The Last Samurai is a 2003 American epic period action drama directed by Edward Zwick. Set in 19th-century Japan during the Meiji Restoration, the film follows Captain Nathan Algren, a disillusioned American military officer hired to train the Imperial Japanese Army in modern warfare techniques. Captured by samurai warriors during a battle, Algren becomes immersed in their culture and traditions, leading him to question his own beliefs and loyalties.​

The film stars Tom Cruise as Nathan Algren, Ken Watanabe as Lord Katsumoto, Timothy Spall as Simon Graham, Tony Goldwyn as Colonel Bagley, Hiroyuki Sanada as Ujio, Koyuki as Taka, and Shin Koyamada as Nobutada. The screenplay was co-written by John Logan, Edward Zwick, and Marshall Herskovitz, with music composed by Hans Zimmer. The film was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and released on December 5, 2003. It grossed approximately $456 million worldwide and received several award nominations, including four Academy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.