Is The Making of Shōgun Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2003)

📖 The Core Premise

The Making of Shōgun returns to the screen in 2003, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The set's central 13-part production documentary hails from the miniseries' previous DVD release but remains an extensive, insightful and, most importantly, candid overview of the production from start to finish, featuring a wide array of key players, chief among them author/producer James Clavell, director Jerry London, and actors Richard Chamberlain and Yoko Shimada."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. James Clavell attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Making of Shōgun worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Making of Shōgun misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 80 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.