Rating: 
Summary: Shogun is the best
Review: I saw the mini-series when it first came on TV I did not get it at the time. But have been looking for it for years. It is one of the best TV mini-series I have ever seen. Most books that have been made into either mini-series or movies are very different from the book. This mini-series is by far the best adaption of any book I have ever seen. I can not recommend it highly enough.
Rating: 
Summary: Shogun, a samurai story.
Review: The first time I saw this miniserie, was in 1981. I saw it in black and white because there were not color television in my country. This story inspired me to try to learn more about the japanese culture and language. "Shogun" and "The Seven Samurais" are films that should be seen for those who loves Martial Arts.
Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: No movie has ever caused such a profound impact on me as Shogun did more than 20 years ago. I remember I was simply fascinated by the mini-series and it triggered on me an insatiable curiosity about the Japanese culture. I still remember the Japanese words learned through the mini-series. 20 yrs. later, I finally got the book, which I am reading right now, and it is as fascinating as the mini-series was... to the point I came to Amazon looking for the DVD's! If the mini-series is just half as good as I remember it, it will be a treasure in anyone's DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: Rating the remastered show recently on television
Review: If the show that recently shown on tv is any indication, Shogun has aged well. The Japanese actors are particularly good, the women sexy, the men tough. This was an incredible book, and the care with which it translates into a miniseries is evident, although the violence is a little too toned down for tv. It's a marathon viewing so save it for the blizzard or the endless rainy weekend.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie Ever
Review: There's not a lot one can say about this movie... It's the absolute best thing out here. I am glad I waited for the DVD set now.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Film
Review: One of the best, artistic samurai movies that came out during 1980. A key scene is when Frankie Sakai tells the people in the village that they have to teach Richard Chamberlain japanese (quickly) or they would all die and Richard Chamberlain gets Sakai to rescind his decree, that he must learn japanese so quickly. This scene tells us that Sakai was too hard on the people of the village. Regarding the costumes, it had beautifully done wardrobes on the samurai and the women.
Rating: 
Summary: Shogun-the miniseries
Review: This movie started out pretty intense but as the movie went on it began to slow down.There were a lot of great charaters in this movie.The thing the viewer has to get used to is that the charaters speak a lot of japenese so you have to pay attention to what is being said or you will lose the story.The movie itself was well made the the ending was a disappointment but I would still recommend people to watch it.
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Summary: Reasons for Lack of Subtitles
Review: Stunning miniseries! But, the purpose of this review is to give an alternate viewpoint on the 'frustrating' lack of subtitles that some previous reviews complained about. The main purpose of a lack of subtitles is to really bring you into Blackthorn's shoes and let you feel what he is feeling. There is enough narration to get across important plot information, but you have to figure out the rest, just like Blackthorn. It really increases the drama when you don't know whether Blackthorn's captors are discussing the weather or deciding the manner of his death. On my first viewing, I found myself paying close attention to every facial expression and shrug of body language in the desperate attempt to learn (just as Blackthorn is). It is really a simple and effective way of drawing you into the world and making you relate to the main character. By the time Blackthorn and Rodriguez are on the ship together, I felt I really had a handle on some basic Japanese, just as Blackthorn did. Even later in the story and armed with my basic knowledge of Japanese, the lack of subtitles is still effective. It makes you listen attentively and patiently (even cautiously) and still brings you effortlessly into the shoes of the wiser Blackthorn. Subtitles may be an option on the DVD version, but I'll never use them.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous after all these years!
Review: Shogun has been, and always will be one of the best Mini Series to hit television!Never has there been a more perfectly constructed use of television to convey a story either before or since this mini series. Put simply, Shogun is a masterful adaptaion of the James Clavell Novel that translates with complete perfection to the screen. Personally, I have been waiting for the release of this movie on DVD since DVD was invented. The VHS tape was just too expensive, and not good enough quality to merit the honor this film deserves!
It is the story of Pilot Major Blackthorn
(an English navagator aborad Dutch sailing Ship who lands on the "Japans")played by Richard Chamberlain, who is forced to learn the Japanese language and culture because if he does not, his crew and entire villiages will be put to death. He is taught the language and customs through the teachings of Mariko(Yoko Shimada), a japanese lady who is trusted by one of highest lords of Japan: Lord Toranaga(played by Toshiro Mifune). Pilot Major Blackthorn, eventually falls in love with Mariko, and forms a love triangle with Lord Buntaro(Mariko's husband) on their journy to fulfill Lord Toronagas ambition fo becoming a "Shogun" warlord.The only title more powerful than Emperor.This is only a infinitessimal glimpse of the plot! It is a huge whilrwind of honor,political boundaries, culture, and tradition amidst a touching story of love. All of which are portayed beautifully in fuedal Japan. The costumes and settings are pristine, and the language is kept as close to the original time period Japanese as was possible for the translations.
Just as "American Yakuza" (a film from the 1990's) was true to
the current Japanese language and culture, so was this film true to the ancient culture and language of Japan.
The Mini series is a masterpiece. All the performers were perfect in the roles. Which range from Traditional Japanese roles to Spanish traders, to Jesuit priests. If you value history, and cherish tradion, this is a film to covet! There are not enough words in the English language to describe how wonderful this film is. By all means if you enjoy things from Japan, and value their history and culture, this fim is for you!
Rating:
Summary: OK, this may be a little premature...
Review: but I've been waiting for years for this miniseries to be released on DVD. As a kid I saw "Shogun" when it first aired and was completely blown away. This is probably the most elaborate and expensive TV that was ever - or will ever be - made. It is a work of art, with superb acting, intense and beautiful scenery, brutal and graphic scenes of sex and violence that all move an absolutely incredible and detailed plot line forward. It is the opposite of all the garbage reality TV that maximize Exec profits while destroying any and all intelligence and art to television. I don't know if "Shogun" ever made the profits that "The Pleasure Hotel" will make, but it will definitely go down as the pinnacle of The Golden Age of the Miniseries. About time they brought this to DVD! PS. The book is still better.
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