film directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick
, who also co-wrote the screenplay
based on a story by John Logan
. The film was inspired by a project developed by writer and director Vincent Ward
, who had previously filmed the movie in 1990, starring Lance Hendriksen, John Fujioka, and John Saxon. Ward became executive producer on the film – working in development on it for nearly four years and after approaching several directors (Coppola, Weir), he interested Edward Zwick.
There is some comfort in the emptiness of the sea, no past, no future.
My thanks, on behalf of those who died in the name of better mechanical amusements and commercial opportunities.
[to the Silent Samurai] I know why you don't talk. You're angry. You're angry because they make you wear a dress.
[speaking with the Silent Samurai, after being beaten to the ground by Uijo] I just realized, I've been remiss. Forgive me, I forgot to thank you for looking out for me yesterday. That is your job, correct? Protecting me. Well done 'Bob.' You don't mind if I call you Bob, do you? I knew a Bob once; God, he was ugly as a mule. Are you a ladies man, Bob?
[kneeling in front of Emperor] If you believe me to be your enemy, command me, and I will gladly take my life.
[narrating] Winter, 1877. What does it mean to be Samurai? To devote yourself utterly to a set of moral principles. To seek a stillness of your mind. And to master the way of the sword.
[narrating] Spring, 1877. This marks the longest I've stayed in one place since I left the farm at 17. There is so much here I will never understand. I've never been a church going man, and what I've seen on the field of battle has led me to question God's purpose. But there is indeed something spiritual in this place. And though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot but be aware of its power. I do know that it is here that I've known my first untroubled sleep in many years.
From the moment they wake, they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue.
I do not presume to understand the course of my life.
Many of our customs seem strange to you. And the same is true of yours. For example, not to introduce yourself is considered extremely rude, even among enemies.