Factual error: In the scene before the Americans are to be introduced to the emperor, they are told that the "Meiji" emperor is reform minded. However, Meiji is a posthumous era name, in other words, given after the emperor's death, which occurred many years later, whereas he is still very young in the period depicted.
The Last Samurai (2003)
1 suggested correction
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Starring: Tom Cruise, Billy Connolly, Ken Watanabe, William Atherton, Chad Lindberg
Revealing mistake: The road leading out of the samurai village has distinct tire tracks from vehicles.
Algren: Your highness... if you believe me to be your enemy, command me, and I will gladly take my life.
Trivia: While Hiroyuki Sanada was filming a battle sequence with Tom Cruise (Nathan Algren), a "live" sword was used. The mechanical horse prop in the sequence broke, and Cruise did not fall off as planned. The sword came within an inch of Cruise's neck. At the time, bystanders and crew screamed, almost witnessing the actor's decapitation.
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Suggested correction: They are using modern terms and words so that the film and characters are easier to understand.
Greg Dwyer
It doesn't change the fact that this is a factual error, no matter the reason behind it.
Epigenis
Yes it does. Almost nobody outside Japan would have known the name "Mutsuhito." Films often use modern terminology to make things easier for audiences to understand. Like saying "vegetarian" instead of the older term "Pythagorean."
LorgSkyegon