Watch Last Knights

Last Knights is a 2015 historical action-drama film directed by Japanese filmmaker Kazuaki Kiriya. The movie is a retelling of the tale of the 47 Ronin, which is a famous story of samurai honor and revenge that has been retold in various forms of Japanese pop-culture over the years. The movie starts with a prologue where Emperor Gezza Mott (played by Cliff Curtis), a ruthless tyrant, takes control of his kingdom by murdering the current King and his family. The former royal family's retainers are disbanded, and their estates are confiscated. Among these retainers are the Lord Bartok (played by Morgan Freeman), a respected warrior and his band of loyal knights. Bartok and his men are disillusioned by the new regime's brutality and decide to live out their days in peaceful obscurity.

Years later, Bartok's son-in-law Raiden (played by Clive Owen), a skilled swordsman, and his fellow knights receive a summons from Gezza Mott to attend his court. The knights reluctantly accept, and when they arrive at the capital, the emperor accuses Bartok of treason and sentences him to death. In a shocking display of cruelty, Gezza Mott orders Bartok to commit suicide, which he does. Raiden and his fellow knights are imprisoned.

Raiden and the others are resigned to their fates until they are visited by Gezza Mott's master of arms, Geza (played by Aksel Hennie). Geza reveals to Raiden that he too is disillusioned by the emperor's cruelty and wishes to help him and his men seek revenge. Geza frees Raiden and his fellow knights and sends them on a quest to acquire the sacred swords of Bartok's ancestors, which will help them exact their revenge.

What follows is a classic tale of loyalty, honor, and revenge, as Raiden and his knights, along with Geza, plot their next move to take down the corrupt and cruel Emperor Gezza Mott. The movie highlights the importance of upholding one's principles and values even when they go against those in power. The film's central theme is the importance of honor and self-actualization even when making personal sacrifices for the greater good.

The cast of Last Knights is excellent, and they deliver strong performances throughout the film. Clive Owen is captivating, and his portrayal of Raiden is flawless. Morgan Freeman also impresses with his portrayal of the honorable and wise Lord Bartok. Aksel Hennie's performance as Geza is also remarkable, and he adds depth to his character's moral dilemma.

The movie's visuals are equally impressive, and the battles are well choreographed, intense, and visually stunning. The combination of practical effects and computer-generated imagery adds an extra dimension to the movie, making it feel even more immersive. The sound design is also remarkable, with the clashing of swords, the screams of fallen warriors, and the pounding of horses hooves adding to the intensity of the battle scenes.

Overall, Last Knights is a fantastic film that will appeal to fans of historical action-dramas. The themes of loyalty, honor, and revenge are timeless and resonant, and the cast and crew have successfully brought the tale of the 47 Ronin to a global audience. The movie concludes with a satisfying conclusion that brings closure to the central conflict while also delivering a message about the importance of standing up for what is right.

Last Knights is a 2015 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 27.