MGibster
Legend
Dude, the original had Toshiro Mifune as Toranaga as well as a slew of other Japanese actors playing Japanese characters. The script, actors, and production values were all top notch for the day and in my opinion hold up rather well. You call it a cheesy west meast east soap opera? I call it a compelling story with interesting characters. The mini-series was good in 1980 and it was still good around 2005 when I last watched it. Also, since it originally aired in 1980, it's really more of a 1970s production.Anybody catch the premier last night on FX and Hulu? About twenty years ago I got the original series on netflix DVD by mail and it was...well it was made in the 80s. I dont recall it being culturally insensitive, just cheesy like a west meets east soap opera.
I haven't watched the new adapation, but I'm looking forward to it. James Clavell served in the Royal Navy during the Second Wold War and was captured by the Japanese and suffered from nightmares for many years. He used to carry a tin of sardines with him at all times.
Has anyone read the sequel, Gai-Jin?