The Last Samurai (Never Say Die Scene)

Ext. Japanese Village - Day

It's raining.

Suddenly, everyone goes silent. Higen backs away.
Algren turns.

Ujio is standing behind him, wooden sword in hand.
It's obvious to Algren what he must mean, but Algren does
nothing.

Ujio approaches Algren slowly. Algren holds the wooden
sword casually, only his eyes betraying the tension of
the moment.

Ujio's wooden sword FLASHES, quicker than the eye can
follow. Algren's sword is knocked from his hands, then,
somehow in the same fluid movement, Ujio brings the sword
around and cracks Algren across the chest hard enough to
knock the breath from his body and send him to his knees.
Higen's friend goes running off toward Taka's house.
Algren staggers back to his feet.

Again Ujio's SWORD FLASHES. Algren parries one blow
before he is cracked across the face. Blood flows from
his nose.

Ujio knocks Algren's legs out from under him, and while
Algren is sprawling on the ground, Ujio kicks Algren's
sword out of his hand, and starts away.

Satisfied with himself, Ujio walks away, but the
expressions of the bystanders cause him to turn back:
Algren is standing again, holding the sword.
Nearby, Taka watches with interest. There is some
atavistic satisfaction in seeing Algren physically
punished.

Higen also watches closely.

The Silent Samurai merely stares at Algren as Ujio spins
kicks him in the stomach, followed by a blow to the shin.
Algren is swept off his feet face down in the mud.
Gasping for breath, at least one rib broken, Algren
writhes on the ground. He tries to push himself up, but
Ujio slams this sword across Algren's back. He hits the
ground again grasping for his sword.

The ever-enlarging crowd gasps as Algren once again
struggles to get up, swiping his sword at Ujio. This
time without hesitation, Ujio grabs his waving sword,
pulling Algren up onto his feet.

Ujio delivers the final blows upon Algren's now
defenseless body. First the shoulder, then finally the
head.

Something begins to change in Taka's regard. Her
appetite for vengeance is not as great as she might have
imagined. Higen, too, finds himself reluctantly
impressed by Algren's determination.

Algren hits the ground, unconscious, dropping the sword
as he falls. Ujio reaches down, picks up the sword,
throws it to Higen before walking away.