The Last Samurai

[to Algren] Just tell me one thing. What is it about your own people that you hate so much?

The Last Samurai, CC BY-SA 4.0

Omura: Katsumoto is an extraordinary man, is he not? Algren: He's a tribal leader. I've known many of them. Omura: But none who are samurai. Their ways have great appeal. Algren: I don't see how this concerns me. Omura: Ah, but it does. You see, you were right, Captain Algren. Last year, we were not prepared to go to battle. You were right and Colonel Bagley was wrong. But now, we are ready. If Katsumoto is allowed to attract other samurai to his cause, we will have 10 years of rebellion. This is something I will not allow. Either I will stop him at the council today, or you will lead my army against him. And with these new weapons, you will crush him. Algren: I appreciate the offer... Omura: It is not an offer. Algren: Mr. Omura, my contract with you was to train your army. Omura: Then we will make a new contract. One that will recognize the extraordinary contribution you have made to the emperor. Do we understand each other? Algren: Yes, we understand each other perfectly. Omura: The

The Last Samurai, CC BY-SA 4.0

Colonel Bagley: Nathan, Katsumoto's attacked the railroad at the border of this province. Omura: We cannot govern a country in which we cannot travel freely. He must be stopped now. My railroad is a priority for this country. Algren: [about the army] They're not ready. Colonel Bagley: The rebels don't have a single rifle. They're savages with bows and arrows. Algren: Whose sole occupation for the last thousand years has been war. Colonel Bagley: You have superior firepower and a larger force. I am ordering the regiment to move against the rebel Katsumoto. You will track him down and engage him.

The Last Samurai, CC BY-SA 4.0

Algren: [To one Japanese soldier] Load. [to Simon Graham] Mr. Graham, tell this man to fire at me! Simon Graham: I beg your pardon? Algren: [Pulls out his pistol and cocks it] Tell this man that if he does not shoot me, I will kill him. Sgt. Gant: Captain, if I might have a word... Algren: Tell him... tell him! [Re-cocks his pistol] Algren: Load! Algren: Faster! [fires again] Faster! Algren: Shoot me, damn it. Algren: Fire! Fire, ute! Algren: [to Bagley] They're not ready. Colonel Bagley: [to the rest of the army] The regiment leaves at 6 AM!

The Last Samurai, CC BY-SA 4.0

Katsumoto: No, Highness. I rise against your enemies. Emperor Meiji: They are my advisors, like you. Katsumoto: They advise in their own interest! Emperor Meiji: I need advisors who know the modern world. Katsumoto: If I am no use, I will happily end my life. Emperor Meiji: No, I need your voice in the Council. Katsumoto: It is your voice we need, Highness. You are a living god. Do what you think is right. Emperor Meiji: [ruefully] I am a living god - as long as I do what *they* think is right. Katsumoto: [stunned beyond words, sorrowful] ...What sad words you speak...

The Last Samurai, CC BY-SA 4.0

Katsumoto: With this sword I guarded the Emperor... Omura: We don't need your protection. We are a nation of laws. Katsumoto: We are a nation of whores selling ourselves... Omura: If we are whores, the samurai made us this way.

The Last Samurai, CC BY-SA 4.0