The Last Samurai, 2003 ★★★★☆

I finally saw (long time back though) The Last Samurai after missing it in the theaters. All war movies -- modern or otherwise never fail to impress me because there is a certain kind of passion in organized madness that no other human activity can match. Conflict brings out either the best or the worst in man and can be the ultimate litmus test of his beliefs. The willingness to die for your cause and to actually do so can be considered supreme. Director Edward Zwick does a magnificent job in juxtaposing the Native American conflict with the dying Samurai belief in modern Japan. Historically placed at the cusp of the republic and feudal era, the movie effectively documents the uneasy transition of a nation from a primitive and fiercely traditional society to an aspiring modern trading economy.

Although capitalism is painted in a bad light, the simplistic values of honor win in the battle of moral certitude. Often change is a period of turbulence and not easily adopted, simple ways of life and belief in your age-old traditions are strong. Why fix something, when it is not broken is the ideal argument to oppose change. In normal circumstance, the argument stands strong but the movie makes you doubt your belief in evolution of society in tune with times.

The samurai way of life holds a certain charm for me, similar to the way I have always been fascinated by the life in Sparta. Larger than life values which we often only read about or are simply utopian are the building blocks and final remnants of a dying culture. They can easily be decimated by modernity, often brutally as in the case of Native Americans but the spirit lives on. The final scene of the Samurais galloping towards booming guns is as heartrending as it is spellbinding. You can only marvel at their bravado and their steadfast belief in their principles. But ultimately it is the tale of a man ridden with guilt, desperately seeking peace with his inner self. He finds solace in the struggles of the people far away from his own land and manages to redeem himself.

A definite must-see for war and samurai fans alike.