Adam Scott Actor

Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is haunted by dreams of how he was ordered to massacres Indian women and children in General Custer's army. Algren agrees to go to Japan to train the Emperor's newly formed army to use guns. For six months work, he will receive three years pay. The new army is to put down a rebellion against the Emperor's Westernization policies. The rebellion is led by a Samurai warrior named Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) who follows ancient teaching and a traditional way of life.

The army is not ready for battle; they cannot even hit the target when firing their rifles, but Omura orders them into battle anyway. They march against Katsumoto, whom they outnumber four to one. The army has guns, while the samurai fight only with swords and arrows. Because the Japanese officers are not ready to lead, Algren stays at the front with the men. The samurai approach on horseback, the inexperienced army panics and fires to soon. While they are reloading their rifles, they are overrun. Algren fights in hand to hand combat, making a valiant stand against four samuai. His tenacity causes Katsumoto to spare his life and take him prisoner. The samurai return to the mountain village for the winter.