James Clavell's Shogun
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Movie Reviews of James Clavell's Shogun
Movie Review: Shogun miniseries on DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
At last this brilliant mini-series has been set to be released on DVD. It is a great drama where a the first 17th century Dutch ship is swept by storm to the shores of Japan. It is the story of how an English Pilot Blackthorne played by Richard Chamberlin becomes a samaurai. Told on the backdrop of two opposing japanese Lords Toronaga (Toshiro Mifune ) & Ishido in a nation heading towards a possible civil war. Also involved are enemy catholic Spanish traders, at war with England, & with a trade monopoly in the country which is threatened by Blackthorne's presense. Mixed in this is doomed love affair between Blacktorne (Chamberlin) and his japanese translater. The story tells how Blackthorne adapts to 17th century feudal Japan and the events going on arround him, becoming eventually a samaurai & confident to Lord Toranaga. It is a great drama told over 9 hrs with terrific acting & lovely picturesque japanese settings
I have had this on VHS for years and look forward to buying this on DVD in September. I would recommmend it to anyone who hasnt seen it.
Colin Sinclaire (ccsinclaire@aol.com)
Movie Review: SHOGUN - A Gaijin perspective
Summary: 5 Stars
I lived in Japan for six years. I studied judo, karate, and kendo, and have black belt rank in the latter two. I studied the Japanese language and customs. My wife is from Japan. Thus, I am quite familiar with that unique culture. I first read SHOGUN when it first came out, and saw the entire series (taped by a family member and sent to us overseas) on a not-so-good VHS copy on the not-so-good VHS tape of the 1980's era. What a joy to now see it, crystal-clear picture with crystal-clear sound! The DVD version (full production) is superb, it's like seeing it for the very first time. To be remembered: SHOGUN is NOT an entirely accurate historical event, IT IS A STORY. It should be viewed from that perspective: a story. Sit back, don't get all entangled in looking for historical or production glitches (the challenges of making this production a reality are fully covered in accompanying presentations as part of the package), and enjoy a very good STORY ... and excellent entertainment. For SO many Americans, SHOGUN was their first introduction to a wonderful culture and similarly wonderful people. Sayonara.Movie Review: A Beautiful Box Set Worthy of the Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Just recieved the "Shogun" DVD box set, the most beautiful dvd box set I've ever seen. This box set does due justice to the greatest TV mini-series of all time and one of the greatest literary masterpieces of the Twentieth Century (Shogun by James Clavell). The DVD box follows a Japanese motif and features the lovely Yoko Shimada and Richard Chamberlain on the cover, adding legendary Toshiro Mifune on the back. Inside, three DVD's each feature one of the three stars, including a unique profile of Shimada (the back cover also features Shimada's hair with perfect 'disarray' following genuine Japanese aesthetics. When you fold up the DVD's to put them back, you see an Origami of the Two Samurai swords. This is really a work of art, I give thanks and kudos to the team which put this DVD together, a worthy tribute to a true cinematic work of art. I can't wait to view the DVD itself, if the technicians were as good as the design team we are in good hands. Please also read Shogun the novel, as it is even a hundred times more beautiful than the TV mini-series. cheers!Movie Review: Welcome to DVD, Anjin-san
Summary: 5 Stars
The longest miniseries of the 1980s finally on DVD (the longest of all time is Centennial FYI). Richard Chamberlain, a few names from the British actors guild and an entire Japanese cast and crew, put together an outstanding performance of the about how an English pilot and his dutch crew get shipwrecked on the shores of Japan, and after a while the pilot forming an alliance with a warlord destined to be Shogun: military ruler of the country, falls in love with a high ranking lady and the rest is history. The DVD is a major improvement on the old 4 VHS tape set in terms of color and sound. Plus while tape 1 of the VHS set had only the credits from the first part and tape 4 had specially re-edited ending credits, the discs have a specially revamped set of opening credits which sandwich the opening credits of the whole miniseries just like the ending credits do so on disc 4. Plus you get a 5th disc with some neat behind the scenes stuff. Hey Warner, Paramount has a winner with the DVD of Shogun, time for you to re release Thorn Birds, Ditto: Universal re Centennial.Movie Review: A masterpiece of television
Summary: 5 Stars
I can think of only one epic series that rivals this, and that is "Lonesome Dove." Both were based upon first-class novels; both were adapted by talented writers; and both were populated by very good actors on extremely realistic sets.
The novel "Shogun" is many things: an adventure story, a romance and a political manual. All three are retained in the mini-series. An English captain loses control of his sailinng ship in a storm and lands in "The Japans," in effect, in another world. It is 1599. The culture shock stuns him, but when he adapts somewhat he becomes a pupil under the guiding hands of Toranaga, a warlord, Mariko (a beautiful translator) and an army of fierce samurai who are quick to anger and quick to chop off a head. While denying his political ambitions, Toranaga inexorably maneuvers himself toward ultimate leadership.
The tale is filled with great characters, lots of jeopardy, numerous subplots and magnificent scenery. This is one mini-series not to be missed.