An English navigator becomes both a player and pawn in the complex political games in feudal Japan.
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S1.E4
Anjin-san's assimilation of Japanese ways is evident in his exemplary conduct. Toranaga decides to return the Erasmus to Anjin-san. Mariko tells Father Alvito of a plot to murder a Christian lord on ...
S1.E1
Set in early 17th-century Japan, shipwrecked English navigator John Blackthorne finds intrigue and culture shock in a feudal society that puts a premium on honor. A rival Lord sentences Blackthorne ...
S1.E2
After Lord Toronaga rescues Blackthorn from prison, he enlists him as his aide and names him, 'Anjin-san'. Mariko is directed to tutor Anjin-san in the language and customs of Japan.
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Title: Shogun (1980)
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Pilot-Major John Blackthorne (Richard Chamberlain), an English ship pilot, whose vessel wrecked upon the Japanese coast in the early seventeenth 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 Lord Yoshi Toranaga (Toshirô Mifune) and Ishido (Nobuo Kaneko), who struggle for the title of "Shogun", which will give ultimate power to the one who possesses it. Written by Harald Mayr <marvin@bike.augusta.de>
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The epic adventure of feudal Japan, its magnificent warriors and a love it would not allow. See more »Certificate:
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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.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Will Adams, the real-life English sea captain and adventurer who made it to Japan in the 16th century, has a street named after him in Japan: Anjin-Cho. See more »Goofs
Blackthorne says to Toranaga that Portugal and Spain had shared the world between them through the "Treaty of Zaragoza". In fact that division was made by the "Treaty of Tordesilhas" (1494), signed by King João II of Portugal and King Fernando and Queen Isabel of Spain. The "Treaty of Zaragoza" was signed by King John III of Portugal and Emperor Carlos V in 1529 and its only aim was to clarify the question about the control over the Maluki Islands. See 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.
See more »
Alternate Versions
Released on video in an extremely truncated, two-hour form as Shogun. Among the changes:- A more gruesome version of an early scene where a man is beheaded.
- A brief moment of full frontal nudity on the part of one of the young Japanese women.
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Release Date:
15 September 1980 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
James Clavell's Shogun See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
Asahi National Broadcasting Company, Jardine Matheson Co. Ltd., National Broadcasting Company (NBC) See more »
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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.