It's hard to believe over two decades have passed since Tom Cruise delivered what some consider one of his most underrated performances as an American Cavalry captain in the high-octane historical drama, The Last Samurai.
The Top Gun star shed his usual leading-man look to undergo a rugged transformation, sporting long locks, a full beard and a goatee.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Japan, the epic tale centres on Captain Nathan Algren, a disillusioned Civil War veteran tasked with bringing modern warfare tactics to the Emperor's newly formed army.
© Getty ImagesThe 2003 film, which comes from writer-director Edward Zwick, is just days away from leaving Netflix on 4 November.
Before you get the popcorn out, find out all you need to know about the film below.
What is The Last Samurai about?
Set during the 1876–77 Samurai Revolt, the story follows Captain Nathan Algren, a Civil War veteran hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the nation's first army in the art of modern warfare.
The official synopsis continues: "As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Japanese warriors, placing him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his own sense of honor to guide him as The Last Samurai."
© Alamy Stock PhotoKen Watanabe, Koyuki, Tony Goldwyn, Shin Koyamada, Mosato Harada, Chad Lindberg, William Atherton and Billy Connolly also star.
The critical response
The film was generally praised by critics. The BBC awarded four stars, hailing its "blood-pumping, spectacular action scenes," while Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times described it as "beautifully designed, intelligently written," and an "uncommonly thoughtful epic."
© Getty ImagesMeanwhile, the film was nominated for four Oscars at the 76th Academy Awards, including in the supporting actor category for Ken Watanabe.
Tom Cruise's dramatic on-screen transformations
Tom Cruise is no stranger to undergoing dramatic physical transformations to bring his characters to the big screen.
In the 2008 cult comedy Tropic Thunder, he was almost unrecognisable after donning a fat suit, bald cap, and facial prosthetics to play studio executive Les Grossman. Just four years later, he traded his polished leading-man look for long hair extensions, temporary tattoos and heavy eyeliner to channel self-absorbed rock star Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages.
© Warner Bros. PicturesMore recently, the Hollywood icon underwent another striking makeover, using aging prosthetics, greying hair and a padded bodysuit to portray oil baron Digger Rockwell in the dark comedy Digger.
Tom initially spent six hours in the hair and makeup chair each day while shooting the black comedy film, but eventually managed to streamline the process. Speaking on the New Heights podcast, he recalled: "I had a guy there with a stopwatch, and I'm like, 'OK, you see that time, six hours? By the time we're done, we’re going to get it under an hour.'"
