Shogun (1980)

In fact, 1980's "Shogun" is a TV show that aired as a mini-series and not just a TV movie. It is adapted from the novel of the same name by James Clavell and consists of 5 parts. Each episode lasts approximately 90 minutes and makes up a 9-hour series in total.

The series tells a story set in 17th century Japan. It is about a British sailor, John Blackthorne, traveling to Japan with the Portuguese ship Erasmus and trying to integrate into Japanese culture there. Blackthorne tries to stay true to his own culture and beliefs while interacting with Japanese samurai, daimyos, and shoguns.

British actor Richard Chamberlain plays the lead role in the series. In addition, famous names such as Japanese actors Toshiro Mifune, Yoko Shimada and Hiroyuki Sanada also appear in the series.

"Shogun" was shot on a big budget and became one of the most famous mini-series in 1980s television history. The series received positive reviews from critics and won many awards.

1980's "Shogun" is actually a television mini-series and consists of 5 episodes. Therefore, the subject will be explained in detail as a series.

The series is about a British sailor who travels to Japan in the 17th century and integrates into Japanese culture. An English sailor named John Blackthorne is stranded in a storm while traveling to Japan on the Portuguese ship Erasmus and tries to integrate into Japanese culture. At first, Blackthorne is a complete stranger to Japanese culture and knows nothing about Japanese customs and beliefs. But over time, the beauty and intelligence of Japanese culture impresses him and he begins to question some of his own culture.

As soon as Blackthorne arrives in Japan, he is brought before the ruling shogun and taken into his service. The Shogun is a deeply rooted leader in Japanese culture, and Blackthorne must abide by Japanese traditions to earn his respect. Blackthorne tries to stay true to his own culture and beliefs while interacting with Japanese samurai, daimyos, and shoguns.


Blackthorne embarks on a grueling journey to adapt to Japanese culture. He learns Japanese, adopts a distinctive Japanese dress code, and learns Japanese weapons and defensive techniques. Unlike women in his culture, Japanese women are freer and Blackthorne falls in love with Mariko, a Japanese woman.

The series also contains many details about the intrigues among the daimyo, the harsh discipline of the samurai, and Japanese traditions. Blackthorne's adaptation to Japanese culture goes so far as to earn him the respect of many Japanese over time. However, he also worries about breaking away from his own culture and beliefs.

The series is depicted in detail that reflects the beauty and wit of Japanese culture, while also revealing western illusions about Japanese culture. "Shogun" contains a wealth of historical information about Japanese history, with the story of an extraordinary British sailor adapting to Japanese culture.

Interesting information about the series / movie...

  • Shogun is based on the novel of the same name by acclaimed author James Clavell, and Clavell was also involved in writing the screenplay.
  • The movie is inspired by the 1975 Japanese drama "Taiko no Tatsujin".
  • Shogun was a pretty big production for the time, and it was made on a budget of around $20 million.
  • The filming took place in Japan over 13 weeks, and approximately 12,000 extras were used.
  • Richard Chamberlain was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in Shogun.
  • Shogun was broadcast on ABC television, making it one of the highest-rated mini-series of that time.
Director : Jerry London
Writers : James Clavell, Eric Bercovici
Director of Photography : Andrew Laszlo
Music : Maurice Jarre
Production : 1980 - USA, Jpan - 549 m.
Genre : Adventure / Drama / History

CAST :
Richard Chamberlain
Toshirô Mifune
Yôko Shimada
Furankî Sakai
Alan Badel
Damien Thomas

Previous Post Next Post