James Clavell's Shogun
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Movie Reviews of James Clavell's Shogun
Movie Review: The greatest miniseries of all time. A fine story.
Summary: 5 Stars
"Shogun" is, in my opinion, the greatest miniseries ever made. It is a very faithful adaptation of James Clavell's bestselling novel, and a great story it is. This is the story of Pilot-Major Blackthorne of the ship "Erasmus," which is the first English ship to navigate to the orient. Shipwrecked in Japan circa 1600, Blackthorne must adapt to the Japanese culture or die. This is a wonderful story of an extraordinary man who is thrust into a highly civilized but very alien culture--a culture wracked by intrigue, politics, powerful Jesuit priests, and imminent civil war. The friendship between Blackthorne and Lord Toranaga is very satisfying, and the story of his love for the Lady Toda is touching.First and foremost, this is the story of a clash of cultures. Blackthorne initially considers himself more civilized than his Japanese hosts, but by the end of the story he comes to appreciate the culture's emphasis on politeness, cleanliness, and honor. He ultimately is assimilated and becomes an intimate advisor to Lord Toranaga and a samurai in his own right.
Other reviews have pointed out various historical inaccuracies to the story, and I will only say that such inaccuracies do nothing to detract from what is ultimately a fine story. This miniseries is remarkably free from overlong tedious "filler" scenes, and instead for the most part moves along smartly, holds the viewer's interest, and is highly entertaining. The DVD is of very high quality both audio and video, and constitutes a very good value. I had not seen Shogun for many years, and if there are any missing scenes on this DVD I don't remember them. This appears to be a fairly complete reproduction of the miniseries. I have read Mr. Clavell's novel several times, and this miniseries does a fine job adapting it to the miniseries format, and is quite faithful to the story, taking no liberties with it.
"Shogun" is a story that will hold the interest of most viewers. Recommended
Movie Review: The way of the Samurai
Summary: 5 Stars
Hmmm, now I understand what it was all about... well at least sort of... the television miniseries of James Clavell's Shogun was a bit of a television landmark, lots of hype and everybody warned about its horrific portrayal of ancient Japanese suicide, hari-kari, also know to the Samurai as `The Fine Art of Seppuku', is somewhat tame by today's television standards, but still unnerving all the same, and in the early 1980s it certainly got everyone talking and awaiting to tune into the next episode, here is the complete series on four DVDs, two episodes per disc, eight episodes in length, plus a bonus material fifth DVD, make up an interesting package that is worthy of any DVD television series hobby collection. Although somewhat slow paced in parts, sometimes accompanied by hammy acting from the Western folks involved, probably underscored by the remarkably good Japanese acting, relives the traditions of the Japans in the 1600s, and is the main reason why you probably want to see it. Although the story is rather limited for the running time - English pilot marooned on the Japans, falls in love with a local Japanese woman and stirs up the hornets nest - it is not really the tale or Richard Chamberlain's Pilot-Major John Blackthorne / Anjin-san character who drives the show, but the whole Japanese culture on display and this is first rate stuff. Throwing in a few ninjas also heightens its validity as one of the best historical dramas aired on television. However it does show its age because of the impact of modern Asian cinema and better subtitle translation standards, speaking of which, Shogun completely avoids, with long dialogue sequences in Japanese without any English subtitles, to present the audience with a more vivid Japanese presence. Yes, this is certainly very good entertainment for a couple to watch in the evening when the kids are asleep. Although it ends very suddenly you will come away learning a lot more about the Japans than you did going into it.Movie Review: A few miscellaneous comments
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know if I can add much to the many great reviews already here, so I thought I would just post a few miscellaneous observations.
Shogun was a great series in every way, possibly the greatest ever aired, in many people's estimation. It has everything going for it that you could possibly ask for: adventure, drama, romance, great characters, outstanding acting, an absorbing plot, all set against the backdrop of an exotic, distant land.
Chamberlain plays the stranger in a strange land, and in the clash of the two cultures we see our own similarities and differences thrown into even sharper relief. The great sociologist, Daniel Bell, once said that both Japanese and American culture are unusual in how they can integrate seemingly contradictory elements--in the U.S., for example, religious piety and the pursuit of wealth. And in Japan, after the emperor regained power and outlawed the samurai class in he 1860s, they re-emerged as samurai warriors of business and international commerce, even taking market share from the U.S. in many markets, a much bigger, more powerful, and in many ways more technologically advanced country.
As a martial artist and teacher for many years, I was very interested in how the martial arts were portrayed, and they were depicted very well. Clavell was fascinated by feudal era Japanese culture and military history and tactics, and it shows here. In fact, I've seen some of the feats of martial skill in the movie demonstrated by my own teachers.
An interesting piece of trivia was that Shogun was the first network TV program which allowed the word "p_ss" to be used, and to show a man in the act of urinating.
As a miniseries, Shogun was a class act that perhaps has never been surpassed. It's a dramatic and thrilling adventure that holds your interest from beginning to end, and that continues to hold your interest on repeated viewings.
Movie Review: Shogun
Summary: 5 Stars
Having recently read the book I had to buy this series as soon as possible and I am extremely glad I did. This series follows John Blackthorne who is an Elizabethan ship pilot who gets marooned in Japan and who gets embroiled in a war between samurai lords. He is made samurai and vassal to a Japanese lord and needs to learn about life in Japan quickly as his very life depends on it. There is all of this to the story and SO much more. This boxset has five discs with the series in four parts across four discs and the last disc having all the extras. There is also an excellent booklet with a history of the book and production of the series. This series has the most amazing costumes and film sets and over 3 million of the 23 million budget was spent on these aspects alone. This is very faithful to the book, with nothing added and only a very few minor points omitted. The story isn't compromised in the slightest and if you have enjoyed the book it feels wonderful to immerse yourself back into this world once again. Richard Chamberlain is simply excellent as Blackthorne and Yoko Shimada is also superb as Mariko. The extras include a 13 segment documentary of the making of Shogun, Historical featurettes on Samurai, Tea Ceremony and Geisha, as well as audio commentary on various scenes. This series has all the aspects of the book that I adored so much, samurai honour, romance, a glimpse of feudal Japanese life, betrayal and intrigue, an epic adventure and so much more. You will follow Blackthorne as he develops from a wary and scared foreigner until he reaches the heights of samurai and confidant to his Lord Toranaga. This is a stunning series and gives full justice to the book, the style and effects may be dated now but the story is as gripping as it ever was and I feel it still holds it own against TV productions of today. This cannot be missed and is a series you will watch again and again.Movie Review: James Clavell's Shogun: the TV film
Summary: 5 Stars
Being chased by the Spaniards at the Magellan's straight on the high seas during the last days of the 16th century, the English pilot of the Dutch galleon the "Erasmus", John Blackthorne, sets sail altogether his crew for the "Japans" a legendary land beyond the unmeasurable Pacific Ocean, in a desperate attempt to scape from their pursuers and getting the
mythical wealth of "Cathay".
Blackthorne will find himself ashored on a totally strange land, where he will witness both the brutality and the utter nobleness of their inhabitants, in an era when Japan is going to change forever through the ferocious winds of civil war, brought by the feudal lords who will dispute
through a time of bloodshed and turmoil, the highest rank of political and military leadership in Japan: Shogun.
Surrounded by hazardous circumstances, political and religious enemies,
John Blackthorne (Richard Chamberlain) will find the true love of his life in the person of beautiful and kind-hearted Lady Mariko-Buntaro (Yoko Shimada), his translator to powerful and impressive Lord Toranaga (Toshiro Mifune), ruler of the Kwanto (nowadays region of Tokyo and adjacent prefectures) and rival to Lord Ishido, ruler of Osaka Castle.
In an expedition that changes his life forever, the foreigner "with the unpronounceable name" who is re-named by the Japanese as "Anjin-san" (honourable pilot), will climb from being regarded as a dangerous pirate, to "Hatamoto" and "Samurai" in a frantic chain of fateful events.
A classic TV series of all times, with spectacular scenaries and splendid
photography, packed in a beautiful deluxe case containing 5 DVD's, 4 of them the film, and the 5th of trivia, Japanese culture explanations, and cast comments.
"Are wa anata no unmei desou, Anjin-san" = That's your destiny, honourable pilot.
*****