billcr12 16 February 2017 The basis for this film is a best selling novel written by a Japanese Catholic writer in the 1960's. Two Jesuit priests from Portugal are sent to Japan for two reasons. Fathers Rodrigues and Garrpe are looking for Father Ferreira, who has disappeared with the rumor of having renounced his faith. Along the way, the good reverends discover groups of Catholics in hiding. The punishment for practicing the tenets of the church of Rome are quite brutal, including a crucifixion from low tide to high tide with the unfortunate parishioner's death by drowning. Rodrigues and Garrpe will be severely tested by government officials who claim to be defending their one true religion, Buddhism. This all leads to some deep theological and philosophical discussions and some horrendous and inventive acts of not so gentle persuasion. The two hours plus here will not restore your faith in humanity or religion. Martin Scorcese released a newer, more technically adept version in 2016. This 1971 original tells the same story with some slight variations. Both films are filled with the director's good intentions and each has succeeded in producing works of art that will at least cause the viewers to think about the meaning of life.

Desertman84 I just saw the Martin Scorsese's 2016 movie entitled "Silence" starring Andrew Garfield,Adam Driver and Liam Neeson two days after this review is being written.I did not realize that there was an original Japanese film entitled "Chinmoku",also known as "Silence" that was released back in 1971. I was fortunate to see it on a website that has Asian movies.Luckily was able to see it a couple of times to make a review and compare it with the Hollywood version."Chimoku"(a.k.a Silence) is a Japanese film that was one based on the 1966 novel written by Shūsaku Endō with the same title.It stars David Lampson,Don Kenny,Tetsurō Tamba and Shima Iwashita.Few scenes have dialogues that were English. It tells the story of two 17th century Portuguese priests,Fathers Sebastian Rodrigo and Francisco Garrpe,who went to Japan to search for their mentor Fr.Cristóvão Ferreira,who has never contacted them for the last five years.Added to that,they also intend to evangelize and spread Christianity particularly Roman Catholicism.It was set on the middle of the 1600's when Christianity was expressly banned in Japan.Christian persecution and the killing of Christians were well-known to be occurring. In spite of it,both Portuguese priests are determined to accomplish their mission despite the fact as well that it was believed that Fr. Ferreira has become a pagan.Before going any further,I would like to say that Scorsese made a remake of this film just like when he did "The Departed" which was basically a remake of the Chinese film,"The Infernal Affairs" instead of saying that he made a film based on novel by Endō. Evidently,this was a little known film. Added to that,there was very little difference made as far as majority of the scenes and the dialogues are concerned.Only a few changes in the conclusion particularly the final scene was made and possibly the running time considering that Scorsese's film is 30 minutes longer.Director Masahiro Shinoda did a wonderful job in exploring various themes in this little known film that includes the possibility of Christianity in Japan which up to now remains a religion of the minority;cultural difference between Asians and Europeans;faith in the face of oppression as well as the conflict between human needs as well as emotional needs against divine nature;human weaknesses and suffering; psychological make-up and emotional content.We get to see the cultural difference between the Europeans and the Japanese and was taken into consideration especially when the Portuguese priests arrived into a village where there are many Japanese Christians.This was also taken into consideration in the complex character Kichijiro,who continues to do what the Japanese soldiers would want him to do particularly in degrading Christian statues and carvings as well as trying to pinpoint at Christians whether they are priests or Japanese villagers but deep inside has probably maintained a Christian.Added to that,we also realize the Japanese intense love for their culture,pride and nationalism which remains true today.This was evident among Japanese villagers who became martyrs and gave up their life instead of abandoning their Christian faith as well as the Japanese persecutors who would not want their culture to get influenced from the outside particularly the West.There were also a lot of interesting scenes between Fr.Ferreira and Fr. Rodrigo with the former confirming that he has apparently apostatized from his Catholic faith and the latter going through intense suffering after undergoing torture from the Japanese soldiers to convince him into renouncing his faith. The needs of divine nature and human nature was clearly explored including the nature of God particularly His silence and make His presence felt. Finally,it was also worthy to note the changes that both priest have undergone with Fr.Ferreira embracing Japanese culture and Fr. Rodrigo's dark psychological make-up when he finally decided to apostatize when he possibly knew that what he did was not just a formality to save his life but a conversion was indeed going to take place whether he likes it or not.It was clearly seen that there is lack of content and happiness on their part. Overall,this was a great film.I even it consider a lot better than the Scorsese's 2016 version.All themes were clearly explored unlike the 2016 version wherein there were some themes that weren't explored very well.Screenwriters - author Shūsaku Endō and director Masahiro Shinoda - did a wonderful job of writing the screenplay.Definitely, the viewers will be divided upon seeing this film particularly Christians. But I sincerely believe that the themes were presented fairly whether one dies rather than abandoning one's faith or one apostatizes in order to save one's life.The pros and cons were clearly explored.

jacquesf-1 "Chinmoku" is a movie about two Portuguese missionaries that come to Japan to spread their faith at a time when, after a long period of flourishing, Christianism finds itself forbidden in Japan. The main character, padre Rodrigues, is eventually captured, imprisoned and tortured in an attempt to make him deny his faith in an act - however purely formal - of treading on a holy image.But that is not the most important thing to the film. Although I did not find it as emotionally strong as I expected (but don't misunderstand me, it still is very moving) and rather slow-paced, maybe even a little boring in the beginning, it actually turned out very deep in the end, leaving in me a lot of questions... After starting in a tone which clearly shows the Christians as good people unjustly persecuted by the cruel Japanese government, you will slowly realize, during the first discussions between Rodrigues and his judges, that the problem is far from being that simple, and by the time Padre Ferreiro, whom the Japanese made deny his faith, enters the scene... I'm not able to tell which side you'll be on, but you'll be definitely asking yourself a lot of questions about how far should one go in defending one's faith, whether the weak that rather tread on the holy image than die really deserve nothing but contempt and, most of all, whether it is right when other people suffer because of YOUR religion...If you liked Bergman's "The Seventh Seal", this one's definitely a must-see!!!

redmonopole-001 This is probably the most powerful movie I have ever seen. Two Portuguese missionaries come Japan just as the authorities are stamping out Christianity in the 1500's. They seek to minister to the local Christians who are sorely persecuted.The movie asks whether Christianity can really ever grow or thrive in Japan.Besides just the persecution, is the Christianity in Japan the same as in Europe, or has it become its own religion? It is also an examination of the struggles in one man's faith undergoing inquisition-like sufferings. I have read the book and seen the play, but I would say that the movie had the most emotional impact.