Shogun (1980)

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

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.

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****

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!

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.