Q: When was The Last Samurai movie made?
A: Principal filming for the movie began in October 2002 and the movie was released in theaters on theaters on December 1, 2003.

Q: Where was The Last Samurai filmed?
A: Most of the exterior was filmed in New Zealand. However, the compound of Katsumoto is an actual Temple in Japan that was built in 966. The scenes that took place in “Tokyo” were filmed on the backlot of Warner Bros. where an elaborate set had been constructed.

Q: What is The Last Samurai rated?
A: The Last Samurai is rated R for “Strong Violence and Battle Sequences”

Q: Who did the score for The Last Samurai soundtrack?
A: The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, one of the most renowned composers in the movie industry.

Q: Did the Samurai really have their own code?
A: Yes, they did. The code they lived by was called Bushido, which means “way of the warrior.” The Bushido was the way of life for Samurai in Japan. The code emphasizes loyalty, faithfulness, self-sacrifice, self-control, honor, sincerity, justice, purity, and a sense of shame should one’s honor be lost. As part of the teaching of self-sacrifice, Samurai believed that when they died, they would be reincarnated. Therefore the teachings taught them not to fear death, which is very evident in the movie. But even more important, the Samurai code taught that death in battle would bring honor to one’s family and to their lord, whom they served.

Q: Was Bushido the only philosophy the Samurai followed?
A: No. Fitting in perfectly with the Bushido teachings was Zen, which was a major inspiring philosophy for all Samurai. The teachings of Zen were embraced daily by Samurai.

Q: Did anyone else adopt the Samurai code after their end?
A: Part of Bushido was followed by the Japanese army in WW2, particularly the kamikaze pilots that rammed their planes into U.S. ships. They followed the code and understanding of not fearing death and knowing that they would be reincarnated. But even more prominently, you see part of Bushido in play all over Japan. Most Japanese are extremely honorable people who are loyal and sincere. They feel shame when their honor is lost. All of these excellent traits come from the Bushido teachings that the Samurai made popular. So even today the influence of the Samurai people is strongly felt throughout Japan.

Q: Did Samurai really kill themselves if they were defeated in battle?
A: Yes. Honor was vital to Samurai, thus if a Samurai leader was defeated in battle and did not die, he would commit a ritual suicide, called Seppuku.

Q: When a Samurai would commit suicide, did someone else always slice of his head like in the movie?
A: Yes, most of the time. In fact, as part of the ritual it is usually a family member or friend that would slice off his head after the Samurai stabbed himself.

Q: When did the Samurai cease to exist?
A: The Samurai lost their final major battle in 1877, however the influence of their code and teachings have remained a part of Japan’s culture ever since.

Q: Is The Last Samurai a true story?
A: Like with James Cameron’s Titanic, The Last Samurai is a fictional character story placed in an actual historic event and time setting. While the story of Captain Algren isn’t true (just like the story of Jack and Rose isn’t true in Titanic), the events that surround Algren and the time period are true. In 1877, the Samurai lost their final major battle, during a rebellion, when they went up against more modern weaponry. This factual event is part of the basis of the telling of The Last Samurai.

Q: Did the real Samurai leader of the 1877 rebellion lose his life?
A: Yes. Saigo Takamori (who is the influence for the Katsumoto character), the Samurai leader in real life, killed himself in shame by committing suicide, a tradition for Samurai leaders that lost a battle. But in death, the people of Japan honored Takamori as a beloved historic figure and leader. Statues of Takamori appear in Kagoshima Central Park and Ueno Park in Tokyo.

Q: Was Takamori a traitor?
A: No, he wasn’t. He was a known hero who disagreed, through principle, with the Western modernization of Japan. Thus he left the government with his faithful followers and started his own school for the Samurai. It was only after the government cut off their rice stipends that the rebellion truly began. But the purpose of the revolt wasn’t over the rice, but rather over the direction Japan was taking in becoming more Westernized. Takamori maintained his honor throughout the ordeal, which is why he is revered as a hero.

Q: What type of training did Tom Cruise have to go through for the movie?
A: According to Cruise: “I worked for eight months to get in shape for this picture. I learned Kendo (Japanese sword fighting/arts), Japanese martial arts, all manner of weapons handling. I not only had to ride a horse, but I had to effectively fight while riding. I studied Japanese. As far as training goes, you name, I’ve done it.”

Q: Were the Indian massacres that are part of Algren’s backstory made up?
A: Algren’s backstory of massacring innocent Indians, including women and children is based on two real massacres that took place in 1864, which ends up fitting perfect into the timeframe of Algren’s character in The Last Samurai.