The Last Samurai (2003) Movie Script

MAN:

They say Japan was made by a sword.

They say the old gods dipped

a coral blade into the ocean...

and when they pulled it out, four

perfect drops fell back into the sea...

and those drops became

the islands of Japan.

I say Japan was made

by a handful of brave men...

warriors willing to give their lives...

for what seems to have become

a forgotten word:

Honor.

[GROWLING]

[GROWLS]

MAN: Ladies and gentlemen:

Winchester.

America's leader in all forms of

armament used...

by the United States Army...

celebrates our nation's centennial

by bringing you a true American hero.

One of the most decorated warriors

this country has ever known.

Winner of the Medal of Honor

for his gallantry...

on the hallowed ground

of Gettysburg.

San Francisco, 1876

He is late of the 7th Cavalry...

and their triumphant campaign against

the most savage of the Indian nations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I present to you:

Captain Nathan Algren!

Yes!

Ladies and gent...

One moment, ladies and gentlemen.

Goddamn you, Algren,

get out there!

This is your last performance!

You're fired! Now get out there!

Come on! I'm sick of this!

Come on!

Yes!

[APPLAUSE]

[COUGHS]

My thanks, Mr. McCabe,

you are too kind.

This, ladies and gents...

is the gun that's winning the West.

Why, many's the time

I've found myself...

[TOM-TOM PLAYING]

Surrounded by a swarm of...

angry hostiles,

with nothing but this rifle...

[BUGLE PLAYING]

Between me and a certain

and gruesome death.

And let me tell you, folks,

the red man...

is a fearsome enemy.

And if he'd had his way...

why, this scalp of mine

would be long gone...

and there'd be a balder man

standing before you today.

Like those poor bastards out there...

on the Little Bighorn.

Bodies stripped bare...

mutilated.

Left to rot in the sun.

This, ladies and gentlemen,

the 73 lever-action...

Trapper.

It's got a seven-shot capacity. Accurate

400 yards, one round per second.

Son, have you ever seen

what this could do to a man?

Blow a hole in your daddy

six inches wide.

WOMAN: Oh. That's terrible.

- That's right, missy.

This beauty.

You could kill yourself five, six, seven

braves without ever having to reload.

Note the patented loading port

and the smooth cocking action.

[COCKS RIFLE]

[CROWD GASPS]

[WOMEN SCREAMING]

My thanks on behalf

of those who died...

in the name of better

mechanical amusements and...

commercial opportunities.

Mr. McCabe here will take your orders.

God bless you all.

I must say, captain, you have a flair

for the old melodrama.

- You're alive.

- I am, indeed.

Your man Custer says to me,

"We're going to the Little Bighorn."

Says I, "What's this 'we' stuff?"

It's the walking ticket for me.

Nine lives I have.

But I'll tell you what else I have.

I have a good job for the both of us.

God knows it looks

as if you'll need one real soon.

What kind of a job?

The only job you're fit for, boyo.

A man's job.

Unless, of course, you got your heart

set on a career in the theater.

Nathan!

Just listen to what

your man has to say.

Been a while.

It's good to see you.

I'd like you to meet

Mr. Omura from Japan...

and his associate, whose name

I've given up trying to pronounce.

Sit down, please.

ALGREN:

Whiskey.

Now, Japan's got it in mind

to become a civilized country.

And Mr. Omura here is willing

to spend what it takes...

to hire white experts

to train their army.

And if we play our cards right...

the Emperor grants the U.S.

exclusive rights to supply arms.

Well, I have an agreement

with Winchester Company.

I'm certain Mr. Omura has some concept

of what an agreement is.

Your performances for the Winchester

Company bring you $25 a week.

We will pay you $400 a month.

Five. For each.

And another 500

when we get the job done.

How many other genuine heroes

you got lined up?

[MAN SPEAKING JAPANESE]

He's rude.

That's how it is here.

A land of cheap traders.

[IN ENGLISH]

Whiskey.

So who will we be training

your boys to fight?

His name is Katsumoto Moritsugu.

He was once the Emperor's teacher.

- He's Samurai.

- Samurai?

The word you might use is "warrior."

Mr. Omura is familiar with our

experiences dealing with renegades.

Is he?

He's even read your book.

Captain Algren's study of the tribes...

was a crucial factor

in our defeat of the Cheyenne.

Please excuse. What is funny?

The corps back together again.

It's just so...

inspiring!

Excuse me.

I need to use the necessities.

[ALGREN couel-ls]

This isn't a problem.

I'll just talk to him for a minute.

Colonel Bagley.

We contacted you because you are

Captain Algren's superior officer...

and you assured us

of his participation.

He'll do it.

I just need a minute.

Nathan.

I did what I was ordered

to do out there.

And I have no remorse.

So, what do you say we

put the past behind us?

You want me to kill Jappos,

I'll kill Jappos.

- I'm not asking you to kill anybody.

- You want me to kill their enemies...

I'll kill their enemies.

Rebs or Sioux or Cheyenne...

For 500 bucks a month,

I'll kill whoever you want.

But keep one thing in mind...

I'd happily kill you for free.

ALGREN:

July 12th, 1876.

There is some comfort

in the emptiness of the sea.

No past, no future.

And then at once, I am confronted by

the hard truth of present circumstances.

I have been hired to help suppress

the rebellion of yet another tribal leader.

Apparently, this is the only job

for which I am suited.

I am beset by the ironies of my life.

[CHILDREN SCREAMING]

Yokohama Harbor, 1876

[CHATTERING]

- Uh, Captain Algren, I presume?

- Yes.

Jolly good. How do you do?

Simon Graham.

Twenty years ago,

this was a sleepy little town.

Now look at it.

You see, the Emperor is mad

for all things Western...

and the Samurai believe

it's changing too fast.

The ancient and the modern

are at war for the soul of Japan.

So your new employer, Mr. Omura,

is bringing in...

every Western expert he can get.

Lawyers from France, engineers from

Germany, architects from Holland...

and now, of course,

warriors from America.

I came over with the British

trade mission, oh, years ago.

I was soon relieved of my position.

I had an unfortunate tendency

to tell the truth...

in a country where no one ever

says what they mean.

So now, I very accurately translate

other people's lies.

For 2000 years, no emperor

was even seen by a commoner.

You have to realize what an honor this

is. It's all highly ritualized, of course.

You may look at him,

but do not speak unless spoken to.

If he stands, you must bow.

If he bows, you must bow lower.

Do I look presentable?

I haven't worn this in a decade.

Rather snug around the midriff.

And bow.

The divine Emperor Meiji

bids you welcome.

He is grateful for the assistance

your country offers.

We hope to accomplish

the same national harmony...

you enjoy in your homeland.

[EMPEROR SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH] The Emperor is most

interested in your American Indians...

if you have fought

against them in battle.

We have, Your Highness.

The red man is a brutal adversary.

[EMPEROR SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH] The Emperor wishes

to ask Captain Algren...

if it is true they wear eagle feathers...

and paint their faces

before going into battle...

and that they have no fear.

They are very brave.

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Bow.

Thank you very much.

GRAHAM:

And step back.

Step back, step back and turn.

Right, you little bastards!

You will stand up straight

or I will personally shit-kick...

every Far Eastern buttock

that appears before my eyes!

[MEN CHATTERING]

Well done, sergeant.

When you understand the language,

everything falls into place.

The first rank will kneel,

rifles at the ready.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

The second rank...

ALGREN:

July 22nd, 1876.

For six months' work, I am to receive

three years of captain's pay...

teaching Orientals to soldier.

They are an army of conscripts.

Most of them are peasants

who have never even seen a gun.

Fire!

They are led by General Hasegawa

a man of small stature...

who nonetheless commands

enormous respect.

What can the general tell me about

this man, this Samurai, Katsumoto?

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

ALGREN: He seems to have

great knowledge of Katsumoto

and his rebellion. I will count on

his help when facing the Samurai.

Who supplies their weapons?

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Katsumoto no longer dishonors himself...

by using firearms, you see.

He uses no firearms?

To those who honor the old ways,

Katsumoto is a hero.

How well does he know him?

The general and Katsumoto

fought together for the Emperor.

He fought with the Samurai?

He is Samurai.

GRAHAM: You must understand.

Katsumoto pledged his sword...

to defend the Emperor.

They say that a Samurai's sword

is his soul.

They're paradoxical people, Samurai.

I've tried to write about them,

but they keep to themselves.

The bastards are still wearing armor.

When the Irish were comporting

themselves in loincloths...

these chaps were the most

sophisticated warriors on Earth.

I need information

on their battle tactics.

I have several more books

just waiting to be translated.

He'll be speaking the lingo in no time.

You should hear him blather on

in Blackfoot.

Really?

A fellow linguist? Oh, capital!

Come on, sir.

A word or two in the savage tongue.

Just "hello" or "goodbye" or...

No, no, no!

"Cut his tongue out

and boil him in oil."

Early day tomorrow, captain, darling.

- It's about bedtime, isn't it?

- I always had a fascination with scalping.

I never quite understood

its technique.

Imagine someone who hates you

with the utmost intensity...

grabbing a handful of your hair while

you're lying prostrate and helpless...

Ooh.

And scraping a dull blade

of a rusty knife around your scalp...

with a saw-like motion.

And let your imagination grasp, if you

can, the effect of a strong, quick jerk...

on the turf of your hair

to release any clinging particles...

would have on your nervous system.

[GUNSHOT]

And you'll have some idea

of how it feels to be scalped...

Mr. Graham.

Mm.

[GUNSHOT]

How soon can you

translate those books?

Right away.

I'm just delighted you're taking

such an interest in Samurai.

I don't give a damn about the Samurai.

I want to know my enemy.

GRAHAM:

I shall not sleep until it is done.

Ah.

Sake.

I bid you good night.

GANT:

Can I get you anything, sir?

BAGLEY:

This is a punitive expedition, captain.

Col. Bagley, these people had

nothing to do with the raids!

GANT:

Good night.

BAGLEY:

Quietly now, boys.

[CHILDREN SCREAMING]

[GUNSHOT]

Fire!

[SHOUTS COMMANDS IN JAPANESE]

[MAN SHOUTS COMMANDS

IN JAPANESE]

[MAN SHOUTS COMMANDS

IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH] We should be grateful

they're all firing in the same direction.

Couldn't have put it better myself, sir.

Rifle butt, against the shoulder.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Eye, down the sight.

Now, slowly...

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Well done.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Nathan!

Katsumoto's attacked a rail road

at the border of his province.

We cannot govern a country

in which we cannot travel freely.

He must be stopped now.

My rail road is a priority

for this country.

They're not ready.

The rebels don't have any rifles.

They're savages with bows and arrows.

Whose sole occupation for the last

thousand years has been war.

You have superior firepower

and a larger force.

I am ordering the regiment

to move against Katsumoto.

You will track him down

and engage him.

Load.

Mr. Graham!

Tell this man to fire at me!

- I beg your pardon?

- Tell this man...

if he does not shoot me,

I will kill him!

- Captain, if I might have a word.

ALGREN: Tell him!

Tell him!

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Load!

Faster!

Shoot me, damn it.

Fire!

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

They're not ready.

The regiment leaves at 6 a.m.!

A thousand miles of rail track laid

in less than two years.

It's astonishing.

And Omura owns all of it?

As soon as he can get rid

of the Samurai, he will, yes.

How do you intend

to find Katsumoto?

ALGREN: Don't worry, Mr. Graham.

I assure you, he'll find us.

ALGREN:

Move into position!

Yoshino Province, 1876

1st Company,

form a battle line on me!

Pay attention,

it will save your life!

2nd Company,

form on 1st Company.

3rd and 4th Company,

form up behind.

Fill in on command!

- Where's Hasegawa?

- He refuses to fight against Katsumoto.

ALGREN: Cover down!

- Captain Algren.

We are not here as combatants.

- Then who's gonna lead them?

- Their own officers.

- Let's move to the rear.

- We'll be there presently.

- Fix bayonets!

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Mr. Graham, accompany me to the rear.

Yes, of course.

Sergeant Gant, report to the rear and see

to the disposition of the supply trains.

- Did you hear my order?

- I did indeed, sir!

Then you will obey it. Now!

No disrespect intended, sir,

but shove it up your ass.

[HORN BLOWING]

- Load!

[MEN YELLING IN DISTANCE]

Samurai come.

You'll be fine, son.

[MEN YELLING IN DISTANCE]

- Assume firing positions!

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Fire on my order only!

Hold your fire!

[YELLING]

Reload!

[SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Hold the line!

Fire at will!

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Lieutenant, fall back!

Zeb!

[YELLS]

[GROWLING]

[IN JAPANESE]

He's mine.

S'tOp!

Take him away!

[GRUNTING]

[YELLING]

[IN ENGLISH]

What is your name?

[IN JAPANESE]

insolent swine! Answer!

Leave him be.

[IN ENGLISH]

This is my son's village.

We are deep in the mountains and

winter is coming. You cannot escape.

Jolly good.

[CHANTING]

[BOY SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[MAN SPEAKING JAPANESE]

My Lord, why do you spare the barbarian?

He is shamed in defeat.

He should kill himself.

That is not their custom.

Then...

I Will kill him.

Father, I don't think...

Ujio...

there will be plenty of killing to come.

For now...

we will learn about our new enemy.

Keep him alive.

He's in bad shape.

Sake.

Sake?

Sake.

Taka will take care of you.

Sake.

[ALGREN COUGHING]

[GUNSHOT]

Sake.

Sake!

Let him drink, Aunt.

No. That will not do.

This is my village.

This is my house.

[IN ENGLISH]

Please.

Sake.

[WOMAN SCREAMING]

Sake!

No!

I told you!

No!

[CHANTING]

[CHILDREN LAUGHING]

[IN ENGLISH]

Morning.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[YELLING]

[MEN GRUNTING]

[IN JAPANESE]

Over there!

[IN ENGLISH]

Go. You, go.

What's your name?

You got a name, don't you?

[SPEAKS JAPANESE, STAMMERING]

[IN ENGLISH] You don't know

what I'm saying, do you?

I know why you don't talk.

You're angry.

You're angry because

they make you wear a dress.

Son of a bitch.

[CHANTING]

[IN ENGLISH] This temple was built

by my family a thousand years ago.

My name is Katsumoto.

What is your name?

Are my words not correct?

I will practice my English with you...

if you would honor me.

You kept me alive just to speak English?

Then what do you want?

To know my enemy.

I've seen what you do to your enemies.

Warriors in your country do not kill?

They don't out the heads off defeated,

kneeling men.

General Hasegawa asked me

to help him end his life.

A Samurai cannot stand

the shame of defeat.

I was honored to cut off his head.

Many of our customs seem strange

to you. The same is true of yours.

For example...

not to introduce yourself is considered

extremely rude, even among enemies.

Nathan Algren.

I am honored to meet you.

- I enjoyed this conversation in English.

- I have questions.

I have introduced myself.

You have introduced yourself.

This is a very good conversation.

- I have questions.

- They come later.

Who was the warrior in the red armor?

- My brother-in-law, Hirotaro.

- And the woman who cares for me?

My sister, Hirotaro's wife.

Her name is Taka.

I killed her husband?

It was a good death.

[IN JAPANESE]

You! Come... Please...

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Thank you.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

He smells like the pigs.

Tell my brother I cannot stand this.

Why don't you tell him?

At least make him take a bath.

[IN ENGLISH]

Nicely done.

[IN JAPANESE] They may be children,

but they are strong.

[IN ENGLISH]

You try.

TW-

[UJIO SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

Put down the sword.

[SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH] I just realized,

I've been remiss. Forgive me.

I have yet to thank you

for looking out for me yesterday.

That is your job, correct?

Protecting me?

Well done, Bob.

You don't mind if I call you "Bob,"

do you?

I knew a Bob once.

God, he was ugly as a mule.

You a ladies' man, Bob?

Ujio is teaching you the way

of the Japanese sword.

Yes, indeed.

You fought against your Red Indians?

Yes.

Tell me of your part in this war.

- Why?

- I wish to learn.

- Read a book.

- I would rather have a good conversation.

- Why?

- Because“.

We are both students of war.

Huh?

So...

you were the general of your army?

No.

I was a captain.

This is a low rank?

- A middle rank.

- Uh-huh.

And who was your general?

Don't you have a rebellion to lead?

People in your country

do not like conversation?

He was a lieutenant colonel.

His name was Custer.

I know this name.

He killed many warriors.

Oh, yes. Many warriors.

So he was a good general.

No. No, he wasn't a good general.

He was arrogant and foolhardy.

He got massacred because he took

a battalion against 2000 angry Indians.

Two thousand Indians?

How many men for Custer?

Two hundred and eleven.

I like this General Custer.

He was a murderer who fell in love

with his own legend.

And his troopers died for it.

I think this is a very good death.

Maybe you can have one

like it someday.

If it is in my destiny.

- What do you want from me?

- What do you want for yourself?

What are you doing?

Why are we having these conversations?

What the hell am I doing here?

In spring-~

the snows will melt

and the passes will open.

Until that time, you are here.

Good day, captain.

ALGREN:

1876.

Day unknown. Month unknown.

I continue to live among

these unusual people.

I am their captive,

in that I cannot escape.

Mostly, I'm treated with

a kind of a mild neglect...

as if I were a stray dog

or an unwelcome guest.

[MEN YELLING, GRUNTING]

Everyone is polite.

Everyone smiles and bows.

But beneath their courtesy,

I detect a deep reservoir of feeling.

[TAKA SPEAKS JAPANESE]

ALGREN:

They are an intriguing people.

From the moment they wake...

they devote themselves to

the perfection of whatever they pursue.

I have never seen such discipline.

I am surprised to learn that the word

"Samurai" means "to serve

and that Katsumoto believes

his rebellion to be...

in the service of the Emperor.

[YELLS]

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Please forgive. Too many mind.

Too many mind?

Mind sword, mind people watch,

mind enemy.

Too many mind.

No mind.

[ALGREN YELLING, GRUNTING]

[IN JAPANESE]

Thank you. More rice?

Taka. He spoke Japanese!

Eat a lot. Don't be polite.

[IN ENGLISH]

Not so fast. What are these?

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[REPEATS IN JAPANESE]

How can he understand?

[CONTINUES REPEATING IN JAPANESE]

- Top knot. Top knot.

- Top knot.

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

No, no. Not so fast.

I'm Algren.

Algren.

[REPEATING]

Algren.

- Nobutada.

- Magojiro.

Higen.

Taka.

Brother, please make him leave.

I cannot stand it.

Is he so repulsive?

The shame is unbearable.

I ask permission to end my life.

You will do as you are told!

You'd rather I kill him

to avenge your husband?

Yes.

Hirotaro tried to kill the American.

It was karma.

I know.

Forgive my weakness.

There must be some reason

why he is here.

It is beyond my understanding.

[IN ENGLISH]

She's been very kind to me.

She's honored to have

my guest in her house.

ALGREN:

Winter, 1877.

What does it mean to be Samurai?

To devote yourself utterly

to a set of moral principles...

to seek a stillness of your mind...

and to master the way of the sword.

[IN JAPANESE]

He's getting better, no?

But still so ugly.

[ALGREN IN ENGLISH]

Cold?

[BOYS PROVIDING JAPANESE,

ALGREN REPEATING]

[ALGREN SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[BOYS SPEAK JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Also. Also cold.

Fire.

[HIGEN PROVIDING JAPANESE,

ALGREN REPEATING]

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

To burn.

[ALGREN SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[HIGEN SPEAKS JAPANESE,

ALGREN REPEATS]

[IN JAPANESE]

No, please.

Japanese men do not help with this.

I am not Japanese.

[IN ENGLISH]

I'm sorry.

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

For your husband, Hirotaro.

[IN JAPANESE]

He did his duty.

You did your duty.

I accept your apology...

[MAGOJIRO CALLING]

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[TAKA SPEAKING JAPANESE]

ALGREN:

Spring, 1877.

This marks the longest I have stayed

in one place since I left the farm at 17

There is so much here

that I'll never understand

I have never been a church-going man...

and what I've seen

on the field of battle...

has led me to question God's purpose.

But there is, indeed, something...

spiritual in this place.

And though it may forever

be obscure to me...

I cannot but be aware of its power.

I do know it is here that I have known

my first untroubled sleep in many years.

No, you gotta get the ball!

Go and get it.

No, not me!

You gotta get the ball! The ball!

[IN JAPANESE]

Ujio will win in three moves.

In five!

Next in five moves.

In six.

[IN ENGLISH]

No mind.

[IN JAPANESE]

A draw!

[SINGING IN JAPANESE]

Who is this amateur?

[CROWD APPLAUDING]

Katsumoto!

MAN:

Protect Katsumoto! Protect our Lord!

Lord, please go inside!

Higen!

[SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

The perfect blossom is a rare thing.

You could spend your life looking for

one, and it would not be a wasted life.

Who sent those men to kill you?

I'm writing a poem about a dream I had.

The tiger's eyes are like my own

But he comes from across

A deep and troubled sea

Was it the Emperor?

Omura?

If the Emperor wishes my death,

he has but to ask.

So it was Omura.

I'm having trouble finishing the poem.

- Can you suggest a last line?

- I'm not a writer.

Yet you have written many pages

since you came here.

What else has she told you?

You have nightmares.

Every soldier has nightmares.

Only one who is ashamed

of what he has done.

You have no idea what I have done.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

You have seen many things.

I have.

And you do not fear death,

but sometimes you wish for it.

Is this not so?

- Yes.

- I, also.

It happens to men who have seen

what we have seen.

And then I come to this place

of my ancestors...

and I remember.

Like these blossoms...

we are all dying.

To know life in every breath...

every cup of tea...

every life we take.

The way of the warrior.

Life in every breath.

That is Bushido.

Hai.

[IN ENGLISH] The Emperor has granted

a safe passage to Tokyo.

We leave tomorrow.

Good.

When I took these, you were...

my enemy.

[IN JAPANESE]

Excuse me.

No, so sorry, I am finishing.

I must go away.

Hai.

You have been kind to me.

I won't forget...

Algren-san! Algren-san.

[SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[WOMEN SCREAMING]

Samurai!

BAGLEY:

Algren?

Algren, my God, you are alive.

Well, you never cease to astonish.

- Howitzers.

- Yes, indeed.

As soon as the Emperor signs

the trade agreement...

he gets the whole package.

Including this particular item.

Two hundred rounds a minute.

And the new cartridges

cut down on jamming.

I need a bath.

After living with those savages,

I can only imagine.

Welcome back, captain.

[IN JAPANESE] Katsumoto.

You rise against me, my teacher.

No, Highness.

I rise against your enemies.

They are my advisors, like you.

They advise in their own interest.

I need advisors who know

the modern world.

If I am no use,

I will happily end my life.

No.

I need your voice in the council.

It is your voice we need, Highness.

You are a living god.

Do what you think is right.

I am a living god...

as long as I do

what they think is right.

What sad words you speak.

Forgive me for saying

what a teacher must.

Have you forgotten your people?

Tell me what to do...

my teacher.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

You are Emperor, my Lord, not me.

You must find the wisdom for all of us.

[IN ENGLISH]

Ah, gentlemen, come in.

Captain Algren, it seems

you have endured your captivity...

with little ill effect.

I was not ill-treated, sir.

Mr. Omura, I have here

a draft of the arms agreement.

I'm eager to know how many Samurai

have joined Katsumoto.

I'm afraid I don't know.

- You spent the winter at his encampment.

- As his prisoner.

Has he fortified his position?

Acquired firearms? Tell us what you saw.

As you said, colonel,

they're savages with bows and arrows.

- Sir, about the...

- I'm sure your documents are in order.

Thank you. Leave them on my desk.

I'll address them at the appropriate time.

With all due respect, sir,

our president's patience is wearing thin.

Perhaps there is someone else

we should speak to.

With all due respect, ambassador...

perhaps there is someone else

we should speak to.

For instance, the French

or the English.

Or any of the legations

waiting in the next room.

Yes, well...

We should be looking forward

to hearing from you.

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Captain Algren.

Perhaps you and I might have

a word in private. Please, sit down.

- May I offer you whiskey?

- No, thank you.

Katsumoto is an extraordinary man,

is he not?

He's a tribal leader.

I've known many of them.

But none who are Samurai.

Their ways have great appeal.

- I don't see how this concerns me.

- Ah, but it does.

You see, you were right. Last year,

we were not prepared to go to battle.

You were right,

and Colonel Bagley was wrong.

But now, we are ready.

If Katsumoto is allowed to attract

other Samurai to his cause...

we will have 10 years of rebellion.

This is something I will not allow.

Either I'll stop him at the council today,

or you'll lead my army against him.

And with these new weapons,

you will crush him.

- I appreciate the offer.

- It is not an offer.

Mr. Omura, my contract with you

was to train your army.

Then we will make a new contract...

one that will recognize

the extraordinary contribution...

you've made to the Emperor.

Do we understand each other?

- Yes, we understand each other perfectly.

- Then I am pleased.

[IN JAPANESE] Follow him. If he goes

anywhere near Katsumoto, kill him.

[IN ENGLISH] Captain Algren!

What in heaven's name is going on?

The diplomatic community is abuzz.

Omura has passed laws

against the Samurai.

I need a drink.

Is your friend Katsumoto planning to go

up against the council this afternoon?

[IN JAPANESE] You, Samurai!

Don't you know about the order?

[IN ENGLISH]

It's started.

[IN JAPANESE]

Hey boy, are you listening?

No wonder the foreigners mock you.

Let's give this Samurai a haircut.

Cut off his top knot.

Get down! Kneel!

[IN ENGLISH]

Captain Algren!

[IN JAPANESE] Lower your weapons!

Lower your weapons!

Who are you?

I am Captain Algren.

[YELLS]

S'tOp!

S'EOP-

Get down!

[SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

Let's go.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

I'll take you home.

[IN ENGLISH]

Jolly good.

[IN JAPANESE]

We must resist the Western powers...

by becoming powerful ourselves.

Our army, our economy,

must be strong.

Minister, you honor us.

It is my honor to rejoin this council.

Perhaps you are unaware of the law

against wearing swords?

I read every law carefully.

Yet you bring weapons

into this chamber?

This chamber was protected

by my sword when...

We need no protection.

We are a nation of laws.

We are a nation of whores,

selling ourselves.

If we are whores,

the Samurai made us this way.

I have not seen the Omura family

giving gold to the masses.

Minister Katsumoto,

it is with great regret...

but I must ask you

to remove your sword.

This sword serves the Emperor.

Only he can command me to remove it.

The Emperor's voice is too pure

to be heard in this council.

Then, I must refuse

to give up my sword.

Then regretfully, my guards will

accompany you to your home in Tokyo.

There you will await our summons.

[KNOCKING]

[IN ENGLISH]

I heard you were leaving.

Omura offers you my job,

and you run away.

I suppose I should thank you.

$500 a month, including

back pay for time spent...

in captivity.

Enough to climb back inside a bottle

for the rest of your life.

You're welcome.

Well, it is pretty much over.

Katsumoto's under arrest.

Omura won't let him last the night.

With him dead, we should have

little trouble handling the rebellion...

even without you.

Especially without you.

Just tell me one thing.

What is it about your own people

that you hate so much?

[IN JAPANESE]

Save us the trouble...

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

The Samurai are finished!

[YELLS]

MAN:

Stop!

Don't come any closer!

[IN ENGLISH] Don't stop.

Whatever you do, don't stop.

[IN JAPANESE] Minister Omura has

commanded us to photograph the traitor...

Stop! Somebody!

Bring that equipment here now!

Immediately!

You stop!

You insolent, useless son

of a peasant dog!

How dare you show your sword in

his presence! Do you know who this is?

This is the President

of the United States of America!

He is here to lead our armies

in victorious battle against the rebels!

It's not my responsibility...

Now get over there and

help those men with their equipment!

Carry the equipment.

[IN ENGLISH]

President of the United States?

Sorry.

I think I'm going to be sick.

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

How's your poem coming?

The end is proving difficult.

This is Mr. Simon Graham. He'd like

very much to take your photograph.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

I thought you returned to America.

I decided to stay.

See if I could convince you to escape.

How do you plan to do that?

[THUDDING]

Mr. Graham, perhaps you would care

to take pictures of my village.

GRAHAM:

I would be greatly honored.

[MEN SPEAKING JAPANESE]

[MAN YELLING IN JAPANESE]

[NOBUTADA YELLS]

[IN JAPANESE]

My Lord, no!

Nobutada!

Father, let me stay.

It is my time.

My Lord...

we must go.

[YELLING]

[IN ENGLISH]

The Emperor could not hear my words.

His army will come.

It is the end.

For 900 years, my ancestors

have protected our people.

Now...

I have failed them.

So you will take your own life...

in shame?

Shame for a life of service?

Discipline? Compassion?

The way of the Samurai

is not necessary anymore.

Necessary?

What could be more necessary?

I will die by the sword.

My own...

or my enemy's.

Then let it be your enemy's.

Together, we will make

the Emperor hear you.

[IN JAPANESE]

He was a good man.

Will you fight the white men, too?

If they come here, yes.

Why?

Because they come to destroy

what I have come to love.

The way of Samurai is difficult

for children.

He misses his father.

And he is angry...

because I am the cause of that.

No. He is angry because

he fears you will die as well.

My father taught me

it is glorious to die in battle.

That is what he believed.

I would be afraid to die in battle.

So would I.

But you have been in many battles.

And I was always afraid.

I don't want you to go.

Algren.

They are coming.

[ALGREN IN ENGLISH]

I'd say two full regiments.

They'll come in waves of a thousand.

And they have the howitzers.

It makes no difference. They will come,

and we will make our stand.

- How many men will we have?

- Maybe 500.

Like General Custer, huh?

There was once a battle

at a place called Thermopylae.

Three hundred brave Greeks held off

a Persian army of a million men.

A million. You understand this number?

I understand this number.

For two days the Greeks

made them pay so dearly...

the Persian army lost all taste

for battle and were defeated soon after.

- What do you have in mind?

- Take away the advantage of their guns.

They're overconfident. We'll use that.

Lure them close.

Close enough for a sword.

You believe...

a man can change his destiny?

I think a man does what he can...

until his destiny is revealed to him.

ALGREN:

May 25th, 1877

This will be the last entry

in this journal.

I've tried to give a true accounting

of what I have seen, what I have done.

I do not presume to understand

the course of my life.

I know I am grateful

to have partaken of all this...

even if for a moment.

[IN JAPANESE]

Algren-san, will you come with me?

If you wear this armor,

it will honor us.

[UJ IO SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

You will need this.

What does it say?

"I belong to the warrior in whom

the old ways have joined the new."

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Good God.

Sir, the Imperial Army of Japan

demands your surrender.

If you lay down your arms,

you will not be harmed.

This is not possible,

as Mr. Omura knows.

Captain Algren.

We will show you no quarter.

You ride against us,

and you are the same as them.

I'll look for you on the field.

Captain Algren.

Mr. Graham.

Perhaps you can use these

for your book.

Yes, I will. Captain.

Godspeed.

Mr. Graham.

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[MEN SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[IN JAPANESE]

Well, they won't surrender.

Are we ready?

Get into your positions!

[SAMURAI YELL IN UNISON]

[MAN SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Commence firing!

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

BAGLEY: They're covering their retreat.

OMURA: You see?

Even the mighty Samurai

cannot stand up to the howitzers.

- Signal the attack.

- I advise sending in skirmishers first.

Nonsense! Full attack!

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

They're coming.

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

Wait for the volley.

Second volley.

[SPEAKS JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH] What on earth?

What is happening?

[MEN SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH]

The attack has been stopped.

Send in the rest of the regiment.

What happened to the warriors

at Thermopylae?

Dead to the last man.

[YELLING]

[IN JAPANESE]

Algren-san!

[SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY]

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[YELLS]

[BUGLE BLOWING]

[IN ENGLISH]

Son of a bitch thinks he can win.

[SHOUTING IN JAPANESE]

[IN ENGLISH] They'll bring two

more regiments up here soon.

We won't be able to stop them again.

You do not have to die here.

I should have died

so many times before.

Now, you live again.

Yes.

It was not your time.

It's not over.

What is this?

[IN JAPANESE]

Cannon, prepare to fire!

Prepare to fire!

[IN ENGLISH]

This is madness.

- He's going to attack?

- Yes.

He's defeated!

He must accept his shame!

Kill him. All of them.

NQW!

BAGLEY:

My horse!

[YELLING]

Fire!

[SHOUTS IN JAPANESE]

[YELLING]

[IN ENGLISH]

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

Fire at will!

[IN JAPANESE]

Bring up the new guns!

Prepare the new guns!

Fire!

[IN ENGLISH]

Backward!

[IN JAPANESE]

Quickly! Quickly!

Fire!

Stop firing!

Idiots, keep on firing!

Stop firing! Stop!

[IN ENGLISH]

No.

[IN JAPANESE]

Shoot! Kill Katsumoto! Kill the American!

[IN ENGLISH]

You have your honor again.

Let me die with mine.

Help me up.

Are you ready?

I will miss our conversations.

[GRUNTING]

Perfect.

They are all...

perfect.

MAN: On behalf of

the United States of America...

the signing of this treaty will usher in

an era of unprecedented prosperity...

and cooperation between

our two great nations.

On behalf of the Emperor...

we are pleased to have

successfully concluded this...

."negofiafion.

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[IN JAPANESE]

He is here?

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[IN JAPANESE] Highness, if we could

just conclude the matter at hand...

[IN ENGLISH]

This is Katsumoto's sword.

He would have wanted you to have it...

that the strength of the Samurai

be with you always.

[IN JAPANESE] Enlightened One,

we all weep for Katsumoto, but...

[IN ENGLISH]

He hoped...

with his last breath...

that you would remember the

ancestors who held this sword...

and what they died for.

[IN JAPANESE]

Your Highness...

[IN ENGLISH]

You were with him...

at the end?

Hai.

[IN ENGLISH]

Emperor, this man fought against you!

Your Highness...

if you believe me to be your enemy,

command me...

and I will gladly take my life.

I have dreamed of a unified Japan...

of a country strong

and independent and modern.

And now we have rail roads

and cannon, Western clothing.

But...

we cannot forget who we are...

or where we come from.

Ambassador Swanbeck...

I have concluded that your treaty...

is not in the best interest

of my people.

- Sir, if I may...

- So sorry...

but you may not.

This is an outrage!

[IN JAPANESE]

Enlightened One...

- we should discuss this...

- Omura...

you have done quite enough.

Everything I have done,

I have done for my country.

Then you will not mind

when I seize your family's assets...

and present them

as my gift to the people.

You disgrace me.

If your shame is too unbearable...

I offer you this sword.

[IN ENGLISH]

Tell me how he died.

I will tell you how he lived.

GRAHAM: And so the days

of the Samurai had ended.

Nations, like men, it is sometimes said,

have their own destiny.

As for the American captain...

no one knows what became of him.

Some say that he died of his wounds...

others, that he returned

to his own country.

But I like to think

he may have at last found

some small measure of peace...

that we all seek...

and few of us ever find.

[ENGLISH SDH]

The Last Samurai (2003) - full transcript

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