James Clavell's Shogun
by Jerry London
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alan Badel, Frankie Sakai, Richard Chamberlain, Toshirô Mifune, Yôko ShimadaDirector: Jerry London
Brand: Paramount
Cinematographer: Andrew Laszlo
Producer: Ben Chapman
Producer: Eric Bercovici
Writer: Eric Bercovici
Producer: James Clavell
Writer: James Clavell
Producer: Kerry Feltham
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Spanish (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 547 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-09-23
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Paramount
Movie Reviews of James Clavell's Shogun
Movie Review: Dated Movie but so wonderfully done!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not sure how I should start? I suppose I suggest you read the book first before you watch (...and probably have to buy) the movie. It is dated and certainly not up to the current standards of special effects that we see in the movies today. But what it lacks in that category it spills over in abundance with acting and just beauty. This was not an action film. It was a drama about a mans transformation and how he adapted to an entirely foreign land. And it was about a women of the highest nobility in Japan and how she came to love such a foreign man. He was a Barbarian to her at first, a man to be despised and reviled. At first she thought him a liar and his thoughts and ways revolting. Later she came to understand him, his ways, his honor and compassion, his unpredicability, his incredible knowledge and mind, his bravery and courage and most importantly his love for her. She knew in her heart of hearts, he was Samarui and a man she would forever love.
The movie does not do the book justice, but Yoko Shimada is (or was I guess) one of the most beautiful actresses you will find in a movie. Indeed, the costumes were so beautiful. If I were an actor or actress in that movie, that would have been in my contract (that I get to keep the kimono's that I wear). They were absolutely stunning. The movie is worth watching just for the beauty of the costumes. Yoko Shimada - The Lady Toda Buntaro Mariko, in her pink kimono's was the picture of beauty, much like the godess Aphrodite or perhaps like the Mona Lisa. But in the book you will read and come to understand that she was so much more than that. A wonderfully talented, intelligent, gifted, courages and brave women, not to mention beautiful. How could any man not want a women like her? Her husband did, but did not, such a fool! Blackthorne came to love her on a plane of love that I think only few of us ever experience. I am saddened to have to say that. We should all be so fortunate to experience such spiritual love! Their bodies were not just one, but their entire conscience, and their souls became eternally bonded. They became one in body and soul. Who could ask for more in life?
One of the things you won't notice probably on first viewing of the film is Yoko Shimada's blemishes (pimples). I didn't the first time I watched the movie but I do now. It is actually realistic. Such a beautiful women, who also had problems with her complexion at times. The makeup artists did a wonderful job of making them more or less transparent, but it was to me a reality of life and one that was nicely left in the movie. It made it seem so much more real.
I bought this movie because I liked the book so much and because you can't find it in a rental store as far as I can tell. The movie is different from the book but I think you will thoroughly enjoy the acting and the film, although it strays somewhat from the book in theme and in the various plots. Both Shimada and Chamberlain won best actress and actor awards, and the film best TV mini series, and more I think. There are some scenes in the movie that I particularly like. The romantic scenes for one were just so captivating. Yoko Shimada as the Lady Toda is just so seductive and beguiling. Her eyes just enticed me and I wish they had been meant for me! I fell hopelessly in love with her when I watched this movie and those scenes although there was no nudity, just dialogue. But there are other stirring scenes throughout the movie (the 4 DVD discs) that make this movie worth watching. The one in particular was when Blackthorne was officially made Samurai and Hatamoto, Admiral of Toranagas fleet and given incredible wealth, a Lordship actually, a fief and just unbelievable gifts. This was done in front of hundreds of Toranaga's officers, not just Samurai. You don't quite understand the significance of this in the movie unless you have read the book, because the movie did not indicate that.
I was in the navy at the time this movie aired, an officer on submarines. Yoko Shimada and I are the same age. I wish I could have met her back then!!! I know so well the loneliness that can overcome you while out at sea. I never watched TV back then or read much fiction, only science fiction and fantasy when I had the time. For many years I have not watched TV, except for the news. I only know of this movie because of the reviews about the book on Amazon.com and I happened to have the book in my library, a gift from a friend many years ago. I loved reading the book (recently) so I decided to buy the movie. If I had seen the movie back then, in 1980, I would have taken 60 days leave, hopped the first military flight from Norfolk, VA ( when I returned to port, which was seldom, hehe)to Tokyo, or wherever Yoko might have been in Japan in the hopes that she was not married, and hope that I might get a date with her hehe :) To me she is just that beautiful ( and my guess is she still is). And also to experience the beauty that is Japan. I was an east coast, North Atlantic, Artic and Mediterranean sailor, and a few other spots, hehe :). Europe is beautiful though and I loved my leave when I was there. I saw such wonders. Despite most movies and books I guess, sailors are not just about debauchery, we do love culture too. I never was on the west coast. I wish now I had been on the west coast sailing. Although nuclear submarines are not allowed in Japanese ports it would have been an easy hop from the Phillipines to anywhere in Japan.
If you like a fantastic tale, and beautiful costumes and wonderful acting, you will love this movie. You won't find much better acting than the Japanese actors in this film. I really got a kick out of Captain Yoshinaka, and you will understand if you watch the film :) I suggest you read the book first. Even though the movie is different in some of the tale, you will appreciate having read the book before you watch this movie. Enjoy it for its beauty, as I do.
Summary of James Clavell's Shogun
John Blackthorne, an English ship pilot, whose vessel wrecked upon the Japanese coast in the early 17th century is forced to deal with the two most powerful men in Japan in these days. He is thrown in the midst of a war between Toranaga and Ishido, who struggle for the title of Shogun which will give ultimate power to the one who possesses it.What better way to escape from the onslaught of so-called reality television than to sail away with Richard Chamberlain to "the Japans" for a little samurai action and some discreet "pillowing"? From the golden age of the miniseries comes this television benchmark, the 10-hour, Golden Globe-winning saga based on James Clavell's bestselling epic. In his award-winning performance, Chamberlain stars as John Blackthorne, the 17th-century English navigator on a Dutch trading ship. A storm runs the ship aground off the coast of Japan, a "torn and cruelly divided country" locked in a power struggle between Toranaga (the venerable Toshiro Mifune) and Ishido, two warlords who would be Shogun. Blackthorne gets over his initial culture shock ("I piss on you and your country," he defiantly proclaims to his samurai captors, which to his humiliation turns out to be an unfortunate choice of words) to become a trusted ally of Toranaga and the lover of the beautiful interpreter Lady Mariko (Yoko Shimada). Their forbidden, ill-fated romance--and Blackthorne's total assimilation into Japanese culture--is set against political intrigue as Toranaga prepares for the inevitable showdown with Ishido, and Blackthorne's growing influence threatens the local Jesuits who had built up a lucrative trade monopoly. Shogun was a production blessed with good karma, and it remains an awesome achievement from a bygone era when the miniseries was king. --Donald Liebenson
What better way to escape from the onslaught of so-called reality television than to sail away with Richard Chamberlain to "the Japans" for a little samurai action and some discreet "pillowing"? From the golden age of the miniseries comes this television benchmark, the 10-hour, Golden Globe-winning saga based on James Clavell's bestselling epic. In his award-winning performance, Chamberlain stars as John Blackthorne, the 17th-century English navigator on a Dutch trading ship. A storm runs the ship aground off the coast of Japan, a "torn and cruelly divided country" locked in a power struggle between Toranaga (the venerable Toshiro Mifune) and Ishido, two warlords who would be Shogun. Blackthorne gets over his initial culture shock ("I piss on you and your country," he defiantly proclaims to his samurai captors, which to his humiliation turns out to be an unfortunate choice of words) to become a trusted ally of Toranaga and the lover of the beautiful interpreter Lady Mariko (YokoShimada). Their forbidden, ill-fated romance--and Blackthorne's total assimilation into Japanese culture--is set against political intrigue as Toranaga prepares for the inevitable showdown with Ishido, and Blackthorne's growing influence threatens the local Jesuits who had built up a lucrative trade monopoly. Shogun was a production blessed with good karma, and it remains an awesome achievement from a bygone era when the miniseries was king. --Donald Liebenson
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