Corrected entry: The sword that Algren gives to the Emperor is fake. Notice the handle during the Emperor's little speech- it's plastic. During the battle you can see that its a real black fabric around the sword's handle. (02:15:10 - 02:20:50)
Tailkinker
22nd Jul 2004
The Last Samurai (2003)
26th Jun 2009
The Last Samurai (2003)
Corrected entry: In the final battle scene when Katsumoto and Algren have just spoken to the enemy commanders and are returning to the Japanese army, there is a shot of Algren getting off his horse. To his left you can see a soldier stumble backwards clutching his leg. If you look closely (slow motion helps), you can see Algren's horse kick him. The horse's leg is only visible for a frame or so.
Correction: This isn't a movie mistake. Horses do this in real life, therefore it can hardly be considered an error if one does it in a film.
8th Aug 2008
The Last Samurai (2003)
Corrected entry: When Algren is talking to Katsumoto about General Custer's defeat at the Little Big Horn, he states that Custer leads a single battalion against 2000 Indians. Katsumoto asks, "How many men for Custer?" Algren replies, "211." A battalion is actually made up of 5 companies of approximately 200 men each. Therefore, if Custer would have taken a battalion to Little Big Horn, his accompaniment would have been closer to 1000.
Correction: Incorrect. At the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the entire 7th Cavalry regiment, Custer's unit, consisted of just 45 officers and 718 troopers, 166 of whom were not present on the battlefield, having been detached for other duties. Prior to the assault, Custer divided his troops into three battalions of varying size, taking the largest group, consisting of just over 200 men with him, a group that would subsequently be completely wiped out in the famous Last Stand. It may not match what you think should be the right numbers, but Algren's statement is historically accurate.
20th Mar 2005
The Last Samurai (2003)
Corrected entry: When Algren wears Taka's dead husband's armour, it is in pristine condition. At the beginning of the film Algren killed Taka's husband by stabbing him - surely the armour should have a hole in it?
Correction: Algren stabs Taka's husband in his unprotected throat - his armour is never touched.
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Correction: Looking at the sword hilt as shown in that scene, it appears to be tightly wrapped fabric, just as seen earlier. Appearances can change considerably based on light conditions in a scene - this looks to me like the same sword, simply under more subdued lighting. Certainly the sword is exactly as before when Algren is holding it a few seconds earlier and very little appears to change.
Tailkinker ★