#11: The Last Samurai

In The Last Samurai, Tom Cruise’s character, a former U.S. officer, aligns with samurai in 1870 Japan. However, the film’s costume designers took a surprising historical liberty by outfitting the samurai characters with armor dating back 200 years earlier, deviating from the authentic attire of 19th-century samurai.

While visually striking, this anachronism in costume design reflects a departure from strict historical accuracy, possibly to evoke a more archaic and mythic image of the samurai. Despite this deviation, the film remains a compelling exploration of cultural clashes and personal transformation amidst the backdrop of Japan’s Meiji Restoration.