Message from ebonilla

[Anonymous]

Zwick, Edward. The Last Samurai. 2003
As a movie created to entertain the masses it does its job fairly well. The Last Samurai depicts a culture becoming extinct a way of life diminishing as well as the struggle of a man trying to maintain a semblance of humanity. Although films created for entertainment are not made with the intent of being historically accurate they do have a kernel of truth. Japans samurai’s did revolt and there were many struggles and battles were men lost their lives. This fact is evident on film and we can see the determination of this once great culture trying to achieve its goal of protecting the emperor. It also shows the levels of greed that always accompanies men of power.
According to New York Times – Film Fare The Last Samurai was not very well received. It was thought to be a film that only shows emotions at the major battles. As a teacher it would be very difficult for me to show this movie in class not only because its inaccurate but because the point of history is to discuss the events in human life and let students come up with “so what”. Students have to analyze events and think critically on the outcomes, which is what they will do in their scholastic careers.
edited by ebonilla on 4/21/2015