The Last Samurai (1974): cast, story & where to watch
1974 · Film · ★ 8.1
Released in 1974, The Last Samurai is an action and drama film directed by Kenji Misumi, running about 159 minutes.
What it’s about. The film follows the story of Sugi Toranosuke, a ronin, who returns to his home town of Edo many years after his attempted suicide as a sickly child. Rescued and adopted by a master swordsman, he has grown into a master swordsman and a very kind gentleman. The time is around 1868 the year that the nails were finally put into the coffin containing the feudal system that nurtured and sustained the samurai. Sugi is confused and unsure about what is happening but his teacher wants him out of the chaos of the multiple power struggles between the various clans.
Who’s in it. The Last Samurai stars Hideki Takahashi as Sugi Toranosuke, Ken Ogata as Nakamura Hanjiro, Masaomi Kondo as Iba Hachiro and Teruhiko Saigō as Okita Soji, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.1/10, The Last Samurai sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Last Samurai page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Last Samurai tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Last Samurai (1974)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Last Samurai change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Last Samurai worth watching?
- The Last Samurai holds an audience score of 8.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action and drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Last Samurai?
- The Last Samurai stars Hideki Takahashi, Ken Ogata, Masaomi Kondo, Teruhiko Saigō and Takahiro Tamura.
- When was The Last Samurai released?
- The Last Samurai was released in 1974, with a runtime of about 159 minutes.