Shôgun on Disney Plus: what is the new adaptation of the cult novel about feudal Japan worth?

A rereading of Clavell’s book, the 2024 version of Shôgun is an ambitious and embodied fresco, necessarily less Western-centric than the series with Richard Chamberlain.

In 1980, we discovered the first serial adaptation of Shogun, taken from a novel by James Clavell. Richard Chamberlain played the role of the English navigator John Blackthorne, lost on the Japanese coast at the twilight of the 16th century. The foreign aroused the interest of a local lord losing influence, Toranaga (Toshirô Mifune), against a backdrop of clan wars and Western political maneuvers.

Hiroyuki Sanada: “Sonny Chiba opened my eyes to the world”

The series called for a remake. And the project will have spent more than ten years searching for itself, over the course of a production strewn with pitfalls. Everything could therefore suggest that we were heading towards a catastrophe. Good news, it’s not the case. Without transcending the matrix novel (more abundant), nor its adaptation of yesteryear in its production value with its hard decorations, Shogun version 2024 offers a more balanced path.

At the time, the miniseries focused on the fate of Westerners and Mifune only appeared after two hours. Forty-four years later, the picaresque story plows the same furrow of acculturation by looking with deference at the Japanese code of honor, but by putting those first concerned at the heart of the story.

Blackthorne and Toranaga are on equal footing, while beautiful portraits of tragic heroines emerge. Without having the aura of his elder, Cosmo Jarvis (Peaky Blindersphoto above) holds the prize high for a majestic Hiroyuki Sanada. Which comes full circle after having exploded in Hollywood thanks to Last Samurai who didn’t quibble about the loans to Clavell. Shogun is a better version. But without Tom Cruise.

The first two episodes of Shogun February 27 on Disney Plus, then one episode per week. Number of episodes seen 8/10.