Shogun (1980) User Reviews

One of the best miniseries

[neil-476 · 8/10 · 30 August 2012]

I watched Shogun when it first aired in the UK, I read the novel a couple of years later, I watched the DVD boxset a couple of years ago, and I am currently watching chunks of it as it airs on one of the late night satellite channels. You can take it that I approve of it.

It tells a relatively simple story of John Blackthorne, an English sailor (a "pilot") stranded in 17th century Japan. Toronaga, the local feudal lord, realises that he could be of unique strategic and tactical importance, and keeps him there despite his determination to return home. In the course of being taught Japanese, Blackthorne falls in love with his married tutor Mariko, a love forbidden under the rules of Japanese society. There are other plot threads, but these two drive this long (10 hours) series.

Extravagantly mounted, Shogun looks good and is still gripping. It presents Japanese culture, and the extreme differences in attitudes, very fairly - you see the positive and negative aspects and are never required to make a judgement about them, although Blackthorne does (and, in doing so, undergoes the character development arc which is the most satisfying element of the narrative).

While the series now feels, perhaps, a little dated, it is well worth watching. The performances are all first rate although I now find Richard Chamberlain's Blackthorne very American and, while committed, possibly a little over intense and lacking in humour. To be fair, though, he doesn't have much to laugh about!

Epic, sweeping, amazing.

[Phil_H · 8/10 · 22 November 1999]

Without a doubt, this is the best American movie about the Orient that has been ever made. Nothing we Americans will do will ever surpass this. Next to Akira Kurosawa's amazing works, there is Shogun. Shogun is in excellent company.

Do NOT see the shortened version, see all of it. The multi tape version is great; and the single tape mini version is a travesty.

Wonderful exposure of the Japanese culture!

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 8/10 · 2 September 1999]

In "Shogun", everyone of us is invited to the tempting and wonderful world of Japan, one of the few nations never conquered by a foreign power...

We are invited to participate in learning the extraneous but fascinating culture of the Orient... 'Japan is rare and unique,' said James Clavell creator of John Blackthorne, 'Anjin' in Japanese, which means 'pilot.'

Blackthorne (Richard Chamberlain) portrays an Englishman, pilot major of a Dutch fleet, who is shipwrecked on the turbulent waters off the 'Land of the Gods.' England's enemies (aristocratic warlords, British colonial, Portuguese traders, Jesuit missionaries) now await him...

He is caught with his crew by Japanese warriors, and forced to listen as to understand the Japanese language and treatment... The audience - like him - struggles to catch what is going on, as no subtitles in the film...

Blackthorne is surrounded by hundreds of warriors all dressed up with Japanese multicolored wardrobes fastened firmly by an obi (a long wide sash that holds the two swords). We are in presence of samurai, where 'physical courage and prowess are at a premium.'

The English navigator starts a new life far from home, a new transformation of way of living, thinking and acting, from an uncivilized primitive prisoner to a man of strength, honor and courage...

In this epic exposition we see:

• Violent scenes of feudal Japan: Omi (Yuki Meguro) in his first meeting with Blackthorne beheads a man for not bowing in respect to him... Pieterzoon (Edward Peel), a man of Blackthorne's crew, is brought from a pit to be cook alive in a large deep pot... A companion Croocq (Steward MacKenzie) is pulled up from boiling liquid...

• Intricate and complicated political plots: When Ferriera (Vladek Sheybal), a Portuguese trader, in the presence of Father dell'aqua (Alan Badel) gives Toranaga (Toshiro Mifune) and Mariko (Yoko Shimada) protection on the Black ship in return for the Englishman... When Rodrigues (John Rhys-Davies) has been overboarded... When the Ninja warriors attack Osaka Castle...

• Dramatic scenes: Blackthorne's intend to commit seppuku... Mariko's seppuku frightening scene... When a disgraced warrior Yabu (Frankie Sakai) commits instant seppuku (hara-kiri).

• Amusing moments: Blackthorne in his first Japanese bath in Anjiro... When he teach Toranaga the lively steps of the hornpipe... When he begins his 'mad dance' moving up and down in order to permit Toranaga escape from Osaka Castle...

• Cultural exposition of the traditional Japanese woman: Her moods and feelings, her emotions, her reactions... Mariko badly beaten by her husband... Mariko treatments so affectionate, sweet and loving... Mariko's bath scene... Her risky love affair...

• Best moment of the whole mini series: Blackthorne becomes a samurai!

Filmed in epic proportions, with breathtaking cinematography, super acting, and great special effects (few arrow-in-the-chest scenes; the burning of 'The Erasmus;' the earthquake), this full-length version of "Shogun" is fair to James Clavell's colorful best-seller...

The Jesuits (Friar Domingo, Father Sebastio, Father dell'Aqua, Father Alvito) are interpreters, writers of the first Japanese dictionary, who all share the commerce of silk between Japan and China...

Richard Chamberlain appears fervently with noble ambition, firm and dominate as the Westerner who is taken by force as a prisoner, who hates his captors, but little by little is seduced by their culture...

Toshiro Mifune performs with great dignity a powerful legendary figure who unifies several political factions into one nation under his authority as Japan's first Shogun!

John Rhys-Davies plays Rodrigues, the Portuguese pilot, with a big sense of humor...

Yoko Shimada (Mariko) is the 'perfect vision.' a woman of great beauty and rarity, delicate and fragile, a true precious jewel of the Orient!

Ultimate mini-series.

[actorman_us · 10/10 · 5 July 2005]

There was a time in TV when the mini-series was king. They were great prestige products for the networks who, risking immense financial expenditure, hoped to create a cinematic masterpiece on a small screen.

SHOGUN may be the ultimate expression of this neglected TV format. Based on James Clavell's sweeping epic novel of the same name, it succeeds fully in transporting the viewer to another time and place. Through John Blackthorne's eyes (Richard Chamberlain in a now iconic performance, blending moments of delightful scenery chewing with moments of genuine emotion and subtlety), we become ever more involved in the political dealings of the Japanese nobility and the mixed motives of the Jesuits.

One of the great triumphs of SHOGUN is to ensnare the viewer despite long segments in Japanese with no subtitles. The filmmakers were trying to tell the story through Blackthorne's eyes and save for a few moments of narration explaining the dialog, we are left to slowly comprehend the action at the same pace as Blackthorne. It's a device which works wonderfully well, leaving the viewer to figure out what's going on through context and character.

In addition to Chamberlain, SHOGUN is replete with glorious performances. Toshiro Mifune's Toranaga, a Japanese nobleman with grand political designs, possesses great power and yet Mifune's performance is also very nuanced. Toranaga is a man who's mind is always trying to figure three steps ahead and we see this aspect of Toranaga's personality in Mifune's work- a considerable feat considering his dialog is exclusively in Japanese and without subtitles.

Yoko Shimada plays Mariko with a captivating beauty and ethereal grace. Becoming Blackthorne's interpreter and love interest, we cannot take our eyes off of her. Her performance is made doubly impressive by the fact that Ms. Shimada spoke no English and had to be told what her lines met with great care.

Additionally, John-Rhys Davies gives a wonderfully bravura turn as Rodrigues and Damien Thomas gives his Father Alvito real depth and dignity.

SHOGUN does show its age. The quality of the video image does have a bit of that TV glow to it and Maurice Jarre's score, seeming so lush back in 1980, sounds as if it were recorded by a very small third-rate band in a backwater recording studio- it reeks of TV. Still, these are comparatively minor quibbles to an otherwise completely engrossing epic. SHOGUN succeeds mightily in taking the viewer into a strange land filled with wonder and intrigue. By the end, it's a land you aren't ready to leave- perhaps the ultimate compliment for any film.

Rich and fulfilling, a great adaptation of Clavell's masterpiece

[OttoVonB · 10/10 · 2 February 2006]

In 1976, James Clavell wrote an epic masterpiece: the story of Blackthorne, an English sailor lost in Feudal Japan. He gradually finds his place, oft the central pawn of political intrigues between various foreign powers and the local warlords. In 1980, this miniseries was unleashed on the world and created a whole new audience for the mammoth bestseller. No small feat considering the length and complexity of Clavell's 1200+ page door-stopper. Clocking in at almost 10 hours, this mega-budgeted series delivers the goods. People who have seen "The Last Samurai" might see a few plot similarities (even in certain smaller details: Tom Cruise sports exactly the same haircut as Richard Chamberlain). With all respect for the 2003 film, Shogun is far out of it's reach.

Richard Chamberlain embodies Blackthorne to perfection, successfully gaining our empathy through an ambiguous yet very human performance. Supporting him are Japanese icon Toshiro Mifune as the shrewd warlord and aspiring shogun Torunaga, who befriends/manipulates Blackthorne, and Yoko Shimada as Blackthorne's translator, confident and friend. Every actor gives life to Clavell's carefully drawn and layered characters (most of all a very bombastic John Rhys-Davies). For a television miniseries, the technical specs are quite surprisingly good. Indeed the budget must have been quite important (and set a record at the time) but never is the story or it's rhythm scarified to show-off. The direction and photography are quite tasteful, often reminiscent of early Kurosawa, only in color. Maurice Jarre's score might not reach the lofty heights of his work for David Lean but it serves it's purpose.

Many will tell you that the book is better. It is certainly more intimate and detailed, but a more faithful and excellent adaptation of such a rich book you are not likely to see anytime soon. For anyone with a taste for epics, Japan or just plain good entertainment, this is essential viewing.

Excellent adaptation of James Clavell's Novel

[Sid-30 · 28 April 1999]

The MiniSeries Shogun is my all time favorite program. It is a romantisied account of the adventures of the first Englishman to reach Japan. The main character John Blackthorne is based on the real life person William Adams who was the only non Japanese ever to become a samurai. He was also a feudal lord in Japan ( called a Daimyo ) and the first Admiral of the Japanese Navy.

The acting is excellent and something which I found interesting and unusual about this series is that one of the ways that the movie uses to put you into the mind of the main character is that as he doesn't know any Japanese when he arrives there are no subtitles when the characters are speaking Japanese.

As I said earlier my all time favorite program and one I wish could be seen by more people more often. I did buy the series.

Excellent, well worth owning to watch over and over!

[miken-3 · 9/10 · 26 January 2005]

Richard Chamberlain gives an excellent performance as well as all the Japanese actors in this well-made adaptation of Clavell's novel. It sticks fairly well to the plot of the book.

Super-rich in history with one of the most interesting characters, Anjin-san (Japanese for Mr. Pilot). Anjin-san is marooned in feudal Japan and makes a decision to change his Western thinking and fit in to the totally foreign but alluring Japanese society.

He is drawn into a forbidden love with a Japanese noblewoman, while battling jealous Japanese nobles and fanatical Jesuits. He earns the trust of Lord Torenaga who is a wise tactician in the art of waging war and diplomacy. Can Anjin-san survive the constant perils he is put into and win the hand of the woman he loves? Many scenes are in Japanese, but if you had no problem with The Last Samauri, it should pose no problem here.

Worthy of its Claim as an Epic!

[michael_the_nermal · 8/10 · 22 March 2010]

I enjoyed "Shogun" a great deal more than a bloated, overlong historically-set miniseries that followed a few years later, "North and South." In spite being twelve some-odd hours in length, "Shogun" does not feel like it goes on forever like "North and South," has much better actors, and moves at a decent pace. It has the formula of historic romances, including a soap opera love between the Western man and an Eastern woman, whom he is forbidden to love. "Dances With Wolves" and, of late, "Avatar" follow a similar formula, but I enjoyed the love story between Lady Toda and John Blackthorne in "Shogun" much more than in those movies. "East meets West" romances, including those between Western men and Eastern women, and even including those set in Japan some time in the past, are pretty standard in literature and film; but, somehow, I enjoyed how this formula played out in "Shogun" more than others. This may have to do with the long running time of the miniseries, which allowed for a credible romance to develop; a three-hour film would have to, by comparison, develop this plot rather quickly.

"The Last Samurai" repeats the theme of a Westerner of no great title in his own homeland earning the respect of the Japanese nobility, earning the title of samurai, and aiding the nobles for their own ends. Somehow, I like how this formula played out in "Shogun" even more. Richard Chamberlain (TV's Dr. Kildare) is insanely fun to watch. His American accent does not hinder his role; in fact, it makes it very enjoyable. His character of John Blackthorne does undergo a change throughout the story, but still maintains a healthy skepticism of Japanese culture and of the trustworthiness of the Portuguese Jesuit priests who have insinuated themselves amongst the Japanese noble houses. Other wonderful actors include John Rhys-Davies (perhaps best known as Gimli from Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" movies) is superb and fun to watch as Portuguese pilot "Rodrigo-san." Toshiro Mifune, perhaps the Japanese actor best known outside of Japan, credibly and subtly conveys the menace and wiles of the enigmatic Lord Toranaga (a fictionalized version of the real-life Ieyasu Tokugawa). The actors who played Lady Mariko Toda and Father Alvito, though relatively unknown, deserve commendation for their excellent acting.

If you have any money saved up, try to rent separate discs of "Shogun" when you can until you have seen the whole series. It makes the experience more manageable (each disc is about two-and-a-half hours in length) than to see the whole damned thing at once. You will not regret it!

A forgotten Epic masterpiece

[paul-bissette · 10/10 · 22 April 2004]

I read this book so many years ago I dread to think. I watched the series on TV when it first released here in the UK and was completely blown away by it. A few years later I noticed a video in the video library and hired it. I was disappointed in that because it had be condensed into a mere 125 it was almost unwatchable, but for fans there were a few changed sequences, not least a full frontal view of Lady Mariko Buntaro (Yoko Shimada) that didn't go amiss.

I bought this DVD when it was recently released and its as fresh today as it was then. A few things grate, the large TV type titles showing locations (OK it was made for TV), the fact that we cannot hope to learn Japanese in only 10 hours (although the major plot lines are narrated by Orson Welles) and so miss much of the political intrique set out in the book and of course Maurice Jarre's music now seems to be a little out of place in such an oriental setting.

Take it from me, these are small criticisms of a piece of work that has well stood the test of time. If you have 10 hours to spare, or chunks of it at a time, it is very much worth watching. You won't be disappointed. The only way it could have been better in the DVD version would be to combine some of the scenes from the 125min video version and to subtitle the Japanese. Mel Gibson has proven that we are adult enough to sit through a movie of subtitles if we are motivated enough and with this we would be.

The book is better, but not by too much

[Calaboss · 9/10 · 25 April 2004]

I saw Shogun when it first came out in '80. I was blown away by the magnitude of this mini-series. It moved me as I hadn't been moved before by a simple TV program. It immerses you into the story in bitchin' fashion. Although it is fiction, writer James Clavell based it on in-depth historical knowledge of 17th century Japan.

It's a long ride (about 10 hours) but I very seldom got bored. This certainly hits home as a mans movie, with all the inherent violence and war that men do, but it also makes clear that women know men, and how to manipulate them. (Guys, they've had us by the short hairs for ages). I've heard there is a horrible 2 hour version of this floating around. Don't bother with that. Check the full 10 hour series to find out who pees on our hero, and why. (You can Google the answer to that, but don't, it will ruin the fun.)

I read the book in '82 and found out how much was missing from the series. Fantastic book! I suggest seeing the series before reading the book, as I did. If you read the book first, I'd imagine you'd be disappointed that the series left out so much information. But seeing the series first is a real eye-opener. I highly recommend it.

A great example of Japanese culture.

[jerrythecow · 7/10 · 14 May 2007]

When I was eleven and I decided to take Japanese at my soon-to-be middle school, my dad immediately showed me the book "Shogun" by James Clavell. Due to fact that I was an eleven-year-old boy during the summer, I did not get very far past the first chapter. So when my dad suggested we watch the movie, I was skeptical. I didn't really like the book when I read it--too young to understand it I guess--and I wasn't expecting the movie to be much different.

I was wrong.

The movie is a great movie! It made many confusing parts of the book understandable, and was a very suspenseful and (approximatley) accurate representation of Japanese history and culture.

Although the movie drags a bit in the second hour, it is action packed and very interesting. The romance between Blackthorn (anjin-san) and Mariko-san is believable and understandable, and her death and funeral is moving and heartbreaking.

The un-subtitled Japanese was a nice touch, making us as confused as Blackthorn. However, you are still able to understand it due to context and body language, and by the end you will have undoubtedly learned some Japanese.

Definitely worth the watch, especially if you are interested in Japan and Japanese.

(extra note: the movie inspired me to re-read the book which I can now understand and am enjoying.)

An excellent rendition of the cultural reality during the shogunate years

[deansawas · 9/10 · 9 September 2006]

This miniseries does a credible job in presenting the cultural landscape during the Shogunate years. Not only is it a historical (somewhat modified) adventure, it demonstrated the advances the Japanese had made in medicine, iron-working and in other areas. It shows the differences between the Western and Eastern attitudes towards cleanliness and religion- which had not been presented before. It also shows the stratified class society of those times. A shock to our delicate sensibilities - but, at least an attempt to show it in a positive manner. The costumes and background was very accurate for the time and it was the first honest attempt to portray the Japanese in a kindly manner since before Pearl Harbor. Could it have been better - yes, could it have been more historically accurate - again yes, BUT it sure was light years better than the horrible attempts that had littered the movie landscape in prior years. It also encouraged people to see Toshiro Mifune and Kurosawas' other classics such as Rashomon, etc. Definitely worth watching.

both bad and very good

[kdmagnusson · 7/10 · 12 March 2004]

The novel Shogun (based on true events around the year 1600, though the names have been changed) is one of the best stories ever about medieval Japan and the good news is that this mini-series remains faithful to the book. The bad news is that it is the quintessential 70's-style mini-series. Made-for-TV movies have always been handicapped regarding their budget compared to theatrical blockbusters, but a lot of progress has been made TV's shooting and editing techniques in the last 20 years. There are perhaps only 10 years between the mini-series versions of Shogun and Lonesome Dove, but the latter looks fairly modern while the former looks really dated. It almost looks as if every scene was shot with only one camera. Then there are the commercial breaks. Thankfully the commercials themselves aren't included on the DVD, but the breaks are so drastic you can see where they originally were. There is even some recapping going on after the break to remind everyone exactly where the story was. And the "special" effects for the sea storm and earthquake scenes are laughable. This really cries out to be remade, except that it would take an effort and budget like Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy to do the story justice. So much for the laments. Once you get past the dated TV techniques, you will be riveted by the story. It delves deeply into Japanese culture of the samurai period far beyond Tom Cruise's recent Last Samurai, and spends enough time with the characters to portray the contradictions in a meaningful way. It shows how horrifying some Japanese customs are to a European (a petty samurai lord beheads a peasant only for not bowing to him), and how disgusting the Europeans' hygiene (lack of) customs are to the Japanese. Then there is the pheasant episode! Showing how communication problems can lead to tragedy, it is horrifying, disgusting, ironically funny, and ultimately heart-breaking. But then, Shogun has all human emotions in abundance throughout its nine hours. The costumes (and hair-styles and makeup) are very authentic, as are the settings, apparently all shot on location in Japan. By all means, watch this mini-series if you are interested in this sort of subject. It's a little like listening to your favorite symphony, played by a provincial orchestra, and recorded on scratchy LP's, but it still remains one of the very best dramatizations of Samurai Japan ever made.

Perhaps the Dullest Mini Series Ever

[quitwastingmytime · 1/10 · 2 August 2021]

How did they manage to take such talent and do nothing with it? Mifune and Chamberlain. A great historical novel.

And then nothing happens. The series spends its entire time teasing that a war will happen and then describe the war with a very brief voice over narration at the end.

You feel cheated. Don't waste your time on it.

My all time favourite program

[Sid-30 · 24 March 1999]

Shogun is the story of an English pilot shipwrecked in Japan and the first Englishman to arrive there. The story is based fairly closely on the life of William Adams to whom most of the events in the film happened to and did in fact become the only non japanese ever to become a samauri. He also became a minor daimyo and Japan's first Admiral. He may have well been a deciding factor in tiping the balance of power that let the Shogunate become as powerful as it did to rule as long as it did. One of my favourite things about the story on video is that it is about half english and half japanese. With no subtitles. As John Blackthorne (the name given the main character in the story) is struggling with the japanese so is the viewer. (I have also used it to help improve my japanese which is very limited).

The story is fast moving and fasinating. I read the book in three days and couldn't wait for the mini-series if I have an entire day to relax I will sometimes watch the entire 549 minutes of the show. As I said it is my all time favourite program

an important work

[arashi_kage · 10/10 · 9 January 2005]

I saw this movie when I was a kid and it became the catalyst for my study of Japanese and martial arts. I have now been here in Japan 10 years, have my black belt and can say that this series still rocks. The only difference now is I understand all the Japanese spoken and the historical references, which makes it rock even further. The producers have done a wonderful job and the historical, linguistic, cultural points are spot on. There are few works like this where Japanese and Americans get together to produce a realistic piece (Blackrain is another good example)I recommend to other users if you ever have a chance, come to the places in this film here in Japan, and the series shall rock further for you indeed.

Shogun 1980 Television series

[bentwilson-34719 · 10/10 · 1 March 2024]

One of the best period pieces captured on film made even better because of location and exquisite scenery the costumes are stunning and the Japanese actors and extras are awesome. Set in their environment (Japan) it sets the scene and tone of the whole show. There are bad reviews on some small details but it doesn't take away the dedication and hard work that everyone has put in this production. Richard Chamberlain and all the other actors and actresses were also great in playing their parts to make us believe that we were transported to that period and time. Thanks to all cast and crew for a job well done.

Begs for a Re-release

[ablklab · 9/10 · 4 August 2013]

I happened to watch Shogun again on Encore this week. I was shocked when I realized that the original release date was 33 years ago! I was a young 24 years old when I saw it the first time. It made quite an impression on me. I had read the book shortly before and really enjoyed the film I have a suggestion. Shogun should be re-released to a new generation. Here's what should be done to enhance this classic without diminishing or compromising this television classic.

1. Do a standard digital remastering similar to other re-releases.

2. If possible eliminate the TV "fade-outs to a commercial" that really date this mini-series.

3. Re-do the score. The score is the weakest point of the movie. It sounds very 70s and the score sounds like a Rockford Files episode where Jim Rockford visits the Orient. This great classic deserves better.

4. Here's the most important one: Add sub-titles. This would bring a whole new dimension to the re-release. Baby-boomers like myself who enjoyed the original three decades ago will be anxious to hear the new dialogue that was not previous translated. I'm not really sure if translating the parts that are already translated by one of the characters (Mariko, Father Alvito for example) would work. Maybe just subtitle other parts.

Thirty three years is a long time. Shogun begs for a re-release.

Approaches the narrative differently than the new Disney series...

[canuckteach · 10/10 · 9 March 2024]

I watched this series (based on Clavell's novel-historical fiction) with Richard Chamberlain twice in the 80's, the 2nd time with helpful voiceover from Orson Welles (the first time, my well-read brother provided a similar narrative of the obscure cultural points). Chamberlain did a few great pieces: Thorn Birds, Count of Monte Cristo, Wallenburg, (original) Bourne Identity...

I've only started the new Disney entry, which has the benefits of first-class production values. Nevertheless, this 1981 entry has an early 'sailing vessel in a storm' sequence that was quite lifelike. I find Chamberlain excellent in his role as 'Thorndike' or 'Anjin-san' (the pilot), who thinks he is guiding his own destiny on Japanese soil in 1600, but in reality, his boss Toranaga (who wants to be the SHOGUN, or supreme military commander) is pulling all the strings. A funny scene has a tipsy Anjin-san singing a sea ditty in sing-speak, but Chamberlain actually had a great singing voice.

I decided to re-watch this earlier series first-so, I hunted the DVD Collector Set on Amazon. Love it! (I cannot stomach seeing 1 episode per week on streaming services myself.)

Anyway, even if you like the new version, I recommend you try the 'original'.

10/10 Chamberlain=King of Mini-series!! (And alive, turning 80, in 2024!)

" In the far East, you will find the Japans, Karma and your Destiny "

[thinker1691 · 9/10 · 9 March 2013]

The extraordinary six-part novel " SHOGUN " was written by noted author James Clavel, superbly directed by Jerry London and came to American audiences in the 1980s. From the first chapter to the last, the cast which included Richard Chamberlain who plays Anjin-san (Pilot), Toshirô Mifune as Lord Yoshi Toranaga and Yôko Shimada and Lady Mariko, captivated American's attention for Japanese culture during the entire length of the series. Indeed, the romantic love story between two two principals prompted a loyal viewing audience and a million letters to the network. Clavel set his story of John Blackthorne in the 16th century Japan where he lands. During his stay, he is soon adopted into the civilization where he meets Lady Toda Buntaro (Yôko Shimada) as his Interpretator and later as his love interest. Further, he is also acquainted with both his friends and enemies which include the ever spreading European explorers and Christian Church. The series itself is an interesting blend and exchange of culture, idea and beliefs, mixed with romance and political intrigue. Many audiences are treated to the incredible cast which include the likes of Alan Badel, Damien Thomas and John Rhys-Davies. In addition, there is the beautiful and spacious landscapes which include the impressive customs, Japanese gardens and surrounding Architecture. All in all a great Mini-series. Highly recommended****

Shogun 1980 - TV mini Series

[lohrasb · 10/10 · 8 March 2006]

I watched the series first in 1991, when satellite TV had just come to UK. All these years I wanted to watch the series, again!

Only this time, I had no idea how much it was going to effect me! Back then, I was eighteen and it seemed just another swash-buckling adventure. Almost a decade later, I could actually see people and their lives! Back to time when honour and shame actually meant life and death!

I even got the audio book! It helped me realise how Jerry London's adaptation remained true 2 the text! The book certainly complements the series and fills in the missing gaps!

James Clavell was captured by the Japanese in Singapore and spent most of the Second World War in captivity. It is quite astonishing that instead of hating his captors he came to admire their culture and simply demonstrate the mutual prejudices of both sides!

With the exception of Toshirô Mifune, it is quite disheartening to find hardly anything on the Japanese cast of the series! After much search I came across a small passage on Yoko Shimada , who starred alongside Richard Chamberlain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Shimada

Miko Taka, Lord Toranaga's (Toshirô Mifune) consort starred alongside Marlon Brando in the movie Sayonara 1957! And yet there's nothing on her, either.

It's been said that Yoko Shimada was the only Japanese, speaking English in the series. But, that is not true! Further down the line, a Jesuit Japanese priest appears, who also speaks English!

High Adventure of an Englishman in Feudal Era Japan

[ebiros2 · 6/10 · 26 February 2013]

Based on a real life English pilot William Adam's (Japanese name Miura Anjin) life, Shogun is a fictional account of John Blackthorn's adventure in the feudal era (Azuchi Momoyama period) Japan. Some other characters are also based on actual historic figure (Like Kagetora is caricature of Iyeyasu ), but their names are changed in this story.

Tossed by a storm, John Blackthorn's (Richard Chamberlain) ship Erathmus reaches the shore of Japan. He's met with Lord Yabu's (Franky Sakai) soldiers. Blackthorn is initially shocked at the barbaric deeds of the samurai but gradually leans the ropes to live in this foreign country.

Cultural depiction of Japan of the era is not entirely accurate, and behavior is exaggerated to bring the point to the viewers. This was in the early '80s when the Americans were still getting acquainted with sushi, and knew lot less about the Japanese culture. But it was bold move on NBC's part to broadcast such epic story for 5 nights in a row when this series first aired. Japanese actress Yoko Shimada won the Emmy for best actress that year.

It's not an authentic portrayal of samurai culture which is bit unfortunate, but the series deserves an A+ for putting the period drama of Japan in the early '80s. 20 years later, Hollywood does a much better job with the likes of "The Last Samurai" that impressed even the Japanese with its accurate depiction of Japanese towns and villages.

The show should be viewed with couple of grains of salt, but the adventure of John Blackthorn is an intriguing and exciting tale to watch.

Should you see this? Hai!

[winstonsmith_84 · 10/10 · 4 October 2003]

I have been a huge fan of Kurosawa movies, epics like Gladiator, and other movies as such. Then I stumbled across this wonderful series in my video store. The story is of epic proportions, one which follows a European man's journey through old Japan. These were the days when Europeans were new to Japan, and it is exciting to see the character transformation which occurs in our main character, Anji.

Although this is a mini made in the 80s, it could well have been a movie (a rather long one!), since it was done so well. Interesting characters, all set in such a complex narrative with unexpected turns.

I am a big fan of Japan, and if you are interested in the country and the customs there, see this. Since it is from Anji's perspective we are led into the story through his eyes, understand what he understands, maybe a little bit more in some trouble spots. But narrative is done very well, and yeah... no flaws with this series.

The 6 hours or so was worth every minute, and I highly recommend.

"Shogun" Flopped In Japan

[bigverybadtom · 6/10 · 19 December 2016]

The series did roughly follow the James Clavell novel, though much was left out. Partly due to the novel being so complicated, but also because the series was geared less to explain history of 1600 Japan and its relation to Europe than it was to introduce America to Japanese culture when most Americans knew little about sake and ninjas.

Visually the movie was pretty, but the story focused far too much on the love affair between Blackthorne and Mariko, wife of another samurai, with their spending a lot of time laying together and saying repeatedly how much they love one another. Enough already, we got the idea. And what about Mariko's husband, he just lets it all happen? (The novel explains how this problem ended up being bypassed.) Good if you want light entertainment, but read the novel for a much more long and complicated but more thorough and logical story.

simply awful

[mx44 · 1/10 · 14 September 2007]

I'm really mad today because I expected to see a good show.Instead I've seen something.Almost everything is changed.I know the book by heart and this changes made me scream and swear all the time.Blackhtorne seems to be quite stopid,Mariko knows English I guess,not Portuguese,Toranaga is just a cruel leader(when he's the main character in the book). What sort of trickery is this? Blackthorne is a great character in the book(Latin is a must,also for Mariko,Alvito is magnificent,Toranaga is the puppet master etc),but they everything look so dull.To bad I can't give it a ZERO! But I tell you a simple thing: "Read the book and open your mind!"