This Highly-Rated Shogun 1980 Miniseries Is Almost Impossible To Watch
So far, it seems that 2024 is the year of "Shōgun." Upon its February 27 release, the FX-Hulu miniseries — based on James Clavell's iconic novel of the same name — quickly dominated the viewership arena and garnered rave reviews from audiences and critics. As the show continues to pick up stellar momentum, fans may be curious to learn how this isn't the first time Clavell's work has been adapted for the small screen.
In 1980, NBC and Paramount Television teamed up to release a five-episode adaptation of Clavell's novel. The miniseries starred heavy hitters like Toshiro Mifune (the lead in the 1954 classic, "Seven Samurai," a samurai movie everyone should watch) and Richard Chamberlain ("Julius Caesar" and "The Three Musketeers"). In terms of viewership, the show was a colossal success, with over 25% of American households with televisions tuning in to watch the historical epic. Interestingly, decades later, 1980's "Shōgun" has become something of a hidden gem; it's not easy to find or watch, even in this streaming age.
Fans who want to see the earlier adaptation of Clavell's work won't have any luck finding it on a streamer like Netflix or Hulu. Anyone interested in watching the 1980 miniseries will likely have to get old school.
The series is available on DVD — and maybe even your local library
Potential viewers wanting to dive into the 1980 historical epic can find DVDs of the miniseries on sites like Amazon. However, prices can vary wildly. Fans should expect to pay at least $40 (or, if they're feeling extra nostalgic, at least $70 for a VHS Tape.
However, if one's not feeling up coughing up that type of cash, then there's possibly another hope: your local library! According to ReMIND Magazine, libraries across the United States seemed to still have copies of the original "Shōgun" series. So, if you want to see how the 1980 version compares to the fantastic FX-Hulu adaptation, dig out that old library card gathering dust in your wallet and roll over to the literary oasis that is (hopefully) your local library.
For those enjoying the 2024 adaptation, be sure to check out Looper's recommendations for some of the best shows on Hulu. And if Lord Yoshii Toranaga from Shōgun looks very familiar, it's because he's played by an iconic actor you've definitely seen dozens of times.