Shogun, an acclaimed TV mini-series of the 1980s, intrigued viewers as they retuned every week to catch each new episode. The show won three Golden Globes and was nominated for 14 Emmy awards. Based on James Clavell's novel of the same name, Shogun stars Richard Chamberlain as the commanding English Pilot, Major John Blackthorne. When his ship is wrecked off the coast of Japan, Blackthorne barely escapes execution and is subjected to a completely new life.

Against the sweeping backdrop of Japan and its often gentle people (but who sometimes became merciless enough to chop one's head off just for being obstinate), the mini-series  presents interesting information about Japanese culture while following Blackthorne as he learns to be cunning and balance the political struggles in the region. He falls for Mariko (Yoko Shimada), his English interpreter, who is the wife of another man. Although this romance lacks the sexual tension of today's films, one constantly pulls for the couple anyway.

Detailed in the solid narration by Orson Welles, Blackthorne makes friends and enemies in his new home, including some of the religious priests that live there. But Blackthorne's most defining moment is when he is allowed to become the first Gai-Jin (Foreigner) samurai Warrior.

In addition to Chamberlain, excellent actors like Toshiro Mifune, Damien Thomas, Alan Badel, Noburo Kaneko and John Rhys-Davis add gusto to the story.

The five-disc DVD unravels for ten hours, and although at times it's somewhat laboring and repetitive, cinematographer Andrew Laszlo's amazing skill makes the viewing quite   enjoyable. The DVD set includes a "Making of Shogun" featurette plus three historical featurettes and a commentary on select scenes by director Jerry London. 

(Released by Paramount Home Video; not rated.)