The Last Samurai (2003)

Cruise went through eight months of rigorous training to prepare for his role in the epic period action drama and almost lost his head, quite literally!

The Hollywood star was riding a mechanical horse alongside Japanese martial arts star Hiroyuki Sanada during a battle sequence when the latter's horse failed to halt and almost decapitated Cruise in the process.

Tom said: "We were filming one day, and I was on a mechanical horse, and Hiro was on one as well.

"He was approaching me when his horse suddenly struck me, and his sword was exactly here (points an inch from his neck)."

Sandra added: "I just managed to stop my sword an inch from his neck.

“It was so hard. I was drenched in sweat! My God! But Tom never blinked! It was the biggest moment, the most dangerous moment. After that, I never hit him, he never hit me.”