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The Last Samurai [Blu-ray] [2003]


RRP: £24.99
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Editorial
Product Description

Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, William Atherton

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The Last Samurai gives epic sweep to an intimate story of cultures at a crossroads as Japan undergoes tumultuous transition to a more Westernised society in 1876-77. In America, tormented Civil War veteran Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is coerced by a mercenary officer (Tony Goldwyn) to train the Japanese Emperor's troops in the use of modern weaponry. Opposing this "progress" is a rebellion of samurai warriors, holding fast to their traditions of honour despite strategic disadvantage. As a captive of the samurai leader (Ken Watanabe), Algren learns, appreciates, and adopts the Samurai code, switching sides for a climactic battle that will put everyone's honour to the ultimate test. All of which makes director Edward Zwick's noble epic eminently worthwhile, even if its Hollywood trappings (including an all-too-conventional ending) prevent it from being the masterpiece that Zwick and screenwriter John Logan clearly wanted it to be. Instead, The Last Samurai is an elegant mainstream adventure, impressive in all aspects of its production. It may not engage the emotions as effectively as Logan's script for Gladiator, but like Cruise's character, it finds its own quality of honour. --Jeff Shannon

Classical, Memorable, Awesome!
Review date: 2008-11-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

I recently purchased this product and i was skeptical at first as i am about all blu - rays if it was live up its reputation. This movie definitely did. Probably one of Tom Cruises finest roles, he plays the traumatized character of Captain Nathan Algren, a man who regrets the things he has done, after being hired by the Japanese government to root out the infamous Samurai rebels during a time where japan is discovering what the western world has to offer. The Samurai believe to be fighting fo r the soul of Japan. After being captured in battle, Algren soons learns that the life of the Samurai is much simpler then his own, and one of great beauty.

Anyway getting back to the purpose of this review. The picture quality is outstanding at some scenes it looks ordinary but 99% it delivers, especially during the chapters in "captivity" where the beautiful Japanese landscape is seen is outstanding 1080p, indeed a beautiful sight. The audio is quite good, nothing more to be said.

Overall:

10/10 for acting - Superb acting and a great action driven story
9/10 for picture - Great detail, clarity and brightness
8/10 for audio fairly clear, and mind blowing!

I watched it on my Playstation 3 entertainment system
with a gold - plated HDMI monster cable
on a full 1080p Panasonic Viera Television

COMBINED A MIND BLOWING INVIGORATING MEMORABLE MOVIE

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Reviews


Is this really an HD transfer??
Review date: 2008-10-27 Rating: 6 out of 10

First of all, this is a top notch film that I would recommend to anyone. However, I make a point of retaining DVD's to compare with any blu-ray purchases I make and whereas the BD's generally knock the DVD transfers for six, The Last Samurai is barely any different. Its not bad, its just not a significant improvement over the DVD even at 1080p and the HD audio is distinctly ordinary. I think they can do better than this. There are a good number of extras to match those on the two disc DVD release.

excellant movie, poor transfer!!
Review date: 2008-04-07 Rating: 2 out of 10

I would love to know where the 2 fellow reviewers got there blue-ray discs from as there is just no concernable difference between the DVD and blu-ray. Dont get me wrong the film is outstanding and is probably one of cruise`s best acting roles, however the transfer for blu-ray has been done either straight from a DVD master or the original shooting was not done in HD format. If you own the DVD just dont bother with buying the Blu-ray. This could of been a specatular HD movie if the effort had been put into the transfer but sadly like many blu-ray ports, it isn`t.
Great Movie, poor quality!!!

Tom cruse at his best
Review date: 2008-02-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

Great film that I would recomend to anyone, A good balance of action and a meaningfull story means you will be wishing you where a samurai and questioning your own sense of honour by the end of the film.
The transition of this film to Blu-ray is exactly what you would expect, brilliant picture quality, outstanding sound and one fo the largest collections of extra features I have seen on any Blu-ray! which makes this a very good all round addition to anyones collection.

What I watched it on.
Panasonic 42px60 (plasma 1080i)
playstation 3 blu-ray player (HDMI)
JVC th-v70r surround sound (optical) (dolby digital 5.1) (inc tannoy m1 front L/R speakers)

In Blu-ray
Review date: 2007-09-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have to say this is the most dramatic movie I have seen to date in Blu-ray. This movie was made for it. The colours and detail are amazing, I only realised certain things happened in this movie after viewing this movie ie. heads decapitating etc that I never even saw in standard DVD. HIGHLY RECOMMEND in BLU-RAY

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Tom Cruise

Creators:
Tom Cruise (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900108096
Binding: Blu-ray
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-07-02
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Running time: 154 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2003
Language: English (Original Language)

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