Last Samurai Summary

            
             The Last Samurai was an excellent historical-fiction movie. Taking place during the Meiji period of Japanese history, the Japanese emperor is ecstatic for acquiring all western ideas, cultures, and styles. In contrast, the samurai believe that Japan is modernizing too fast for its own good. To compete with the western powers the emperor and his advisors believe that they must create a large western style military. In the process of creating a large army, Japan hires an American, Captain Nathan Algren to train the soldiers. One day Algren's superiors decide to test the new army. Although the soldiers lack training as Algren proves to the officers, the battalion is still sent out. The army is quickly scared into a retreat and Algren captured. Katsumoto, the samurai leader, after studying his enemy (Algren) begins to respect the captain as a fellow warrior. Algren slowly grows to love the rural village and even trains with the other samurai. He is cared for by Taka, Katsumoto's sister, and becomes a father figure to her children; later learning that she is the wife of the samurai he killed in the first battle. After spending an entire winter with the village, Algren finds a peace that he had never felt before. The peace is soon disrupted by a group of extremely cool ninjas. After an intense battle, Katsumoto finds out that he doesn't have many friends. As soon as spring arrives, the Japanese army negotiates Algren's return. The samurai comply and escort Algren back to Tokyo. Once back Algren finds that modern civilization isn't quite the same as the peaceful Japanese country-side. During his visit Katsumoto pleads with the emperor who is not quite sure about slowing down the modernization of Japan. Katsumoto is then removed from the council and put under heavy guard. Back with his military superiors, Algren decides to quit his job. He and his friend fool the guards and help Katsumoto escape.