Shot in New Zealand. Funny story, during filming, a local radio station offered to pay $2,745 to anyone who could persuade Cruise, who's been filming in the area, to call in live on the air. After hearing this on set, Cruise called after a night of shooting saying he wanted "to do a little negotiating" over the amount. "(I called) to see if I can get you up to $3,600," said Cruise, adding that he'd match that amount. He asked for the funds to go to local junior school he drove past every day on the way to set, They had been trying to raise money for a shelter for the kids to play out side. What a guy
I like him, heaps of people are like he's a dick cause of scientology thing, then other's recon he's like a pop star actor, imo he's up there and totally believable.
I've never been a big Tom Cruise fan because of what I've heard about his ego on set, but if that story is true then it gives me a better opinion of him.
@@mikearmstrong8483as someone who’s worked with him on set for top gun 2 he is extremely intense when directing, but he just wants everything to be perfect. he’s dedicated to his craft
Some horses are very good at falling down safely and acting like they got shot. When they do their part, it isn't as chaotic as it looks on the finished film.
Hey, loved the reaction! at 13:33 its not infection or dehydration, its alcohol withdrawal. "Sake" is alcohol. He drinks to numb his emotions and memories. He was suffering because he had to face his past traumas and the only way he knew how to do it before was by getting drunk.
To be fair, I think watching tons of reactions to this movie, the general consensus is that it is all three things, infections from the 2 stab wounds and PTSD and Alcohol Withdrawal. Perhaps one could argue how many of the 3, or which ones had the greatest impact, but I really doubt most people that have watched this movie really think that Infection wasn't at least a majority of his obvious brush with death.
@@erickknutz5599 theres zero sign of infection dude. he shows no sign of physical pain in the stabbed areas, only emotional distress and withdrawal symptoms
Months before filming started (in New Zealand), a whole crew got dozens of horses in New Zealand and carefully trained them to fall so they would not be hurt, Toni. They did a phenominal job.
Whenever anyone puts shit on Tom I always say "The Last Samurai" and it shut's them right up, I personally don't care about an actor's private life, I watch who's good and forget the rest.
Great movie. Tremendous score. One of Hans Zimmer's best (which is saying something because the dude has killer movie scores). Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Ujio the master swordsman, has been on a tremendous run recently in western movies/TV shows. He was in Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train (a main role) and the Shogun mini series (which he produced as well). He did a ton of japanese films before this movie, but the one that I really loved is "The Twilight Samurai".
"They just want peace and they're trying to protect themselves". Not really. Katsumoto and his samurai attacked railroads among other things and attacked Nathan's army in that scene in the woods. They were actively protesting the rapid modernization through violence. In many ways Katsumoto, Captain Algren and the samurai were the bad guys. Yet this is still my favorite movie. They fight for something they believe in and the emotions, the acting, the music, the directing and so on make this an absolute masterpiece. Algren's journey of self discovery and learning to love the samurai culture is just beautiful. Even though they could have chosen more peaceful options, they believed they were doing the right thing and the story follows that perspective in a very captivating way
Ahh ohh!! David you’re in trouble with these movies! Toni always has a comment for you from these movies,!!! You don’t look at her like Tom did and you didn’t write her a song like Adam Sandler did!!! Wonder what the next movie will bring ???😂😂
A bokken is made from hardwood. The Shinai is a 'gentler' version made from split bamboo (and optionally covered by a leather skin. Western fencing also uses 'feders' (or feather swords) made from steel (with a rectangular section and rounded edges and blunt tip). There are also nylon swords which are more flexible in the thrust than the older wooden wasters. My favourite sword type for fencing is a leather blade sandwiched between two 'scales' to provide support and stiffness without compromising the suppleness of the edge and point. I will happily fence with steel, nylon or leather, and understand that the shinai can be useful... but would not be comfortable fencing with the bokken - they don't flex in the thrust and if they break, then form a sharp splinter/tip which is dangerous. They are nice as objects though.
I would love to try fencing. Would really like to try to handle a bokken or Shinai. I’m going to go do some research now…. Sounds interesting. - Toni 🤓
@@popculturallychallenged I can't especially speak to Japanese styles of swordsmanship, as I attend a HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) class. We study a mix of weapons, but my personal favourites are Messer (German long knife - about the same size and proportions as a Katana, but with a cruciform hilt and 'nail' protecting the outside flat - a blade of just over 2ft and a long 'no pommel' one handed hilt (with enough space for two hands if desired)), or Dusack (the leather sword type, which is a shorter proto-sabre, or knife which can be used in the same way, but requires a bit less protective gear). A buckler is an option for more 'wide measure' security, but I prefer closing and taking the hand with my off-hand - even though I am not strong or large, a momentary interference is all that is needed to create a safe opening. I've been practising for around 8 years, since my mid 40s. One of the fun bits of traditional swordsmanship and fencing is the working from (usually translations) of the original fight books or manuals from the C13th to C18th. An easy manual to understand for Dussack is Meyer's 1570 "The Art of Combat", while the completest manual for Messer is Leckuchner's 1485(?) "The Art of Swordmanship", though there are many other fun texts with their quirky illustrations, many of which I have also got facsimiles.
This movie was loosely based on true events, at the time that Japan had interest in becoming "civilized" the Samurai were opposing that changed as they knew people would forget their traditions n culture, which Katsumoto mentioned when he met with the council, they were "whoring themselves" to other nations. In the end, obviously, the Samurai, as a class, were eliminated but the emperor compromise on not changing abruptly so they would forget their core traditions n such. Captain Algren's character is based on a couple of real life people i've heard. Tom is a super popular actor, staring in so many great films but this one is by far my favorite movie of his. I'm sure Toni would enjoy reacting to 'Memoirs of a Geisha' another great movie that shows about another aspect of the Japanese culture. 'Katsumoto' is in it as well, Ken Watanabe, my favorite Japanese actor
As a Spartan follower, I cannot wait to see you both react to 300 which is such a major part of history and a battle that shaped what we are today. So looking forward to that one!
42:57, I always took their bowing to me not just respect for the actual Samurai who were dying. They were also bidding farewell to a part of their culture that was dying as well.
This movie is based on real life events. Tom Cruise's character is based on a French artillery officer named 'Jules Brunet' who helped in what was called "The Satsuma Rebellion" in 1870's Japan which was a resistance to Western influence and the restoration of the Meiji Government which would mean the abandoning of Japanese Samurai feudalism. Katsumoto's character is based on the real life last Samurai named "Saigo Takamori" who also was involved in the Satsuma Rebellion in the effort to resist the restoration of the Empiric form of government representative of the Meiji restoration.
At 30:06 you asked what it meant; it's the kanji for Samurai. As for the "true story" part, Tom Cruise's character was completely fabricated, but there was a civil war in Japan between the samurai and the Imperial Army of Japan. The real reason was the fact that for thousands of years, samurai held the power, and they were losing their social status because of the advent of conscripted armies with easy to use firearms vs the lifestyle of the samurai. The standing in the line thing was to defend from cavalry charges (the rifles with bayonets were like medieval pikes, and could be en masse to deter a charge.) The tactic was on it's way out at this point, and would be totally obsolete with the invention of the machine gun in the early 1900s 20 or so years later.
If you want to know the real story of the last samurai I highly recommend Sabaton History Shiroyama. It tells why the Emperor considered Satsuma an enemy.
The wooden sword are not made of bamboo they are made of solid wood. I don’t know what kind of wood they have in Japan. But yes, they are made of solid wood.
Nice reaction for the film. Funny how your wife said it reminded her of the battle at the beach. I think it reminded her of Glory. Actually the director both did this and Glory
I remember i was 17 when i first saw this film. Country boy on a western Australian fruit plantation for picking season to make some money during school holidays. After a particlarly long hard day, The overseer comes into our sleeping shed and says "Watch this one boys". A small TV in the corner that I never seen used. A group of 15 or 16 rambunctious young men all under the age 20 and you could hear a pin drop after the first 20 minutes.
great reaction, your reaction to thier beliefs was funny. death is not bad, if done in honor. failure dishonor is bad. they had the same culture when we had to fight the monster we help create.. why the tested prisoners bad, to them they were cowards, they would end it themselves rather then surrenrer.The quote, “Death is lighter than a feather, but Duty is heavier than a mountain” is not original with Robert Jordan. It is from the 1882 Japanese Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors, which states that "duty is heavier than a mountain; death is lighter than a feather." See Wikipedia entry "Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors.
This movie is a loose retelling of the Satsuma Rebellion against Emperor Meiji's social reforms. Katsumoto is a fictionalized representation of Takamori Saigo, the actual last Samurai, who fell at the Battle of Shiroyama. Saigo is venerated in Japan. After being wounded in the hip during the battle, Saigo committed seppuku.
No it's not a true story, some facts are partially historical other are just romance, and some are craps. At this time it's accurate that Japan Emperor Meji and some of his counsellor try to devellop and modernize their country (i mean passing to an industrial Era)... They opened up their frontiers to trade with foreign country...and so the society was torn between centuries or even millenias of traditions and this new culture... Samouraïs the noble warrior cast rebelled against that modernisation and the fall of their culture and status but they didn't disappear as fast as in the movie... And to be true historically, the men who trained the imperial forces before turning to the side of the Samouraï was not an american, sorry, his name is "Jules Brunet" a French army Captain...
Guys, if you want a historical film that tries to be accurate don't bother with 300 or Braveheart but if spectacle over substance is your thing then maybe give 'em a go. 😊
I you want to know more about the true story of the last samourai on what this movie is based on you can llok up to Jules Brunet, the whole movie is inspired on his life
I have a movie for you....The Town That Dredded Sundown....it is based on actual events back in the 1940's in Texarkana....my mother remembered the events & her parents boarded up their windows just to be safe & they live almost 200 miles away in Oklahoma. You will be on the edge of your seat, but there is a little comedy in it here & there. I would love to see your reactions.
If you are lookimg for some lighter fun movies, try these: Romancing The Stone Parenthood Three Men & A Baby Dave American President Cocktail - Early Tom Cruise Adventures in Babysitting
This movie is one of my guilty pleasures. It became one of my favourite movies when I watched it as a kid. But I say 'guilty' because there are quite a lot of historical inaccuracies, illogical decision-making by the characters, and over dramatisation and innacurate depiction of the Japanese people and the samurai. I wish they would do a remake but taking into account the above.
I'm a historian, but I'm not going to go on too long. Or at least I'll try not to War is basically dumb. It takes a brilliant leader to change tactics, those individuals are extremely rare. Alexander the Great never lost a battle. He was off the charts. Brilliant. Socrates taught Plato, Plato taught Aristotle and Aristotle taught Alexander. It isn't a surprise he was the greatest general in history. He invented tactics to take advantage of enemy army tactics. The same is true of general Washington who is extraordinary at logistics. The same is true of general Grant who realized he had Superior numbers, and he could withstand more loss of men, Confederates could not. Blackjack Pershing in world War I understood trench warfare better than anyone else in history. General Eisenhower was extraordinary at preparation and made sure that the Holocaust was documented so no one could deny it happened. When you wonder why they just line up to attack each other, is because the vast majority of people who have a thirst for blood and War are dumb as a rock. Without extraordinary leadership. They just March into each other and then one army retreats and the other army slaughters them while they are running. This is an exceptional movie, with extraordinary cinematography and an excellent soundtrack. Braveheart is a good movie, it has some inaccuracies that are pretty bold, but my favorite soundtrack and it is the first movie my children ever went to, they were three and five. But I'm a historian so.... I don't really worry about what other people think. My kids turned up fine.
When a historian says that in history people lined up to fight because they were 'dumb' and that Braveheart is 'good' but has 'some inaccuracies' (even pretty bold ones) you know you're dealing with an idiot.
@@eddhardy1054 My son loves history, my daughter doesn't care, she slept through the movie. She wasn't interested in it, but she wanted to be able to go to movies again so she obeyed by falling asleep. My son and I went and rewatched it in the theaters a few years ago. Still just as epic as it ever was on the big screen.
@@eddhardy1054 Don't really care about your opinion of me. No movie is perfect, especially one's on historical events. However, if they spur people to research or read a book about The event, then I find it valuable. Some of the inaccuracies in braveheart is the relationship between William Wallace and the princess, she was a toddler during the time he died. He didn't have a relationship with a 4-year-old girl. And it was written by someone related to William Wallace, obviously he wanted to make him look bigger and Robert, the Bruce looks smaller, Robert, the Bruce is the one that actually won freedom for Scotland. And finally, they didn't go into the detail of how brilliant William Wallace was, he spoke numerous languages, and at Sterling he had a gorilla team take out the bridge so the archers could not back up and support the cavalry. That's why his plan worked so well. Maybe you should try reading history books instead of depending on movies to get your knowledge?
7:40 Very loosely inspired by true events. Cruise's character is based on a French officer who spent TEN years, not just one, training soldiers in Japan. The rebellion was real, the names are changed, and like I said, it took place over about ten years, n9t just one year, like in the movie.
I'm not completely up on Japanese history, but to put this movie in European terminology. The king is trying to modernize and industrialized Japan. The samurai as the Dukes, counts, and lords of the land are pushing back against the modernization by burning rail road stops and using their political influence to keep Japan in its traditions (ultra conservative faction) .
No, they are single shot weapons. (Watching your reactions, I want to have a conversation, but since I normally don't comment, I feel like it's taken as a negative. Love your reactions)
45:34 sir dont ask questions you dont want the answer to LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL if you want a Samurai movie she will like then try Twighlight Samuari and Shogun (the latest) oh and the old series Zatoichi--- bring tissues for both manly romance I to dont like crude Deadpool movies Godzilla Minus One absolutely wonderful movie (bring tissues)
@@popculturallychallenged the guy that played the really good swordsman, (the one that taught Tom Cruise's character how to use the sword) is one of the main characters and produced it.
Like the Dandelion shirt. There's a pretty good channel called "History Buffs", where they analyze the historical accuracy of historical movies, and I think they do a vid on this one. What little fact checking I've done they seem to be accurate. Enjoyed the reaction : ).
Col. Bagley: "Just tell me one thing: what is it about your own people that you hate so much?" to sum that up, 2 earlier movies tell that story: Little Big Man (1970) with a very young Dustin Hoffman, and Dances With Wolves (1990) with Kevin Costner starring and directing it.
Algren was whispering to himself, when he stood as a target infront of that soldier: " Shoot me god damn it" He wished for his own death in the start, just as when he didnt flinch when the samurai dude intimmidated him by wanting him to decapitate him right then and there... Again when he fought the son of the man he killed, where this samurai dude took over in his place to give him a proper beating... (THAT scene is sooooooooooooooo good, so complex, so layered) Algren kept getting up again and again, trying to provoke the samurai to just end it, but i guess that one backfired because it showed determination, strenght and most important of all, it showed valor, which low key gained him a shit ton of respect.. ^^
I really really despise tom for stuff hes done and said in his personal life... but I really really enjoy watching him act. He is a phenomenal actor. Great reaction. Thank you.
@@ronweber1402 I’ll never understand how these copyright issues work. Plenty of other people on RUclips don’t have these problems, then some others have to bleep out every swear word, etc. it all seems to vary from person to person… 🤷♂️
@@tomaskennedy Yes it makes no sense. What I have seemed to find is reactors don't have as many problems until they start getting popular then they start getting hit harder with copyright issues and what one gets away with others are sanctioned on. Totally senseless.
Hi @tomaskennedy! Unfortunately the copyright bots hit this one and I had to trim down the scene. I could have added a watermark to the video but I prefer to only do that when the entire video has been claimed. I don’t understand copyright issues and they do seem to be arbitrary in how they are applied. In the last 2 weeks we’ve been hit with claims on 3 videos that have been up since last year. 😢
The wooden swords the Samurai were seen practicing with, are called boken. They're made of lacquered hardwood, usually oak. They're approximately the same weight as a katana.
Great reaction guys like always, love this movie its one of my favourites. When Katsumoto says "Perfect" and the tear rolls off his cheek. That is one of the most perfectly shot scenes I have seen. Many people think that the character of Tom Cruise is the Last Samurai, that is wrong. Contrary to popular conception, the title of the film does not refer to Nathan Algren, or even Katsumoto, as the Last Samurai. The word "Samurai" here is in its plural form and is actually referring to Katsumoto's clan as a whole. This was confirmed by the director. Cruise's character was the narrator of the story about Katsumoto. And a fun-fact, this was filmed in New Zealand and Tom Cruise would have to fly by helicopter from the town he was staying in out to the set in the country side. He would fly over a small country school of only about 20-30 students and they were 5-11 yrs old. Every day they would stand outside and wave to the helicopter and had a little sign they held up saying " Hi Tom". Tom Cruise found out where the school was and arranged for his helicopter to land at the school and spent the morning with the children. Keep up the good work.
A couple of things 1. Samurai can be singular or plural, and according to the director it refers to the entire group of samurai as the last of their kind. 2. Katsumoto kept Nathan alive to learn about his enemy and also because of the vision of the white tiger at the beginning of the film, which was on Nathan's flag in the first battle. 3. They weren't dehydrating him. Nathan was asking for sake, which is alcohol, and at that point he was suffering withdrawals and having nightmares of his past, which between that and his wound is why he was sweating. 4. I highly recommend the show Shogun, which stars Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Ujio in this movie (the samurai who Tom Cruise was fighting with wooden sticks).
This is the movie that caused me not to get a job. i was asked what's my favorite movie was during an interview, i answered this movie. I guess they figured I'm not a team player. 😂
The real battle was the battle of Shiroyama, 500 Samurai charged at 30000 imperial soldiers. The ending of the Samurai was a battle of 60 to 1. They charged without fear, fighting for the japanese culture, their ancestors and their emperor. They where led by Saigō Takamori, who is known as the last samurai. About the why they fought firing in lines; the muskets was an extremely inaccurate weapon. So by firing in a line you got the best possible chance to kill or wound as many of the enemies in one volley. Most engagements was maybe six shots fired, then a charge with bayonets.
From what I read, this story is actually loosely based on the Boshin War, between the Emperor's Imperial forces and former Shogunate forces. Nathan Algren were based on a French military instructor or something that supported the Shogunate (or maybe a few of them that supported the Shogunate). Of course, a lot of things in the film are fictional.
29:00 This scene is heartbreaking. The topknot is a key element of Samurai culture. When he cries out as his topknot is being cut off, it’s like he’s begging his ancestors' forgiveness for having allowed himself to be publicly dishonoured like this.
In scene where Nathan demonstrates that the troops are not ready for battle, he is hoping to be shot and killed as he sick for his part in the Indian massacre and doesn't want to go to battle again.
Ujio (Hiroyuki Sanada) is my favorite… you start out hating him, but slowly learn his perspective and his role as Katsumoto’s #1. As he teaches Algren the way of the sword, you begin to warm to him. By the end, you are 100% Team Ujio. Great character, nicely developed by Sanada with barely any dialogue !
nice reaction. I watched this movie multiple times. I love the Japanese culture shown on the movie. I think you missed the Katsumoto vision at the beginning, of the White Tiger and the banner that Tom Cruise used to defend himself showing a white tiger on it.
This is a fun Hollywood movie, but it heavily romanticizes the samurai, who were ruthless parasitic aristocracy. Also the civil war that this was based on was nothing like it's portrayed in the movie. In real life, both sides used rifles and cannons.
Nathan is suicidal because of the shame he feels for what he was ordered to do against Native American Indians. He is wanting the Sake because he is a drunk and the alcohol eases his inner pain. The reason the Samurai defeated them in the first battle is because 1. the Japanese couldn't shoot straight and 2 because he told them to hold their fire and they got scared and fired before they should have and then didnt have time to reload. Also when he aske that one guy to shoot at him he was hoping to be killed but knew the guy would miss because they were not ready yet.
![[Limbus Company - Teaser] Season5 - Oblivion](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8anKuEeZLeI/mqdefault.jpg)
Shot in New Zealand. Funny story, during filming, a local radio station offered to pay $2,745 to anyone who could persuade Cruise, who's been filming in the area, to call in live on the air. After hearing this on set, Cruise called after a night of shooting saying he wanted "to do a little negotiating" over the amount. "(I called) to see if I can get you up to $3,600," said Cruise, adding that he'd match that amount. He asked for the funds to go to local junior school he drove past every day on the way to set, They had been trying to raise money for a shelter for the kids to play out side. What a guy
I like him, heaps of people are like he's a dick cause of scientology thing, then other's recon he's like a pop star actor, imo he's up there and totally believable.
Thanks for sharing
I've never been a big Tom Cruise fan because of what I've heard about his ego on set, but if that story is true then it gives me a better opinion of him.
@@mikearmstrong8483as someone who’s worked with him on set for top gun 2 he is extremely intense when directing, but he just wants everything to be perfect. he’s dedicated to his craft
“Perfect! They are all... perfect”. What a profound realization just as you’re dying. That was worth living many lifetimes.
I don’t think I have seen any reactor catch that reference.
A life well spent
It’s also the amount of syllables needed to finish his poem.
My favorite part.."You don't look at me the way Tom looks at her." 😅 yall are so cute..love the reaction..
One cannot simply look at someone the way Tom Cruise looks at someone.
😊 thank you
@@BattleAngelFan99 It is folly. Not with 10,000 men could you do this. 🤣
@@popculturallychallengedkingdom of heaven
Classic wife maneuver!
19:49 Those practice swords are called bokken and they’re traditionally made of red or white oak, and, yes, they hurt 😅
Thanks!
Some horses are very good at falling down safely and acting like they got shot. When they do their part, it isn't as chaotic as it looks on the finished film.
"You don't look at me like Tom Cruise looks at her." Toni's best line!
I only speak the truth. - Toni 😊
Hey, loved the reaction! at 13:33 its not infection or dehydration, its alcohol withdrawal. "Sake" is alcohol. He drinks to numb his emotions and memories. He was suffering because he had to face his past traumas and the only way he knew how to do it before was by getting drunk.
To be fair, I think watching tons of reactions to this movie, the general consensus is that it is all three things, infections from the 2 stab wounds and PTSD and Alcohol Withdrawal. Perhaps one could argue how many of the 3, or which ones had the greatest impact, but I really doubt most people that have watched this movie really think that Infection wasn't at least a majority of his obvious brush with death.
@@erickknutz5599 theres zero sign of infection dude. he shows no sign of physical pain in the stabbed areas, only emotional distress and withdrawal symptoms
It's infuriating when people watch a movie but aren't really watching it
Months before filming started (in New Zealand), a whole crew got dozens of horses in New Zealand and carefully trained them to fall so they would not be hurt, Toni. They did a phenominal job.
Whenever anyone puts shit on Tom I always say "The Last Samurai" and it shut's them right up, I personally don't care about an actor's private life, I watch who's good and forget the rest.
You edited out "They are all perfect". That was such a a huge part of the story
Great movie. Tremendous score. One of Hans Zimmer's best (which is saying something because the dude has killer movie scores). Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Ujio the master swordsman, has been on a tremendous run recently in western movies/TV shows. He was in Avengers: Endgame, Bullet Train (a main role) and the Shogun mini series (which he produced as well). He did a ton of japanese films before this movie, but the one that I really loved is "The Twilight Samurai".
Sanada also played Scorpion in the recent "Mortal Kombat" Movie👌GET OVER HERE!
@@tomhoffman4330 and "John Wick 4"
well my my my. what do we have here?
Did you enjoy it? 😊
@@popculturallychallenged yes i did. 👍🏼
Just a little reminder, Samurai is also plural, so the title could be about a last group of Samurai as opposed to just one in particular. 🤙😎
"They just want peace and they're trying to protect themselves". Not really. Katsumoto and his samurai attacked railroads among other things and attacked Nathan's army in that scene in the woods. They were actively protesting the rapid modernization through violence. In many ways Katsumoto, Captain Algren and the samurai were the bad guys. Yet this is still my favorite movie. They fight for something they believe in and the emotions, the acting, the music, the directing and so on make this an absolute masterpiece. Algren's journey of self discovery and learning to love the samurai culture is just beautiful. Even though they could have chosen more peaceful options, they believed they were doing the right thing and the story follows that perspective in a very captivating way
Ahh ohh!!
David you’re in trouble with these movies!
Toni always has a comment for you from these movies,!!!
You don’t look at her like Tom did and you didn’t write her a song like Adam Sandler did!!!
Wonder what the next movie will bring ???😂😂
Good question! 😂
8:45 He put himself in that position because he was almost hoping to be shot. His PTSD is severe.
That makes sense... -Toni 🤓
A bokken is made from hardwood. The Shinai is a 'gentler' version made from split bamboo (and optionally covered by a leather skin.
Western fencing also uses 'feders' (or feather swords) made from steel (with a rectangular section and rounded edges and blunt tip). There are also nylon swords which are more flexible in the thrust than the older wooden wasters. My favourite sword type for fencing is a leather blade sandwiched between two 'scales' to provide support and stiffness without compromising the suppleness of the edge and point.
I will happily fence with steel, nylon or leather, and understand that the shinai can be useful... but would not be comfortable fencing with the bokken - they don't flex in the thrust and if they break, then form a sharp splinter/tip which is dangerous. They are nice as objects though.
I would love to try fencing. Would really like to try to handle a bokken or Shinai. I’m going to go do some research now…. Sounds interesting. - Toni 🤓
@@popculturallychallenged I can't especially speak to Japanese styles of swordsmanship, as I attend a HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) class. We study a mix of weapons, but my personal favourites are Messer (German long knife - about the same size and proportions as a Katana, but with a cruciform hilt and 'nail' protecting the outside flat - a blade of just over 2ft and a long 'no pommel' one handed hilt (with enough space for two hands if desired)), or Dusack (the leather sword type, which is a shorter proto-sabre, or knife which can be used in the same way, but requires a bit less protective gear).
A buckler is an option for more 'wide measure' security, but I prefer closing and taking the hand with my off-hand - even though I am not strong or large, a momentary interference is all that is needed to create a safe opening.
I've been practising for around 8 years, since my mid 40s.
One of the fun bits of traditional swordsmanship and fencing is the working from (usually translations) of the original fight books or manuals from the C13th to C18th.
An easy manual to understand for Dussack is Meyer's 1570 "The Art of Combat", while the completest manual for Messer is Leckuchner's 1485(?) "The Art of Swordmanship", though there are many other fun texts with their quirky illustrations, many of which I have also got facsimiles.
45:23 "you don't look at me like Tom Cruise looked at her." 🤣🤣🤣🤣
This movie was loosely based on true events, at the time that Japan had interest in becoming "civilized" the Samurai were opposing that changed as they knew people would forget their traditions n culture, which Katsumoto mentioned when he met with the council, they were "whoring themselves" to other nations. In the end, obviously, the Samurai, as a class, were eliminated but the emperor compromise on not changing abruptly so they would forget their core traditions n such. Captain Algren's character is based on a couple of real life people i've heard.
Tom is a super popular actor, staring in so many great films but this one is by far my favorite movie of his.
I'm sure Toni would enjoy reacting to 'Memoirs of a Geisha' another great movie that shows about another aspect of the Japanese culture. 'Katsumoto' is in it as well, Ken Watanabe, my favorite Japanese actor
Thank you for the insight. I have added the movie to our list. - Toni 🤓
@@popculturallychallenged happy to hear 🙂
As a Spartan follower, I cannot wait to see you both react to 300 which is such a major part of history and a battle that shaped what we are today. So looking forward to that one!
42:57, I always took their bowing to me not just respect for the actual Samurai who were dying. They were also bidding farewell to a part of their culture that was dying as well.
fun fact: The Emperor is a Chinese person that does traditional theatre.
Brave heart is “brutal”!!
My Thoughts Exactly...👌
I've been putting that one off but we'll do it someday. 😊
This movie is based on real life events. Tom Cruise's character is based on a French artillery officer named 'Jules Brunet' who helped in what was called "The Satsuma Rebellion" in 1870's Japan which was a resistance to Western influence and the restoration of the Meiji Government which would mean the abandoning of Japanese Samurai feudalism. Katsumoto's character is based on the real life last Samurai named "Saigo Takamori" who also was involved in the Satsuma Rebellion in the effort to resist the restoration of the Empiric form of government representative of the Meiji restoration.
At 30:06 you asked what it meant; it's the kanji for Samurai. As for the "true story" part, Tom Cruise's character was completely fabricated, but there was a civil war in Japan between the samurai and the Imperial Army of Japan. The real reason was the fact that for thousands of years, samurai held the power, and they were losing their social status because of the advent of conscripted armies with easy to use firearms vs the lifestyle of the samurai.
The standing in the line thing was to defend from cavalry charges (the rifles with bayonets were like medieval pikes, and could be en masse to deter a charge.)
The tactic was on it's way out at this point, and would be totally obsolete with the invention of the machine gun in the early 1900s 20 or so years later.
Part of the "dances with" trilogy (wolves, sushi, and smurfs)
😂yep, I had that connection too! but let's not forget Little Big Man (1970).
So glad for this selection! Thank y'all!
Glad you enjoy it!
If you want to know the real story of the last samurai I highly recommend Sabaton History Shiroyama. It tells why the Emperor considered Satsuma an enemy.
Thank you, I have added it to our list. -Toni 🤓
One of the best movie music
Score ever
That's very true. I don't think I pay attention to the music as much as I should but I do enjoy the music. - Toni 🤓
Boken is a training sword of hard wood. It is considered a deadly weapon, is banned from carry-on luggage. In the real story, it was a French officer.
Thank you for the insight. - Toni 🤓
The wooden sword are not made of bamboo they are made of solid wood. I don’t know what kind of wood they have in Japan. But yes, they are made of solid wood.
Thanks!
150 watching and only 35 likes? C'mon man, we got to bump those numbers up!
Amen to that🙏They Deserve so much More!
Thank you!
Tom Cruise's best film imo or at least in the 2000s.
I would include "Collateral" in that statement: He's Never done another Movie quite like that!👍
@@tomhoffman4330 I like that film too, also Minority Report & War of the Worlds are great too.
I hope to add more of his movies to the channel! 😃
At the beginning he was an alcoholic, that was him going through withdrawal and yelling for sake.
Yep, that makes total sense. - Toni 🤓
Nice reaction for the film. Funny how your wife said it reminded her of the battle at the beach. I think it reminded her of Glory. Actually the director both did this and Glory
I remember i was 17 when i first saw this film.
Country boy on a western Australian fruit plantation for picking season to make some money during school holidays.
After a particlarly long hard day, The overseer comes into our sleeping shed and says "Watch this one boys". A small TV in the corner that I never seen used.
A group of 15 or 16 rambunctious young men all under the age 20 and you could hear a pin drop after the first 20 minutes.
great reaction, your reaction to thier beliefs was funny. death is not bad, if done in honor. failure dishonor is bad. they had the same culture when we had to fight the monster we help create.. why the tested prisoners bad, to them they were cowards, they would end it themselves rather then surrenrer.The quote, “Death is lighter than a feather, but Duty is heavier than a mountain” is not original with Robert Jordan. It is from the 1882 Japanese Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors, which states that "duty is heavier than a mountain; death is lighter than a feather." See Wikipedia entry "Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors.
Hello. It's a Turkish movie, Ward 7. It's based on a true story. It's perfect. You won't be able to hold back your tears.
The Last Of The Mohicans starring Daniel Day Lewis
This movie is a loose retelling of the Satsuma Rebellion against Emperor Meiji's social reforms. Katsumoto is a fictionalized representation of Takamori Saigo, the actual last Samurai, who fell at the Battle of Shiroyama. Saigo is venerated in Japan. After being wounded in the hip during the battle, Saigo committed seppuku.
Now i would recommend watching the mini series Shogun. That would be the best follow up :)
27:26 They’re bowing out of respect. The Samurai were a very high class in Japanese society.
No it's not a true story, some facts are partially historical other are just romance, and some are craps. At this time it's accurate that Japan Emperor Meji and some of his counsellor try to devellop and modernize their country (i mean passing to an industrial Era)... They opened up their frontiers to trade with foreign country...and so the society was torn between centuries or even millenias of traditions and this new culture... Samouraïs the noble warrior cast rebelled against that modernisation and the fall of their culture and status but they didn't disappear as fast as in the movie... And to be true historically, the men who trained the imperial forces before turning to the side of the Samouraï was not an american, sorry, his name is "Jules Brunet" a French army Captain...
Two films, two adaptations for which I have yet to see reactions: Girl with a pearl earring and Night train to Lisbon.
Guys, if you want a historical film that tries to be accurate don't bother with 300 or Braveheart but if spectacle over substance is your thing then maybe give 'em a go. 😊
I you want to know more about the true story of the last samourai on what this movie is based on you can llok up to Jules Brunet, the whole movie is inspired on his life
I have a movie for you....The Town That Dredded Sundown....it is based on actual events back in the 1940's in Texarkana....my mother remembered the events & her parents boarded up their windows just to be safe & they live almost 200 miles away in Oklahoma. You will be on the edge of your seat, but there is a little comedy in it here & there. I would love to see your reactions.
If you are lookimg for some lighter fun movies, try these:
Romancing The Stone
Parenthood
Three Men & A Baby
Dave
American President
Cocktail - Early Tom Cruise
Adventures in Babysitting
This movie is one of my guilty pleasures. It became one of my favourite movies when I watched it as a kid. But I say 'guilty' because there are quite a lot of historical inaccuracies, illogical decision-making by the characters, and over dramatisation and innacurate depiction of the Japanese people and the samurai. I wish they would do a remake but taking into account the above.
I'm a historian, but I'm not going to go on too long. Or at least I'll try not to
War is basically dumb. It takes a brilliant leader to change tactics, those individuals are extremely rare.
Alexander the Great never lost a battle. He was off the charts. Brilliant. Socrates taught Plato, Plato taught Aristotle and Aristotle taught Alexander. It isn't a surprise he was the greatest general in history.
He invented tactics to take advantage of enemy army tactics. The same is true of general Washington who is extraordinary at logistics. The same is true of general Grant who realized he had Superior numbers, and he could withstand more loss of men, Confederates could not. Blackjack Pershing in world War I understood trench warfare better than anyone else in history. General Eisenhower was extraordinary at preparation and made sure that the Holocaust was documented so no one could deny it happened.
When you wonder why they just line up to attack each other, is because the vast majority of people who have a thirst for blood and War are dumb as a rock. Without extraordinary leadership. They just March into each other and then one army retreats and the other army slaughters them while they are running.
This is an exceptional movie, with extraordinary cinematography and an excellent soundtrack.
Braveheart is a good movie, it has some inaccuracies that are pretty bold, but my favorite soundtrack and it is the first movie my children ever went to, they were three and five. But I'm a historian so.... I don't really worry about what other people think. My kids turned up fine.
@@DullGukat thanks for letting me know you don't have an education
When a historian says that in history people lined up to fight because they were 'dumb' and that Braveheart is 'good' but has 'some inaccuracies' (even pretty bold ones) you know you're dealing with an idiot.
Oh & he probably ment his kids turned out fine...probably. 🤔😊
@@eddhardy1054 My son loves history, my daughter doesn't care, she slept through the movie. She wasn't interested in it, but she wanted to be able to go to movies again so she obeyed by falling asleep. My son and I went and rewatched it in the theaters a few years ago. Still just as epic as it ever was on the big screen.
@@eddhardy1054 Don't really care about your opinion of me. No movie is perfect, especially one's on historical events. However, if they spur people to research or read a book about The event, then I find it valuable. Some of the inaccuracies in braveheart is the relationship between William Wallace and the princess, she was a toddler during the time he died. He didn't have a relationship with a 4-year-old girl. And it was written by someone related to William Wallace, obviously he wanted to make him look bigger and Robert, the Bruce looks smaller, Robert, the Bruce is the one that actually won freedom for Scotland.
And finally, they didn't go into the detail of how brilliant William Wallace was, he spoke numerous languages, and at Sterling he had a gorilla team take out the bridge so the archers could not back up and support the cavalry. That's why his plan worked so well. Maybe you should try reading history books instead of depending on movies to get your knowledge?
7:40 Very loosely inspired by true events. Cruise's character is based on a French officer who spent TEN years, not just one, training soldiers in Japan. The rebellion was real, the names are changed, and like I said, it took place over about ten years, n9t just one year, like in the movie.
Cool! Thanks for the info!
@@popculturallychallenged You’re welcome. Hope that adds a bit of context for you.
Banzaii!!...
PLEASE watch Cheaper by the dozen 2003 and its sequel Cheaper by the dozen 2 2005
Toni Braveheart is more violent than this, but 300 is more violent than this and Braveheart combined.
Thanks for the heads up!
5:02 wow your girl cant help but hit the short guy when hes down eh? hahaha
😂 Did he have an extra cushion? I wasn't sure or maybe they did it because of the angel of the camera..... -Toni 🙂
Another favorite of mine..
I'm not completely up on Japanese history, but to put this movie in European terminology. The king is trying to modernize and industrialized Japan. The samurai as the Dukes, counts, and lords of the land are pushing back against the modernization by burning rail road stops and using their political influence to keep Japan in its traditions (ultra conservative faction) .
No, they are single shot weapons. (Watching your reactions, I want to have a conversation, but since I normally don't comment, I feel like it's taken as a negative. Love your reactions)
Please consider watching the movie Tears of the Sun with Bruce Willis... Tony needs to cry in order to earn her next Medi pedi.... 😆
We'll add it to our list! :)
Are you going to continue with Spider-Man doing Spider-Man 2 and I do hope that you start the mcu journey
Yes, we're planning on continuing with the Spider-Man series. :)
Sad 😞😞
samurai used musqueteers and fire arms since the 16th century when they came in contact with the portuguese and spanish
The guns are single shot they have to reload after a shot
45:34 sir dont ask questions you dont want the answer to LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
if you want a Samurai movie she will like then try Twighlight Samuari and Shogun (the latest) oh and the old series Zatoichi--- bring tissues for both manly romance
I to dont like crude Deadpool movies
Godzilla Minus One absolutely wonderful movie (bring tissues)
uh oh, tony crying at 34 minutes. This is going to get bad
His nose? In that scene you are focused on whether or not his nose is crooked? SMFH
こんなポリコレに囚われてたらもう映画を純粋には楽しめなさそ
Toni is going to be between bored and confused by 300 and not particularly enjoy Braveheart
This is beautifully historically impressionistic but far from accurate.
Love this movie. Braveheart, yes.
300, no.
Deadpool, no.
Shogun is even better than this.
We might have to check it out! 😃
@@popculturallychallenged the guy that played the really good swordsman, (the one that taught Tom Cruise's character how to use the sword) is one of the main characters and produced it.
Yeah guys definitely check out Shōgun, it's great television. 😊
The wife is totally lost, over reacted and over ugly cried……rinse and repeat every reaction. 😂
I completely understand, I'll try to keep it under control a bit more. - Toni 🤓
@@popculturallychallenged 😂
"The Last Samurai" may be good overseas, but it's terrible for Japanese people. Both the outline and the details feel strange.
Toney you only cried a little bit with this one! 💪🏽 Yeah we’re gonna need some rom coms for you in the next few! 🫶🏾
I'm pretty proud of myself for not crying my eyes out. It was heartfelt but I was composed. - Toni 🥹
"When I took these, you were my enemy." - Katsumoto
Like the Dandelion shirt. There's a pretty good channel called "History Buffs", where they analyze the historical accuracy of historical movies, and I think they do a vid on this one. What little fact checking I've done they seem to be accurate. Enjoyed the reaction : ).
Col. Bagley: "Just tell me one thing: what is it about your own people that you hate so much?"
to sum that up, 2 earlier movies tell that story:
Little Big Man (1970) with a very young Dustin Hoffman, and
Dances With Wolves (1990) with Kevin Costner starring and directing it.
Algren was whispering to himself, when he stood as a target infront of that soldier: " Shoot me god damn it" He wished for his own death in the start, just as when he didnt flinch when the samurai dude intimmidated him by wanting him to decapitate him right then and there... Again when he fought the son of the man he killed, where this samurai dude took over in his place to give him a proper beating... (THAT scene is sooooooooooooooo good, so complex, so layered) Algren kept getting up again and again, trying to provoke the samurai to just end it, but i guess that one backfired because it showed determination, strenght and most important of all, it showed valor, which low key gained him a shit ton of respect.. ^^
I will miss our conversations. ❤
I really really despise tom for stuff hes done and said in his personal life... but I really really enjoy watching him act. He is a phenomenal actor. Great reaction. Thank you.
Thank you!
You edited out my favourite part of the movie:
"Tell me how he died."
"I will tell you how he lived."
❤️
They might have had no choice if a copyright bot tagged it.
@@ronweber1402 I’ll never understand how these copyright issues work. Plenty of other people on RUclips don’t have these problems, then some others have to bleep out every swear word, etc. it all seems to vary from person to person… 🤷♂️
@@tomaskennedy Yes it makes no sense. What I have seemed to find is reactors don't have as many problems until they start getting popular then they start getting hit harder with copyright issues and what one gets away with others are sanctioned on. Totally senseless.
Hi @tomaskennedy! Unfortunately the copyright bots hit this one and I had to trim down the scene. I could have added a watermark to the video but I prefer to only do that when the entire video has been claimed. I don’t understand copyright issues and they do seem to be arbitrary in how they are applied. In the last 2 weeks we’ve been hit with claims on 3 videos that have been up since last year. 😢
ITS Not AS Bad AS editing Out the ALWAYS from Snape in Harry Potter
So excited. In my top 3 movies of all time.
let me guess, after Dances with Wolves and Avatar :P
@@Demigord actually the princess bride and good will hunting. Condescending ass
This was a great movie!
The wooden swords the Samurai were seen practicing with, are called boken. They're made of lacquered hardwood, usually oak. They're approximately the same weight as a katana.
Thanks for the info!
Great reaction guys like always, love this movie its one of my favourites. When Katsumoto says "Perfect" and the tear rolls off his cheek. That is one of the most perfectly shot scenes I have seen. Many people think that the character of Tom Cruise is the Last Samurai, that is wrong. Contrary to popular conception, the title of the film does not refer to Nathan Algren, or even Katsumoto, as the Last Samurai. The word "Samurai" here is in its plural form and is actually referring to Katsumoto's clan as a whole. This was confirmed by the director. Cruise's character was the narrator of the story about Katsumoto. And a fun-fact, this was filmed in New Zealand and Tom Cruise would have to fly by helicopter from the town he was staying in out to the set in the country side. He would fly over a small country school of only about 20-30 students and they were 5-11 yrs old. Every day they would stand outside and wave to the helicopter and had a little sign they held up saying " Hi Tom". Tom Cruise found out where the school was and arranged for his helicopter to land at the school and spent the morning with the children. Keep up the good work.
A couple of things
1. Samurai can be singular or plural, and according to the director it refers to the entire group of samurai as the last of their kind.
2. Katsumoto kept Nathan alive to learn about his enemy and also because of the vision of the white tiger at the beginning of the film, which was on Nathan's flag in the first battle.
3. They weren't dehydrating him. Nathan was asking for sake, which is alcohol, and at that point he was suffering withdrawals and having nightmares of his past, which between that and his wound is why he was sweating.
4. I highly recommend the show Shogun, which stars Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Ujio in this movie (the samurai who Tom Cruise was fighting with wooden sticks).
This is the movie that caused me not to get a job.
i was asked what's my favorite movie was during an interview, i answered this movie.
I guess they figured I'm not a team player. 😂
😂 My answer would have been It's a Wonderful Life. This was a great movie!
@@popculturallychallenged Your Hired!!!!
In the way of the samurai, death in the line of duty was considered highly honorable. So they were not angry at their enemies.
The real battle was the battle of Shiroyama, 500 Samurai charged at 30000 imperial soldiers. The ending of the Samurai was a battle of 60 to 1. They charged without fear, fighting for the japanese culture, their ancestors and their emperor.
They where led by Saigō Takamori, who is known as the last samurai.
About the why they fought firing in lines; the muskets was an extremely inaccurate weapon. So by firing in a line you got the best possible chance to kill or wound as many of the enemies in one volley. Most engagements was maybe six shots fired, then a charge with bayonets.
Interesting. So I guess the level of missing they did wasn't all that inaccurate (pun intended) after all
From what I read, this story is actually loosely based on the Boshin War, between the Emperor's Imperial forces and former Shogunate forces. Nathan Algren were based on a French military instructor or something that supported the Shogunate (or maybe a few of them that supported the Shogunate). Of course, a lot of things in the film are fictional.
It was a great movie and loved that I didn't ball my eyes out.... -Toni 🤓
Yes, Jules Brunet, and other French officiers
Oh, this ones going to be good. See yall later.
YES.....300 !!!
29:00 This scene is heartbreaking. The topknot is a key element of Samurai culture. When he cries out as his topknot is being cut off, it’s like he’s begging his ancestors' forgiveness for having allowed himself to be publicly dishonoured like this.
Please do beaveheart
Again, it was a pleasure to be with everyone. 20K soon. 100K soon after!
Thank you! We're getting close to 20K! That would be incredible to hit 100K someday!
@@popculturallychallenged I think they send you a plaque at 100K. Looking forward to you hanging one on the wall.
In scene where Nathan demonstrates that the troops are not ready for battle, he is hoping to be shot and killed as he sick for his part in the Indian massacre and doesn't want to go to battle again.
Ujio (Hiroyuki Sanada) is my favorite… you start out hating him, but slowly learn his perspective and his role as Katsumoto’s #1. As he teaches Algren the way of the sword, you begin to warm to him. By the end, you are 100% Team Ujio. Great character, nicely developed by Sanada with barely any dialogue !
nice reaction. I watched this movie multiple times. I love the Japanese culture shown on the movie.
I think you missed the Katsumoto vision at the beginning, of the White Tiger and the banner that Tom Cruise used to defend himself showing a white tiger on it.
This is a fun Hollywood movie, but it heavily romanticizes the samurai, who were ruthless parasitic aristocracy. Also the civil war that this was based on was nothing like it's portrayed in the movie. In real life, both sides used rifles and cannons.
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.
Nathan is suicidal because of the shame he feels for what he was ordered to do against Native American Indians. He is wanting the Sake because he is a drunk and the alcohol eases his inner pain. The reason the Samurai defeated them in the first battle is because 1. the Japanese couldn't shoot straight and 2 because he told them to hold their fire and they got scared and fired before they should have and then didnt have time to reload. Also when he aske that one guy to shoot at him he was hoping to be killed but knew the guy would miss because they were not ready yet.
It's called withdrawal and the mind of a killer that regrets all the killing he was made to do