James Clavell's Shogun
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Movie Reviews of James Clavell's Shogun
Movie Review: Finally!
Summary: 5 Stars
I rented the VHS version a few years ago and was sadly disappointed...but now I'm looking forward to falling in love with this saga all over again!In 1980, I was only 7 years old, but I loved this series--probably one of the first 'adult' programs I was allowed to stay up and watch! When I was older, I read the novel (it's big and it's got small print, be warned)...and reread and reread it! Granted, there's only so much you can show on TV and only so many hours you can tie up programming, but I think the series does a darn fine job of following the book. For an American TV population probably not very familiar with Japanese customs, this was a fascinating look into a very different world.
Even at 7, I felt the finely tuned tensions between the characters. I knew they had to deny what was in their hearts in order to hold to the dictates of society. Don't expect a Hollywood happy ending! This is much more like traditional Japanese stories and legends that end in heartbreaking separation of the hero and heroine for the sake of destiny or duty. If you're an anime or manga fan (like me!), you'll find familiar elements...
I absolutely loved the costumes and the settings in this series. There's enough in here to keep the romantics, the swashbucklers, and the military and history buffs occupied for a good long time.
This series is a favorite memory of mine, and I'm looking foward to getting the DVD version--at last!
Movie Review: the not so complete mini-series
Summary: 5 Stars
With this being my "holy grail" of dvds,i was a tad bit annoyed that a 12 hour mini series was cut down to 9 hours.after watching the nine hour version i was less annoyed...even after cutting three hours out of this the main story is intact however alot of what made shogun so charming the first time has been removed while they trimmed the fat.little tidbits like when blackthorne asks for "ohnna" thinking this the name of the first woman he met but finding out that ohnna means woman....obviously not critical to the story but when you are as "ANAL" as i am and what ammounts to a 1/4 of the original mini series has been cut out you tend to dwell on whats missing and not whats there.i will live with the cuts because i also own the full vhs version,but if paramount tries to release a 12 hour directors cut in the future i will never buy another paramount product again.
now on to the dvds at hand....as i said nothing critical to the story has been removed..and as i am prone to watching this in one sitting the extra three hours of my life i got back was fine with me.the picture quality is like brand new vhs on a brand new vcr...when considering this is 20 years old it looks great.
all in all make this a purchase but if you are upgrading from the vhs version hang on to your vhs copy...if you haven't watched this in twenty years you should enjoy this as much as the first airing
Movie Review: Reasons for Lack of Subtitles
Summary: 5 Stars
Stunning miniseries!But, the purpose of this review is to give an alternate viewpoint on the `frustrating' lack of subtitles that some previous reviews complained about.
The main purpose of a lack of subtitles is to really bring you into Blackthorn's shoes and let you feel what he is feeling. There is enough narration to get across important plot information, but you have to figure out the rest, just like Blackthorn.
It really increases the drama when you don't know whether Blackthorn's captors are discussing the weather or deciding the manner of his death. On my first viewing, I found myself paying close attention to every facial expression and shrug of body language in the desperate attempt to learn (just as Blackthorn is). It is really a simple and effective way of drawing you into the world and making you relate to the main character.
By the time Blackthorn and Rodriguez are on the ship together, I felt I really had a handle on some basic Japanese, just as Blackthorn did.
Even later in the story and armed with my basic knowledge of Japanese, the lack of subtitles is still effective. It makes you listen attentively and patiently (even cautiously) and still brings you effortlessly into the shoes of the wiser Blackthorn.
Subtitles may be an option on the DVD version, but I'll never use them.
Movie Review: BONZAI!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD is a tour-de-force of production quality and has a nifty 5th disc with extras to delight even the most war-hardened bushido. The colors are crisp, the music vibrant and full of that percussive quality Maurice Jarre made famous in the first TV broadcast. The sad part is that most of the actors that made this mini-series a gem are now gone. The remaining cast comes together on the fifth disc to discuss their roles and the production crew explains the trials and tribulations of working in Japan. There are plenty of tid-bits to fill a bento box, so grab some yakatori, make some cha and sit back in your pappasan chair and re-live the experience as though it was just coming to television. I was dismayed that the production was re-issued in the original full-screen format, I had hoped it was shot wide screen for potential theatrical release, and then trimmed for television broadcast, but alas, there is only one version.Correct me if I'm wrong, but I could have sworn that a version I had seen earlier contained subtitles for the japanese to japanese scenes, but the Orson Wells over-the-top narrative is all that remains for action clarification.
All in all, I give this fabulous period piece 5 throwing stars..so watch out for the amida tong and happy viewing.
Movie Review: Shogun Again
Summary: 5 Stars
Shogun is probably the best TV miniseries ever produced. I would have purchased the complete set on VHS...but alas my apartment was far too small for the sheer volume of tapes. However, here it is now on slim DVD for my viewing pleasure.Here is the story: Pilot Major Blackthorn and his shipmates are unfortunately wreck their ship into Japan. It's a big chain of islands...fairly sturdy, so the ship is broken beyond repair. Next a surly samurai pees on the Pilot major's back. Then some of his crew get boiled for awhile. A little later, Blackthorn meets the would-be shogun and is shagged a few times by a kindly concubine. Then Ninjas try to kill him. He has a bath or two. Then at some point he is blinded for awhile...almost has to commit suicide because he's not so good at picking up new languages (nearly dooming an entire villiage to being hacked to bits). In between he is bothered by Jesuits and smugglers and the competing would be shogun.
Sure that's alot of stuff for one movie...but it is 10 hours. A GREAT 10 hours. When you are done watching it, go read the book. It's only a million and a half pages...but it's worth the read.