ShÅgun (TV miniseries)
- Richard Chamberlain: John Blackthorne ( " Anjin -san " )
- Toshirō Mifune: Yoshi Toranaga
- Yōko Shimada: Toda Mariko - Buntaro
- Frankie Sakai: Kasigi Yabu
- Alan Badel: Father Dell'Aqua
- Damien Thomas: Father Alvito
- John Rhys -Davies: Vasco Rodrigues
- Vladek Sheybal: Captain Ferreira
- Michael Hordern: Domingo
Shogun is the title of an American television series based on the novel of the British- American writer James Clavell (1924 - 1994). Historical from 1975 model of the novel and the series were, inter alia, the adventures of English navigator William Adams, the 1600s in the services of a Dutch trading expedition reached the coast of Japan and 1620 died as a samurai. In addition Clavell used the records of the Portuguese adventurer Fernao Mendes Pinto and the Jesuit missionary Francisco de Xavier ( Francis Xavier ).
Action
Beginning of the 17th century reached the ship navigator John Blackthorne in the storm on the Japanese coast. Blackthorne can save himself and is initially locked. He soon, however, can win the favor of the prince Toranaga who makes him his henchman. Through his service with Toranaga Blackthorne is drawn into the intrigues of some feudal lords for power in the country.
Differences from the novel
Many storylines were cut or changed, which you can partly be explained by the complexity of the novel and on the other so that the series or the movie more on the figure Blackthorne concentrated than the other characters in the novel. The viewer is / is held at the almost same level of knowledge as Blackthorne.
So among other things missing:
- Insights into Prince Toranagas thoughts - except briefly at the end - whole, giving the impression that one can not judge this man.
- Omis and yabus conversations with the family, for example, show that Omi has much more political skills than his uncle.
- The talks Toranagas with his son Naga or Dame Kiri.
- The talks between Fujiko, Black Thorne's consort and Lord Toranaga.
- Mura's past as well as his influence as a spy in Anjiro
Changed was, inter alia:
- A voice-over narrator explains from time to time events and Japanese dialogues.
- The behavior of the priests. In the novel, they are still the enemies of the Navigator, but not quite as drawn in black, as is the case in the film adaptation.
- In the novel, Kiku is asked by Lord Toranaga whether she wants to be the wife of the Anjin -san. In the film presents Blackthorne after Kiku was awarded to him by Toranaga, the deed, the Kiku his "ownership " is characterized, at Omi.
- In contrast, the pair Kiku and Omi is no happy ending granted in the novel, it is only indicated that this lady is a gift that we must earn and Omi has to prove himself yet only with regard to the question of where his loyalty lies.
Background
The story is based on the life of William Adams, probably the first European who was awarded the title Samurai. Historical model Toranagas and also a part of the action is the work of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who with the Battle of Sekigahara established power in Japan tore itself and the Tokugawa shogunate after a long civil war period and many power intrigues in 1600, which until the middle of the 19. century lasted.
Comments
The television series directed by Jerry London and the camera work by Andrew Laszlo was in Germany to become a classic of the 1980s and made the renowned Japanese actor Toshirō Mifune ( 1920-1997 ) also known in German-speaking countries. More broadcasts were
- 7 episodes x 60 min (ZDF, 1986 and 1990)
- 11 episodes x 45 min ( Sat.1, 1992)
- Feature film, 142 min ( ProSieben, 1993 and 1994)
- 5 episodes, 90-110 min (NDR, 2004; Anixe, 2008)
- 11 episodes x 45 min (Arte, March / April 2010)
In the orig. English version:
- 5 episodes = Opening Episode 3 hours, 3 episodes á 62 min, Last Episode 3 hours ago -. U.S. Air Date was from 15 - September 19, 1980
- As a DVD release 10 episodes á 60 min.
Based on James Clavell 's novel Shogun created an eponymous Broadway musical (1990 ) and several computer games.
On a synchronization of the predominantly Japanese dialogues has been omitted. Also, subtitles are rarely displayed. In this way, the viewer can better empathize with the situation of a foreigner in Japan. In the original version of Orson Welles borrowed the explanatory narrator 's voice.
2004 appeared the complete miniseries in a DVD edition on 5 discs. The first four contain the serial episode without breaks, on the fifth are extras to be found, among other things, a longer making-of.
A very similar parts in film, in which the experiences of an English speaking foreigner in Japan are shown, provides Last Samurai dar. He was released in 2003. The plot of the movie takes place in contrast to the shogun in the late 19th century.