind our honor. This movie made me miss my father… he would have understood, everyone else in my life thought I was nuts for ugly crying. Thanks for this reaction.

Welcome to the club of crying towards the end of the movie I can never watch this movie without crying or rolling tears for the ending! ❤️ One of my all-time favorite Tom Cruise movies I saw this movie in theater six times before it left my theater to go be made into VHS is in DVDs for the stores when it came out day one at the store to buy I bought it on VHS and then I bought it on DVD day one when they were available❤ The sound of the horses when the samurais first show up in the first battle in the fog chills at my spine the entire theaters concrete what shaking because of that scene this movie is a masterpiece for what it is Ken and want to nabi phenomenal job beautifully written movie got me hooked on samurai history when I was younger❤

To this day this has always been my favorite standalone movie. I've watched it over 10 times and everytime i cant keep it together lmao.

One of the best movies in the genre... Absolutely phenomenal.