The Last Samurai Page #21

ALGREN:

And he is angry because I am the

cause of that.

She smiles ever so slightly at his obliviousness.

TAKA:

No. He it angry because he fears you

will die as well.

EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT

Higen stands, looking up at the stars.

ALGREN:

Higen.

HIGEN:

(subtitles)

My father taught me it is glorious

to die in battle.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

That is what he believed.

HIGEN:

(subtitles)

I would be afraid to die in battle.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

So would I.

HIGEN:

(subtitles)

But you have been in many battles.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

And I was always afraid.

Higen looks at him, tears welling in his eyes.

HIGEN:

(subtitles)

I don't want you to go.

Algren has no answer. He can only gather the boy up in his

arms and hold him.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Nakao is standing proudly, his massive arms folded across

his chest. We pull back: Graham is bunched behind his

photographic equipment. A flash of phosphorous and the moment

is immortalized.

Meanwhile, Algren is working with Higen on the house.

Katsumoto silently watches Algren working with the boy.

KATSUMOTO:

Algren-san.

Algren turns.

KATSUMOTO:

They are corning.

EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY

Algren and Katsumoto perch on a precipice, looking down into

a valley.

It is a beautiful setting. Towering peaks and peaceful

valleys. It is here that the final act of the inevitable

drama will play out.

Below they see the Imperial Army, thousands strong, marching

across the valley toward them. Terrifying martial columns in

strict formation.

ALGREN:

I call it five thousand troops.

They'll come in waves of about a

thousand, a few minutes between each

wave.

Katsumoto listens carefully to Algren's expertise.

ALGREN:

German formations have the infantry

staggered with only light flanking.

They'll come straight on with rifles

and fixed bayonets. Mausers are only

accurate to about 150 yards. They'll

look to overthrow us.

Katsumoto takes this in.

EXT. VALLEY - DAY

Colonel Bagley, Omura, several German advisors and Japanese

officers ride at the head of the Imperial Army.

Bagley sees something, raises a hand. The troops halt.

Algren and Katsumoto ride up to them. Stop.

ALGREN:

Colonel.

BAGLEY:

Captain...

(To Katsumoto)

...Sir, the Imperial Army of Japan

demands your surrender. If you and

your fellows lay down your arms you

will not be harmed.

KATSUMOTO:

That is not possible. As Omura knows.

Omura meets Katsumoto's look, nods. Bagley turns to Algren.

BAGLEY:

Captain Algren, we will show no

quarter. You ride against us and you

are the same as they are.

ALGREN:

I take that as a compliment, Colonel.

(a deadly calm)

I'll look for you on the field.

Algren and Katsumoto wheel their horses and go.

EXT. MOUNTAIN RIDGE - DAY

Algren and Katsumoto ride.

ALGREN:

They have the howitzers.

KATSUMOTO:

How many?

ALGREN:

About a dozen.

Katsumoto considers this. Algren looks up into the mountains.

ALGREN:

A man could get lost up there...

Build an army. Hold out a very long

time.

KATSUMOTO:

Algren-San... Have you seen what

happens to the villages that stand

in the way of the railroad?

Algren nods. He remembers.

KATSUMOTO:

That is what will happen to my village

if we do not stand and fight.

(looks at him)

No. We serve the Emperor here.

ALGREN:

By dying?

KATSUMOTO:

Perhaps.

ALGREN:

At least make it battle, not a

suicide.

KATSUMOTO:

And what would that accomplish?

Algren lifts his head, enjoying the feeling of the sun and

wind on his face.

ALGREN:

It might give you one more day...

One more fine day like this.

Katsumoto stares at him for a long moment, then smiles and

spurs his horse. Algren follows.

They ride together, side by aide, the wind billowing their

cloaks -- We enjoy the ride as they do, the trees strobing

by, the sun slanting through the leaves.

EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT

It is the eve of battle. And the samurai rejoice.

Katsumoto is on stage at the center of the village square,

enthusiastically performing a Noh drama. Algren sits with

Toshiie and Taka in the audience, enjoying Katsumoto's

theatrics.

Other samurai can be seen around the village, eating, singing,

and playing instruments. Tonight is for celebrating life.

Elsewhere, a flash as Graham takes a photograph of some

children.

On the stage, Katsumoto spots Algren in the audience, points

to him and encourages him to join him. Algren resists. Toshiie

prods him. Algren surrenders and joins Katsumoto on the stage.

The villagers are delighted.

Katsumoto embroils Algren in the performance. Algren does

his best, laughing at Katsumoto's antics.

It is the freest and happiest we have ever seen Algren. Time

SLOWS as we savor his simple enjoyment. Toshiie is highly

amused. Taka has a deeper response, she is moved as she

watches Algren give himself over to the part.

EXT. VILLAGE - LATER THAT NIGHT

A somber mood has descended. Algren sits and writes in his

journal.

ALGREN (V.O.)

July 14, 1877. For so long now, I

have managed to convince myself that

there was nothing worth believing

in.

A samurai plays a melancholy bamboo flute. The gentle sound

floats through the village...

ALGREN (V.O.)

Certainly nothing worth dying for.

We see samurai preparing for the final battle. Some check

their armor... Others meditate...

ALGREN (V.O.)

Now I am not so sure.

Some make up their faces so they will look handsome when

they greet death.

Some methodically polish their swords. Some sit with their

families.

ALGREN (V.O.)

And so, for the first time in my

life, I am truly afraid. Not of dying.

But of losing something worth living

for.

Ujio is performing a graceful, ritualistic sword-dance to

the song of the flute.

Algren Joins Graham to watch him.

GRAHAM:

What is it?

ALGREN:

The kenbu... his dance of death.

Taka comes to them.

TAKA:

(subtitles)

Algren-san, will you come with me?

Algren leaves Graham and accompanies Taka toward the house.

They pass Higen and Toshiie, who sit with other children at

the feet of the massive Nakao, listening to a quiet story he

tells.

INT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE - FOLLOWING

The gentle flute music from outside drifts in.

One of Yoritomo's beautiful kimonos is elegantly spread on a

mat.

TAKA:

(subtitles)

If you wear this, it will honor us.

He nods.

She steps to him.

A moment. She gently reaches forward and unbuttons his collar.

A tender, silent scene as she undresses him and carefully

wraps him in the kimono. Her hands move gracefully around

his body, never quite touching him. His movements are gentle

in response.

When he is fully dressed, there are tears in his eyes.

Suddenly, fiercely, they are holding each other.

EXT. KATSUMOTO'S HOUSE - PORCH - LATER THAT NIGHT

The quiet evening continues.

Algren, now dressed in the kimono, finds Katsumoto carefully

dropping little leaves of incense into a small flame that

simmers inside his battle helmet.

KATSUMOTO:

So my hair will have a pleasing scent

when I meet my ancestors.

(dry)

...You do not do this?

Algren smiles, sits.

ALGREN:

I studied war at a place called West

Point. They taught us about a battle

called Thermopylae. Three hundred

brave warriors held off the king of

Persia's army of a million men. For

two days they made them pay so dearly

that the king lost all appetite for

further invasion.

(looks at him)

...I have some thoughts about the

battle tomorrow.

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