Silence [DVD]

Very good acting. I mean VERY GOOD. This is one of the best movies that I never want to see again. Compare it to Dear Hunter that way. As far as rating this strictly as a movie, I give this five stars. Story seems to move slowly, but it needs to in order to make you really understand the plight of these people.As far as writing this as faith goes, I am a mixed bag. Do I believe stepping on an image of Christ or spitting on a cross means you renounce your faith and are lost to God for forever? No. These are carved images and nothing more. Do I believe that only a priest can forgive your sins and hear your confessions? No Only Jesus can forgive sins. We are to confess our sins to others, but no human can ever intercede for you on behalf of Jesus. Only Jesus can forgive your sins. Is there such a thing as a Christian vs. unChristian burial? No. It is so sad to me that these people endured this torture for their faith over actions they could have done that would not have caused them to lose their faith. There is nothing in the Bible that says you lose your faith if you spit on the cross or stamp on an image of Jesus. Do I believe in dying for your faith? Yes. Would I have the courage to do so?...... I ask myself that all the time, and that is the question this movie asks..... How far would you go to defend what you believe? What would you endure? Are you willing to live for your faith, or are you willing to live to die for your faith?

A great revelation about what Jesus said about them going out of their way to make one convert and make them twice the sons of hell. Instead of getting them born again and telling them they entered the priesthood and became part of the holy nation 1 Peter 2:9 . They force them to wait for a priest to do communion because they must say the five magic Latin words that make a wafer into the actual body of Christ it's the only way in their minds people can be saved. They start no revivals because they do not know the master; rather, they intimidate and threaten. You cant teach Jesus if you do not know him. At the end the Hesuits sit at the docks keeping Christianity out of Japan they do that for most of the world.

After the movie, have new respect for the priests. Braving dangers and their personal life, arriving in era of Japan where Christianity is banned. Tortured, threatened, and ultimately the triumph of choosing love over all.It is a story of love and displaying mercy in the face of violence.Highly recommended for mature audience.May not be suitable for young audience due to the violence and bloody scenes.Repeat purchase, for sharing with friends.

SILENCE is a film you need to steel yourself to watch. You should not just throw this on at a whim. It's 2 hours and 40 minutes, and it is not exactly briskly paced. It is challenging intellectually (and perhaps spiritually, which it is meant to be), and isn't "fun" to watch. But it rewards careful, thoughtful viewing. Martin Scorsese often deals in religious themes...either directly or not, but this film is in many ways his most direct look at FAITH. What does it mean to hold on to your faith in the most difficult of circumstances, particularly when God isn't answering your most fervent prayers? Does that sound like a fun topic to spend so much time with? No? But again, come prepared to watch and listen and with an open mind...and you may be rewarded.I am not religious (but have belonged to churches in the past), and I don't want anyone thinking that I feel this movie will "make" you religious or faithful. But even if you are not, surely you can acknowledge that faith IS important to many. This film is set in the 17th century, and follows two young priests who bravely travel to Japan, a country that is dangerously hostile to Christians. And in this "unenlightened" time, belief in God and the redemption offered by Jesus was serious business. Even if you are someone who scorns religion in our day and time...please recall the context of the film.The two priests (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) live in terror of discovery. For capture is likely to mean torture and possibly death...but even more dreadful for these frightened but sincere young men is the notion that they may be driven to renounce their faith. That in the end, they will give up their very souls because they won't have the strength to do otherwise.The film explores this notion to a great degree (arguably perhaps just a bit repetitively). If you renounce your faith to save yourself or others...will you truly be damned? Can you keep your relationship with God even if you have renounced him to the world? Can such apostacy be forgiven? (There is a Japanese character in the film who continuously renounces his faith and then confesses his sins and is forgiven. Is this actually a viable survival strategy?) Anyway, the film grapples with tough topics and in typical Scorsese fashion, does not shy away from gruesome details (although he has done far, far more graphic work). I won't tell you more plot details...I'm really just trying to convey that this is a film that takes on some big issues and does not offer easy answers.Garfield is quite credible in his role, and Adam Driver makes an excellent counterpart to him. Driver, in particular, very much looks the role. Be warned, Liam Neeson is hardly in the film. His character looms large, but is only seen for a few minutes. The film features much gorgeous scenery (I saw it on Blu Ray...highly recommended.) Everything about it is immaculate, in typical Scorsese fashion. The sound is wonderful, the costumes detailed and convincing. I recommend the film...but again, with a strong warning to give it the attention it is due. There is no "multi-tasking" allowed while watching, unless you want to just be bored by the film. It asks to you to participate in mulling over the big issues it presents. Reward yourself by going along on that journey.And if you ARE religious, I think you'll find your faith challenged. Not your belief in God and in the "rightness" of your belief...but you'll be asking yourself...how strong is my faith? Were I to face a similar circumstance, how would I respond? This film is NOT sacrilegious (although it is strongly Catholic)...don't worry about that. But it asks you direct, uncomfortable questions.SILENCE is an immersive, lovely and challenging film.

If you thought Martin Scorsese would go into his twilight years resting on past successes this film will make you think again. "Silence" is a film of immense power and depth that will make one examine your long held beliefs. Scorsese posits here the idea that it is much easier to sacrifice oneself for your faith but is it conscionable to sacrifice others for your convictions? This is not an easy film to watch but compelling nonetheless. When the film concludes its title garners meaning and resonance. Enough cannot be said about Andrew Garfield as Father Rodrigues, an idealistic missionary sent to feudal Japan to investigate claims of persecution against Christians. I couldn't help but contrast his work here to his equally fine performance in Mel Gibson's "Hacksaw Ridge" as Desmond Doss, a religious conscientious objector who served valiantly as a medic in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Both characters find their faith tested who ultimately make fateful choices. Liam Neeson is terrific as Father Ferrera the enigmatic mentor of Rodrigues who preceded him to Japan whose choices ultimately influence the younger cleric. The film leaves you asking yourself what would you do if confronted with a gut wrenching choice and life leaves no easy answers.

Worth having