THE LAST SAMURAI, SOUNDTRACK CUT, HANS ZIMMER

Japan, 1870. The emperor hires Captain Nathan Algren, a respected American military officer, to instruct the Japanese army in the art of modern warfare. The Last Samurai Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Review by Heather Phares Hans Zimmer s score for Edward Zwick s samurai epic The Last Samurai mixes his own densely composed style with Japanese instruments and melodies, resulting in a brooding, atmospheric collection of music. Shakuhachi and other flutes, koto, and taiko drums make their presence known throughout the score, most effectively on compositions like A Way of Life, which begins as a reflective duet for flute and strings before swelling into an ominous but majestic melody. Spectres in the Fog is another compelling mix of beauty and violence, starting with a delicate koto melody and rolling drums before crashing percussion and sawing strings turn the