Remake possibilities?

Okay, well I concede your point there. I’d say there’s a slight break down in the communication of my point. Being that it’s been a long time since I made any posts on Shogun – and that they were spread over a number of posts – I’ve forgotten exactly what has been said (and where). Thus it would appear that you are correct, my comments here are part of a separate argument and as such don’t give any further insight other that to say “I’ve watched a little bit and it was crap.”

Right then, let’s remedy this…

I think we’ve already established that this is my favourite book of all time, hence the reason I would love the opportunity to enjoy this on screen as well – either via the medium of the big screen, or preferably stretched out as part of an extended twelve part HBO (or equivalent), TV series. Actually, the more I think of this the possibilities could be quite something here in that the novel could be dealt with in detail in Season 1 and then allow for an extension of the story in subsequent seasons. Yes, I appreciate that allows for the possibility of disaster, ruining a classic, but hey, as we have nothing at the moment then where is the harm in trying? If you don’t like it then no one is forcing you to watch it.

In terms of the 80’s Shogun TV version, yes, I watched a little and as I had expected all along, it felt instantly tired and dated – voice over narratives, shoddy visuals, etc. Of course you can argue until you are blue in the face that this is a classic, timeless, etc, etc. However, you presumably have grown up with this version and have a love for it as a result. I can certainly empathize with this as I feel the same about many of the movies/shows I grew up with…but that doesn’t mean that they do stand the test of time.

Consider yourself in this example and occasions where you have tried to watch ‘the classics’ but just haven’t been able to get on board as it’s not what you have grown up with – given that our tastes evolve over the years largely based on that which CAME BEFORE. That’s never happened?

I’ve witnessed this first hand. I’ve sat down with my father (on more nights than I care to remember), to watch his favourite movies from when he was a younger man. Let us remember that these movies were the smash hits of the day, but with the exception of a few that have a never ending charm, were in general just painful for me to endure. I’ve since experienced that same happen to me given that my wife is a decade my junior and we have run through ‘classic movie night’ situations. Whilst we both enjoy the same kind of movies/TV series now, she just isn’t able to enjoy those that I grew up with in the 80’s as they are simply not of her era. You can surely understand this?...

I’m not suggesting that there aren’t classics out there that shall forever stand the test of time (ones that you can still watch today even if you missed them during their era), but these examples are rare and the simple fact is, you ask a teenager today to sit down and watch thirty year old movies, or ‘the classics’ and they’ll be nodding off on the sofa before you know it. I personally adore period piece shows that are available now (Rome, The Tudors, etc), and have fond memories of other such greats in the past (that I again grew up with), but ask me to watch similar material from the early 70’s or before and that I missed the first time and it won’t be long before I’ll lose the will to live. Again, are you saying that this is not true for you? I’ve no idea how old you are, but apply the same to movies/shows that were twenty years plus before your time and then ask how you feel about it.

So given this understanding I would ask you to for a moment remove yourself from your personal fond memories of Shogun and accept that it might be time for a revamp for those of us who weren’t able to enjoy it the first time. The majority of the younger population will have never even heard of Shogun (I don’t even think it’s in print anymore), let alone have seen the TV version. In the event they did stumble across it then the chances of it being watched in its entirety are VERY slim and would be done so by less than 1% of the population – I love the book and even I won’t watch it! So far the closest I’ve come to having something to watch was of course The Last Samurai. I found this very enjoyable, but the story was nothing by comparison to that of Shogun…even if most of the same elements were present.

There are oh so many people in here who campaign against remakes, but I believe they’re very much needed. Naturally so many of remakes succeed in falling flat, but then look at how many other original movies/TV programs today do exactly the same – how many times do you watch trailers today for brand new offerings and think ‘Well that looks like a load of *beep* I know I do it a lot! Let us not forget those that are triumphs. The prime example I like to draw upon is always King Kong. Three versions, each better than the last…or do you think the 1930’s version is still the best?...

We’ve discussed the premise of missing originals first time around – ergo having no knowledge of their existence - and the subsequent inability to enjoy later – remembering the style of film making moves very quickly, which is ever so present in the 80’s version of Shogun – but there are two other key factors that are pro remakes. I would say the arguments for are:

1. The visually dated – Shogun may look old, but it’s more the direction approach that is the issue. As the first example that springs to mind, I’m actually looking forward to the release of Clash of the Titans. This was just about my favourite movie as a boy – the one I’m make my mother rent every single time we went to the local video store – and I own it now. Despite it sitting proudly in my collection, it’s only for nostalgia and comes out at best, once a decade when I am ironing and need some background noise. The story is still wonderful, but it looks ridiculous. Fair? I can’t imagine my son wanting to sit down and watch this one with me when he’s old enough! Therefore, an injection of new blood will be great.

2. The tired – Another remake I’m really quite excited about (along with many others), is Highlander. Now then, like you with your love for Shogun, I grew up with this, think it’s perfect just as it is (ignoring any and all sequels) and honestly don’t think they can improve on it. HOWEVER! Given that I have watched it just about ten thousand times over the space of roughly twenty five years, I’m tired of it. As with Clash of the Titans, it really only comes out to play once in a blue moon and even then I would have to be really in the mood to be able to enjoy it properly – without being distracted by something else. So bring on the remake I say. It may not be as good as the first, it may even be better. The point is who knows, but at least I can watch something new in one of my favourite stories.

So, hopefully this shall satisfy your complaints as to why I feel a remake for Shogun is urgently needed. If this doesn’t do it then nothing will!


If it bleeds, we can kill it.