Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is a 1999 film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch.

A wonderful film with an amazing soundtrack. I have watched this movie and listened to the soundtrack many many times. The Japanese soundtrack is notoriously hard to attain.

The film takes place in a fictional Northeastern city and its environs in the present day United States. Forest Whitaker stars as the title character, the mysterious "Ghost Dog", an African American hitman in the employ of the Mafia, and who follows the ancient code of the samurai as outlined in book of Yamamoto Tsunetomo's recorded sayings, Hagakure.

The film's score and soundtrack is produced by the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, his first soundtrack production. He was later involved in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill franchise, Blade: Trinity, and other movies.

US and Japanese versions of the soundtrack album have been released, each with a different set of tracks. The Japanese release also has some songs not in the film. Songs in the film that don't appear any either soundtrack album include From Then Till Now performed by Killah Priest, Armagideon Time performed by Willi Williams, Nuba One performed by Andrew Cyrille and Jimmy Lyons and Cold Lampin With Flavor performed by Flavor Flav. RZA also has a small role in the movie, playing a camouflage wearing, cross-bearing "street crusader" counterpart to Ghost Dog's samurai. As Ghost Dog and RZA's character meet on the street, he and Ghost Dog bow and exchange greetings.

RZA: Ghost Dog, power and equality.
Ghost Dog: Always see everything my brother.

After the greeting they both pass each other and continue on their way. RZA is credited as "Samurai In Camouflage" in the end credits.

<ahref="http://www.videosift.com/video/Samurai-Quick-Draw-Challange-Who-WiIl-Win">Samurai Quick Draw Challenge

- More @ <ahref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Dog">Wikipedia.

Man, can't wait to see Whittaker as Idi Amin, he will no doubt, go down as one of the top three, most influential black influences in Holoywood's history, least in my mind.....

This movie hits on so many levels, if you aintseen Ghost Dog, yer trippin'!

just saw forest whitaker in 'the last king of scotland' playing Idi Amin, he's an amazing actor.

An amazing film (ironically: this deserves Farhad's overused word but doesn't have it!?) I didn't find any good footage when I searched a while ago - more than suitable for my playlist!

(Don't Read if you haven't seen the movie - HUGE SPOILER right here)

I have seen this movie many times and there is one major problem:

This movie has such a lame ending it bascially ruins the rest of the film. I know you are all going to jump on me for saying this but come on I dont care if he does have to remain loyal to his retainer (and keep with the Way of the Ancient Samurai) but when he walks into the street knowing that fat-Italian poser gangster is going to kill him, it isnt compelling at all, it's pathetic.

Great spoiler for those that haven't seen the film, there -~^ WildmanBill....

If the ending was any different I wouldn't have liked the movie as much.

It wasn't simply about remaining loyal. Ghost Dog was an anachronism following the ancient code of the samurai. It creates a juxtaposition to the modern world seen in the film. In his eyes, he has fulfilled his duty by saving his retainer, who saved his life years before, he doesn't belong there anymore, and thus in the end this works ultimately to the film's advantage.

Remember that this wasn't really an action movie.

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The duration of this video has been updated from unknown to 2:18 - length declared by ReverendTed.