The Last Samurai Page #4

EXT. AMERICAN EMBASSY - GARDEN - DAYS LATER

In the pristine grounds of the Embassy, a garden party is in

progress.

Incongruous lilting Yankee tunes are heard from the Japanese

band.

Algren and Gant, now in their dress uniforms wander through

the party with Graham.

Liveried servants pall trays of canap�s.

Elsewhere we see diplomats representing all the powers

currently trying to devour Japan: Russia; England; Germany;

France; Spain; etc.

GRAHAM:

I remember when it was just America

and the Dutch. Now everybody's getting

into the game.

They pass two German diplomats. The Germans glance to Algren

and Gant with suspicion, bow tersely.

Graham greets them in German.

GRAHAM:

The Germans are particularly eager.

ALGREN:

What do they want?

GRAHAM:

Same thing your country wants. Most

favored nation status.

ALGREN:

How long have you been in Japan?

GRAHAM:

Oh, western time quickly loses its

meaning here... I first came as part

of the British legation in 1857. But

I was soon relieved of my position,

as a result of various...

disagreements with the Crown's

attitude toward the locals.

Omura separates himself from his entourage and approaches.

OMURA:

Gentlemen. I hope you are enjoying a

taste of home.

ALGREN:

I've done with worse, believe me.

OMURA:

America has much to offer us, though.

Its' industry and ingenuity are

without peer.

(ingratiating)

I have spoken to the Emperor about

you. He is interested in the most

modern theories of warfare.

ALGREN:

I look forward to the opportunity of

meeting him someday.

OMURA:

You will have that chance sooner

than you think. He has requested an

audience.

Graham is open-mouthed at this turn of events.

EXT. IMPERIAL PALACE - DAY

Algren and Bagley sit with Graham in an ornate carriage as

they cross the moat and enter the ancestral palace of the

Shoguns.

INT. IMPERIAL PALACE - ANTECHAMBER - DAY

Algren waits with Bagley and Graham outside the throne room.

GRAHAM:

Remember that he is arahitogami. A

god in human form. During the last

two hundred years no emperor was

even seen by commoner. You may look

at him, with deference, but do not

speak unless you are spoken to.

EXT. IMPERIAL COURT - THRONE ROOM - DAY

Algren and Gant are surprised to discover the living god is

barely in his twenties. The divine EMPEROR MEIJI is an

intelligent and curious young man, yet there is a

tentativeness about him.

His throne is surrounded by ADVISORS, principal among them

is Omura. Nearby, the American AMBASSADOR SWANBECK, a cagey

diplomat.

The throne room itself is sweeping, beautiful, and extremely

restrained. Everywhere, tasteful displays of the traditional

flower of the monarchy: chrysanthemums. The vibrant yellow

blossoms haunt the chamber.

As the Emperor considers his guests, Omura whispers into his

ear. Then:

OMURA:

The Emperor bids you welcome. He

wishes you to know that he is most

grateful for the assistance your

country offers ours, in order to rid

ourselves of the brutality of the

provincial warlords -- and to

accomplish the same national harmony

which you enjoy in your homeland.

The Emperor speaks in Japanese. The advisors are non-plussed,

and Omura leans down for a moment to confer with him, then

smiles indulgently:

OMURA:

The Emperor is most interested in

your American Indians, and wishes to

know if you have seen them firsthand.

Algren looks at Graham, who nods. He may speak.

ALGREN:

I have seen many of them, and have

fought them, too. They are very brave.

Graham translates. The Emperor nods and smiles.

EMPEROR:

(accented English)

Thank... you... very... much.

He stands. Everyone else hurries to follow suit. The audience

is over.

EXT. PALACE GARDEN - DAY

A1gren, Graham, and Bagley walk through the palace grounds.

BAGLEY:

That young pup runs this country?

GRAHAM:

That "pup" runs the country no more

than I do. He was installed as a

figurehead at age twelve when the

warlords realized Japan needed a

central government. But don't be

fooled -- he may be a powerless god,

but to these people he's a god

nonetheless.

GENERAL YOSHITAKA appears. He is a seasoned soldier in his

40's. A decent man. He stops before them, bows quickly.

GRAHAM:

Gentlemen, may I present General

Yoshitaka. He will assist you in

training the army.

ALGREN:

General.

Algren offers his hand. General Yoshitaka does not take it.

He bowl his head and speaks a few words. Graham translates:

YOSHITAKA/GRAHAM

He greets you with extreme courtesy

and asks if you are ready to meet

the Imperial Army.

EXT. PARADE GROUND - DAY

About a thousand Japanese soldiers in baggy uniforms are

milling around a large parade ground. Each has an old single

shot rifle. Algren, Gant, and Yoshitaka look down on them

from a reviewing stand.

GANT:

Jesus....

ALGREN:

Ask the General what training they've

had.

Graham speaks to General Yoshitaka, then translates his

response.

YOSHITAKA/GRAHAM

He says... We have trained them not

to shoot their... asses off.

Algren glances to General Yoshitaka, who looks back wryly.

ALGREN:

Sergeant Gant, have the men stand to

attention.

GANT:

Imperial Army, Atten-tion!

Graham translates, rather mildly.

ALGREN:

For God's sake, let's not keep it a

secret who's in charge here... Mr.

Gant.

GANT:

(roars)

ALL RIGHT YOU SLANTY-EYED LITTLE

BASTARDS STAND UP STRAIGHT OR I WILL

SH*T-KICK EVERY ONE OF YOU

COCKSUCKERS!!

As the soldiers immediately stand to attention, we begin a

montage of the training of the first Imperial Army:

We see Gant drilling the men. Shouting at his translator.

Trying to get them to march in formation. Algren is nearby,

watching.

ALGREN (V.O.)

August 4,1876. As I watch this new

army train, I cannot help but think

of those who rode with me in me 23rd

cavalry.

Algren sits in his tent, writing in his journal. Outside,

the Japanese are being taught the basics of firing tactics.

ALGREN (V.O.)

For four years they had survived,

never once shrinking from the fire.

And so, when given my order to charge

the advancing rebel infantry, they

never hesitated... And they all died.

We see Algren showing the Japanese how to fire in formation.

The old single-shot rifles they carry make reloading a

painfully slow process.

ALGREN (V .O.)

Now I am training another army. In

another civil war.

Algren and Gant spar with sabers -- Algren's expertise far

exceeds Gant's, a fact which Gant accepts with good humor.

ALGREN (V.O.)

Is this why I was spared? Once again

to lead men to their death?

It is sunset Algren, Graham, and General Yoshitaka watch the

training.

General Yoshitaka speaks.

YOSHITAKA/GRAHAM

...the problem is they're peasants.

They have never had this sort of

responsibility or power.

Algren watches Gant march beside the Japanese. They are

illuminated by the majestic red sunset

ALGREN:

(to Graham)

Ask him if they have a flag.

Graham translates. General Yoshitaka responds.

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