The film begins with Nathan Algren being lured by Bagley to train Japan’s army about modern weaponry. Algren is an alcoholic who is haunted by past mayhems against civilians during the American Indian war. He accepts the offer and goes to Japan. Japan’s army is trained to fight Samurai warriors, who are against modern technology. Samurai warriors have become rebels in protest of contemporary technology, which they believe has weakened their culture. Omura, a Japanese businessman, endorses the art of modern weaponry.
Algren finds himself thrust into a fight without enough preparation. His troops are defeated, but Samurai's leader, Katsumoto, saves him. Algren is taken to Katsumoto’s camp in the mountain, where he learns the local language and culture. Later he changes sides and becomes a Samurai fighter. During the last battle, all the Samurai warriors are killed, but Algren is saved by the army’s captain, whom he trained previously.
The Last Samurai depicts Japan’s change of culture from Samurai-era to the modern era. Algren, the main character, is torn between the struggles of these two eras. The movie shows how the usher of a new era of technology is affecting people’s customs, beliefs, and values. The final battle between Samurai warriors and the burgeoning army symbolizes the end of traditions and the usher of new technology. In that battle, all Samurai warriors are killed while protecting their Emperor. Therefore, the battle signifies new technology replacing Japan’s ancient culture.
The ancient culture is subjugated by dignity and loyalty. Samurai warriors believe that formality and devotion would be compromised by modern technology. Conservatives believe that Omura wants western policies to be put on place to capitalize on commercial prospects. When Algren is convinced that proponents of modernization want to benefit from commercial exploitation, he joins traditionalists in fighting against new technology. From the film, the audience learns the importance of embracing values and traditions as well as modernization.
