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James Clavell's Shogun
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: CHAMBERLAIN,RICHARD
EAN: 9780792193326
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC
ISBN: 0792193326
Label: Paramount
Languages: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 MonoEnglish (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Manufacturer: Paramount
MPN: 097361549842
Number Of Items: 5
Publisher: Paramount
Region Code: 1
Release Date: September 23, 2003
Running Time: 547 minutes
Studio: Paramount
Theatrical Release Date: September 15, 1980
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Editorial Review:
The story of a shipwrecked English navigator who becomes a samurai during a struggle for power by a Shogun and the Emperor in feudal Japan.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 23-SEP-2003
Media Type: DVD
What better way to escape from the onslaught of so-called reality television than to sail away with Richard Chamberlain to "the Japans" for a little samurai action and some discreet "pillowing"? From the golden age of the miniseries comes this television benchmark, the 10-hour, Golden Globe-winning saga based on James Clavell's bestselling epic. In his award-winning performance, Chamberlain stars as John Blackthorne, the 17th-century English navigator on a Dutch trading ship. A storm runs the ship aground off the coast of Japan, a "torn and cruelly divided country" locked in a power struggle between Toranaga (the venerable Toshiro Mifune) and Ishido, two warlords who would be Shogun. Blackthorne gets over his initial culture shock ("I piss on you and your country," he defiantly proclaims to his samurai captors, which to his humiliation turns out to be an unfortunate choice of words) to become a trusted ally of Toranaga and the lover of the beautiful interpreter Lady Mariko (Yoko Shimada). Their forbidden, ill-fated romance--and Blackthorne's total assimilation into Japanese culture--is set against political intrigue as Toranaga prepares for the inevitable showdown with Ishido, and Blackthorne's growing influence threatens the local Jesuits who had built up a lucrative trade monopoly. Shogun was a production blessed with good karma, and it remains an awesome achievement from a bygone era when the miniseries was king. --Donald Liebenson
Originally broadcast in September of 1980 as a 5-part, 12-hour miniseries, Shogun stood out from the pack of television events at the time with its boldness of action and calculated risks. Based on James Clavell's epic novel, Shogun stars Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne, a 17th-century English pilot commanding a Dutch ship that wrecks off the coast of Japan. Viewed suspiciously by local authorities, Blackthorne is at first in some danger of being executed. But with little hope of returning to Britain anytime soon, he begins to assimilate into the feudal society, befriending a powerful warlord (Toshiro Mifune) and wearing the robes of a samurai. Inevitably, Blackthorne begins to think of himself as Japanese, defending his hosts in battle, learning the language, and falling in love with an interpreter (Yoko Shimada). At the same time, his presence there exacerbates a problem with would-be European colonialists gazing at Japan covetously. Directed by journeyman Jerry London, Shogun immediately caught on with its blend of romance, exoticism, and compelling myth of an outsider's reinvention--a story that becomes sadder as it becomes clear that Blackthorne may never see his home again. The production deliberately pushed hard against various television taboos and audience expectations, including the extensive use of Japanese dialogue, startling violence, near nudity, and profane behavior. That all looks tamer now, of course, but Shogun is still a unique entry in the phenomenon of prestige miniseries from the late 1970s and early '80s. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - James Clavell's SHOGUN
James Clavell's Shogun
Very good quality, excellent package and presentation, Very happy with the DVD Boxset, the purchase, Amazon service and delivery.
Rating: - Shogun
I have loved this story ever since it first appeared in book form and as a mini series. I own the VHS version and recently bought the DVD version. This is a top quality DVD set with a bonus features disc. It is high quality, colorful and well designed. This is a wonderful addition to any movie/DVD library. Highly recommended.
Rating: - Very nice
I love this movie, glad to be able to show to my kids.
maggie
Rating: - Subtitles and...no subtitles!
The Region 2 edition of this set comes with a choice of more than 20 subtitles, but ONLY for the bonus features and where Chamberlain's character speaks English! When Japanese is spoken (i.e. a good part of the story), there are none. Go figure.
Rating: - Shogun - movie version of James Clavell's novel
This video made in the 80's for TV audiences, has some how managed to capture the class of the original novel written by James Clavell. It is an excellent view of the samurai culture with all its positive and negative aspects. The dissonance created by the entry of a foreigner in to an insular culture is beautifully portrayed. The acting is superb and keeps you rivetted to the seat. An excellent buy both historically and in terms of entertainment value.
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