James Clavell's Shogun
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Movie Reviews of James Clavell's Shogun
Movie Review: A New Life For The Classic Tale From The Sengoku Era!
Summary: 5 Stars
Shogun has been one of the most requested and long awaited titles to be released on DVD, and I'm happy to report that the end product was well worth the wait.Author James Clavell's story of the "Englishman who went to Japan and became a samurai" remains one of the benchmarks of network TV fare over 20 years after its release. The detailed sets, gorgeous costuming, and sumptuous details have never looked or sounded better. This boxed DVD set has very crisp video and sharp sound. The packaging is quite attractive with new artwork and a nice gated 5 fold DVD holder. It would have been nice, though, if somewhere on here or on a separate card the contents of the discs would have been listed. A much better value than the expensive 4 VHS set as well!
Disc 5 holds the new extras. The 13 segment "Making Of Shogun" feature is the jewel on this disc. Many of the surviving actors such as Yoko Shimada, John Rhys-Davies, and Richard Chamberlain were interviewed along with production personnel such as director Jerry London, producer Eric Bercovici and others. Every aspect of the production, filming, and release of the movie is covered with all sorts of great information and ancedotes. Less impressive are the "3 historical featurettes" (samurai, tea ceremony, and geisha). These are short with very general information. The disc would have been better served with a 15 minute featurette presenting the historical situation and personalities Shogun was based on (who would't want to see Hosokawa Gracia, the woman Mariko was patterned after?). As a plethora of easily accessible source material is available on the subject, I don't know why this wasn't done. The "audio commentary by director Jerry London on select scenes" was a disappointment-rather than running with the soundtrack (after all, 9 hours of commentary would be a bit much for anyone to fill), these few scenes are presented separately and are short and rather non-informative, as most of the information is included in the "Making Of" segment (where London does a great job). All in all, though, I was happy to see any sort of extras with the program at all, and an entire disc was more than could be asked for!
The miniseries has aged incredibly well. The performances, particularly by the Japanese cast, still hold up. While there are many historical anachronisms and sometimes inaccurate use of the Japanese language, these really do not detract from the splendor of Shogun. After all, as Clavell stressed time after time in interviews, he was writing historical fiction, not fact. It is sad that many aspects of the characters could not be fleshed out to what they were in the novel (you never get a sense of just how intelligent and cunning Mariko is in the miniseries, or just how devious Omi, Yabu, Toranaga, and the Jesuit fathers are), but even a 9 hour miniseries didn't have time for all of this. The Mariko/Blackthorne romance, only a sidestory in the novel, here becomes the focus. In addition, this allowed the characters to reflect the strengths of the actors. Shimada was (and is!) the picture of Oriental womanhood. Chamberlain is good at portraying the romantic and intellectual side of Blackthorne, but was unconvincing when it came to the physical aspects of the role such as fight scenes or intimidating his crew (Blackthorne was written as a hot tempered, physically threatening sea captain/pirate-Clavell had wanted Sean Connery for the role for this reason. Chamberlain did a nice job on the "mad dance", though! Disc 5 has a great outtake of Chamberlain stumbling and collapsing in a heap while performing it). Focusing on the romance aspect therefore plays to Chamberlain's strengths and allows him to turn in a good performance, where his real enthusiasm for the role came through. Toshiro Mifune excels as the Daimyo Toranaga, and Frankie Sakai is a delight to watch as the treacherous Yabu-one minute friend, the other foe, right until the end. Rhys-Davies is at his bombastic best as Spanish pilot Rodrigues. In fact, the entire cast does an impressive job filling their niches.
One of the great things about Shogun is that it was filmed at actual locations you can still visit in Japan. The castles Himeji-jo and Hikone-jo stand in for Lord Ishido's Osaka Castle (which can also be visited in its rebuilt form). The rebuilt Fushimi-jo near Kyoto serves as Toranaga's Edo Castle (Edo Castle is now the Emperor's Palace in Tokyo, but the main keep no longer exists-the grounds and outbuildings are still huge and impressive!), and Matsumoto-jo as one of Toranaga's satellite castles. And for a taste of samurai life, you can visit Toei Studios Movieland (where part of Shogun was filmed, I believe) in Kyoto-it is just like stepping into one of the scenes from Shogun.
Overall, you can't go wrong with this package. A classic, milestone miniseries with great acting and production values with a well done transfer and nice new extras. Paramount made it worth the wait!
Movie Review: Such a Wonderful Tale and Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I am hard pressed to write any better reviews than what I have read, and I don't think I will try. So many other people have done such a marvelous job of describing the movie I would surely fall well short of their prose. I do feel compelled to discuss the movie though and give you my thoughts, because I just fell in love with it, much like the film Casablanca. As others, I think this is the best mini-series I have watched. The story line of the movie was quite different from the book, and at first I found that disturbing, but the second time I watched it I found myself captivated by the story, the majesty, the acting, the beauty of Yuko Shimoto (the Lady Toda Mariko Buntaro), and a portion of the ending that I thought was fit for the way the story was adapted and written for TV. This being when Blackthorne gave to Omi-san the most precious gift he could give him. Omi was a man whom he had originally hated and despised beyond measure, but had come to respect and call friend in the end.
Yes, I fell in love with Mariko-san in the book, and most assuredly in the movie. What man, who prefers to be with a woman, could not love such a wonderous, intelligent and most beautiful and pristine woman, neh? hehe The second bedroom scene ( first day out of Yokese) between Blackthorne and Mariko I think is the most romantic scene I have seen in the movies. There was no nudity, or obvious physical bonding, just a dialogue and a look that proved that their love was on a spiritual plane, not just pillowing, as the book called it, the physical bonding of a man and woman. They were as soul mates, much like the movie "Serendipity", which I like immensely. The look on Yuko Shimodo's face was so radiant, and her eyes so beguiling. Such a beautiful and wonderful actress for this role. Who could not love her, neh? I would think anyone watching it would feel the sensuality and spiritual bonding that Clavell tried to covey and did in such a beautiful way in the book, as well as the movie.
I have read much about Chamberlain's acting in this role. It could have been better I think. I have thought allot about who would be better at that period of time to act in the role, but I can't think of anyone. The only two that come to mind in recent times are James Caviezel because I liked him so much in the role of the "The Count of Monte Cristo" (that movie being a complete rewrite of the book, which was a shame in my opinion). The other being Daniel Day-Lewis, who I thought was fabulous in the movie, "Last of the Mohicans". I think each would make a better Blackthorne, but this is 24 years later, hehe. And now I just remembered that Chamberlain also played the role of the Count in an earlier version of the classic. I guess maybe the casting people see the same type of man in the role of Blackthorne. I think they did a marvelous job nonetheless.
A few words on the characters. We all get caught up in the majesty of the time. It was a feudal period in Japans history, and this story is about the priviledged minority: a very small minority. The lady Toda for instance is, according to the book, the 4th most highly revered woman in Japan. It is so easy to get caught up in that kind of pagentry as we read about it and get lost in the book as we become one with the characters, or also watch the movie and do the same. I am reminded of a scene from "History of the World II" where Mel Brookes removes his head from the buxom bosom of a fair damesel and proclaims, "IT IS GOOD TO BE KING", hehe. Certainly this movie and the book make that statement so true. I don't think I would like living in feudal Japan as a peasant, or eta. I am certain I would love to have lived there as a lord though, just as Pilot Major John Blackthorne, Anjin-san: Samurai, Hatamoto, Admiral of the Fleet and most highly regarded confidant, vassal and friend to his liege lord, Toranaga-sama, the Shogun (the military ruler of all Japan).
I hope you have enjoyed my thoughts. I hope you watch the movie, but more importantly, read the book. The book is, as always, so much better.
I highly recommend this movie and of course the book to anyone who loves to learn and read and loves a good story. It is one of the most captivating stories I have read. I learned allot of Japanese from the book, as well as the movie too. That was a plus. By the way, Blackthorne could speak fluently in 5 languages, and he was learning Japanese, the 6th. Lady Toda could speak 3. That did not come out in the movie. A few extra hours in the series could have made so many behind the scenes intrigue and knowledge of the characters become apparent. Oh well, so sorry! :)
Movie Review: WATCH A MASTERPIECE
Summary: 5 Stars
Making a mini-series out of James Clavell's historic and highly intricate novel Shogun was an ambitious and groundbreaking undertaking that hasn't stopped fascinating audiences all over the world since it was first broadcast in 1980. The fictionalized story, entirely filmed on location, takes place in Japan and tells us through the eyes of English sailor John Blackthorne, shipwrecked on the shores of the Japans, the power struggle between several feudal lords and between these and the Jesuits. Together with Blackthorne we discover early 17th century Japan, with him we progressively gain an understanding of the Japanese people and their culture, like him we are torn between the loyalty towards lord Toronaga and the wish to return to open seas and capture the Portuguese Black Ship, we also fall in love with Mariko, his beautiful married interpreter, we share his despair to be stripped from his ship the Erasmus and we are proud when he is granted the status of samurai and hatamoto .
No one could have personified Blackthorne better than Richard Chamberlain. He IS Blackthorne, true to his huge talent and his magic capacity to fade into the character he is interpreting. Richard Chamberlain carries the whole complex production on his shoulders, he is practically in every scene, not only in dialog with other characters but also without uttering a word, he drives the story thus making the audience understand what is going on and what are his nuanced feelings. A tour de force charismatic Richard Chamberlain carries out brilliantly. Moreover he is intensely dramatic and emotional in the seppuku scene, funny and touching in the sailor's dance, staggeringly mad in the escape scene, wonderfully romantic as Mariko's lover and with unmatched class and elegance wearing the silk kimonos.
The whole cast is splendid. The actors who play the Jesuits and the crew of the Erasmus, are beautifully cast, all out of English theatre. To quote but a few : Damien Thomas, Alan Badel, Michael Hordern, John Rhys-Davies. John Rhys-Davies plays the part of the pilot of the Black Ship with tremendous energy and gusto that some consider exaggerated. Not in my opinion, his acting is very useful in the sense that it underlines Blackthorne's composed and reflexive nature. The same has to be said of the Japanese actors, the mythical Toshira Mifune, Yoko Shimada, Frankie Sakai, Yuki Meguro, Hideo Takamatsu, all sensational, with incredible presence.
The fact that Shogun was entirely shot in Japan grants the mini-series the stamp of authenticity, further stressed by the resort to Japanese without dubbing. The sets, made by Japanese craftsmen following century old traditions, are magnificent not to speak of the quality of the light and photography as well as of the music by Maurice Jarre. Jerry London, the director, and Eric Bercovici, both script writer and executive producer, supported by the cast and crew, have crafted a masterpiece. The filming of Shogun was a "wonderful nightmare" recalls Richard Chamberlain . To enjoy this excellent and spectacular mini-series and to know more about its making watch the five DVDs including a documentary on the making of Shogun .
Movie Review: Too good to miss...
Summary: 5 Stars
SHOGUN by James Clavell
We are fans of James Clavell and have enjoyed reading and then seeing both Noble House and Shogun. Born on October 10th, 1924 under the name of Charles Edmund Dumaresq Clavell, the writer has such eloquent style that reading his works is like living his adventures.
Clavell is the son of a British Royal Navy officer who was stationed in Australia. At the age of 16, he joined the Royal Artillery and was sent to Malaya to fight the Japanese, was captured and sent to a Japanese prisoner of war camp on Java, later transferred to Changi Prison in Singapore. Clavell went through great distress while a prisoner of war in the hands of the Japanese, therefore, when we read his works, we read from the perspective of a man that has lived experiences that have provided depth of humanity in ways unknown to most of us.
With Shogun, he achieves an in-depth and rare look into Japanese culture. If you read the book and watch this series, you end up becoming well versed in the wonders of Japan. It is the story of discovery, of great adventure, of romance, love, a new way to look at relationships and personal growth, for as the character played by Richard Chamberlain, John Blackthorne learns of the ways of Japan, the more he transforms into a new kind of man... no longer English, not necessarily Japanese, but a mixture that bridges two worlds.
The world John Blackthorne discovers surfaces a culture where cruelty was part of daily life, where honor was the key to the lives of Samurai worriers, and where men like Toranaga, masterfully played by one of our favorite actors, Toshiro Mifune, live their lives in search for power and control.
Through an assigned translator and interpreter, Lady Mariko, beautifully played by Yoko Shimada, John Blackthorne learns to love Japan, enjoys forbidden relationships and opens his heart to the transformation into Samurai. He develops a dictionary, English to Japanese that helps eliminate the language barrier.
John Rhys-Davies plays the part of Vasco Rodrigues, a rather colorful individual that will capture your hearts with his interpretation of friend and foe to John Blackthorne.
From watching this series as a family, we inspired Katya to learn more about Japan and even take lessons in Japanese. We got so interested in Japanese culture that we visited The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, http://www.morikami.org/, in Boca Raton, Florida and attended a festival and the Tea Ceremony.
If you want to experience 10 hours worth of one of the best mini-series ever done, don't miss Shogun, a masterpiece done by Director Jerry London. Too good to miss!!!
Movie Review: Great Entertainment,
Summary: 5 Stars
When I was ... very young I saw Shogun when it first aired on TV, and haven't seen it since until the release of the DVDs (I did see the 2.5 hour version - I will never speak of THAT again). In the intervening decades I read the book about 5 times.I rate these DVD 5 stars because you will have a very hard time finding a better entertainment value for your money. This show was fantastic. The storyline (which I will not repeat) is complex and fascinating, and the miniseries does it justice. The acting is superb - my personal opinion is that Yoko Shimada makes the series. Markio is an extraordinarily complex character, and Ms. Shimada's portrayal captures her wonderfully. Plus Yoko is unbelievably beautiful. You can't go wrong looking at her for 9 hours. But that is not to take away from Blackthorne, or Alvito, or Yabu, and of course Tishiro Mifune as Toranaga. Stellar performances all.
The miniseries faithfully reproduces the main substory, the rise of the Englishman to Samurai. Much of the other substories, the interactions of the Japanese characters mainly, are not fleshed out. This is not a criticism, since the resources were limited and the language barrier formidable. Lastly, the score by Maurice Jarre completes the miniseries. The score, as much as the acting, storyline, and scenery, helps make the series a masterpiece.
I do have criticism about the DVDs. One is, of course, the deleted scenes. Since its been 23 years I don't remember everything about the series, and I sometimes think I remember scenes that were only in the book. However, with 5 DVDs no scenes should have been left out. Especially the nudity. If I could watch those scenes on NBC when I was ... young, I should be able to see them now. I do question the claim that 3 hours were cut. The 12 hour miniseries included commercials, and the opening and closing credits for each episode.
Next is the over-narration by Orson Wells. Nothing against the venerable Mr. Wells, but the voiceover noticeably detracts from some scenes. Sometimes the point is to be as confused as Blackthorn, but other times there is plot movement that the book clearly wants the reader to understand. Many times the interactions are later summarized in English. Regardless, while 23 years ago subtitles may have been taboo, they certainly aren't now. In this respect Paramount should have updated the series with subtitles.
Finally, while the packaging is adequate, a booklet would have been a great touch, including pictures, chapter titles, etc.
So some minor criticisms, but again, this is fantastic entertainment and a great investment.