Shogun

Incomprehensibly, they tried to sell a two-hour version of the 10-hour miniseries, and it's junk. Why anybody went through this (and I pity the poor editor who had an impossible job) is beyond me, except that there must have been a greedy executive somewhere who thought there was money to be made. Skip the 2-hour version, and dive in to another world, another time.

The full-length version of the miniseries is now available on DVD, and it's the best way to see it. There's a first-rate adaptation of Clavell's novel, crisp direction and sterling performances by Richard Chamberlain, Yoko Shimada and Toshiro Mifune. Outstanding support by John Rhys Davies, Damien Thomas and Alan Badel, as well as a host of Japanese actors keeps the atmosphere rich and the action strong. The adventures of an English Pilot (Chief navigator) in 1600 in Japan - the height of the samurai power - are riveting. Blackthorne (Chamberlain) lands in the midst of the mighty struggle for Shogun: military dictator of the country that's had 600 years of civil war. Unlike many another action tale, an educated woman has a pivotal role.

Or read the book. In the words of one reviewer, "It simply will not let the reader go."

I won't waste your time on repeating what the others have said, but I will repeat that this is the best of the best when it comes to modern mini-series. What I would like to see instead of all the stupid reality shows that plague T.V., is a series based on the James Clavell books starting with Shogun A.D.1600, then Tai-Pan A.D. 1841, then move to King Rat A.D. 1945, Noble House A.D. 1963, and finish with Whirlwind A.D.1979. The dates are from WhirlWind, the fifth novel in the Asian Saga. Since this will probably never happen, pick-up Shogun, Tai-Pan, and King Rat as they are all available in either DVD or VHS. Richard Chamberlain and Yoko Shimada are truly terrific together. They play their parts so well, that you can't help but to be drawn into their lives. Having lived in Japan for three years, Shogun had special meaning to me, but anyone who loves action and a good romance will not be disappointed. Please check it out. No flaws in this one.

This is absolutely a brilliant interpretation of the 1100 page book by James Clavell. Of course some details are left out, but I reckon only one time in the movie are you in doubt of whats going on (I am referring to the episode where Toranaga tries to escape the Ishido castle).

The movie is very close to the book, which for me, was a positive experience.

The story is well told and good acting is shown through the whole movie. The nature of the movie is, that when having watched an episode it is very hard not to see the following and the following and so on.

Are you into samurai stuff this is clearly a cool movie - note however, that there are not many battle scenes.

Tedium beyond belief. Starring the execrable Richard Chamberlain, equal only to Patrick Wayne or Doug McClure for boredom. Toshiro Mifune is brilliant as always, but nothing redeems this film. I do commend the director for a valiant effort, and the subtitling of the Japanese characters was daring and effective. Still, an overall waste of time. Read the novel for a much more compelling experience.

This is the one, that showed everyone else how to really tell a book in a mini-series. No body had every really got it right before. Very few have gotten it right since. This is for people that love books, told on film. Not a butchered hatchet job.

A Classic.