Shogun (1980– )

A English navigator becomes both a player and pawn in the complex political games in feudal Japan.

Stars:

Richard Chamberlain, Toshirô Mifune, Yôko Shimada

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Richard Chamberlain	...	Anjin-san (5 episodes, 1980)
Toshirô Mifune	...	Lord Yoshi Toranaga (5 episodes, 1980)
Yôko Shimada	...	Lady Toda Buntaro - Mariko (5 episodes, 1980)

Storyline

John Blackthorne, an English ship pilot, whose vessel wrecked upon the Japanese coast in the early 17th century is forced to deal with the two most powerful men in Japan in these days. He is thrown in the midst of a war between Toranaga and Ishido, who struggle for the title of Shogun which will give ultimate power to the one who possesses it.

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Plot Keywords:

japan | shogun | 17th century | power | hidden agenda | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | War

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Details

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

15 September 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

James Clavell's Shogun

Filming Locations:

Daiei-Kyoto Studios, Kyoto, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Asahi National Broadcasting Company, Jardine Matheson Co. Ltd., National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (10 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nagashima, the filming location for Anjiro, was so remote it was difficult to find accommodation for the whole crew. Due to a misunderstanding the entire crew lost their bookings on the 1st of September, and not the 15th as planned. Changes had to be done in order to be able to finish by September the first but they managed to do it. On the day the shooting ended, a typhoon destroyed the whole set of Anjiro.

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Goofs

When Mariko sends the maid to sleep with Blackthorne, she's wearing a bra.

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Quotes

Vasco Rodrigues: Listen to me, you whore-gutted, pock-marked, motherless scum... I need a favor.

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Connections

Referenced in Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy (2003)

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Soundtracks

"BLACKTHORNE'S SHANTY"
Words and Music by Eric Bercovici

User Reviews

A forgotten Epic masterpiece

I read this book so many years ago I dread to think. I watched the series on TV when it first released here in the UK and was completely blown away by it. A few years later I noticed a video in the video library and hired it. I was disappointed in that because it had be condensed into a mere 125 it was almost unwatchable, but for fans there were a few changed sequences, not least a full frontal view of Lady Mariko Buntaro (Yoko Shimada) that didn't go amiss.

I bought this DVD when it was recently released and its as fresh today as it was then. A few things grate, the large TV type titles showing locations (OK it was made for TV), the fact that we cannot hope to learn Japanese in only 10 hours (although the major plot lines are narrated by Orson Welles) and so miss much of the political intrique set out in the book and of course Maurice Jarre's music now seems to be a little out of place in such an oriental setting.

Take it from me, these are small criticisms of a piece of work that has well stood the test of time. If you have 10 hours to spare, or chunks of it at a time, it is very much worth watching. You won't be disappointed. The only way it could have been better in the DVD version would be to combine some of the scenes from the 125min video version and to subtitle the Japanese. Mel Gibson has proven that we are adult enough to sit through a movie of subtitles if we are motivated enough and with this we would be.