"The Last Samurai" is set in the 19th century and stars Cruise as Captain Nathan Algren, a hero of the Civil War and U.S.  Army campaigns against tribes of American Indians. Voice of America describes the character of Algren as �broken and in despair, he is a soldier weary of the battlefield and disillusioned by the reason his country has sent him to war. Seeking adventure or escape or both, Algren travels to Japan to make the Emperor's army ready to battle a holdout band of Samurai; but he is n-o-t ready for what he faces when captured by the warrior chieftain, Katsumoto, played by Japanese screen star Ken Watanabe.�

The movie was filmed on location in Japan and Cruise explains the depth of the character and his inner struggle, "ultimately the film is about a man who wanted to die and at the end, when he is faced with death, he is able to live - and through another culture." 

Cruise was bit apprehensive about taking on the role, unsure if he would be able to pull of the physical aspects needed for his character. In the end it took him a year to prepare for the role, "I didn't know if I could do it, honestly: if I could find that kind of physical elegance and movement that the Samurai have . . . and it took that amount of time to prepare."

Making the film gave Cruise a greater appreciation for Japanese culture. "It is an amazing culture," says Cruise.  "One of the great things about being an actor is I get to travel to these places. I get to learn about the people. That is the most enjoyable thing for me. Also you find a common ground. Even though the language and culture is different you find that common ground of joy, happiness, pain . . . and it's humanity. It really gives you a sense that we're all in this together. That's why we have to help eachother out. I really enjoy that."

The Last Samurai was written, directed and produced by Edward Zwick (Glory, Legends of the Fall). Zwick too feels that the movie explores a common ground and the themes of the film will translate well to modern audiences. But Zwick also feels that the film explores the change from the values of the 19th century and present times. He explains, "I look at modern life and see people n-o-t taking responsibility for their lives and I think that accountability is, in fact, one of the   great losses. I think the temptation to blame or find external causes to one's own issues is something that is particularly modern".  

Credits: Thanks to the Voice of America
 

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