Samurai are let loose on hills of Skye

Movie makers attracted to island’s dramatic landscape

Residents on Skye were shocked when they spotted a horde of ancient Samurai warriors battling it out in the hills.

But their fears were laid to rest when they found out that the warriors were actors filming scenes for a new multimillion-pound Hollywood action movie featuring Keanu Reeves.

The Matrix star plays an outcast who joins up with a band of renegade warriors out to avenge the death of their leader in 18th-century Japan.

Shooting is almost complete on the £120million blockbuster, called 47 Ronin.

Locals have become used to visiting film crews in recent years. Scenes for Ridley Scott’s latest movie Prometheus were also filmed on Skye.

But some were shocked at the scale of the latest military-style operation, which

“They had a helicopter and a lot of people”

involved dozens of crew, stunt men and security guards.

One resident, Andy Stables, said: “There was quite a lot of excitement. They had a helicopter anda lot of people.

“Therewasa coach full of Japanese actorsona singletrack road so you had to wave, and they put their hands toge ther and bowed.”

The team has been shooting at locations across Skye during the past week, including the Harlosh Peninsula and Neist Point, the most westerly tip of the island.

Location manager for the film Ali James said the island’s dramatic landscape had attracted them.

Keanu Reeves: star