ScoobyWell Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Skyler Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

pyattimac Shogun is an amazing novel, and can be reread countless times yet still present one with overlooked/newly discovered details. To do justice adequately to such a complex/detailed saga seems improbable, yet the miniseries did just that. The acting was spot on, and visually such a feast for the eyes! It really was a great introduction to the roots of Japanese culture, and I learned several words in the language just by reading the book and watching the miniseries. Highly recommend it- you will be sucked in!

ablklab I happened to watch Shogun again on Encore this week. I was shocked when I realized that the original release date was 33 years ago! I was a young 24 years old when I saw it the first time. It made quite an impression on me. I had read the book shortly before and really enjoyed the film I have a suggestion. Shogun should be re-released to a new generation. Here's what should be done to enhance this classic without diminishing or compromising this television classic.1. Do a standard digital remastering similar to other re-releases.2. If possible eliminate the TV "fade-outs to a commercial" that really date this mini-series.3. Re-do the score. The score is the weakest point of the movie. It sounds very 70s and the score sounds like a Rockford Files episode where Jim Rockford visits the Orient. This great classic deserves better.4. Here's the most important one: Add sub-titles. This would bring a whole new dimension to the re-release. Baby-boomers like myself who enjoyed the original three decades ago will be anxious to hear the new dialogue that was not previous translated. I'm not really sure if translating the parts that are already translated by one of the characters (Mariko, Father Alvito for example) would work. Maybe just subtitle other parts.Thirty three years is a long time. Shogun begs for a re-release.

MartinHafer "Shogun" was one of the best mini-series in television history and a HUGE event when it debuted in 1980. It managed to do something very unusual--it taught history while entertaining. This is because James Clavell's novel of the same name took real history of Japan during its pivotal Shogun period and mixes it with wonderful fiction.The series stars Richard Chamberlain as an Englishman who is shipwrecked in Japan in the 16th century. He and his fellow shipmates are taken prisoner--and he alone is eventually released. After release, this man learns everything he can about the country--both through observation and with the help of a beautiful female guide appointed to him by this Shogun. This plot device allows the audience to learn through Chamberlain's eyes--and this works very well. In fact, EVERYTHING works well due to some wonderful performances, wonderful location shooting, a lavish budget and a lovely artistry. This bittersweet tale is compelling from start to finish and should be remembered along with the best of its era such as "Roots", "The Winds of War"/"War and Remembrance" and "Holocaust". A must-see.

OttoVonB 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.