Shogun Review : The Original Masterpiece
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- Опубліковано 25 лют 2024
- #shogun
This video will examine the original mini-series adaptation of Shogun. We will look at the original history the event was based on, and how it stands as an adaption to the novel.
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Music Used
Songs / Tracks:
Peritune - Sakuya
Peritune - Sakuya 2
Peritune - Sakuya 3
Eric Taylor - Traditional Japanese Music
SHW - Miyako JAPAN 2
SHW - Miyako JAPAN 3
Peritune - Shizima
Peritune - Shizima 2
Kevin MacLeod - Ishikari Lore
Peritune - Hanagoyomi
Doug Maxwell & Zac Zinger - Sao Meo Orchestral Mix
• Japanese Background Mu...
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Here are my thoughts on the first two episodes of the new adaptation! - ua-cam.com/video/UsPAOcLAOS4/v-deo.html
Please subscribe to catch my next videos where I will discuss film and historical analysis !
(A section had to be trimmed due to copyright, sorry about that)
(Also, “adaption” seems to be local slang, I was a bit surprised how unfamiliar it is, that was my bad for using informal language, I’ll stick to “adaptation” from now on)
Subbed. Im gonna give it a chance. Its rare that reboots impress me or grips me, but, IT HAS happened. It could always be, a "good version", like with seven samurai/The magnificent seven. Or it could be a case of; Robinson Crusoe/Castaway/The martian. Seemingly completely unrelated, but at the same time with a "common thread", and all versions with someting interesting and/or entertaining. And yes I know, The Martian had "issues", but I WAS STILL ENTERTAINED by a slightly a-- le-ish character, unintentionally abandoned in outer space, and people banding together to get him back to earth. The rescue itself...was, entertaining, but perhaps NOT in the way INTENDED. But it gets a pass from me. Ive watched it more than once. Yabu was well performed to me. "Face". He was a fullfledged samurai, with all that that entailed. A LOT of samurai was "not very nice people", and thats an understatement. They were fatalistic, fierce and didnt view evil the way we do. Warriors. But they had to be able to show "good face" and a certain meassure of sophistication as well. He cared only for himself, was not honorable, but, if he k-words everybody who knows that he ISNT, then thats not really a problem, to him. He still has "face" "within life". I think he was the right fit. There was humanity in his character, but not enough to care about others before himself. Youre supposed to 8 him (cant say certain words on this platform). Hes the kind of person that KNOWS hes going to H double hockeysticks, for things hes already done. And since he does, he wants to live as long as he can. By ANY means. That last poem is just him "sticking it to everybody" present, that would have done the same, but sees fit to judge him for his shortcomings or that set him up for failure". Thats why he gives the gift to Blackthorne, and calls everyone else "unworthy", partially because, Blackthorne is the only one who truly understands, but also, because Blackthorne is the ONLY one that has the right to judge him, yet chose to "bear witness" to his final act, just the same. Theres other stuff to him as well, but I dont want to write an essay in your comment section. Great vid!!! Ive always loved this show, since the re-runs as a kid, on tv. Its SOOO GOOOD. I do feel weird about Lady Toda (the new version) already though. You CANT go shallow, with that role. I SO hope Im wrong.....
Aaah... well I just checked out Anna Sawai (plays Mariko-san/Lady Toda. I wonder if shes even watched past the original trailer when she spouted that modern political BS tripe she did in the interview. "White Saviour" ? (As if Blackthorne EVEN HAS the power, to save ANYONE in this show, he gets humiliated most of the time )You know Ill admit that the original trailer never was particularly good, Ill give you that. But the original cast ? Both the japanese and western actors ? This Miss Sawai, cant hold a candle to Yoko Shimada. I guess my hope will have to be for the other actors, at least the rest of the japanese actors look good. Blackthorne.... ehmmm, question ? Did Tom Hardy turn them down, and they got a watered down "lookalike"? Because that was the first thing I thought when I saw him. "Low budget Tom Hardy". Aaaah these "modern" times, indeedily-doo. Well maybe Im wrong, and Toranaga looks decent enough. "The egg shell looks crispy and clean, lets see if theres a white and a yolk inside, or just.... air". Im just gonna re-adjust my brain, so it gives it as fair a chance as humanly possible.
@@sentimentalcircuscurator thank you for the sub! Unfortunately the new version of Mariko is very shallow. They took her character at surface value.
I feel like to do the novel justice, a miniseries probably needs 15-20 hours. They skip a lot of stuff in the new show too, but honestly I still enjoy it immensely. It has been around 15 years since I read the novel and watched the 1980s series. Maybe I will give them another read and watch after I finish this new show. But so far it is fantastic--much better than I imagined it would be.
@@SamaLlamaStudios Yes, I was immediatelly concerned, when I saw how she played her. In Mariko-san where I SAW 10.000 fathoms of pacific ocean, and something mysterious moving at the bottom, SHE SAW...a blue crepe. Just a crepe dyed with regular blue food coloring. Mariko-san could be THE dream gig, for a talented actress, and a challenge. Its a wonderfully complex role.
A friend of mine gave me Shogun and told me to read it. I looked and said”This is over 1,000 pages. Are you crazy?” He said just read the first two hundred pages and if you don’t like it, you can stop reading it. I couldn’t put it down and then read everything that Clavel ever wrote. I’ve reread Shogun a number of times since then. My friend is gone, but I have thanked him many times for urging me to read this wonderful book.
I have the set myself got it when it came out, read it many times over the years..Also have the full version on VHS..😊
My favorite book
Clavell is a master
I grew up behind the Iron Curtain and my mom managed to buy a copy of Shogun (not many books were translated and the ones that were, ended in a limited supply in bookstores) and we ended up fighting over who gets to read it :) Basically if you saw that book anywhere else than in someone hands it was yours to read.
@DonCristoBaal very cool.
I was in love with the character Mariko. After 40 years, i still remember what she wrote in her final letter to Anjin-san.
I loved Shogun, when I watched it in the 1980s as kid, I begged my mother and she made me a Samurai outfit for Halloween that year.
素敵な親子ですね❤
@@nami9078try doing that today. They will label you a bigot and a racist. What would I do to bring the 80’s and 90’s back. 😞
@@Benmeglei1no one would say that
In the early 90's I was working in Japan and while at a bar I heard a young African American man speaking to the bartender in perfect Japanese. We got to talking and his story was amazing. He watched the TV series Shogun when he was 17 and fell in love with Japanese culture and decided he wanted to live and work in Japan. He didn't have the money for college so he took a nighttime job as a grocery stocker because it allowed him to listen to Japanese language tapes while he worked. It took him two years to learn the language and he used that skill to get a college scholarship in exchange for being a tutor and translator. He got a degree in computer science and also learned to read and write Japanese. After graduation he was snapped up by IBM and moved to Japan. When I met him he was working for NEC. An ambitious and successful life based on a brilliant novel and TV series is truly amazing.
I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so. Was a song that came out after the book. May not be related to Shogun, but the series was such an awesome introduction to Japan at the time of Tokogawa Iesu, the song lyric resonates with those of us who still think we turned Japanese after the show. Great story, by the way.
That’s a lovely story. I wonder how he is treated in such a homogeneous society though. I hope he has been treated well.
That's a wonderful story. Good for him!
screw IBm
@@sylviahuitson8309that song is actually about jerkin your gerkin lmfao not about Japan at all, it's kind of racist bc they're saying the face you make when ummm climax ing, like squinting/closing your eyes IE looking like your Japanese.
Shogun has been one of my favorites for over 40 years and still a part of my library. When the miniseries came out in the early 80’s it was hard to curb the weekly anticipation. For me Mifune was Toranaga.
Mifune will always be Toranaga
@@SamaLlamaStudios I agree 💯
Sanada does a great Lord Toranaga. But you're right - Mifune WAS Toranaga.
That dirty, sneaky, grinning bastard. Right down to the dance scene. 😉
I’m disappointed in the new series. I loved the original and have watched it several times. I find Blackthorns character to be goofy and I don’t believe they cast the right actor. The dynamic between Blackthorn and Mariko is completely missing. Your video points out why the original was so good. Many of those qualities are missing in the new series.
I think that was done deliberately there was a bit of a feeling that Blackthorn was a bit of a white saviour but really I didn't see that. However I believe that's why they made Blackthorn a bit stupid in the new show.
i'm 51. my family watched the mini-series when it first aired. i kept it on beta until i was able to buy it on dvd. i have watched it more times than i could count. its been my go-to when i've been home from school or work, sick in bed, for most of my life.
i was a weeb before then, tho. i was a total first gen weeb from the first episodes of Battle of the Planets and Shogun Warriors... and to this day i watch all the latest anime.
You’re a true OG and I salute you.
I remember waking at the ungodly hour of 5am to watch Battle of the Planets before school in the 80's
what do you think of the new series
I watched this not long after seeing last samurai I didn’t understand what I was watching I knew it was a older mini series I’m going to have to rewatch I hope TCM picks it up
WAIT...I NEVER WROTE THIS COMMENT....BUT ...YOURE ME???
This brings back memories. My father was transferred to Japan for work in 1980 and we stayed until 1984. We all had a good and life-changing time. As we prepared for Japan our family read and discussed the book and our first outing on arrival in Tokyo was to see the movie. I had just turned 18 and the book motivated me to study Japanese and try to immerse myself. As I look back on life at 61 I realize that the book was a guide in our life and that I am grateful to Mr. Clavell. The book showed the Japanese world respectfully, in detail and from many different angles and one could not stop reading.
I love these stories on how the novel positively affected readers lives :)
It truly changed my life and I spent a lot of my working life dealing with Japan and then China. Thank you for this comment.
I was a kid when the Shogun mini series came out. My mom and I watched it together. It was THE event for TV watching as far as we were concerned. And Mariko was my first crush lol. I still to this very day say Japanese women are stunning. I fully believe Shogun had a hand in that. But what really struck me was the actors and the costumes. It was all so beautiful and well acted. Later in my life I was a soldier in the Army. I was on my 1st deployment to Iraq and I was going through a stack of DVDs the Iraqi's can burned off of movies. They even printed discs showing what the movies are. Shogun the mini series was there. I bought it and put it into my collection. I still to this day break out those DVDs and watch Shogun. And I still think its stunning and beautiful to this day. Such a great show with amazing Japanese cast and western cast. They simply don't make shows like that anymore. These shows had a soul to them.
Thank you! Originally, I did not intend to watch the entire video, planned to just skip around, but your thoughtful analysis quickly drew me into watching all of the video. Excellent work!!
I totally agree, I was about to do the same too. You did an awesome job explaining and going over everything thing thoroughly. Thanks very much
The death of Blackthorns fellow sailor at the end made sense to me. One of my favorite film scenes ever really. He's broken by the burning of the new ship and all hope he'll ever get home and nose dives into a mania that's enough to cause a heart attack. He uses a slur indicating his belief the Japanese are not civilized in contrast to John who has adapted enough to survive and find some kind of life there.
Well said sir and I concur!
One of my favorite scenes is when Blackthorne visits his crew, which highlights his assimilation into Japanese culture and how his crew remained the same. The whole cleanliness vs filth that Blackthorne laments about through the novel.
My now girlfriend and I were both reading Shōgun in 1980, and it was one of the things that we had in common. We're still together and to this day quote lines from the book and miniseries to each other.
I’m here to say the new one is fantastic elevates the material 🎉
Absolutely the best TV series I've ever seen, have watched this numerous time and have an original video cassette set for TV stations with spaces for adds to be played and the preview of the previous episode and when it went to CD, got that set also. Absolutely love it. A great presentation by you...thanks. I hope the remake is worthy of the original.
Wow those cassettes sound really dope. I love stuff like that. Thanks for your kind words.
Bamboo framing tied together for houses is still very common. With earthquakes being so common, it’s best to have a non rigid house that can bend with minor quakes instead of being shaken apart by a rigid frame. Even in modern cities scaffolding to build high skyscrapers is still used. Because it will sway with small quakes rather than be shaken apart like a rigid structure. The modern sky scrapper however is put together using modern anti earthquake methods.
Thank you for the memories. The mini series was my first introduction to this culture. As a kid, it was the first time I had ever saw Ninjas . I was mesmerized.
I recall reading a review of Shogun back when it aired on TV and the writer said that Richard Chamberlain displayed 3 emotions throughout the series; confusion, anger and confused anger.
Pretty accurate description of Blackthorne in general 😂 I’ll have to remember that one, thanks!
@@SamaLlamaStudios Yes, all respect to Richard Chamberlain... The sign of a great actor, is to make a success in many different type of films...
Cosmos jarvis has about the same range in the new one but anna sawai is fantastic as mariko
0:15 Normally I'm with you on rolling my eyes on the "remade for the modern audiences", but the new one is thankfully actually excellent!
They think modern audience want to see woke garbage. We dont.
The original really was a masterpiece.
This one is the new masterpiece
@@dhimankalita1690 Lol, sure...
@@dhimankalita1690 Too early to say, although based on the first two episodes it has a number of problems.
@@dhimankalita1690 a great novel inspiring two great adaptations; our cup floweth over.
The new one is terrible
Prompted me to start learning Japanese when it aired. Nobody can replace Toshiro Mifune as Toranaga although I really like Hiroyuki Sanada and his work. Thank You for the video and Best Regards and Best Wishes!
Mifune was in the seven samurai and he was truly amazing
He was in Rising Sun with Charles Bronson, which was a very good movie.
And Hell in the Pacific with Lee Marvin.
Mifune was in most of Kurosawa's movies. Many having been re-made as westerns. Magnificent 7, Fistful of Dollars, Last Man Standing ... plus Star Wars rips of "Hidden Fortress" a Samurai has to escort a Princess carrying a treasure, enough to save her clan, thru enemy territory. Look for the movie RAN, one of the few in colour, is a stunning movie, Japanese version of Shakespeare's King Lear.
I was 13 when I read Shogun the first time. I was literally sick from grief at the death of Mariko, with all the intensity and earnestness you would expect from a teenage boy. It stayed with me for a long time, and my early romantic flailings were coloured by my impression of romance I gained from the book.
Spoiler alert ! Please do not tell the viewers what will happen later... Let the viewers find out ....
You did a very nice job with this review. I have been a huge fan of James Clavell and have every one of his books. Not only was Shogun an excellent filmed portrayal of the book, the movie King Rat was also an excellent film starring George Segal, Tom Courtenay and James Fox. The remake has been quite good so far and the quality of the production is just fantastic. There have been some changes, but not earth-shattering. I cannot think of anyone but Hiroyuki Sanada playing Lord Toronaga, and Anna Sawai has done a very creditable job so far. Though I have to say that no one would be able to replicate the performance of Yuko Shimada, which in my opinion is perfection. Can't wait for episode 4.
Elegant and eye-stealing presence of Yoko Shimada! My teenage-crash.
"teenage crush" @@tokunagaster
1980. Five consecutive nights. Twelve hours. A lot of it in Japanese. And it was a roaring success. Today after HBO reinvented the miniseries, many people just won't realize how groundbreaking this was. I love the detail and behind the scenes that you give in this video. Thank you. But you left out the composer -- Maurice Jarre. Nominated for 7 Oscars, winning three. Dr Zhivago. Lawrence of Arabia. And he was asked to do a TV show. This is like asking John Williams to do TV (OK, Johnny Williams did an unused score for Gilligan's Island but that was early in his career). I can't imagine any network tv today investing the money and taking the chances that CBS did on Shogun. One on air showing! No DVD until 2003! BD 2014! Would Netflix be remaking Shogun if it had not been for the success of the 1980 original? Again, thank you. I look forward to your reviews of the remake.
The remake definitely hasnt left the same impact that the original did, but it seems harder to be as groundbreaking this modern age. As for the soundtrack, I should’ve mentioned Jarre (who I admittedly only know from Lawrence, I even have the soundtrack on vinyl. It’s quite a large project to tackle and I kick myself for some of the things i forgot to mention.
@@SamaLlamaStudios In the day it was as hard to miss hearing his work as it is Williams today. I would recommend you listen to (and watch if possible) Doctor Zhivago, A Passage to India, and Grand Prix. To have him as composer for Shogun, like filming in Japan, showed that CBS pulled out all stops. I think your coverage was darn good. Stop kicking.
Normally an excellent composer, I felt jarre missed badly with shogun..
Hey, I’m a watcher a tv websites due to a job I had doing night security years ago. There are many websites that allow you to pull up tv and movies, but the only ones that I keep have to pass the 1980 Shogun test. If the site doesn’t carry it, then it is fired!!!😅
I guess the series made thousands of western kids interested in asian culture and absolutely changed their life.
I also watched the series as a kid and became intrigued by japanese culture. It absolutely changed my world view and made me try to understand the background of cultural differences.
The Mariko actress in the original seemed so genuinely of this period, the actress in the new adaptation comes off as very modern, she speaks English like someone who grew up in an English speaking country, also Rhys is pronounced "Reece"
She is from New Zealand
I’ve heard it pronounced differently and tried finding a middle ground. The New Zealand accent on Mariko in the new one is off putting to me personally. Its far too clean
Is it? I thought it was pronounced rice not reese
@@CrystalClearNews ua-cam.com/video/smbmMTx4_bc/v-deo.htmlsi=2RBdfFT2zlvoG6xO
I thought the same watching the new one. She is the weakest. I think the original still stands taller.
I watched Shogun at its first airing and loved it. But then I was already enraptured by the beauties of Japanese culture. My favorite scene is also when Blackthorne teaches Toronaga the sailor's dance. When nobody but myself ever seems to have noticed is that this is an encapsulation of Japan's success at a time when other parts of the world were being colonized and subjugated. You watch the scene progress as Toronaga initially makes many mistakes in the dance, but at each chorus he improves and soon not only equals Blackthorne's steps but adds his own touch with the introduction of the fan movements. I do wish you had covered that scene more thoroughly. It perfectly summarizes the industrialization of the the country in three "phrases" 1. This is interesting. Let me try. 2. I like this I will work to understand it. 3. Now I've got it--so how can I improve it and make it my own? You could write whole essays on how well this one scene foreshadows the changes coming to the society while it still retains its identity and aesthetic.
Watched the original Shogun in the late 90s as a child and it stuck with me for years.. I didn't remember the name of this miniseries. Years later, I found the DVD and immediately knew that Shogun was that movie. So glad I found it again and finished the miniseries. Currently enjoying the remake! Thanks for the commentary and history. I loved it.
Tom Cruise was not a white savior in Last Samurai... other than saving Katsumoto's life like once, his presence has almost no bearing on the course of events. He was a drunken, traumatized, broken soldier. He himself is saved, both philosophically and physically, by Katsumoto and the samurai over the course of the movie.
Wrong movie :)
This video made the accusation.
Exactly, The Last Samurai is another masterpiece , that recently got strange critique from the mentally ill claiming it was "racist" 😂
A broken soldier who quickly learned an art that the samurai had been training in diligently for decades. 🙄
@@owie4070 Boy was an American officer. He has experience in fighting. It's not like he is some random civilian who's been living a cushy life. He trained for a year within a Samurai village diligently. Learning how to fight like the Samurai for a year isn't a long time when you're already an experienced soldier and don't have any other responsibilities other than being a guest of a village that is willing to train you because you're willing to learn.😮💨
My whole family sat + watched this in 1980 - it was (like Roots) must -see tv. Absolutely loved it - still do! Amazing. Thanks
The new version omits Blackthorne’s seppuku attempt when he is so ashamed at having caused the death of the gardener, who stepped up to get rid of the offensive pheasant. This is probably the most significant event in Blackthorne’s turning samurai. Without it, much is lost, and rendered meaningless.
It's done better and for more purpose in the finale
When I originally read the book, I felt that I went through 400 pages before I could take a breath - it was that compelling. Then the series was the first Asian based production I had seen, and I fell in love with Mariko. I was very sad to learn that actress Yoko Shimada passed away about 2 years ago after a not very happy life. Since then I've become a major fan of Asian mini-series, especially historical ones. It will be great to see how this latest production compares.
I read the book as a young man in the 1970's. Just fantastic. Also had some sake to add to the ambiance. Ohh, too much sake!
When this came out on tv, I believe I was a senior in high school… I was riveted to the screen the entire time. The whole family was! When the series became available on vhs (boxed set!) of course I bought it. Over time, as vhs players became obsolete, I had to buy it on DVD. I also read most, if not all of his “Asian” novels. The only one I might MIGHT have missed was Gai Jin. I really appreciated these novels because it opened my young mind up to the Asian culture which fascinates me to this day! Shogun for me remains the ultimate depiction of feudal Japan, with stellar acting & gorgeous scenery. I think I read somewhere that the Japanese are ALSO very proud of it. As they have every right to be.
Excellent review. Thank you! One of the most frustrating things is about the remake is hearing its creators constantly saying how authentic they tried to make it, as if the 1980 miniseries was not already incredibly authentic, and even more so since it was actually filmed in Japan and didn't rely on CGI. Of course, I'm watching the remake and enjoying it, and in particular I'm loving seeing the Japanese point of view on things. But the cast, setting, music, costumes, drama, pacing, cinematography and coloring of the original all combine to make it a true masterpiece and nothing will ever beat it, in my humble opinion.
I agree wholeheartedly
I agree. I think yhe2024 one isn't as good. The cinematography is putrid. It looks like it was filmed with a dirty stocking over the lens. So dank, hard to see faces and detail . The acting was better.
Totally. 100% agree.
Very much so. I also dislike the muted and drab colors in the remake.
Yes!
Thanks to that series my fascination with Japan began, it wasn't the anime, in fact I was too young to understand what anime and Japanese culture was, even though I loved watching those animated cartoons... but after Shogun everything became more clear... Japanese culture was so fascinating that it never stopped interesting me until today at 40 years old. I must mention the actress and her beauty, so perfect that I couldn't believe she was real.
Adaptation….thats what you are after.
Richard Chamberlain great work
Good work samaLlamastudios! This has added so much to Shogun for me. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words! I’m happy I could spread my love for this story.
Did you know that James Clavell wrote the screenplay for the heart warming film, " To Sir With Love " ?
He also produced and directed the film.
Wow!! I love that movie and song!
One thing that is more or less missing in the 2024 version (which I like) and watered down in the 1980 version (which I loved) is how many steps ahead Toronaga was in everything he did. No spoilers, but he played EVERYONE all the time! The one or two times things spun out of his control it was very obvious and we got great insight into his character. Truly one of the greatest literary characters. And yes…no one can replace Mifune.
A fun little fact. Rodrigues was Portuguese even though Blackthorne keeps calling him Spaniard. He called him that as an insult even though he said it in a somewhat joking way since at this time Portugal and Spain were in the Iberian union and would remain so for 60 years.
Fantastic summary!! I loved the original series and watched it with my family back then. Richard Chamberlain is such a talented actor who had range. Yoko Shimada was a beauty ❤ So so beautiful 😍
Shogun, Roots and Holocoust was 3 grand series of that decade, all very much worth reading and watching.
Except roots is complete fiction...
Slavery is not fiction, Roots is based on real events, fiction is harry potter and star wars, get some education.@@mariospanna8389
Hmmmmm
A truly great era in tv history. I was 10 when it aired, and to me it's THE miniseries, since I was too young when Roots aired. My mom got the book in 1980, but I didn't read it until 2011. A great novel. Over 1000 pages, but never dragged or got boring. I was all-in from the opening chapter. Enjoying the FX version, but to me, Richard Chamberlain will always be Blackthorn.
And Mifune will always be Toranaga to me.
@@Theomite
And Yoko Shimada will always be Mariko to me
The 1980 miniseries Shogun was iconic for my youth and remains one of my all-time favourite films. It still holds up for me... I have the DVD set and I make it point of viewing it every year.
Thanks to Shogun, I learned to speak Japanese which helped immensely when I served in the USN in Okinawa years later! Domo Arigato Shogun!!!🇯🇵/🇺🇸
I was a kid when I saw the original series. I loved it it was my first introduction to feudal Japan . Really loved your review an overview. Brings back so much memories. Can't wait to see the new one
When this came out, my sensei canceled classes that week, and we all sat back and had viewing get togethers instead. Here’s to Sensei Jack.
I found out from the DVD set that restaurants lost business for the entire run of the show because VCRs weren't ubiquitous enough yet for people to tape it, so people stayed home to watch it. That's how big this show was.
Masterful story telling. I've enjoyed the video from start to finish. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your kind words!
I always hated how 70's and 80's historical adaptions had lead characters with 70s/80s hair styles. I'm sure William Adams did not step off the ship blow-dried and feathered. LOL
Exactly
Toshiro Mifune doing the hornpipe dance. Best scene ever.
And now, since the remake is out, we can highly appreciate the 1980s version. I loved it, when I watched as a child and now I treasure it more. The remake is grittier, more explicit concerning the violence and it focuses on the Japanese side, but it doesn't have the magic. And Mifune.
Its a great book. The original shogun series was the best
Nah...This one is and it's not even close
I met Toshiro Mifune 3 times in the same day, the first 2, was by accident. I was in Japan Town San Francisco and was there for the Cherry Blossom Festival some years before his death. When I bumped into him, I didn't realize it was him until he spoke which made me do a double-take. When I did this he knew he was caught and he suddenly looked alarmed, I saw it on his face ( l'm a white American ) so I simply smiled and walked away ( I don't believe celebrity stalking ). Later we wound up at the same restaurant, he recognized me, again I smiled at him once and tried not to stare and mind my own business. Later that Afternoon he was in the parade ( guest of honor? Master of ceremonies? ) an then had a recieving line after the parade. He recognized me as I walked up, I gave him a smart bow and said "Hajime mashite" in my limited Japanese, he took my hand and shook it and said "Nice to meet you" we smiled at each for a moment, then I stepped aside as plenty of other people wanted to meet this legend of a man also.
I was extremely excited when I found out he was Toranaga in the Shogun production, and I'm a big fan of the First production ( and the book ).
Even though the Second production is quite a bit different, I'm really enjoying the fresh perspective and presentation, Hiroyuki Sanada is another powerhouse Japanese actor perfectly casted as Lord Toranaga.
This video was a fantastic review of Shogun first production and the book!
Thank you for this. I remember the book and miniseries fondly from childhood-it made a Japanophile out of me as well. Your depth of knowledge of both is astounding, and I really appreciate how you're able to pick out the often subtle differences between the book and series.
By the way, kudos for your restraint in not pointing out what a bad singer Richard Chamberlain was. The only way I could make it work in my head was to decide that Blackthorne was a terrible singer as well.
We are Nipponophiles.
@@host_theghost507Not everyone is a good singer, but that doesnt change the fact that singing is good for the soul!
@@SamaLlamaStudios Good point. And, you know, it's such a joyful scene. I wish there was more of it in the new series, which is great but not much for levity.
Actually, Richard Chamberlain made at least one album in the 60's coincident with his role in the TV series Dr. Kildare. You Tube has the most popular songs.@@host_theghost507
I didn't see it named in the comments, soooo. Yoshikawa Eiji and his novels Musashi and Taiko are well worth reading if you liked Shogun. In Taiko, even though it is centered around Hideyoshi, you'll see Ieyasu's patience and cunning in a different framework. 'What if the little bird doesn't want to sing? "Kill it!" -Nobunaga. "Make it want to sing" -Hideyoshi. "Wait." -Ieyasu' edit: Musashi will be a disappointment if you like action scenes. Not that his duels aren't in the book. It's just that the book is and isn't about combat. Or it's about the man, but also how the man learns his insigfinicance. It has zen aspects. So it's about life lessons and about the futility of chasing life lessons. I think.
I wanted to read Eiji’s works for years now but could never get my hands on them. I’ve heard great things about them
@@SamaLlamaStudiosTry to get them, if you're interested in that period of Japan's history, they are so worth reading. And NHK produces a long historical drama every year, a taiga dorama is what it's called. You get the Japanese perspective in those, for sure. There are ways to find the episodes and fan subtitles, I'm sure.
Nicely done, a very good summary. I saw Shogun when it first aired in 1980, loved the book. It's one of my favourites. Yoko Shimada may not be the lead actor but she's probably the best performance - portraying Mariko's Grace and poise, but also her strength and intelligence. I've enjoyed the remake, although I still prefer the original - mostly because Anna Sawai portrays Mariko as a more aggressive and less intelligent and manipulative character. Shimada's Mariko is able to charm and control pretty much everyone except Toranaga. When Buntaro hits her, it's often because she wants him to, in order to dishonour himself. However, Sanada is a commanding presence, almost as good as Mifune. I'll watch the remake to the end, but rewatch the Original too.
Huge fan of John Rhys Davies, as a Welsh Legend. 🏴
Thanks for posting this. I was trying to remember it. I remember my parents watching this series when I was a little kid and seeing parts of it. I didn't understand what was going on back then, but I remember the costumes and certain parts they let me see, like the Samurai peeing on Blackthorn and the ninjas. I'm watching the new version of the series now and enjoying it now that I'm an adult. It looks really good and the acting is top-notch.
I was at an estate sale recently and picked up the entire original "Shogun" mini-series on DVD for ninety-cents. Though I have not watched it yet, the discs all look pristine. It will be interesting to see how much I recall from the original show when I do view it.
The original mini series will forever remain my favorite. I just think it works better even though the new one is a beautiful production.
Read the book a dozen times. Seen the original series so often the dvds don't function properly anymore. Watching the "remake" and love it too. Now, I'm even watching UA-cam videos about the subject. It's crazy how much I love everything about this ❤ btw, I never thought anyone could be on par with Mifune-san, but Hiroyuki Sanada is doing a terrific job.
The original is great but I'm a huge fan of Hiroyuki Sanada and am enjoying this 2024 reboot 🤗
Sanada is the only one who can play the role today
Fantastic miniseries and, dare I say it at this early stage, when it comes to the storytelling AND the casting it's a lot better than the new FX series.
It was such a television event when it aired. I was absolutely entranced and immediately followed up by reading the book for more depth. The casting was incredible. I'd never heard of John Rhys-Davies before and he stole every scene he was in. The beauty, the grace, the costumes, the culture it truly made an impact on me. So far I'm appreciating the new remake with better technology but I don't believe the actors are up to the caliber of the original. Thank you so much for this upload!
Thx for this wonderful summary. Regarding the remake, especially the missing of Blackthorns sepuku scene is very annoying. Only through his behaviour in this scene he earns a lot of respect by the surrounding Japanese.
I was flabbergasted the remake cut out such a crucial plot point. I can reluctantly understand cutting out minor scenes for time, but that was a significant moment in Blackthorne’s life
@@SamaLlamaStudios In my opinion is the reason for all the changes rooted in the idea of, how should I say it, a "modern" play.
Mariko introduced me to the japanese women beauty, I had a juge crush on her at the time
one of those i saw when it was first shown it blew me away then and still stands up well today
i watched the original when it aired in Mexico City as a kid. Thankfully, the high quality dubbing from English to Spanish was fantastic. Professional and experienced actors were used for that at the time. All my family discovered Japan. Decades later, I fondly remember these series, and would happily watch it again. It was so good.
45 years ago I read Shogun. I became a Japanafone immediately. "Anjin-san" has been in my brain for 45 yrs. Someone once said that "All island nations are bonkers". Being an Englishman I concur. However, Japan is on an entirely other level. Fascinating people...and the quality of their artisanal work is beyond belief given their historic tech. The new series is fantastic. Tragically it is super short, but, it is really excellent.
The new series took out one of my favorite lines: It went something like this:
Toronago: There's no excuse for rebellion.
Blackthorne: There's one, If you win!
Toronago thought about it for one second, then cracked up. Had to wipe away a tear and said something like "Yes Barbarian with the unpronounceable name, you've stated the ONE exception. That exchange bound Blackthorne to Toronago and was on his way to becoming Toronago's one friend. They changed it and it wasn't half as good.
One of many truly iconic moments butchered in the new series
@@SamaLlamaStudios And it was really strange because they used the line "If (or when) I win" in the show so they did pay homage to it. But why did they think those familiar with the story would like a homage more than the real thing? They're like "we'll include it to show that we thought of you, but not show it because who give a shit what you nerds think?"
Plus, it was a real chance to show that Samurai weren't humorless Romulans. They had wit, they appreciated humor. Hollywood tends to do that with Native Americans as well. Showing them as uniform "proud people" who never laugh.
The way they used it in the series didn't add to the characterization as we already knew at this point that Blackthorne likes to win however we didn't (and still don't) know that Toronago had a sense of humor or is capable- or even desires- "One real friend". So this homage to the book, actually kind of came across as a sop to the devoted fans.
They actually show the scene as a UA-cam clip, so much more interesting and suspenseful then the way they did it in this version:
ua-cam.com/video/dN_sAi8dNUE/v-deo.html
It is thanks to this series that I discovered Japan and that I want to visit this country. And to be honest, I prefer the first version than the new adaptation even if the Japanese point of view was less exploited because I had the opportunity to study Japanese history at university.
When the original Shogun was aired, my whole family gathered every night to watch. On the first night, I was the only one to see the shadow of the helicopter. No one believed me when I told them what I had seen and frankly I hardly believed it myself. But on the second night, we were all looking and sure enough, there it was. I enjoyed the original series very much and am enjoying the remake equally.
This was a classic .It had the best cast and set. This is the best by far. It's a classic, Very well done.
Mifuni!!!! Every film this man was in was Brilliant.
There will never be another Mifune man was a true legend
I haven’t seen the original but I’ll have to watch it after watching the first two episodes of the new reboot. Great video on your review and background of the original series Shogun 🙌🏼🙌🏼
The reboot definitely took a different approach. I’m happy a new generation of fans are loving it. Thanks for your kind words!
Ten you much wach Tapian , then the Noble House.
@@ericwilson5503 the Taipan adaptation is unique… i think its deserving of a remake. I havent seen Noble House yet but I’ve heard good things about it!
I loved and love the book and adore the series ( the original series with subtitles). Your research and analysis of this series is superb ( I didn’t know that they had sailed the Erasmus from America to Japan). Cudos! A fascinating and engaging recounting of the “ behind the scenes “ recounting of this epic.
In the book, the Dutch crew had sailed the Erasmus ( as part of a fleet of 7, if I recall correctly ) from Rotterdam, down the coast of South America, through the secret Pass of Magellan, and across the Pacific, to make landfall at Anjiro...
@@richardruff8712 I, of course, was referring to the fact that the ship built for the movie was actually sailed from the USA to Japan.
@@alexsmith9617 Yes, it was probably cheaper to have the ship built in USA or Canada and sail it across the Pacific Ocean to Japan.... rather than have it built in Japan !
I've had that DVD Box set on my shelf for 15 years. I loved that series. Haven't seen the new version but It looks good. This was so well done. Hell I remember it on the video store shelf when I was a kid because the box was so unique looking and oversized on the shelf.
The Dutch flas as depicted in the series was red white and blue but would more porbably have been orange white and blue, the Prince's Flag, which was used from approximately 1570s-1652.
Need to check but it most likely would have been the VOC flag that was red white blue with the VOC logo in the middle.
May be the greatest mini-series ever. Certainly my favorite. The new one is OK, not feeling the big CGI useage for the cities etc. it takes me out of the era they’re trying to portray. I’ll stick with it but after 2 episodes it’s certainly not better than the OG version.
Yes, most of us over the age of 55 will agree with you... I guess we will watch all the 10 episodes, just for kind interest, but I think we already have our decision ?
I thoroughly enjoyed the book Shogun. I only ever read it at work and my co workers all marveled at the book size and such. It took me about four weeks to read and I enjoyed every minute of it.
My husband and I have been following the remake, but also re-watched the earlier miniseries on DVD. I should get a digital copy of the original novel for my Kindle, as it should make excellent reading material for long trips. (And take up far less space that way than my paperback copy.)
First, I read the book years before watching the original miniseries and I guess because I had read the book, I found the movie to be rather devoid of the richness of the book. There are numerous important sub plots looking at the larger picture of the feudal society and political sub plots. The book was far richer than the movie. I guess that is to be expected because turning a book into a movie deprives you of being able to ''hear" the thoughts of others, but I would say the movie stayed fairly true to the book, but due to the omissions, only offered maybe 70% of the richness of the written story.
Movie? You only watched the movie of the 1980 miniseries and not the miniseries itself? The movie version has had hours of material removed from it, watch the 9 hour miniseries instead.
The new one is shorter, more condensed but better captures the essence of the novel...Truly japanese in look, tone and structure, almost hallucinogenic in its intensity
@@michaeldonovan4793 Shogun is one of the very few books that I read twice. I knew that there were threads that I didn't follow, and upon second reading, I gained even more appreciation for the book. I don't have the service it is on, but I look forward to hit hitting a service I have.
first time I saw a woman naked... this show back in the 80s. Strange enough I ended up with an Asian woman when I grew up and got married. I swear this TV show had an affect on that 😂
I’ve read and listened to Shogun upwards of half a dozen times since it has been published, so a long time fan. I thought the original series’s characters were spot on, though Richard Chamberlain wouldn’t have been my first pick for Blackthorn. As I remember it, it stayed true to the novel in most ways, including the many plot subtleties and strategies.
The new series is much hyped and quite beautifully filmed but I think it’s been dumbed down and simplified for modern audiences. It seems most critics and a lot of viewers have never read the book or intend to. Such a shame and disservice to this amazing story, characters and plot line.
A few examples where I think this new series misses the mark include the absence of Blackthorn’s experience with seppuku, a turning point for his character in the novel, the missing horn pipe dance and Toranaga’s sense of humor and lust for life, the changing of names from the novel (why?), Mariko’s character, which portrays her steely composure without the softness and compassion she had in the novel. And Kiku and her mamasan have been completely minimized as have other essential characters. There are many more changes in this script that rub wrong, but I’ll continue to watch it, as it really is well acted, just not true to its origins.
I tried arguing this in my videos, while still stating that the series itself is fine, just not very faithful to the source material. And many of the new fans aren’t very happy with me being vocal about that. Its a shame really. I don’t really trust other critics as it seems to be sort of a lost art now (even when I didn’t agree always with Ebert, I respected his analytical skills). Thanks for your comment!
I have a copy and watched it several times. I thought that it had the best casting of any show or series I ever saw. I felt sympathy for almost every named person at one time or another during the series, even Buntaro.The show was directed and cut to the highest standards and the night scenes were clear enought to understand. (Unlike the present "too dark to see what the f*** is going on cover for the fight that never ends night scene") of modern children's oriented (little pun there) shows.
I really love Frankie Sakai as Jabu san.
The guy playing Yabu in the new series is killing it; most enjoyable character on screen.
so far i like the remake it gives a lot more of the Japanese political back ground, and they seem to ride an edge between the book and the show. imagine the new production teams( writers and other crew) watched the show and did not read the books, Hollywood does not like to corrupt their perspectives with the written words.
I never saw the miniseries, but the book was a favorite of mine when I read it in middle school. I can't remember how I was turned onto it, perhaps from a teacher's recommendation. I had no prior exposure to Japanese culture, but after reading *Shogun* I was fascinated by the East. I read several of Clavell's books set in Asia.
Totally unrelatedly, I ended up living in China for almost half my adult life. In all these years practically next door, I've never made it to Japan.
6:40
First of all Chamberlain certainly is not brunette, his hair color is what I would call dark blonde. Maybe not what people first think of when they hear the term blonde, but blonde enough. And also from the perspective of a Japanese of the 16th/17th century, who never has seen a non-Japanese, Chamberlain‘s hair is VERY light and certainly very alien.
Where did you brunette from? I merely said he wasn’t pure blonde like the exaggerated golden hair described in the book. In the show however, his hair is quite dark, moreso pushing light brown for sure. I fail to see why this is relevant however. Its incredibly minute
@@SamaLlamaStudios You did not say it. But I do not know any color between blonde and brunette, and since he is not brunette yet, he must be still blonde. I don‘t know where one makes the switch exactly, but there is a certain darkness at which blonde stops and brunette starts and he to my understanding is on the blonde side of this.
I always considered Anjin-san in the series to be blonde and it had never occurred to me, that somebody might see him as anything else. That‘s why I was quite astonished by you calling him „not blonde“. You are correct of course that it is not really relevant and quite minute, but still it completely contradicted my perception of Chamberlain‘s hair color.
Had you said that he does not look as light blonde as in the books, I would have agreed completely, but since you said, he was not blonde and since I am also a bit bored today, well, here we are :)
I completely agree with everything else by the way, don‘t be too annoyed
@@Kref3 I was more confused than annoyed lol
Thanks for watching :)
I found the classic hardcover of the Shogun novel in a thrift store, amazing read. Realistic writing with historical tensions between different countries, and wholesome descriptions of Japanese culture from the main character. The classic movie was good for the drama depicting certain moments from the novel. Both good, but I just enjoyed reading it more.
Fuck I've been hunting for a hardcover edition for at least 5 years. I've only been able to find vol. 2 of the book club edition (they split it into 2 parts because it was so big) but never the complete original one. Lucky.
@@Theomite I got a first edition from eBay for around 70$ many many years ago. Im not sure if its gone up since then
There were at least 2 versions of the original Mini-Series aired here in Australia.
The second version had more subtitles in the re-edit and I think that takes away part of the experience of learning a little bit of Japanese to understand what's going on
Interesting, I actually haven’t come across that in my research. Thanks for letting me know!
@@SamaLlamaStudios If its of any help it aired on the [0-Ten] now 10 network out here.
I did have a copy on VHS until cleaning up last year.
Yes I have seen both.
@@SamaLlamaStudios If you google for "internet archive shogun" the first hit is the version with subtitles
I loved Shogun as a boy, it being my first exposure to feudal Japan, although I didn't understand the politics at all. I fantasized at the time about being in Blackthorn's shoes, but it didn't leave any kind of long-lasting fascination with Japan. Ironically, I ended up moving to Japan as an adult and have spent the past 25 years here. I hadn't thought about the miniseries in many decades, but watching your video brought it all back.
One small thing: Obviously you would not be expected to pronounce Japanese names perfectly, but one mispronunciation in particular stands out: Osaka is pronounced OH-saka, not O-SAK-a.
This was a wonderful and detailed breakdown of the miniseries. Shogun is my favorite novel. I saw the mini series before I read the book when I rented it at a blockbuster during the last days when they still had a few VHS tapes left. I think it's great that the mini series only showed the events from Blackthorn's perspective. It really put me in awe when I read the book and discovered the inner thoughts of the rest of the characters and the events that Blackthorn didn't know about.
As much as I absolutely love the Harry Potter books, my only lament is that JK Rowling only writes them from Harry's perspective, and I think she could have taken a note from Clavell. Looking forward to see the new series, and you're right, Davies boots are going to be hard to fill.
Ok, this is making me want to read the book and watch the series again.
Worry not.
I've seen the first three episodes and they're a joy to behold.
Excellently done.
nice videos ! super well done. cheers from France !
NOBODY will ever eclipse Toshiro Mifune as Toronaga…
That may be the case, but I am not taking anything away from Hiroyuki Sanada's performance either.
Let Mr. Sanada, who was also in Last Samurai with Mr Cruise, do his version of Toranaga that has its own brilliance regardless of the height of he original version as the shoes are enormous to fill. By the way, Mifune was someone who can draw moviegoers to theaters just because he simply is in that particular movie. To me personally, he is the top male actor, the legend. I miss his acting voice.
Hiroyuki Sanada is Toronaga. He is everything Mifune was and more. ❤
@@lillia5333 Blasphemy!
Mifune is the greatest japanese actor of all time..That said, his toranaga was cartoonish..In the latest adaptation, sanada's portrayal is much better
I loved the OG. Countless viewings. One of the things I have noticed while watching this remake. Is the same sort thing that can be said for most things made now in comparison to times past. It's pacing. I use to enjoy being able to "marinate" in the moment so to speak. The need for keeping the viewers attention has taken priority over the viewers reflection of what's being shown. It is what it is.
I adore how well this show can hold a scene without feeling like its over stayed its welcome. I feel an theres an overall decline in pacing in multiple media not just the new shogun. Significant scenes are zoomed through and there isn’t enough time to soak it in.
The pacing in this new remake is terrible, and the script isn't much better either.
Made for the "current generation". sigh...@SlartiMarvinbartfast
I feel the opposite..In the new one, meditation is palpable in every scene..The depth of silence is staggering..You had none of that in the 1980's version..Jarre's soundtrack was intrusive and campy..That said, neither can touch the novel's brilliance
I grew up watching that mini-series and later on reading the book. It was my introduction to Japanese culture so it holds a very special place in my heart. That being said, there are some things the new one does better and more true, and others that the old one does better. I love them both.