The Last Samurai (2003)

Factual error: When we see the United States flag, it is the wrong flag. It has 43 stars, something the flag did not have until 1891.

Revealing mistake: The road leading out of the samurai village has distinct tire tracks from vehicles.

Continuity mistake: When Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Ujio, is riding his horse and charging the howitzers, he gets shot by the gatling gun and falls down dead. In the next scene he can be seen in the upper left corner still riding, wearing his distinctive gold circle armor. (02:04:40)

Trivia: In scene 32, Katsumoto and Algren ride through the line of troops and as Algren dismounts, his horse kicks out at the soldier to the right of the camera and hits him in the groin. The soldier bends over with the impact, backs up, then bravely straightens up again as the scene continues. (01:53:55)

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.

Macalou

Trivia: All the ninja seen in the film were played by actual modern day practitioners of the ninjitsu arts. Allegedly this led to a running joke on set where if the ninja were rehearsing with a stunt double or an extra they would spontaneously perform a kill move (obviously stopping before actually hitting their opponent) then remind everyone they were only contracted to let Tom Cruise live through the movie. Everyone else, as far as they were concerned, was fair game.

Emperor Meiji: I have dreamed of a unified Japan. Of a country strong and independent and modern. We have railroads and cannon, Western clothing. But we cannot forget who we are. Or where we come from.

Algren: Your highness... if you believe me to be your enemy, command me, and I will gladly take my life.

Colonel Bagley: Just tell me one thing, what is it about your own people you hate so much?

Question: Nathan told Katsumo a story about the Greeks fighting a much smaller army and ended up losing the battle. Can anyone tell me the story or where to find the details on the web?

Question: Who is the soldier who gave the order to stop shooting? Is it Yutaka Takenouchi?

Question: Who does the voiceover for the trailer? He says: "Tom Cruise" and then "The last samurai".

don_corleone