In the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit’s insist on trekking to the treacherous land of Japan in an attempt to find their previous mentor, Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson) – a man rumoured to have abandoned his Catholic faith – they begin their dangerous quest to uncover answers, while stumbling across a countless number of difficulties along the way. A beautiful and equally as powerful film that will appeal to some people, more than others.

Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: Martin Scorsese, Jay Cocks
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson

Directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the 1966 novel of the same name written by Shusaku Endo, Silence is rooted in historical and theological fact, although it does make a few minor changes, including adjustments to the nationalities of certain characters. The project was first developed and ready for production in the 1990s, but financial issues delayed its production for many years, eventually resulting in its release in 2016. It is also worth noting that an earlier adaptation of the same novel was released in 1971, directed by Masahiro Shinoda – Silence (1971).

As one of the more hard-hitting and thought-provoking reviews on the website, it’s worth highlighting the sensitivity of the subject matter explored in Silence, particularly its focus on Christian faith in Japan and the harsh treatment and persecution of Christians during that period. On more than one occasion, the film is difficult to watch and includes a wealth of emotionally charged scenes, but ultimately it is very impressively made and powerfully conveyed to the audience. The picture also boasts some spectacular cinematography, with a large portion of the filming taking place in Taiwan, adding to its authenticity and atmosphere.

With a near three-hour runtime, there are moments where the pacing does feel a little slow, with some scenes lingering perhaps slightly longer than needed. However, this is balanced by the film’s more brutal and emotionally powerful sequences, which quickly change the tone when they appear. These moments add real weight to the story and help pull you back in after the quieter stretches.

In terms of the cast, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver took up a large amount of the onscreen presence, portraying the two Portuguese nationals, Rodrigues and Grupe, respectively. Liam Neeson was also present, starring as Father Ferreira, in an albeit smaller and less prominent role. Elsewhere, there was a supporting role for Yosuke Kubozuka, who featured as Kichijiro.

All in all, when dealing with such a sensitive theme such as the persecution of Christians in the 17th century, Silence handles its subject matter with real care and seriousness. It is not an easy watch, but it is an important and thought-provoking one. Thoroughly recommended and as previously noted, the earlier film adaptation – Silence (1971) – has also been reviewed on the website.

“I pray but I am lost. Am I just praying to silence?”

Rodrigues – Silence