The Last Samurai: Review and Lesson Plan

In The Last Samurai, directed by Ed Zwick, Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe respectively star as troubled Civil War veteran and a proud samurai warrior. Cruise’s character, Nathan Algren, is an alcoholic war hero, haunted by the atrocities he committed during the war. Algren is sent to Japan as a mercenary to train an army for the Japanese emperor, who is currently facing a samurai rebellion. When Algren is captured by the samurai rebels, the magic begins. Watanabe’s character Katsumoto, the leader of the samurai rebellion, is leading the fight against the emperor’s men but he also has a sense loyalty towards the emperor and the tradition he represents. The film, at its heart, is not just a big budget period piece but a thoughtfully written character piece about two warriors whose cultures make them aliens, but values make them friends. The film is pain-stakingly designed, and beautifully written and acted.



If anyone is interested in teaching this wonderful film in their History class, I have included a lesson plan below. Enjoy!

Lesson Plan:
The Last Samurai Project: Comparing and Contrasting History vs. Hollywood

Students will understand:

· What differences existed between the ninjas and samurai of Japan? What function did each group play in feudal Japan?
· What changes took place as a result of the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of the Meiji emperor in 1868?
· Why did Japan pursue policies that focused on rapid modernization and westernization in the late 1800’s?
· In what ways did the West influence the development of Japanese government, education, and military structures?
· In what ways were the lives of samurai women and their families different from other social classes?
· What social, political, and economic changes led many samurai to become angry with the Meiji government in the late 1870’s?
· Who was Saigo Takamori and how is he related to the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877?


Essential Questions:

· Does modernization and technological change always conflict with traditional values and customs?
· Should Hollywood manipulate the past in ways that affects our understanding of the past?

In the lesson, students will…

1. Compare and contrast historical events against Hollywood depictions of world events.

2. Distinguish between fact and fiction in the 2003 film, The Last Samurai.

3. Identify inaccuracies found in The Last Samurai after researching topics.

4. Select a mode of presentation (Powerpoint, Prezi, Glogster, or Moviemaker) then design a presentation on a specific aspect of the Meiji Restoration, the rapid modernization of Japan, and the ‘end of the samurai.’

5. Critique other group presentations on the basis of clarity, level of analysis, and ability to effectively support arguments and opinions.

Student Assessments

Movie Summary Notes:
Students will keep a daily record of what they observed each day while viewing the film The Last Samurai.

Critical Analysis Packet:
Students will analyze the The Last Samurai in terms of plot, character conflicts, messages, strengths and weaknesses, stereotypes, and resolution of conflict.

Group Presentations:
Students will utilize an instructor designed Wikispace that includes an introduction to the project and project goals as well as individual group pages with predetermined questions and instructor selected resources.

Students will select a mode of presentation that they feel will best showcase their understanding of their topic and critical analysis of The Last Samurai.

Students will design a presentation using predetermined questions and resources.

Students will present their analysis of a specific topic relating to the Meiji Restoration, the rapid modernization of Japan, and the ‘end of the samurai.’

Peer Reviews:
Students will complete an assessment on each group’s visual and audio presentation of their topic.

Students and the instructor will review feedback together as a class.