I've never read any Clavell! If I like Shogun (which I'm pretty sure I will), I'll probably go through at least a few of his novels. I'll keep those two at the top of the list!
His first book, "King Rat" was what made him, but after that, he came out with TAI PAN. "Ah-Maze-Zing!" After reading NOBLE HOUSE though, you'll walk away saying he died too soon. He was setting everything up for another book.
Good to have the 1980 comparison, can't remember, been too long but somehow I find the new version, how to say this... more "theatric?" Still, I like it. Maybe it's best not to compare.
Yeah, it's definitely higher quality in a certain sense, but I do think they sort of exhibit different film and cultural trends a lot.
The 1980 version was lighter with greater emphasis on the relationships and a much lower sense of dread and drama. The scene with Buntaro and Blackthorne from the previous episode is probably the biggest point of contrast.
In the 2024 version, it's a very dark and oppressive scene. In the 1980 version, it's sort of on the edge of comedy and drama, and you get a sense that the two men have found a sort of companionable rivalry.
Having all the extra insight into the politics of the story is definitely a plus, but I do miss some of the lightness and humor of the 1980 version. One of my favorite scenes from the 1980 version isn't in this at all (it's when Toranaga and Blackthorne sing and dance together while drinking).
So while the new version has greater technical quality, I think it is missing a lot of the charm of the 1980 version. Which isn't necessarily bad, since I think they're offering enough different elements and textures to make it great in its own right. But they are very different experiences.
Exactly that, very well put. It may have made the 1980s version ultimately more enjoyable for me, even though I appreciate all the technical glitz and bling, the production value is outstanding. But this new version might feel less "intimate," less "immersive" to the viewer, than the 1980s one, mayhaps? Then again, I enjoy the new version and I think it's good it exists. Still need to read the book!
I agree with you. I think there's a big advantage, as a viewer, to having such a close, single POV into this story. Yes, we were left in the dark for a lot of the broader plot in the 1980 version, but it meant there was way more time and attention given to personal relationships.
Ultimately, I'm glad we have both and I'm glad they're so different. I can imagine that, years from now, I'll watch the 1980 version and it will make me want to watch the 2024 version, and vice versa.
Very true, then again, people are complaining that ep 6 was so sloooooow nothing is happening yadda yadda (see trakt.tv), what can you do eh? Make them watch Paterson on repeat for a year. I digress. Before watching the shows again, we must read the book.
Also, nothing happened?!?! Do people have eyes connected to a heart?!
I mean, in a sense, yes, this is a connective tissue episode like any episode in the middle of a season, but that doesn't mean it wasn't great! I don't know how someone could watch that scene at the brothel and be bored or listen to Lady Ochiba and not be entranced and kind of scared!
Wait until you read the book.
I'm pretty excited for it!
I'll start once the series is done, I think.
Have you read TAI PAN? May I recommend that after? And then...NOBLE HOUSE.
I've never read any Clavell! If I like Shogun (which I'm pretty sure I will), I'll probably go through at least a few of his novels. I'll keep those two at the top of the list!
His first book, "King Rat" was what made him, but after that, he came out with TAI PAN. "Ah-Maze-Zing!" After reading NOBLE HOUSE though, you'll walk away saying he died too soon. He was setting everything up for another book.
Ah, interesting!
Good to have the 1980 comparison, can't remember, been too long but somehow I find the new version, how to say this... more "theatric?" Still, I like it. Maybe it's best not to compare.
Yeah, it's definitely higher quality in a certain sense, but I do think they sort of exhibit different film and cultural trends a lot.
The 1980 version was lighter with greater emphasis on the relationships and a much lower sense of dread and drama. The scene with Buntaro and Blackthorne from the previous episode is probably the biggest point of contrast.
In the 2024 version, it's a very dark and oppressive scene. In the 1980 version, it's sort of on the edge of comedy and drama, and you get a sense that the two men have found a sort of companionable rivalry.
Having all the extra insight into the politics of the story is definitely a plus, but I do miss some of the lightness and humor of the 1980 version. One of my favorite scenes from the 1980 version isn't in this at all (it's when Toranaga and Blackthorne sing and dance together while drinking).
So while the new version has greater technical quality, I think it is missing a lot of the charm of the 1980 version. Which isn't necessarily bad, since I think they're offering enough different elements and textures to make it great in its own right. But they are very different experiences.
Exactly that, very well put. It may have made the 1980s version ultimately more enjoyable for me, even though I appreciate all the technical glitz and bling, the production value is outstanding. But this new version might feel less "intimate," less "immersive" to the viewer, than the 1980s one, mayhaps? Then again, I enjoy the new version and I think it's good it exists. Still need to read the book!
Ha, I also need to read the book!
I agree with you. I think there's a big advantage, as a viewer, to having such a close, single POV into this story. Yes, we were left in the dark for a lot of the broader plot in the 1980 version, but it meant there was way more time and attention given to personal relationships.
Ultimately, I'm glad we have both and I'm glad they're so different. I can imagine that, years from now, I'll watch the 1980 version and it will make me want to watch the 2024 version, and vice versa.
Very true, then again, people are complaining that ep 6 was so sloooooow nothing is happening yadda yadda (see trakt.tv), what can you do eh? Make them watch Paterson on repeat for a year. I digress. Before watching the shows again, we must read the book.
Ha, yes!
Also, nothing happened?!?! Do people have eyes connected to a heart?!
I mean, in a sense, yes, this is a connective tissue episode like any episode in the middle of a season, but that doesn't mean it wasn't great! I don't know how someone could watch that scene at the brothel and be bored or listen to Lady Ochiba and not be entranced and kind of scared!
Nope. They know nothing, see nothing, hear nothing, only blood and gore is what counts, shrug, there's a reason Hollywood is doing what it's doing...
Ep06 was magnificent. I just watched Ep07 and can't wait for next week. Not being able to binge this is good and bad :D