The words samurai is considered the plural form. The movie is about Lord Katsumoto and his clan of samurai during the period in the transformation of Japan from a feudal society into a modern industrial power. Not exclusively about Tom Cruise’s character. Katsumoto felt that Japan was changing too rapidly and it’s losing its cultural values and traditions in the rush to become regional power.
Still not interested in seeing a Tom Cruise movie, but it’s an interesting insight that goes past the normal knee jerk reaction.
Oh yeah, it’s absolutely a very interesting period in Japanese history and if Cruise’s character was used as a symbol of the fear of westernization of Japan post Meiji Restoration, that would be cool. Most of the criticism revolved around Hollywood’s habit of using western actors to tell other people’s stories. Samurai being is own plural form is just a happy accident that makes the jokes easier.
But he was just there as a big name for box office draw, and probably as an excuse to ditch a lot of subtitles. If I’m inclined to be ungenerous, I have a few other suspicions as well.
It’s kind of like Kundun vs. Seven Years in Tibet. It’s as if a studio executive said “Yeah, that’s a great story, but let’s stick Brad Pitt in there to put asses in seats.” But at least with the latter, it was based on a book written by the real life traveler.
English (like any other language) likes to take loan words and apply its conventions to them, regardless of what the original language does. “Samurai” is singular and plural in English.
“The Last Samurai” is vague in who it’s referring to.
What are you arguing about? The statement I quoted said that “samurai” is plural. Nothing that you said has contradicted that. In fact, you’re only agreeing with it with this last statement. Doesn’t matter that it didn’t mention if it can be used as singular as it’s not relevant.
I found this comment while looking for the quote.
Still not interested in seeing a Tom Cruise movie, but it’s an interesting insight that goes past the normal knee jerk reaction.
Cool dude alert
What has two thumbs and doesn’t like Tom Cruise?
He’s a weird dude, but a decent actor. Credit where credit is due.
He is part of a cult that kills people. Its fine not to support him based on that
I’m not suggesting anyone should “support” him, I’m just saying he’s a decent actor. That’s it.
“Allllriggghhhhhhtyy then”
That’s the guy right?
Hate the guy, love the actor. He just makes mostly great movies.
Oh yeah, it’s absolutely a very interesting period in Japanese history and if Cruise’s character was used as a symbol of the fear of westernization of Japan post Meiji Restoration, that would be cool. Most of the criticism revolved around Hollywood’s habit of using western actors to tell other people’s stories. Samurai being is own plural form is just a happy accident that makes the jokes easier.
But he was just there as a big name for box office draw, and probably as an excuse to ditch a lot of subtitles. If I’m inclined to be ungenerous, I have a few other suspicions as well.
It’s kind of like Kundun vs. Seven Years in Tibet. It’s as if a studio executive said “Yeah, that’s a great story, but let’s stick Brad Pitt in there to put asses in seats.” But at least with the latter, it was based on a book written by the real life traveler.
That’s… not how Japanese works
English (like any other language) likes to take loan words and apply its conventions to them, regardless of what the original language does. “Samurai” is singular and plural in English.
“The Last Samurai” is vague in who it’s referring to.
I said Japanese though, not English. “samurai” is both singular and plural in both languages
What are you arguing about? The statement I quoted said that “samurai” is plural. Nothing that you said has contradicted that. In fact, you’re only agreeing with it with this last statement. Doesn’t matter that it didn’t mention if it can be used as singular as it’s not relevant.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/samurais