# The Last Samurai (2003) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-last-samurai-2003/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-24

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 71% |
| Critic Score | 66% |
| Audience Score | 86% |
| Metascore | 55/100 |
| Letterboxd | 3.5/5 |
| IMDb | 7.8/10 |
| Director | Edward Zwick |
| Genres | Drama, Action, War |
| Runtime | 154 min |

## Quick answer

The Last Samurai (2003) earns a 71% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Cruise’s Civil War captain finds honor among samurai — a sweeping epics-of-empire vehicle with Ken Watanabe. Critics and audiences diverge (66% critic vs 86% audience). Metascore 55/100. Directed by Edward Zwick.

## Critics consensus

Cruise’s Civil War captain finds honor among samurai — a sweeping epics-of-empire vehicle with Ken Watanabe.

## Synopsis

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.

## Cast

Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Timothy Spall, Tony Goldwyn, Hiroyuki Sanada, Koyuki, Shin Koyamada, Billy Connolly, Togo Igawa, Shichinosuke Nakamura

## Common questions

**Is The Last Samurai worth watching?**
The Last Samurai holds a 71% Celluloid Score. Cruise’s Civil War captain finds honor among samurai — a sweeping epics-of-empire vehicle with Ken Watanabe.

**What is The Last Samurai about?**
Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.

**Who directed The Last Samurai?**
The Last Samurai (2003) was directed by Edward Zwick.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Last Samurai?**
71% — the average of five public sources: critics 66%, audience 86%, Metascore 55/100, Letterboxd 3.5/5, and IMDb 7.8/10.

**Where can I watch The Last Samurai?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the The Last Samurai page for current options.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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