Synopsis for
The Last Samurai (2003)

Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is haunted by dreams of how he was ordered to masaccres Indian women and children in General Custer's army. Algren agrees to go to Japan to train the Emperor's newly formed army to use guns. For six months work, he will receive three years pay. The new army is to put down a rebellion against the Emperor's Westernization policies. The rebellion is led by a Samurai warrior named Katsumoto (Ben Watanabe) who follows ancient teaching and a traditional way of life.

The army is not ready for battle; they cannot even hit the target when firing their rifels, but Omura orders them into battle anyway. They march against Katsumoto, whom they outnumber four to one. The army has guns, while the samurai fight only with swords and arrows. Because the Japanese officers are not ready to lead, Algren stays at the front with the men. The samuai approach on horseback, the inexperienced army panics and fires to soon. While they are reloading their rifles, they are overrun. Algren fights in hand to hand combat, making a valiant stand against four samuai. His tenacity causes Katsumoto to spare his life and take him prisoner. The samuai return to the mountain village for the winter.

Algren is weak, but is place in the home of the warrior he killed and is nursed to health by the warrior's widow, Taka. He makes daily walks around the village and begins conversation with Katsumoto, who speaks English and wished to learn about his new enemy.

Algren begins to admire the discipline of the samuria. He practices swordplay with the children at first, then gradually begins working out with the warriors. He learns to speak Japanese and gradually becomes more and more comfortable with the small village ways. One evening, soldiers sneak into the village. Their intent is clearly to kill Katsumoto. Algren grabs Taka and the children and takes them into the house and prepared to defend their lives. He and Katsumoto end up fighting side by side. The enemy soldiers are defeated, but Katsumoto knows that he must go to the city and appeal directly to the emperor to stop the contract with the Westerners.

Algren says good bye to the villagers and they ride into Tokyo. Algren is released and reluctantly rejoins his army leaders. Katsumoto goes to see the Emperor, but is a showdown with the Emperor and his council, he is rebuffed and put under arrest. Algren knows that Katsumoto will surely take his own life and calls on his photographer friend to gain entrance into the prison. Once inside, he gives a sword to Katsumoto and convinces him to escape. Katsumoto's son, Nobu, is killed heroically defending his father's escape.

Omura sends two battalions intto the hills to do battle with the samurai. This time Nathan Algren will fight beside Katumoto and his men. And this time, they will be outnumbered by four to one and will face new cannons and a rapid-fire gun. Algren suits up in the armor of Taka's deceased husband, which she says will honor the family.

The samurai have a chance to surrender, but they decline. Their strategy is to draw the enemy in close to counteract the effectiveness of the cannons. In the first round of battle, they are successful in driving the Emperor's army back. But they know that Omura will send for reinforcements and that the battle is not over. So they charge again, this time facing the rapid-fire gun. They are not able to overcome the machinery and are massacred. Katsumoto is hit and Algren holds him and helps him to take his own life so that Katsumoto dies with honor. The enemy soldiers are so touched by his valor that they kneel and remove their hats to honor the last great samurai.

As the Emporer is ready to sign the contract, Algren asks to see him. He presents the sword of Katsumoto and tells the Emperor of his life and last wishes. The Emperor is finally empowered by the story to speak his mind and put Omura in his place. The movie ends with the tale of the American captain living a quiet life in the mountains with Taka and the children he learned to love.