Noble House (1988)
Ian Struan Dunross is chairman of Struan & Co, the oldest and largest of the British-East Asia trading companies. To the Chinese, that also makes him "Tai-Pan" ("supreme leader") of the "Noble House". Unfortunately, with his power, he inherits ancient promises, dark secrets and deep financial problems on a small island full of people who want to see Struan's fall so they can become the Noble House. Dunross' worst enemy is the vicious Quillan Gornt, a lesser tai-pan, and he's doing everything in his power to bring the Noble House to ruin. Drawn into the fight between Gornt and Dunross is an upstart American billionaire who tries to gain a foothold on the Hong Kong market and has made a deal to steal something that will give him power, even over the Noble House. Unfortunately, that something has fallen into the hands of a powerful Chinese overlord...
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the audience applauded
A lot of fun.
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.
Noble House based on James Clavells novel was a hit mini series way back in the eighties and it still retains all the magic that made it compulsive viewing then. A first rate plot, the fabulous Hong Kong location, a brilliant production team and a cast headed by Pierce Brosnan and John Rhys- Davies. The newly released Blu Ray version is stunning and adds a new dimension altogether to the hugely impressive visual quality, with its vibrant colours and crystal clear focus. I have waited for years for this to be released on DVD and had almost given up hope it would ever happen. I believe that it would attract a whole new generation of fans if re-released and I strongly recommend it.
This film is a wonderful Sunday escape. Where is the DVD? I've tried to write to Pierce Brosnan, as well as the distributors. No one answered. The locale is away from the US. The characters are fully developed. There is enough intrigue to keep the most earthy type of personality interested. The dialog is quick. Mr. Brosnan shows his penchant for a preliminary James Bond here - well admired. Sorry, but the blond lady does very little for me. She was a decoration, but hardly someone to leave the role of Tai Pan. The beauty was the lovely oriental lady. And the shark was the handsome American. Gritty, petty, and greedy. Tell me where to buy the DVD - we will be first in line!
This is a surprisingly good mini series. The story is cast in Hong Kong, and there's dynamics in doing business there that we people of the west don't quite understand. Noble House captures that and then some. The glamor and opulence of belonging to the richest elite in Hong Kong's business circle sets the tone for the entire story. Things that will be taboo in the west is permitted there like having concubines, and going to parties with them (instead of your wife !), and old guys are actually flaunting it to show off their wealth and virility ! But of course all this has price to pay and everyone is paying in this story. The story is loosely based on an actual existing trading company - Jardine Matheson Holdings, and the building that is portrayed as Struans' headquarter was the actual Jardine Matheson and company's headquarter in Hong Kong, before relocating to Bermuda in anticipation of Hong Kong's repatriation to China in '97.Pierce Brosnan is at his best as the Tai Pan of the Noble House (Struan's), and cast of characters surrounding him are equally glamorous (like Tia Carrerie, Julia Nickson). Overall, a great fun to watch, but make sure you set aside enough time because it's 6 hours of non-stop entertainment.
Noble House has been well represented on screen - mostly due to the involvement of the author, James Clavell, in the writing of the screenplay.Pierce Brosnan, in his role as Tai-pan Ian Dunross, shows the very talents that would have directly influenced the decision to offer him the role of James Bond. He perfectly blends the debonair with the ruthlessness required to survive in the competitive world of Hong Kong trading companies.Deborah Raffin's performance leaves something to be desired, portraying the corporate female executive making it in a 'man's world'.The book, as is usually the case, is far better, with more interesting sub-plots being developed.Inspector Cross is actually a KGB spy, KC Tcholok was never involved with Ian Dunross - she was Linc Bartletts mistress, and Ian Dunross was married. The reference made in the film to Linc's final question about 'how easy is it to get married in Hong Kong' was not related to Orlanda Ramos - but to Casey.Despite the shortcomings of the mini-series in direct comparison with the book, viewers should judge the mini-series on it's own - without reference to the book.My advice - see the mini-series first - then read the book. If you like the series, you must read the book - it is well worth your while.