IT'S A crowded battlefield this year for bloody, cinematic epics inspired by history or legend.

Achilles and Paris, Alexander the Great, and King Arthur all promise to impress, but Tom Cruise starts 2004 with an admirable turn in this historic East meets West pleaser.

Captain Nathan Algren (Cruise) is soured by all the battles he's seen and haunted by his involvement in the slaughter of native Americans.

He pitches up in Japan in the 19th Century during the time of the Meiji Restoration - a time when the country opened its doors to the world and progress clashed with tradition.

Initially involved with helping the emperor quell awkward samurais and assisting America's cynical peddling of guns to the backward nation, Cruise gets captured by the enemy and grows to respect and understand their honour-bound, ancient ways.

He turns in a fine performance, perhaps his best since campaigning Vietnam vet Ron Kovic in Born on the Fourth of July.

While dominating the film with an enthralling portrayal of a man haunted by his demons but blessed with compassion and strength, Cruise never overshadows the others, most notably samurai warlord Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe).

Billy Connolly and brummie Timothy Spall have minor parts but hold their own.

It's a tad predictable, the film score is over sentimental at times and there could be more use of the Japanese language.

But the lost Japan of The Last Samurai is utterly fascinating and commands respect, particularly when director Edward Zwick drives the action forward with tidy narrative, nervy battle scenes, and a welcome sword thrust at American imperialism.

Mono rating: eight out of ten.