Continuity mistake: The scene with Billy Connolly holding a cigar when Tom Cruise is describing the scalping technique to Timothy Spall, Billy's arm goes from leaning on the chair that T. Spall is sitting in to holding the cigar mid-abdominal comfort zone several times. (01:00:00)
Continuity mistake: During the climactic horseback charge, Algren is shown holding his sword with the blade pointing upwards. There is, however, one shot, immediately before Colonel Bagley shouts "Aim", where, despite Algren's hand being visibly in the same orientation (so he's not twirling the sword), the blade is pointing downwards. Immediately after Bagley shouts "Aim", another shot of Algren shows the sword back in the upwards position. (02:09:45)
Factual error: At the start of the movie when Algren first lands in Japan there are power lines. The movie is set in 1876, 2 years before being introduced to Japan in 1878.
Continuity mistake: After Algren is defeated during the first battle with the samurai, Katsumoto says something to his second in command who kneels next to him, however in the next shot the same man can be seen kneeling down again.
Answer: No. The actor's name is Satoshi Nikaido. He is listed in the credits as "N.C.O."
LorgSkyegon