Shogun

Action/Historic movie 1980 Paramount pictures corporation Executive producer: James Clavell Producer/Write: Eric Bercovici Directed by Jerry London Based on the novel by James Clavell Music composed & conducted by Maurice Jarre

CAST Richard Chamberlain as Captain Blackthorn Toshiro Mifune as Toronaga Yoko Shimada as Mariko Frankie Sakai as Yabu Alan Badel as Dell'Aqua Micheal Hordern as Friar Domingo Damien Thomas as Martin Alvito John Rhys-Davies as Rodrigues Vladek Sheybal as Captain Ferriera George Innes as Vinck Leon Lissek as Sebastio Yuki Meguro as Omi

Plot Summary

After 600 years of civil war, Japan approached the 17^th century as a torn and cruelly divided country governed by a council of regions whose members were mainly concerned with extending their own power.

Finally, the struggle narrowed down to two men, Yoshi Toronaga, lord of the Canton and Ishido Kasumare, master of Osaka Castle. But neither men could seize control until carried by the winds of storm, then a Dutch war ship enters Japanese waters piloted by an English man

His name was Blackthorn and he rapidly became a protegee of Toronaga who even gave him the grade of Samurai. But when Blackthorn first set foot on Japanese land, he had the unpleasant surprise to find some Portuguese who were already well established there. In those days the Portuguese and the English were enemies.

The main trading is made with the help of some Jesuit priests who converted many Japanese to the Catholic religion and even some Samurais. And every year comes the Blackship that brings back the treasures to Portugal.

Comment

This is one of my favorite epic series. Very well done and with very nice scenery.

Vladek Sheybal plays the Blackship's Captain, Ferriera. This is not such a small role and as usual, he plays it brilliantly. But he is a villain (of course) and he is almost obsessed with the idea of killing Captain Blackthorn and sinking his ship. He has a lot of power as Captain of the Blackship and governor of Macao (a port in China). He even defies the authority of the priests. Specially in those days, this was a very bold thing to do.

Images

Brother Alvito just came back from his visit to Lord Toronaga and meets with Captain Ferriera and The Cardinal (Eminence).

Ferriera: "How bad?" Brother Alvito: "Very bad Captain Ferriera, Toronaga has been interrogating the English man, Blackthorn" Ferriera: "The sooner that this heretic is dead, the better!"

Ferriera: " And... what else did the Japo say?" Brother Alvito: "Lord Toronaga requestS a written explanation of our conquest in the new world. And, the amount of gold and silver taken back to Spain and Portugal from the Americas" Ferriera: "This must absolutely be refused!"

Cardinal: "You cannot refuse Toronaga" Ferriera: "Without my Blackship, their whole economy would collapse!"

Ferriera telling to the Cardinal how important the trading is to the Japanese.

Cardinal: "It's true they need us, but we need them more!" Ferriera: "You must excuse me your Eminence, but sometimes it is necessary for soldiers to do God's work!"

Cardinal: "I must ask you Captain, formally, not to even think of interfering with internal politics in this country! Ferriera (after stating that he has the authority to do so): If I choose to eliminate Toronaga, or any one else... I will!"

The Cardinal threatens to excommunicate him if he interferes and orders him again not to interfere. Ferriera: "Only if the internal politics do not interfere with my plans. By the blood of Christ, my Blackship will sail on time...

Cardinal: "Then our prayers will go with you!" Ferriera: "So will your profits"

Ferriera: "But if that English Captain catches us at sea, we would lose everything!"

Ferriera: "I hope you understand that!?" Brother Alvito: "You've made it quite clear, Captain!" Ferriera (very softly, in a Jackson kind of way!!): "Yes!"

Ferriera: "Will you come on board to dine with me tomorrow night!?"
Cardinal: "Yes, some good food will be welcome, you're very kind!"
Ferriera (sounding like an order): "Tomorrow, at dusk!"

On board of the Blackship the day after. The Galley (wearing Toronaga's flag) is very close and Toronaga is on board with Blackthorn, his interpreter and Samurais.

Now Blackthorn is calling Rodrigues from the Galley (the ship Ferriera wanted to sink). He requests permission to come aboard for Toronaga, his interpreter and some guards. The Cardinal suggests to Ferriera to settle on 5 guards, Toronaga must bring some, it's a matter of face.

Well, Rodrigues attracted Blackthorn with the promise of good food on board. So while he is pigging out on the food in Rodrigues' cabin, Toronaga discusses some arrangements with Ferriera to get fire-arms. At the table are also the two priests and Toronaga's interpreter, Lady Mariko.

But someone was peeking and listening to the whole conversation on Rodrigues' orders. Rodrigues likes Blackthorn, because he saved his live once. So as soon as he's aware of the Captain's deal, he goes and throws Blackthorn overboard behind the Captain's back. That way he saved his life, because Captain Ferriera would have most certainly executed him. But when Ferriera sees that, he is not a happy man!!

On the way to Macao, Captain Ferriera comes back on board with a bad news, Blackthorn has got his ship back.

Much later in the story, Blackthorn, who has been injured and lost his eyesight, comes to the Galley escorted by the Cardinal and a bunch of Christian Samurai. They want to go on board, but Ferriera is in the way with all his men and won't let them pass.

This page by Nathalie Audet, Canada (naudet@francomedia.qc.ca), member of the Fab-Ufo List