Netflix is removing Tom Cruise and Timothy Spall's "spectacular" historical drama very soon

The Last Samurai, the popular historical drama starring Tom Cruise and Timothy Spall, is leaving one particular UK streamer in the very near future, so you'll need to hurry if you want the action to unfold.

The 2003 film is from writer-director Edward Zwick, and is set in 19th century Japan as Captain Nathan Algren (Cruise) is tasked with training a new generation of soldiers in the fight between modernity and the old way of life.

The government wants to eradicate the ancient school of thoughts, but Algren's affectionate interactions with the Samurai places him at the centre of a battle where he doesn't want a winner or a loser.

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Featuring Spall as photographer and scholar Simon Graham, the historical drama is currently streaming in the UK on Netflix, though you don't have too long to watch it there as it is due to be removed on 4 November.

Luckily, you're not completely out of options if you don't have time to watch it there, as the film is also streaming on ITVX and HBO Max. The listings don't expire for a while on either of those services, so you have a bit more time.

In addition to Cruise and Spall, the stellar cast for The Last Samurai includes Ken Watanabe, Koyuki, Shin Koyamada, Tony Goldwyn, Mosato Harada, Chad Lindberg, William Atherton and Billy Connolly.

With a worldwide gross of over $450 million, the historical drama was generally praised by critics, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reporting a solid approval rating of 65% from 216 reviews. The audience score, meanwhile, is even higher at 83%.

"This is a big movie, with big themes and bigger-than-life characters. The battle scenes are not only spectacular, they are also emotional," noted CNN.com, who dubbed it a "spectacular epic adventure".

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The Herald Sun echoed this sentiment, writing: "The breathtaking showpiece skirmishes might well suggest a Braveheart set in Japan, but there is something more going on here than merely rolling out the battles."

One user on Rotten Tomatoes was also full of praise for the "breathtaking cinematography", adding: "The Last Samurai is a masterpiece and one of the most beautiful films ever made."

The Last Samurai is streaming on Netflix until 4 November, and is also available via ITVX and HBO Max.

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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.