Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 2.5 / 5.0

Not bad at all despite compressed plot:

Admittedly, this is much less of a movie than Tai-Pan is of a book. But the book is a giant among books, and the show is still a good show. Those who have read the book, rather than savaging it for its divergence from the book (which, in any case, would require a mini-series to do its layering and complexity justice, not a 2-hour show) should treat it as a kind of visual accompaniment to the story - good casting, good handling of some powerful scenes. Alright, they were much more powerful in the book, but... more info

Slick but watchable:

Fans of Clavel will want to watch this if only to satisfy an appetite for his work, however compromised. From Sho-gun to Noble House to Tai-Pan to King Rat, these books are some of the most entertaining adventure stories around. The Shogun DVD series, widely regarded as exceptional and the under-rated King Rat feature film are now joined by this slick adaptation of Tai-Pan. I watched it as a mini-series. Because I was familiar with the Book and Clavel, I suffered thru the superficialities and slick... more info

many great moments:

I agree with most reviewers that too much was cut out of the story. I would love to see a much longer miniseries treatment, too. But, Brock and his son were almost exactly as I had pictured them. And, the scene where Dirk has his men remove the tent to reveal the taels of silver is priceless. And also, the moment when Culum returns Brock's gold sovereigns with the admonition to "buy yourself a coffin" is great. I liked Bryan Brown in the role of Dirk (to be perfectly honest, I don't come into contact with... more info

Similar Products:

Noble House from Anchor Bay Entertainment

King Rat from Columbia Tristar Hom

Shogun from Paramount Home Video

The Name of the Rose from Warner Home Video

Noble House by JAMES CLAVELL

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