Shogun (1980)

To live and Die a Samurai

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Sep 1, 2006

Pros: Detailed and descriptive. Closely mirrors the book.

Cons: Much of what made the book great couldn't be included. Key facts are missing as a result.

Shogun is one of those great made
for televsion movies that has not
only endured, but wins new fans
all the time.

Grand on an epic scale, the proper
length of the full movie is nearly
nine (9) hourse long. Within that
time, you are thrust deep within
the political and social events
of ancient Japan. And as a result,
you get to witness first hand what
changes resulted with the coming of
stangers from the west.

This film also examines the social
classes of Japan at the time and how
the arrival of John Blackthorn not
only affects the ruling class, but
changes the opinions of several key
policy makers within the ruling
structure.

As stated above, the length of this
movie can be hard to sit through,
however if you watch the first of
five disks, I bet you'll become
hooked.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 6, 2006

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 3, 2006

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Mar 20, 2006

Shogun (1980 TV Mini-Series)

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Oct 14, 2003 | 2 out of 2 found this Shogun (1980) review helpful

Pros: Faithful to book, superb sets & costuming...

Cons: Needs the full 12 hours to appreciate...

I read James Clavell's "Tai Pan" in 1976 and experienced the most incredible description of a typhoon ever written. I was hooked and subsequently read Clavell's other novel; King Rat.

When Shogun was published, I devoured it immediately. I'm sure that at the time, I never thought it'd be made into a movie due to it's complexity of story and characters. When I noticed it had been made into a mini-series for TV in '80, I was sure it couldn't come anywhere close to the book. That Clavell was Executive Producer was reason enough to watch, so I did! It was spread over 6 nights over 2 weeks in 2 hour chapters.

My question over the past few years is why did it take so long for it to show up on DVD? The show is magnificent from beginning to end. Chamberlain, Mifune & Rhys-Davies were more than perfect. In fact, all the actors chosen were in roles seemingly written for them.

Having lived in Japan for short stints in the 60's & 70's, I was especially critical of the sets since I'm interested in 15th & 16th century Japan & it's culture. Any criticisms I might have had would have been unfounded, since the research into the sets & costumes were faithful to the time.

To say the least, I was pleased with the result of the mini-series. It was as true to the novel as any other films based on books that I've seen in my lifetime. While this is by no means a Kurosawa film, I recommend it highly.

What an awsome movie!!!!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 29, 2003 | 1 out of 2 found this Shogun (1980) review helpful

One of the best movies of that decade. Great storyline.

awesome

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 12, 2003 | 1 out of 1 found this Shogun (1980) review helpful

this is the best show you'll ever see

shogun

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 30, 2003

it is the best series i have ever seen

You need to see this television show

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 13, 2003 | 0 out of 1 found this Shogun (1980) review helpful

See this Show Now 07/13/03- 07/18/03- that's right now,now,now!!!!!!!!!!

Shogun (Feature version)

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 9, 2003 | 1 out of 1 found this Shogun (1980) review helpful

I whole-heartedly agree with the two previous reviews but my rating is for the feature length (2hr) VHS tape. I thouroughly enjoyed the 4 day mini-series and was glued to the entire story. I thought $200 was too much for VHS so I tried one of the feature tapes. The story kind of gets through but is no where close to the expectations established by the mini series. They never even get to the point where all of the actors begin to speak engish (Anjin-san learns to speak Japanese). Then again, how do you cram a mini-series into a 2 hr feature movie. I am glad I tried the Feature VHS though because now I know that I want the full mini-series version because I know what is missing. Also, the VHS feature was not real expensive. My recommendation, wait for the mini-series to come out on DVD to get the full experience of a shipwrecked sailor in a foreign and vastly complex land. Who grows, learns and loves while trying to keep an open mind and staying focused on his goals to survive.

Shogun

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Feb 9, 2002 | 1 out of 1 found this Shogun (1980) review helpful

I agree with richb2959, I cannot believe that this awsome movie has not been converted onto DVD. Let's get hot people. I'm sure that, other than myself, there would be many out there who would jump at the chance of owning this EPIC if it were on DVD.

Shogun

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 15, 2001 | 1 out of 1 found this Shogun (1980) review helpful

I can't believe this beautiful story has not made it to DVD yet. It's been 21 years since I sat glued to the TV for 4 nights to watch James Clavell's finest work brought to the screen, albeit the small screen. The film, and book, gives us an incredible insight into Japanese culture, society and history. Orson Welles' narration of the critical parts of the series was great. The viewer is put into the same position as Chamberlain's character in which he does not understand Japanese. There are no subtitles and as "Anjin-san" learns to speak Japanese, so does the viewer. I recall for several months after the show aired that many people would use Japanese phrases from the show and if you could answer then they knew you saw it.