Thread: Shogun

I just finished the title series on HULU. This is one of the best series I have ever seen. Everything about it is first class. Acting, production and of course, the story. So very well done.

Highly recommended - especially if you have ever spent time in Japan for more than a couple of visits.

Absolutely agree, Crwilli,...an epic production with attention to every single detail. One of the best productions of any kind ever. The original series years ago was excellent at the time and still enjoyable to this day.

The new series, authentic in every way, is on another level.

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Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Absolutely agree, Crwilli,...an epic production with attention to every single detail. One of the best productions of any kind ever. The original series years ago was excellent at the time and still enjoyable to this day.

The new series, authentic in every way, is on another level.

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Agreed on the new series.

Never could get into the older series.

One of the reasons I like the newer series is Hiroyuki Sanadai's performance. I remember first seeing him in The Last Samurai.

I did watch the broadcast Shogun when it came out, and once as re-run. It was great. I read the book at least once, and some of the following books. I also purchased the original series on DVD.

All that being said, the new series rocks! The new series seems much more detailed, and I assume will cover more of the story, and detail, from the book. I should be watching the last episode in my room this weekend.

I started watching the first couple of episodes and was enjoying it but my wife was having a hard time keeping up with the sub-titles so I am waiting to pick it up again.

I read all of his original novels (Shogun, Tai-Pan, King Rat, Noble House etc) and they were all great.

I like listening to the Japanese, with subtitles, as we have watch many foreign films. And as a 65 year old, I like subtitles for some video with difficult to hear dialogs. On the Apple TV there was the option to watch it in dubbed English.

With that in mind, I hope to choose a system when we move, for the video, that has a good dialog enhancement feature. I can’t get much improvement increasing the center channel in my simple 5.1 system. Fairly old Sony 5.1 receiver that was chosen to be short enough to fit on the shelf.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Agreed on the new series.

Never could get into the older series.

One of the reasons I like the newer series is Hiroyuki Sanadai's performance. I remember first seeing him in The Last Samurai.

He also had a staring role in "The Railway Man" with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman.
The Railway Man (film) - Wikipedia

Originally Posted by still-one

I started watching the first couple of episodes and was enjoying it but my wife was having a hard time keeping up with the sub-titles so I am waiting to pick it up again.

I read all of his original novels (Shogun, Tai-Pan, King Rat, Noble House etc) and they were all great.

Yep, read all the books as well. Very enjoyable for me as I was living in Asia at the time.

Great series. Finished the last episode on Sunday.

Growing up on a farm and fairly sheltered, the original Shogun series captivated me, and led to a lifelong fascination with the Japanese aesthetic. The new series was excellent. I was expecting high drama and battle scenes. Instead it was more of a psychologic thriller. Excellent writing and character development with an emphasis on political intrigue and the differences in cultures. Cosmo Jarvis' Blackthorne was more of a fickle opportunist than the suave Richard Chamberlain in the older series. This show really should have been entitled "Mariko", and Anna Sawai should win an emmy for her performance.

Originally Posted by Ricky64

Growing up on a farm and fairly sheltered, the original Shogun series captivated me, and led to a lifelong fascination with the Japanese aesthetic. The new series was excellent. I was expecting high drama and battle scenes. Instead it was more of a psychologic thriller. Excellent writing and character development with an emphasis on political intrigue and the differences in cultures. Cosmo Jarvis' Blackthorne was more of a fickle opportunist than the suave Richard Chamberlain in the older series. This show really should have been entitled "Mariko", and Anna Sawa should win an emmy for her performance.

If you found the Japanese aesthetic and cultural sensibilities interesting and would like to get a deeper understanding, my recommendation would be to watch some of these films by the late, great film director, Akira Kurosawa. These are all masterpieces (as corroborated by directors e.g. Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, John Sturges, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Bill Nighy, and many others). Many famous directors have essentially made "direct re-makes" of Kurosawa's films.

(Not listed in order)
1. Seven Samurai (The Magnificent Seven is a remake of Seven Samurai)
2. Throne of Blood
3. The Hidden Fortress (Star Wars is a remake of The Hidden Fortress)
4. Rashomon (The Outrage is a remake of Rashomon)
5. Ikiru (Living by Bill Nighy is a remake of Ikiru)

Or just book a flight to Japan and spend some time there. It’s a fascinating culture. And, yes, very organized and thoughtful. The people and customs are great. Lastly, a beautiful country.

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Or just book a flight to Japan and spend some time there. It’s a fascinating culture. And, yes, very organized and thoughtful. The people and customs are great. Lastly, a beautiful country.

Agree 100% on all points. If possible, be sure to visit Kyoto. Such a beautiful city. And you can also visit Nijojo Palace in Kyoto. Incredible.

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Or just book a flight to Japan and spend some time there. It’s a fascinating culture. And, yes, very organized and thoughtful. The people and customs are great. Lastly, a beautiful country.

I agree with Mike. A very interesting country. The area around the Akita Prefecture in northern Japan was beautiful and historically interesting to visit. A good way to spend a long weekend when on business.