While the TV series is nowhere near as good as the books, The Last Kingdom isn't half bad. And the guy playing Leofric is acting his ass off, it's quite enjoyable.
While Last Kingdom isn't bad it suffers badly from the 'furry BDSM outfits with idiotic facepaint' syndrome most Viking media suffers from. Also has some minor woke changes. Books are a thousand times better. But if you want to watch the show do so first before you read the books because the books will absolutely ruin the show for you.
The show was great until the last two episodes or so. The fucking master plan reveal was stupid as fuck and suddenly focus changed completely to another character.
It was OK, but the original followed the book better, even if it looks exactly like you would expect a 1980s miniseries to look like. You'll be right at home though if you're cool with V, the North and the South, the Blue and the Gray, etc.
This one focused too much on Mariko IMO, with her physically fighting and defeating trained samurai. She also has more agency than in the book. Without spoiling it, there's a bit of diplomatic maneuvering at the end that was Toranaga's doing in the book but the miniseries turned it into her plan. In contrast, Blackthorne comes off sort of like an idiot, but he was the protagonist in the book and not dumb at all, just a fish out of water trying to learn about a completely alien culture.
This one wins hands down on cinematography, costuming, and special effects. Apparently it was mostly filmed in British Columbia and Canada, but you wouldn't know it.
The only Shogun for me is Total War Shogun 2 where I can trade with the Portuguese to get guns to bring the word of Jesus to the filthy Nippon masses.
Sohei archers with radius 175 are laughing right now.
It's one of the few times I've found a show/movie that makes me want to read the book.
Any other good shows you recommend?
I strongly recommend NHK's Nobunaga: King of Zippangu. If Shogun is supposed to be the story of Tokugawa Ieyasu, then this is basically the prequel.
Streaming with English subtitles here:
https://dramacool.city/movie/oda-nobunaga-o9rypad9/?ep=1
The story of Tokugawa Ieyasu and William Adams.
Definitely read the book. I'm reading it now and it is well worth the read.
While the TV series is nowhere near as good as the books, The Last Kingdom isn't half bad. And the guy playing Leofric is acting his ass off, it's quite enjoyable.
While Last Kingdom isn't bad it suffers badly from the 'furry BDSM outfits with idiotic facepaint' syndrome most Viking media suffers from. Also has some minor woke changes. Books are a thousand times better. But if you want to watch the show do so first before you read the books because the books will absolutely ruin the show for you.
I'm 2/3rds done with Bernard Cornwell's Warlord saga. Books are fantastic. Heard the show sucks balls.
After these I am excitedly going to do the Last Kingdom books.
I've read almost all of Cornwell's books and Last Kingdom is his very best imo. Even better than the Sharpe series.
*ruined yet
2024 - 2026. Lets hope Yasuke doesn't end up the focus of the 3rd season.
The grrlboss promotion Mariko was given (relative to the books) is a bad sign of things to come
The show was great until the last two episodes or so. The fucking master plan reveal was stupid as fuck and suddenly focus changed completely to another character.
I have the book and look forward to reading. Heard this was good. Also want to see the original
I read the book in highschool. It was an interesting read.
It was OK, but the original followed the book better, even if it looks exactly like you would expect a 1980s miniseries to look like. You'll be right at home though if you're cool with V, the North and the South, the Blue and the Gray, etc.
This one focused too much on Mariko IMO, with her physically fighting and defeating trained samurai. She also has more agency than in the book. Without spoiling it, there's a bit of diplomatic maneuvering at the end that was Toranaga's doing in the book but the miniseries turned it into her plan. In contrast, Blackthorne comes off sort of like an idiot, but he was the protagonist in the book and not dumb at all, just a fish out of water trying to learn about a completely alien culture.
This one wins hands down on cinematography, costuming, and special effects. Apparently it was mostly filmed in British Columbia and Canada, but you wouldn't know it.
I actually was interested when I heard who they cast as not-Tokugawa.
Does it have the "godless heathens" scene?
It is pretty accurate to the book. Obviously way more condensed and with some plot points missing.
Yet.