This is, i think, the best movie dealing with samurai i have ever seen. The music and cam work are great (dosent linger on large wounds) and the story is fasanating. Also, it is a perfect 13+ action flick. High body count with lots of kick-a charaters. great for older teens

This film is good and it is entertainng, but it didn't amaze me. It has a rather slow start, and then get's very violent towards the end. While this film is R rated, I think most teenagers will be able to handle it. But it houldn't be shown to pre-teens due to its violent content, which is bloody, but isn't very graphic, limited to blood flying in battle etc.

This movie is amazing. I've seen many movies of the same type, but I'm going to get content out of the way before I keep going. The violence is not terrible, you see flashing decapitation at a distance and much swordfighting, but it's nothing that will freak you out. If you saw Troy or Kingdom of Heaven, this is about the same or tamer. There's little else to worry about in my opinion. Some alcohol, but no issue. The content is not terrible. The movie follows an American officer who is a veteran of America's anti-Indian campaign to Japan in the late 19th century, where the Emperor has recently abolished Bushido and decided to industrialize. He needs a nation to train his military, and the US doesn't shy away from a power opportunity. The officer is sent to Japan and then begins to train the Imperial Army. After the first battle, however, the poorly trained troops are crushed by the Samurai, but the American's brave fighting allows him to be captured. Eventually he ends up taking arms up with the Samurai and fights with them until the end. The movie was made with Japanese involvement, and it is amazing. The movie has so many morals and points about morality to your enemies, respect, and honor. This is a true movie about a warrior's honor. Everything is well directed and choreographed, and the last battle was so emotional for me I was in tears at the end. The message was so overwhelming for me. You'll know you've seen it right and taken the message to heart if you just emotionally break down. If you want to teach your kids or yourself nobility, do not skip over this one. It will touch you.

brilliant film

I am completely in love with this movie!!! I love watching it over and over and the end always makes me at least tear up. I think the positive messages are to never give up on what you believe in and to not judge someone until you get to know and understand them. Algren thought that the Samurai were cowards and he could whip them btu later he finds out that they are honorable and only want to defend their lifestyle. Algren starts out as a drunken, rude bum but he only drank to forget his past because he murdered a bunch of people in the war. But after he gets captured he falls in love with the Samurai people and their way of life which he eventually returns to in the end. I think this is such a sweet story. If you have issues with violence and blood then just know that this is a very vivid and bloody movie - it is a war movie after all - and it has a few references of Algren's feelings for Taka, Kasummoto's sister. I can't remember if there was any language, sadly it's been awhile since I last saw it :) But definitely a parent should watch with children under 15 I think.