Shogun

Rating:
Summary: SHOGUN OVER OUR HEARTS
Review: SHOGUN is a sweeping, historical saga, translated beautifully into a visual masterpiece. Pilot-Major John Blackthorne, is an English navigator, who shipwrecks off the coast of Japan. Blackthorne, played by the incomparable Richard Chamberlain, is captured by savage Japanese soldiers, resulting in his involvement with the ferocious, fearless Lord Toranaga, played by Toshiro Mifune, and eventually assimilated into Japanese culture. He is dangerous and bold, fearless and strong, becoming the first foreigner to be made a Samurai warrior. As such, he is caught up with the feuding warlords, intent on becoming SHOGUN, supreme military dictator, over the Japans. Blackthorne has another side also, compassionate and caring, gentle and tender, romancing his beautiful Japanese interpreter, Mariko, played by the amazing Yoko Shimada. This film has it all; savage battles, political intrigue, forbidden love, played out in 17th century feudal Japan. You will laugh. You will cry. You will thrill with anticipation, as you are caught up in the glory and triumph, of this nine hour epic adventure. The cast was magnificent, and Richard Chamberlain gave the performance of his life. As my favorite actor, and being familiar with all his works, I have never seen him play a role with more joy. His countenance was radiant throughout the entire film. SHOGUN producers, Frank Cardea and Eric Berkovici, credit him with carrying the entire production. "He memorized lengthy scripts, mostly in Japanese, worked with co-stars who spoke little or no English, and physically spent himself, working 18 hour days, in the heat of summer, cold of winter, under primitive conditions, and never stopped smiling, nor did he once complain." "If it had been any other actor, 20 years later, we would still be filming." James Clavell, writer of SHOGUN, went from apprehension, to complete confidence in Chamberlain's ability, to play his beloved Blackthorne. It was said, he was thrilled with Richard's performance, and couldn't imagine any one else, playing the role more effectively. What wonderful tributes to a deserving and talented actor. Because he loves and understands the Japanese, their customs, and culture; Richard Chamberlain understood the transformation that had happened, to the heart and soul of Blackthorne. He had given his heart to Mariko, and the Japanese had captured his soul. The strength of the closing scene was simply this: In the end, he could not leave Japan, because he could never belong anywhere else. He had become one of them! Lord Toranaga ultimately reigned SHOGUN over the Japans; but in Richard Chamberlain's kingdom, he is royal, his fans are loyal, and he reigns SHOGUN over our hearts.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, well worth owning to watch over and over!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: SIMPLY AMAZING!
Review: Definitely a great epic movie, Shogun, brings to the screen the story of John Blackthorne, an English navigator/pilot whose ship, flying the Dutch colors, sinks off the coast of Japan washing him and part of the crew on Japan's shores.
Stranded there, he gets entangled in the shady factional politics of Medieval Japan, while becoming accustomed to the culture and traditions of the "Land of the Rising Sun."
The film combines romance, drama, action and adventure making it one of the best of its kind!
Moreover, the clash between the Dutch/England and Spain/Portugal is as fascinating as the conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism, and both are presented very well in the film.
The plot is extraordinary and opens a window into the mysterious Orient.
Furthermore, shot on location it provides for some amazing scenery.

Needless to say, Richard Chamberlain, Hiromi Senno, Toshiro Mifune, John-Rhys Davies, and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least, especially Hiromi Senno's character who as Fujiko, steals the show!
The actors' great talent and chemistry clearly shows, thus providing an entertaining film that can be watched over and over again.
The setting, the dialogues, the music and the costumes are all wonderful!
It is a movie definitely worth owning, yet alone watching, especially for those with a soft spot for History, and especially Eastern/Oriental enthusiasts.


Rating:
Summary: Something must be wrong with me...
Review: but I did not like this movie. It's so slow, and there's a lot of Japanese with no subtitles. And a lot of very slow walking. I just couldn't get into it.

Rating:
Summary: Good Companion to the Book
Review: I first read Shogun this past summer (2004), and liked it so much that I just had to buy this DVD set. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I felt it was unable to completely capture Toranaga's cleverness and wit. I got my brother hooked on the book, and he has been watching the DVD incrementally after he reads a section of the book. It's quite fun being able to pick out the little differences between the book and this series. As countless others here have said, this DVD set is awesome, but as usual, not as good as the book.

Rating:
Summary: The Conversion of Pilot-Major Blackthorne.
Review: "Shogun" (1980) TV series came as a major surprise as I usually do not expect too much from TV products. First puzzled, then absorbed, waiting each week for the next step. I enjoyed this very faithful to the original book (as I had later opportunity to verify) mini series.

Mr. Clavell (author of the book and one of the executive producers) constructs a master piece reflecting how two so different symbolic universes interact and react to each other. European vision and values embodied by Pilot-Major Blackthorne, Japanese ones by Toranaga-sama and Mariko-san. Characters are based on real-life people: Pilot-Major William Adams and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Situated in the late 16th century Japan, at the critical transition from a feudal state to a centralized administration (the Shogunate) that will last until 19th century, the story depicts the struggle of Toranaga to be designed Shogun..
Blackthorne, step by step, discovers the values of Samurai code, learn Japanese, understand the complex psychology of the people surrounding him and fall in love with a noble woman. Finally he is converted in a true Samurai with a high rank in Toranaga's entourage.
The story also reflects the deep conflicts aroused between different European groups, struggling to obtain exclusive access to this huge market. Portuguese, Spaniards, Dutch and English are opposed not only by commercial rivalry but also by religious drives.

The mini series has a big budget support, reflected in the care put to recreate ambiance, wardrobe, weaponry and amazing interiors and gardens.
Japanese actors and actress greatly contribute to render verisimilar the whole play.
As for the characterizations: Richard Chamberlain, as Pilot-Major Blackthorne, gives a very sober and realistic composition; Toshiro Mifune, as Toranaga-sama is outstanding; Yoko Shimada, as Mariko-san is delicate and beautiful. Supporting cast is also very good and we may point out Frankie Sakai (Yabu), Damien Thomas (Father Alvito), John Rhys-Davies (Rodrigues) and Yuki Meguro (Omi) as over par.
It also may be noted that "Shogun" has been nominated and won some Emmy Awards.

Enjoy this mini series!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.


Rating:
Summary: Wonderful drama, great educational masterpiece
Review: I have not read the book but I bough the DVD as soon as I saw it available. I had watched the series back in the early 80's when I was just 8... I loved it then and to see all those scenes again now at 30 was just great. If you don't know much about medieval Japan, the Japan of the Samurais, this can be an excellent starting point. I am sure you will love the story and the historical details that are given to you as a cultural present.

Rating:
Summary: Dated Movie but so wonderfully done!
Review: I am not sure how I should start? I suppose I suggest you read the book first before you watch (...and probably have to buy) the movie. It is dated and certainly not up to the current standards of special effects that we see in the movies today. But what it lacks in that category it spills over in abundance with acting and just beauty. This was not an action film. It was a drama about a mans transformation and how he adapted to an entirely foreign land. And it was about a women of the highest nobility in Japan and how she came to love such a foreign man. He was a Barbarian to her at first, a man to be despised and reviled. At first she thought him a liar and his thoughts and ways revolting. Later she came to understand him, his ways, his honor and compassion, his unpredicability, his incredible knowledge and mind, his bravery and courage and most importantly his love for her. She knew in her heart of hearts, he was Samarui and a man she would forever love.

The movie does not do the book justice, but Yoko Shimada is (or was I guess) one of the most beautiful actresses you will find in a movie. Indeed, the costumes were so beautiful. If I were an actor or actress in that movie, that would have been in my contract (that I get to keep the kimono's that I wear). They were absolutely stunning. The movie is worth watching just for the beauty of the costumes. Yoko Shimada - The Lady Toda Buntaro Mariko, in her pink kimono's was the picture of beauty, much like the godess Aphrodite or perhaps like the Mona Lisa. But in the book you will read and come to understand that she was so much more than that. A wonderfully talented, intelligent, gifted, courages and brave women, not to mention beautiful. How could any man not want a women like her? Her husband did, but did not, such a fool! Blackthorne came to love her on a plane of love that I think only few of us ever experience. I am saddened to have to say that. We should all be so fortunate to experience such spiritual love! Their bodies were not just one, but their entire conscience, and their souls became eternally bonded. They became one in body and soul. Who could ask for more in life?

One of the things you won't notice probably on first viewing of the film is Yoko Shimada's blemishes (pimples). I didn't the first time I watched the movie but I do now. It is actually realistic. Such a beautiful women, who also had problems with her complexion at times. The makeup artists did a wonderful job of making them more or less transparent, but it was to me a reality of life and one that was nicely left in the movie. It made it seem so much more real.

I bought this movie because I liked the book so much and because you can't find it in a rental store as far as I can tell. The movie is different from the book but I think you will thoroughly enjoy the acting and the film, although it strays somewhat from the book in theme and in the various plots. Both Shimada and Chamberlain won best actress and actor awards, and the film best TV mini series, and more I think. There are some scenes in the movie that I particularly like. The romantic scenes for one were just so captivating. Yoko Shimada as the Lady Toda is just so seductive and beguiling. Her eyes just enticed me and I wish they had been meant for me! I fell hopelessly in love with her when I watched this movie and those scenes although there was no nudity, just dialogue. But there are other stirring scenes throughout the movie (the 4 DVD discs) that make this movie worth watching. The one in particular was when Blackthorne was officially made Samurai and Hatamoto, Admiral of Toranagas fleet and given incredible wealth, a Lordship actually, a fief and just unbelievable gifts. This was done in front of hundreds of Toranaga's officers, not just Samurai. You don't quite understand the significance of this in the movie unless you have read the book, because the movie did not indicate that.

I was in the navy at the time this movie aired, an officer on submarines. Yoko Shimada and I are the same age. I wish I could have met her back then!!! I know so well the loneliness that can overcome you while out at sea. I never watched TV back then or read much fiction, only science fiction and fantasy when I had the time. For many years I have not watched TV, except for the news. I only know of this movie because of the reviews about the book on Amazon.com and I happened to have the book in my library, a gift from a friend many years ago. I loved reading the book (recently) so I decided to buy the movie. If I had seen the movie back then, in 1980, I would have taken 60 days leave, hopped the first military flight from Norfolk, VA ( when I returned to port, which was seldom, hehe)to Tokyo, or wherever Yoko might have been in Japan in the hopes that she was not married, and hope that I might get a date with her hehe :) To me she is just that beautiful ( and my guess is she still is). And also to experience the beauty that is Japan. I was an east coast, North Atlantic, Artic and Mediterranean sailor, and a few other spots, hehe :). Europe is beautiful though and I loved my leave when I was there. I saw such wonders. Despite most movies and books I guess, sailors are not just about debauchery, we do love culture too. I never was on the west coast. I wish now I had been on the west coast sailing. Although nuclear submarines are not allowed in Japanese ports it would have been an easy hop from the Phillipines to anywhere in Japan.

If you like a fantastic tale, and beautiful costumes and wonderful acting, you will love this movie. You won't find much better acting than the Japanese actors in this film. I really got a kick out of Captain Yoshinaka, and you will understand if you watch the film :) I suggest you read the book first. Even though the movie is different in some of the tale, you will appreciate having read the book before you watch this movie. Enjoy it for its beauty, as I do.


Rating:
Summary: Such a Wonderful Tale and Movie
Review: I am hard pressed to write any better reviews than what I have read, and I don't think I will try. So many other people have done such a marvelous job of describing the movie I would surely fall well short of their prose. I do feel compelled to discuss the movie though and give you my thoughts, because I just fell in love with it, much like the film Casablanca. As others, I think this is the best mini-series I have watched. The story line of the movie was quite different from the book, and at first I found that disturbing, but the second time I watched it I found myself captivated by the story, the majesty, the acting, the beauty of Yuko Shimoto (the Lady Toda Mariko Buntaro), and a portion of the ending that I thought was fit for the way the story was adapted and written for TV. This being when Blackthorne gave to Omi-san the most precious gift he could give him. Omi was a man whom he had originally hated and despised beyond measure, but had come to respect and call friend in the end.

Yes, I fell in love with Mariko-san in the book, and most assuredly in the movie. What man, who prefers to be with a woman, could not love such a wonderous, intelligent and most beautiful and pristine woman, neh? hehe The second bedroom scene ( first day out of Yokese) between Blackthorne and Mariko I think is the most romantic scene I have seen in the movies. There was no nudity, or obvious physical bonding, just a dialogue and a look that proved that their love was on a spiritual plane, not just pillowing, as the book called it, the physical bonding of a man and woman. They were as soul mates, much like the movie "Serendipity", which I like immensely. The look on Yuko Shimodo's face was so radiant, and her eyes so beguiling. Such a beautiful and wonderful actress for this role. Who could not love her, neh? I would think anyone watching it would feel the sensuality and spiritual bonding that Clavell tried to covey and did in such a beautiful way in the book, as well as the movie.

I have read much about Chamberlain's acting in this role. It could have been better I think. I have thought allot about who would be better at that period of time to act in the role, but I can't think of anyone. The only two that come to mind in recent times are James Caviezel because I liked him so much in the role of the "The Count of Monte Cristo" (that movie being a complete rewrite of the book, which was a shame in my opinion). The other being Daniel Day-Lewis, who I thought was fabulous in the movie, "Last of the Mohicans". I think each would make a better Blackthorne, but this is 24 years later, hehe. And now I just remembered that Chamberlain also played the role of the Count in an earlier version of the classic. I guess maybe the casting people see the same type of man in the role of Blackthorne. I think they did a marvelous job nonetheless.

A few words on the characters. We all get caught up in the majesty of the time. It was a feudal period in Japans history, and this story is about the priviledged minority: a very small minority. The lady Toda for instance is, according to the book, the 4th most highly revered woman in Japan. It is so easy to get caught up in that kind of pagentry as we read about it and get lost in the book as we become one with the characters, or also watch the movie and do the same. I am reminded of a scene from "History of the World II" where Mel Brookes removes his head from the buxom bosom of a fair damesel and proclaims, "IT IS GOOD TO BE KING", hehe. Certainly this movie and the book make that statement so true. I don't think I would like living in feudal Japan as a peasant, or eta. I am certain I would love to have lived there as a lord though, just as Pilot Major John Blackthorne, Anjin-san: Samurai, Hatamoto, Admiral of the Fleet and most highly regarded confidant, vassal and friend to his liege lord, Toranaga-sama, the Shogun (the military ruler of all Japan).

I hope you have enjoyed my thoughts. I hope you watch the movie, but more importantly, read the book. The book is, as always, so much better.

I highly recommend this movie and of course the book to anyone who loves to learn and read and loves a good story. It is one of the most captivating stories I have read. I learned allot of Japanese from the book, as well as the movie too. That was a plus. By the way, Blackthorne could speak fluently in 5 languages, and he was learning Japanese, the 6th. Lady Toda could speak 3. That did not come out in the movie. A few extra hours in the series could have made so many behind the scenes intrigue and knowledge of the characters become apparent. Oh well, so sorry! :)

Rating:
Summary: SHOGUN OVER OUR HEARTS
Review: SHOGUN is a sweeping, historical saga, translated beautifully into a visual masterpiece. Pilot-Major John Blackthorne, is an English navigator, who shipwrecks off the coast of Japan. Blackthorne, played by the magnificent Richard Chamberlain, is captured by savage Japanese soldiers, resulting in his involvement with the ferocious, fearless Lord Toranaga, played by Toshiro Mifune, and eventually assimilated into Japanese culture. He is dangerous and bold, fearless and strong, becoming the first foreigner to be made a Samurai warrior. As such, he is caught up with the feuding warlords, intent on becoming SHOGUN, supreme military dictator, over the Japans. Blackthorne has another side also, compassionate and caring, gentle and tender, romancing his beautiful Japanese interpreter, Mariko, played by the amazing Yoko Shimada.

This film has it all: savage battles, political intrigue, forbidden love, played out in 17th century feudal Japan. You will laugh. You will cry. You will thrill with anticipation, as you are caught up in the glory and triumph, of this nine hour epic adventure. The cast was magnificent, and Richard Chamberlain gave the performance of his life. As my favorite actor, and being familiar with all his works, I have never seen him play a role with more joy. His countenance was radiant throughout the entire film. SHOGUN producers, Frank Cardea and Eric Berkovici, credit him with carrying the entire production. "He memorized lengthy scripts, mostly in Japanese, worked with co-stars who spoke little or no English, and physically spent himself, working 18 hour days, in the heat of summer, cold of winter, under primitive conditions, and never stopped smiling, nor did he once complain. If it had been any other actor, 20 years later, we would still be filming." It was a travesty, the actor did not win a Best Actor Emmy, for his magnetic and unforgettable performance, as Pilot-Major John Blackthorne. His millions of fans will never understand or forget. I do not watch the Emmys to this day.

James Clavell, writer of SHOGUN, went from apprehension, to complete confidence in Chamberlain's ability, to play his beloved Blackthorne. It was said, he was thrilled with Richard's performance, and couldn't imagine any one else, playing the role more effectively. What wonderful tributes to a deserving and talented actor. Because he loves and understands the Japanese, their customs and culture, Richard Chamberlain understood the transformation that had happened, to the heart and soul of Blackthorne. He had given his heart to Mariko, and the Japanese had captured his soul. The strength of the closing scene was simply this: In the end, he could not leave Japan, because he could never belong anywhere else. HE HAD BECOME ONE OF THEM!

Lord Toranaga ultimately reigned SHOGUN over the Japans, but in Richard Chamberlain's kingdom, he is royal, his fans are loyal, and he reigns SHOGUN over our hearts. (See my review of Empires: Japan - Memoirs Of A Secret Empire, narrated by the incomparable Richard Chamberlain.) - Treat your children to both of these wonderful DVD's for an intriguing journey through 17th Century Feudal Japan.