The Last Samurai Page #20

Yoritomo is hit --

He jerks back -- blood --

Ujio fires arrows at the guards with rifles, hitting two --

but more guards with rifles are appearing, bullets sending

showers of debris and ricochets --

Algren sees a stairway leading to a higher level, barks out

a command. As Nakao drags Yoritomo toward the stairs -- the

others bolt a heavy SIEGE DOOR, designed to keep attackers

at bay.

INT. CASTLE SIEGE ROOM - NIGHT

Ujio fires arrows through the siege ports -- momentarily

delaying the guards as Algren leads them toward a rear stairs.

INT. REAR STAIRS - NIGHT

Algren starts down -- only to discover MORE GUARDS blocking

this means of escape. He backs out of the way just in time

as rifle blasts SPLINTER the wooden stairwell.

Meanwhile, an EXPLOSION from behind them indicates that the

guards have blown the siege door.

Algren, Graham, and Ujio have no choice but to continue

upwards into the castle keep. Nakao helps the wounded Yoritomo

as they climb.

INT. UPPER KEEP - NIGHT

A narrow ladder leads to the final redoubt. They start to

climb but Yoritomo leans against the wall. He is gravely

wounded.

ALGREN:

Come on.

YORITOMO:

(subtitled)

You go, Algren-san. I will stop them.

ALGREN:

No --

YORITOMO:

...Please.

Yoritomo's determination is absolute. Finally, Algren nods.

Katsumoto moves to Yoritomo, leans in for a few final words,

taking his head and pressing his forehead to Yoritomo's.

Bullets begin ricocheting around them -- Yoritomo looks to

Algren:

YORITOMO:

(subtitled)

Tell my family.

Algren bows his bead in respect.

Then Algren leads them up the stairs. Ujio fires a final

volley, nods with respect to Yoritomo, then follows the

others.

Yoritomo pulls himself erect. Draws his two samurai swords.

A beat. He closes his eyes. Smiles.

Then he opens his eyes and hurls himself down the stairs --

The guards fire hitting Yoritomo -- but still he comes --

wading into them, swords flashing -- he is hit again and

again -- but still he comes.

It is a glorious death.

EXT. SIEGE ROOM - NIGHT

Algren leads them into the highest room of the castle, the

siege room. The echoes Yoritomo's death rings in their ears.

Katsumoto glances at Ujio and Nakao. Without a word, they

kneel on the floor, open their kimonos and unsheathe their

short-swords, preparing to commit seppuku.

ALGREN:

No. Wait...!

Katsumoto glares at him harshly, furious to have his

concentration disturbed at such a moment.

ALGREN:

There's a way out. Look --!

Reluctantly, Katsumoto joins him at the window.

ALGREN:

This place is designed to keep people

from getting in, not from getting

out. We can make it

KATSUMOTO:

This was your plan?

ALGREN:

Do you have a better one?

Nakao and Ujio look at Katsumoto, awaiting his response. He

turns to Algren.

ALGREN:

I may die. But I'll die trying.

And without another word he LAUNCHES himself out the window,

onto the sloping roof.

EXT. CASTLE ROOF TOPS - NIGHT

Like his cigar butt earlier in the sequence, he rolls, then

falls, hits another roof, rolls, slides, falls, hits again.

INT. UPPER KEEP - CONTINUOUS

Katsumoto and the others share a look. Has he survived?

GUNFIRE begins to pepper the floorboards, bullets whistling

past them.

EXT. CASTLE ROOF TOPS - CONTINUOUS

Algren slides, bumps, rolls, falls, hits, then slides again.

Until he finally plummets into the moat.

As his head rises above water, he lets out a scream of

absolute joy.

INT. UPPER KEEP - CONTINUOUS

Katsumoto hears the scream. A look of disbelief spreads over

his face.

Then the beginnings of a smile. Without a second look, be

leaps out the window. Ujio follows.

Graham shrinks away in fear. Nakao lifts him bodily, throws

him out, and then follows.

INT. CASTLE - RECEPTION CHAMBER - LATER

Omura stands, very calm, smoking a cigarette, listening to

the report of his guards.

Colonel Bagley tries to apologize.

BAGLEY:

...I don't know what to say, sir. I

never would have thought him capable

of treason.

OMURA:

I would say Captain Algren's acts

tonight have assured our success.

AMBASSADOR SWANBECK

What do you mean?

OMURA:

Katsumoto will rejoin his kinsmen.

They will fight. We will destroy

them with your new weapons.

BAGLEY:

What if he just goes off to the

mountains and becomes a damn sheep-

herder or some such?

OMURA:

You still do not understand us...

Katsumoto can do nothing but fight.

It is his role in the drama. He must

act out his destiny. He knows it.

AMBASSADOR SWANBECK

You trust a lot in destiny.

OMURA:

This story was written years ago.

From the first sight of your warships

in our harbor...

(stares out the window)

It is all inevitable.

EXT. HILLS - SUNSET

Algren, Katsumoto, and the others ride over rocky ground.

ALGREN (V.O.)

June 1, 1877. Yesterday, I passed

the field where Zebulon Gant was

killed by the man with whom I now

ride.

In the distance a steam train chugs along. Inevitable.

Progress.

EXT. FOREST - MOUNTAINS - DAY

They climb a steep trail. Beyond, the glaciers glow pink.

ALGREN (V.O.)

I am beset by ironies -- trained to

fight rebels, now I am one. And yet

I ask myself... can a man be reborn?

Algren, Katsumoto, and the others ride through a dense forest.

Katsumoto reins his horse. The others follow suit. They wait

ALGREN (V.O.)

And if so, what would he make of it?

Mounted samurai emerge from the thick forest as if they were

invisible.

The leader leaps from his horse and bows, touching his head

to the dirt.

All the other samurai follow suit.

EXT. CHERRY TREE FOREST - NEAR THE VILLAGE - EVENING

Katsumoto rides at the head of his samurai as they pass

through the cherry orchard. Then he reins his horse and falls

in beside Algren.

KATSUMOTO:

(his voice troubled)

I was prepared to die in Omura's

castle. And yet here I am. I cannot

help but ask why were you sent into

my life. What is the lesson you were

meant to give me?

ALGREN:

Maybe that neither of us is as smart

as we thought...

Katsumoto laugh. And then in a surprisingly deft imitation

of Algren...

KATSUMOTO:

You... ain't whistlin' Dixie...

He spurs his horse and heads off. Algren shakes his head and

follows.

EXT. VILLAGE - EVENING

The returning warriors are warmly welcomed by the villagers.

Algren rides directly to Yoritomo's house, dismounts.

Taka and Toshiie are waiting.

He goes to them. His expression tells them all they need to

know.

INT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Algren sits with the family. The boys sit next to their

mother.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

...he gave his life to save us. He

died bravely.

TAKA:

(subtitles)

Thank you, Algren-San.

HIGEN:

(subtitles)

Will you fight the white men?

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

If they come here, yes.

HIGEN:

(subtitles)

Why?

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

Because they come to destroy what I

have come to love.

Taka looks at him, moved and surprised. Suddenly, Higen jumps

up and bolts... out of the room. Algren looks to Taka.

TAKA:

(subtitles)

The way of Samurai is difficult for

children. He misses his father.

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