What an excellent Mini-Series! After reading the book then seeing it come to life on TV, you can lose yourself in the Series. The Casting, Cinematography, Sets, Costumes and Acting were nothing less than Perfect.
You can actually learn some basic Japanese words and phrases from closely reading the book. James Clevell blended the Language lessons into Pilot's training and familiarization so well, you felt like you learned and felt with him. The Series did it almost as well but you were distracted by seeing living, breathing characters. The life and times were hard. The Barbarian world with the Unhealthy and downright odd beliefs and superstitions. Then the Ancient Culture of Japan, Brutal but with much beauty and creativity. Both full of Scheming, Evil, Honorable, Likeable, and Hateful characters.
I consider this the all-time #1 made for TV movie events. Too bad the voting scale only goes to 10.
