IMDb > "Shogun" (1980)
"Shogun"
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"Shogun" (1980) More at IMDbPro »TV mini-series


Overview

User Rating:
8.3/10   3,215 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Jerry London
Writers:
James Clavell (novel)
Eric Bercovici (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Shogun on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 full episode list
Release Date:
15 September 1980 (USA) more
Genre:
Adventure | Drama | History | War more
Plot:
A English navigator becomes both a player and pawn in the complex political games in feudal Japan. full summary
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 13 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Richard Chamberlain Wears King Arthur's Crown In Spamalot
 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 16 February 2009, 6:01 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Rich and fulfilling, a great adaptation of Clavell's masterpiece more (34 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 1 of 44)

Richard Chamberlain ... Anjin-san / ... (unknown episodes)
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
James Clavell's Shogun
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Runtime:
60 min (10 episodes)
Country:
USA | Japan
Language:
English | Japanese
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Australia:M (DVD rating) | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG | UK:15

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Luca Bercovici, son of scriptwriter Eric Bercovici, was hired as dialogue coach for 'Yoko Shimada'. There were some words she was not able to pronounce and they had to be changed in the script, that was tailored for her. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: Anjin-san receives a flintlock pistol as a gift from Lord Toranaga. Flintlock pistols were not in wide use until 1630, thirty years before the show's setting. The wheel lock and match lock pistols and muskets, also used in the show, are correct. Additionally, the Europeans were reluctant to export the latest firearms to Japan, preferring to keep the superior weaponry to themselves. more
Quotes:
[after Blackthorne's guard prevented an assassination attempt by Rodrigues]
Pilot-Major John Blackthorne: Captain Yoshinaka was right to search him. Was that your idea?
Lady Toda Buntaro - Mariko: Please excuse me, but I was afraid for you.
Pilot-Major John Blackthorne: Sad, isn't it? Not being able to trust anyone.
Lady Toda Buntaro - Mariko: It is not sad, Anjin-san. It is just one of life's most important rules.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993) more
Soundtrack:
BLACKTHORNE'S SHANTY more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
15 out of 19 people found the following comment useful.
Rich and fulfilling, a great adaptation of Clavell's masterpiece, 2 February 2006
10/10
Author: OttoVonB from Switzerland

In 1976, James Clavell wrote an epic masterpiece: the story of Blackthorne, an English sailor lost in Feudal Japan. He gradually finds his place, oft the central pawn of political intrigues between various foreign powers and the local warlords. In 1980, this miniseries was unleashed on the world and created a whole new audience for the mammoth bestseller. No small feat considering the length and complexity of Clavell's 1200+ page door-stopper. Clocking in at almost 10 hours, this mega-budgeted series delivers the goods. People who have seen "The Last Samurai" might see a few plot similarities (even in certain smaller details: Tom Cruise sports exactly the same haircut as Richard Chamberlain). With all respect for the 2003 film, Shogun is far out of it's reach.

Richard Chamberlain embodies Blackthorne to perfection, successfully gaining our empathy through an ambiguous yet very human performance. Supporting him are Japanese icon Toshiro Mifune as the shrewd warlord and aspiring shogun Torunaga, who befriends/manipulates Blackthorne, and Yoko Shimada as Blackthorne's translator, confident and friend. Every actor gives life to Clavell's carefully drawn and layered characters (most of all a very bombastic John Rhys-Davies). For a television miniseries, the technical specs are quite surprisingly good. Indeed the budget must have been quite important (and set a record at the time) but never is the story or it's rhythm scarified to show-off. The direction and photography are quite tasteful, often reminiscent of early Kurosawa, only in color. Maurice Jarre's score might not reach the lofty heights of his work for David Lean but it serves it's purpose.

Many will tell you that the book is better. It is certainly more intimate and detailed, but a more faithful and excellent adaptation of such a rich book you are not likely to see anytime soon. For anyone with a taste for epics, Japan or just plain good entertainment, this is essential viewing.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Shogun" (1980)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Boiling scene kristijan_bagi
Remake possibilities? Katya0779
A remake could better show the majesty of Japan Mirefox
Mariko's Letter to Blackthorn lilmissd
Chamberlain -- WRONG!!!! marjoriem
Paramount and TV Version blackers-2
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