Shogun, Disney
Discussion
Massive thumbs up from me for this, honestly it's one of the best series I have watched, full stop. I am just in awe of the Japanese culture and way of life, the absolute dichotomy of impeccable manners/customs with the absolute brutality and self-sacrifice. Makes understanding how the Japanese behaved in more recent wars much more fathomable. Back OT this is utterly brilliant and incredibly well-made, the earthquake scene alone had me almost off my seat. The Japanese leads are superb and steal the show easily from the lead, as good as he is. I have to say he comes across more to me as an Oliver Reed type than Lewis Collins...I think he sounds a lot like him too 
272BHP said:
I am simply amazed Disney green lighted it to be honest.
English white male gets shipwrecked and finds himself among an indigenous population. Due to his intelligence, diplomacy and gallantry he easily navigates to a position of power and wealth.
Giggles aside, I was worried about this as I loved the book and the original series and was terrified it would be ruined but they have done a cracking job so far.
Hiroyuki Sanada is superb as Toranaga.
It's actually made by FX though, not Disney? I agree that it's a superb take on the book. There are some interesting YouTube videos made by FX that explain how it was made and produced. The influence of Sanada (who I believe produces it) and others really shows, and they went the nth degree to keep it authentic, both in terms of the storyline and production values.English white male gets shipwrecked and finds himself among an indigenous population. Due to his intelligence, diplomacy and gallantry he easily navigates to a position of power and wealth.
Giggles aside, I was worried about this as I loved the book and the original series and was terrified it would be ruined but they have done a cracking job so far.
Hiroyuki Sanada is superb as Toranaga.
I got the sense from these videos that the Japanese side of the production won the day in terms of keeping out any form of 'message' or any other pandering to modern progressive audiences...
Brilliant TV and head and shoulders above anything else on at the moment.
272BHP said:
If Hiroyuki Sanada does not win all the awards going for his portrayal of Toranaga then there is simply no justice.
Episode 8 especially - absolutely captivating performance.
Frustrating that I’ve had to pause, viewing, my wife and I are enjoying this immensely, but she’s buggered off on a cruise for 3 weeks! However, I watched The Last Samurai last night, only to see him in that too, which I’d forgotten.Episode 8 especially - absolutely captivating performance.
normalbloke said:
272BHP said:
If Hiroyuki Sanada does not win all the awards going for his portrayal of Toranaga then there is simply no justice.
Episode 8 especially - absolutely captivating performance.
Frustrating that I’ve had to pause, viewing, my wife and I are enjoying this immensely, but she’s buggered off on a cruise for 3 weeks! However, I watched The Last Samurai last night, only to see him in that too, which I’d forgotten.Episode 8 especially - absolutely captivating performance.
Scrump said:
This thread has motivated me to give this a go. Only watched episode 1 but will be watching more.
Without the positive reviews from this thread I doubt I would have started watching it.
Ep1 is a taster, but it does ramp up the gore and action. The next few episodes don't feature it quite so much. Without the positive reviews from this thread I doubt I would have started watching it.
GTO-3R said:
Wow. Watched episode 9 this morning and what a cracker it is! This is the best series I've seen in a long long time and is captivating
I've not read the book but managed to get it for 99p on Kindle so once the series is over I'll give it a read!
Book is utterly immersive and compelling, one of the best researched 'fiction' books I've ever read, although I'd temper that by saying I mist have read it when I was about 16 or 17 and haven't returned to it since! I've not read the book but managed to get it for 99p on Kindle so once the series is over I'll give it a read!
popeyewhite said:
I'm finding it a bit dull. E9 was an improvement though. I appreciate the acting, sets, world-building etc but I don't remember the original sagging this much in the middle. As noted above, a long time ago though.
The original series was also very good as I remember but a fair bit lighter in tone and presentation - more Ben-Hur perhaps. Richard Chamberlain also has a bit more gravitas than Cosmo Jarvis I think.The book is utterly compelling and a good choice for a summer read - lots of pages
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