The Music of Hans Zimmer: The Last Samurai Soundtrack

The movie "The Last Samurai" is probably one of my all time favourites. Can't say that's how it started out from the beginning. I remember the very first time the teaser dropped it was set against the backdrop of wordless scenes from the movie, and this text about the ways of a warrior; finally, it ended with Tom Cruise in-shot and the title splashed on the screen. Seemed wholly pretentious at the time, as if they were trying to give us some "White Saviour" kind of movie. Further trailers changed my perception of the movie, and by the time I finally watched the movie it was apparent that this was a work of art. Even till today, characters like Algren, Katsumuto, Ujio and Taka are still deeply engraved in my psyche. The movie was well shot, but the musical score stands out as a character all on its own.

Fast forward to Wenzhou, China in 2007 and my love for this soundtrack was rekindled. Joyce Wang,  a Taiwanese-American who stayed shortly at Wenzhou University, gave me this soundtrack (in addition to the "Batman Begins" soundtrack, which deserves a whole post of its own). Even though I had watched the movie almost 4 years prior, the music crystallized the movie's images anew. Listening to "Idyll's End" will immediately remind you of Algren's journey back to the city after his extended sojourn in the mountain village, and "A Hard Teacher" is a mystical journey through Algren's first days of confusion as a derided outsider in the village.

Looking critically at it now, I am surprised that the whole suite is merely short of 40 minutes. Like many a movie score, there are certain themes, similar elements that are scattered throughout the breadth of the score's 11 songs. There is a Melancholic theme tied to Algren (aka the Zen theme) reflecting the sadness tied to his life, particularly for being complicit to some atrocities committed under General Custer; there is also an upbeat Warrior theme, set to booming brass and played with all-out gusto. This is precisely why the track "Idyll's End" is so memorable: the first half encompasses the melacholy, and the second half is all at once triumphant as the hero is welcomed back into society, having found favour amongst those who once held him captive.

In order to tie in with the movie's epic length of 154 minutes, the musical suite ends up being chopped up and reused in several scenes throughout the movie, however, "Idyll's End" is played out in its entirety; another noteworthy mention is "A Hard Teacher". This song, like a lot of the songs, is a two-parter, and in both instances in which it is played, it accompanies Algren on his journey through the village. The first time we encounter it, its 2nd half is being played; set to the sombre tone of a flute, the song follows Algren as he walks through the village after having recovered from his drunken stupor; accompanied by his silent but stoic bodyguard "Bob", visualizing the people's way of life, and committing some faux pas moves along the way. The second time it's played is shortly thereafter, again as he stands in awe of his captors' ways; this time, however, it's slower melancholious first half is played. Similarly, during Algren's return to the village, it is cued up again.

From the movie itself, those two were my stand out favourites, but then the score exposed me to the beauty of yet another song: "Safe Passage". If you look carefully at the soundtrack, having watched the movie, you'd quickly notice that some of the track titles were taken word-for-word from the script. Thus, in retrospect, it seemed to me like "Idyll's End" should ideally have been named "Safe Passage"; but anyway, naming conventions aside, the first time we encounter Safe Passage, the situation is anything but! Another name I've heard given to this cue from the  movie is "The beating in the rain." It's intense first third is played as Ujio beats the stuffing out of Algren in the midst of a rain storm. The song is an interesting three-parter: firstly melancholic, starting off with Algren's theme, then slightly more hopeful. There is this beautiful soft build up of the Warrior theme, and finally it culminates in the beautiful crescendo captured in the clip below which highlights Algren's introduction to the concept of "No Mind". The only way to appreciate the beauty of this complex piece is through hearing it as a whole in the musical score.

I would describe the whole suite as follows:

1. A Way of Life - the introduction, containing all the broad strokes that Mr. Zimmer will put into crafting this whole suite of songs
2. Spectres in the Fog - yet another introduction, emphasizing the War theme. (Really has a beautiful intro consisting of the Warrior theme, which was actually sacrificed in the one scene this played out in during the movie)
3. Taken  - True to its name, this is the theme played when Algren is taken captive. It really goes hand-in-hand with "Idyll's End", which is "Taken" expanded in most glorious fashion. At only half the length of its counterpart, this song focuses most on a subdued form of the Warrior Theme, hinting that despite Algren's heroics, victory has as yet eluded him.
4. A Hard Teacher - Silent and contemplative, initially slow and meditative, but switching up the pace in its latter half to convey a sense of wonder, whimsy almost.
5. To Know My Enemy - This is framed by a dirge like atmosphere with sad wordless vocalizations (synced to Algren's nightmares in the movie). One of the shorter songs on the list, but poignant for putting into words how tortured our protagonist feels.
6. Idyll's End - initially slow and tranquil like peaceful village life, then loud and booming like city life. Perhaps a metaphor for the life of a warrior/soldier: to be able to enjoy a moment of peace, yet being ready to dive back into the fray as required.
7. Safe Passage - the best offering from the whole suite! The piece starts off with Algren's theme played using softly booming brass to concoct the imagery of a brewing storm, and then transitions into the Warrior Theme; starting off with a string-infused interval, Mr. Zimmer then lets loose the Japanese strings and provides one of the most beautiful musical cues you will ever encounter. The Japanese strings weave in a beautiful tapestry of a melody, punctuated by great flute work, and the booming brass maintains the storm-like ambiance. It is Mr. Zimmer's most unique take on the familiar themes he designed for this movie. A work of art  
8. Ronin - Short and heightened; it builds up to a taiko-drum heavy segment that heightens tension even further. (I feel like I've heard this specific song reused for a trailer somewhere)
9. Red Warrior - the war cry; before Mr. Zimmer dabbled in using the "Rise" chant for the Dark Knight Rises, he came up with this song. The tension build slowly into the warrior theme framed by the drummers' chant. From there, the war elements are ramped up, ending in a frenzied brass-violin mash that gives you the impression you're deep in a melee
10. The Way of The Sword - the emotions of war; initially fast-paced to reflect the frenetic pacing of war; however, this song contains a sadder rendition of the warrior theme, perhaps reflecting that loss is a concept tied to the warrior's way of life, as much as it too contains bravado and elation. The latter third is about as simple a dirge as you can get. 
11. A Small Measure of Peace - the end; seguing directly from "The Way of the Sword", this is a full length exploration of Algren's theme. 

This is one of the greatest soundtracks that you can enjoy at any time really. You don't even have to have watched the movie to recognize the cues; if you have though, it refreshes those scenes in your mind. Mr. Zimmer crafted this in such a way that it'll remain timeless and revered.

Give it a listen if you get the chance.

God Bless.