Directed by AFI Alum Edward Zwick – who co-wrote and produced alongside fellow Alum Marshall Herskovitz (both AFI Class of 1975), with Steven Rosenblum (AFI Class of 1976) editing – THE LAST SAMURAI (2003) was honored with an AFI AWARD in 2003, recognizing it as one of the year’s most outstanding achievements in the art of the moving image. According to the official rationale, “THE LAST SAMURAI presents a timeless story of honor in the cinematic tradition of Akira Kurosawa. This beautifully crafted star vehicle serves one of America’s modern screen icons, and Tom Cruise not only rises to the challenge, but carries the film into the history books with great dignity. The recreation of 19th Century Japan is a feast for the eyes, and Ed Zwick’s masterful direction not only presents spectacular battle scenes, but never loses sight of what the individual warriors stood for.”
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about THE LAST SAMURAI.
