It’s been over two decades since the world witnessed Tom Cruise as Nathan Algren in Edward Zwick’s 2003 blockbuster The Last Samurai. However, the movie still remains a hot topic of discussion, regarding the critical stunts that Cruise pulled off with ease. This time, a stuntman joined the conversation to explain how one scene in the film perfectly captured Cruise’s performance.
During the latest episode of Corridor Crew‘s Stuntmen React series, professional stunt person Gui DaSilva-Greene reacted to one iconic scene in The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise. Addressing how the sequence perfectly captured Cruise’s physical performance, DaSilva-Greene reacted to the actor’s battle with the master swordsman Ujio.
Professional Stuntman Explained a Scene from The Last Samurai
Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Nathan Algren in The Last Samurai transcends boundaries as it stands as a testament to his exceptional acting talent. But apart from his riveting performance, there are far greater things to be addressed in Edward Zwick’s 2003 blockbuster. Appearing in the latest episode of Corridor Crew‘s Stuntmen React series, stuntman Gui DaSilva-Greene thus dissected epic action scenes from the movie.
Reacting particularly to one scene that flawlessly captured Tom Cruise‘s physical performance, professional stuntman Gui DaSilva-Greene broke down the fight scene between Nathan Algren and the master swordsman Ujio (Hiroyuki Sanada). Calling The Last Samurai one of his favorite movies, DaSilva-Greene explained how majestically Cruise expressed physical and emotional pain through his body language.
“He’s supposed to be a soldier, so he shows that he’s in pain, but then he has to show that he is going to overcome it, so you show the, “Oh that hurt,” and then the “I can’t show you that hurt though.” So it’s the same with feeling of anger or emotion and not being allowed to show it.”
“Most people when they cry they, don’t want you to see them cry, like they immediately wipe it away. They don’t just let the one tear drop like we see in all the movies. It’s like, “I’m vulnerable,” so immediately I’m going show it for a moment, but then I have to get back into my strength, not show that. You hint at it, you don’t go full Jackie though.”
Gui DaSilva-Greene praised Tom Cruise’s ability to convey vulnerability and emotion through subtle expressions and body language, particularly in scenes where Nathan Algren is struggling with his own demons. Highlighting Cruise’s skill in creating a sense of empathy with the audience, the stuntman implied that he brought depth and nuance to the character that few actors could match.
Stuntman Believes Tom Cruise Won Hearts with His Iconic Scene
Further, commending Tom Cruise’s dedication to authenticity as well as his commitment to accuracy and detail, stuntman Gui DaSilva-Greene compared the actor with Jackie Chan. Explaining how the renowned martial artist is often known for portraying feelings through body language, DaSilva-Greene noted that Cruise followed in the same footsteps as Chan.
“You have to go like quarter Jackie and then pull it away from everybody. Ways that you do it without showing like the facial expression is through body language which we see when he goes for the ribs for the first time, you see that aspect. That’s where he pulls our heartstrings here.”
Addressing the power of Tom Cruise’s physical performance to evoke emotions and leave a lasting impact on viewers, Gui DaSilva-Greene noted that the actor’s genius acting in the movie deserves more recognition. Praising the star’s performance in The Last Samurai as a masterclass in acting, showcasing his remarkable range and talent, DaSilva-Greene concluded by stating how the performance deserves more recognition.
“This is how he wins over everybody, including the audience as this man who is fighting these demons along with having to be a captive and earn the respect of the people around them, and that’s like one of the biggest things that I care about when it comes to seeing a fight scene is how does it push us forward in the story or make us care about the character.”
Although the stuntman’s admiration for Tom Cruise’s work in The Last Samurai is not surprising, given the actor’s reputation for intense preparation and immersion in his roles. However, it serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked brilliance of Cruise’s performance in this film, which deserves more recognition and appreciation from audiences and critics alike.
The Last Samurai is available on Prime Video.
