Shogun was one of the great series highlight of 2024. Critics praised the Miniserie from Studio FX Network for its great historical accuracy, cultural sensitivity and great look. With the Emmies there were a total of 18 trophies for Shogun - a record. And Gamestar author Jesko (I) has already sung one or the other praise to the ingenious history series.
However, Shogun does not apparently not be as well received by all spectators as the critic praise makes it believe. A prominent critic of the mini series is Jerry London, who has already filmed Shogun himself. In 1980 the director James Clavell's book template adapted for the first time for the American TV station NBC.
Even then, Shogun was a gigantic success; won three Emmys and three Golden Globe Awards. In the mid -80s, the series was first broadcast in Germany. In direct comparison, however, there are big differences between the two series. And that is exactly what Jerry London's criticism of the new Shogun adaptation is aimed at:
He finds the 2024 versionDark the American audience due to their high complexity.
The new Shogun is completely different from what I did. My version was mainly about the love story between Blackthorne and Mariko. The new series, on the other hand, focuses on Japanese history, and it is more about Toranaga that was the Shogun.
It is very technical and very difficult for an American audience to find your way around. I spoke to many people who saw the series and they said: 'I had to switch off because I didn't understand it.' The show runners of the new series were not really interested in the needs of the American audience.
This makes Shogun (2024)not particularly entertaining
- and thus miss their real purpose in London's eyes. Because for the director, series should mainly maintain.
He was quite relieved that Shogun (2024) found his own approach, but notes that many spectators still were afraid of reading subtitles these days. Shogun is mostly turned into Japanese and was not synchronized west. The series should enable the audience to emphasize themselves in the situation of a foreigner in Japan.
They basically made the series for a Japanese audience, and I was happy about it because I didn't want my series to be copied. I think I did a great job at the time; My version has won many prices. I didn't want it to be copied - fortunately you didn't do.
But the irony on the new Shogun is that everyone I talked to said said: 'I don't understand that. What is it about? 'I looked at the whole thing. It is very difficult to stay with it. The series has won all Emmy prices, but only because there were no big competitors this year.
Fun Fact:The 1980 version of Shogun was hardly synchronized. But instead of subtitles, the viewer simply did not even learn what was being talked about in Japanese - unless he was powerful. In this regard, the old adaptation was at least a little more consistent. We can recommend both variants of a clear conscience.
With regard to Jerry London's assumption that Shogun would not have been well received by the (American) audience, we also have to correct. The first episode alone could be recorded within a week9 million streamsachieve.
Among other things, this is why the series is also extended by the responsible studio FX Network. Leading actor Hiroyuki Sanada has already signed his contract for the second season. This can no longer be based on the novel, but on the real history book. And here really great narrative potential is really waiting.
Do you find Jerry London's criticism of the new Shogun series or do you already look forward to the second season? Which Shogun adaptation is ahead with you? Write it to us in the comments!
