Noble House (1988)

The Worst Film Ever

Great Film overall

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

While the book on which this mini-series is based is great, this mini- series attempt misses the mark. Perhaps I am spoiled by the quality of the "Sho-Gun" miniseries...or, possibly, I am far too cynical of older films and series. Either way, this was just awful. I recommend the book, pass on the mini-series. However, make time for the mini-series of "Sho- Gun" which came out in the 70's. It is very well done and an accurate treatment of the book. With regards to "Noble House", the music, the acting, and the cinematography is classic gaudy 80's rubbish. It felt like watching "Dynasty" or "Falcon Crest" or any number of those proper shite night time drama's from the era. I was a kid then, but I recall being repulsed by their vapid and shallow dramas even then. To sum it all up; "Noble House" and "Sho-Gu"n novels...very good. "Noble House" mini-series...proper trash. "Sho-Gun" miniseries...worth your time.

The 1980's – when the west still dominated the world, and the broadcast nets dominated television, and we still used word processors and didn't have Blackberries. "Noble House" epitomizes the glorification of the corporate CEO that came in with the Reagan decade, with the concomitant glamor of large, organized criminal activity a la "Miami Vice," plus international espionage intrigue with Mainland China, just across the way. It makes for an excellent television mini-series – very high quality production (that sometimes jarring sound track is typical of that era too), lots of money spent, a talented and handsome cast, gorgeous wardrobes, fascinating locale. 1997, when the Brits would give up Hong Kong, the last of their empire, to China, looms throughout the series. Watching it 11 years after that became fact and history, rather than future potential, all of it involved with banks and corporate finance, it doesn't feel dated, but an excellent historical artifact, as well as excellent winter escape entertainment.

The novel of Noble House is one of the most detailed and riveting books you could ever want to read......which is a problem when you want to distill a 1000+ page novel into a movie or mini-series. These guys pulled it off though, using a very truncated version of the story.......and while this was made before War and Remembrance killed off the epic network mini-series, it was probably too expensive to make it much longer.The cast is letter perfect though, especially if you're a fan of the books. Once you see them on screen you can't imagine anyone else in these roles, even if you re-read the books after viewing the series. Pierce Brosnan, by and large one of the few recognizable names to most American viewers, just inhales Ian Dunross, and John Rhys-Davies (who is now much more famous than he was then) is one of the great villains of all time as Quillan Gornt. Deborah Raffin and Ben Masters, who play the Americans Casey Tcholak and Linc Bartlett, are names I wasn't familiar with, but they give such true performances that I'm disappointed that they didn't get more of a bounce off of this. The other supporting parts were done very well, and added to the atmosphere.The only thing that I don't like about the mini-series is that its not out on DVD yet, even with Pierce being so much more famous now than then. It'll come though, and I'll be first in line when it does.Oh yeah, it's worth noting that in a way the mini-series on network TV has come back, they just call them regular series such as 24 and Lost.

Noble House has been well represented on screen - mostly due to the involvement of the author, James Clavell, in the writing of the screenplay.Pierce Brosnan, in his role as Tai-pan Ian Dunross, shows the very talents that would have directly influenced the decision to offer him the role of James Bond. He perfectly blends the debonair with the ruthlessness required to survive in the competitive world of Hong Kong trading companies.Deborah Raffin's performance leaves something to be desired, portraying the corporate female executive making it in a 'man's world'.The book, as is usually the case, is far better, with more interesting sub-plots being developed.Inspector Cross is actually a KGB spy, KC Tcholok was never involved with Ian Dunross - she was Linc Bartletts mistress, and Ian Dunross was married. The reference made in the film to Linc's final question about 'how easy is it to get married in Hong Kong' was not related to Orlanda Ramos - but to Casey.Despite the shortcomings of the mini-series in direct comparison with the book, viewers should judge the mini-series on it's own - without reference to the book.My advice - see the mini-series first - then read the book. If you like the series, you must read the book - it is well worth your while.