Silence [DVD] [2016]

For over 25 years, Scorsese has been obsessed with this story which follows two 17th-century Jesuit priests who travel from Portugal to Japan in search of their missing mentor during a time when Christianity was outlawed and their presence forbidden. Scorsese grew up in Manhattan's Little Italy section where both priests and gangsters lived around him, and his early goal was to become a priest before deciding on being a filmmaker. Consequently, both religion and violence would inform his entire body of work, from "Kundun" and "The Last Temptation of Christ" to "Taxi Driver" and "Goodfellas". But "Silence" is far from being a simple religious film about Christian faith; instead it reflects Scorsese's lifetime struggle with doubt, or, more accurately, the 'silence of God' -- a subject that had obsessed Ingmar Bergman as well (particularly in Bergman's early sixties trilogy, most specifically its central film, "Winter Light" -- a story of a small town priest who loses his faith). This is a visually stunning film with performances that are perfect -- especially Andrew Garfield as the protagonist priest Rodrigues, Liam Neeson as his mentor Ferreira, and Japanese actor Yôsuke Kubozuka (who plays the crazed Kichijiro as if he were a descendant of Toshiro Mifune's bandit in "Seven Samurai"). Viewing this film however brings with it a warning: It is not for the unseasoned filmgoer and very difficult for many viewers to enjoy or even to sit through. I found it compelling throughout but it moves inexorably slow as a silk caterpillar crawling along a sheet of glass. Stylistically, too, it is unlike anything Scorsese has given us before, the exact antithesis of his preceding film, "Wolf of Wall Street" which was profane in its crude 'fun' as well as paced like a music video, more exemplary of the rapidly vibrant editing style we've all become used to. I can't say strongly enough that "Silence" is a Serious Film, obviously made by Scorsese for himself alone without giving a single whit about what critics or audiences will think about it. At 74, he has earned that right. Here is an obsessively personal document of a great filmmaker approaching his own winter sleep. Perhaps Scorsese is Icarus flying too close to the sun but I think it likely that in fifty years from now when scholars take in his complete filmography, "Silence" -- no matter how tedious it might seem today -- will stand out as a masterpiece not unlike the Danish master filmmaker Carl Dreyer's late works, "Ordet" and "Gertrude". I certainly felt every single minute of this difficult, very trying film but I took something priceless away with me when I left the theater. I recommend it highly to the most serious and devout filmgoer. All others should best stay away.

Martin Scorsese's "Silence" is one of 2016's most formidable films. For over 25 years, Scorsese has been obsessed with this story which follows two 17th-century Jesuit priests who travel from Portugal to Japan in search of their missing mentor during a time when Christianity was outlawed and their presence forbidden. Scorsese grew up in Manhattan's Little Italy section where both priests and gangsters lived around him, and his early goal was to become a priest before deciding on being a filmmaker. Consequently, both religion and violence would inform his entire body of work, from "Kundun" and "The Last Temptation of Christ" to "Taxi Driver" and "Goodfellas". But "Silence" is far from being a simple religious film about Christian faith; instead it reflects Scorsese's lifetime struggle with doubt, or, more accurately, the 'silence of God' -- a subject that had obsessed Ingmar Bergman as well (particularly in Bergman's early sixties trilogy, most specifically its central film, "Winter Light" -- a story of a small town priest who loses his faith). This is a visually stunning film with performances that are perfect -- especially Andrew Garfield as the protagonist priest Rodrigues, Liam Neeson as his mentor Ferreira, and Japanese actor Yôsuke Kubozuka (who plays the crazed Kichijiro as if he were a descendant of Toshiro Mifune's bandit in "Seven Samurai"). Viewing this film however brings with it a warning: It is not for the unseasoned filmgoer and very difficult for many viewers to enjoy or even to sit through. I found it compelling throughout but it moves inexorably slow as a silk caterpillar crawling along a sheet of glass. Stylistically, too, it is unlike anything Scorsese has given us before, the exact antithesis of his preceding film, "Wolf of Wall Street" which was profane in its crude 'fun' as well as paced like a music video, more exemplary of the rapidly vibrant editing style we've all become used to. I can't say strongly enough that "Silence" is a Serious Film, obviously made by Scorsese for himself alone without giving a single whit about what critics or audiences will think about it. At 74, he has earned that right. Here is an obsessively personal document of a great filmmaker approaching his own winter sleep. Perhaps Scorsese is Icarus flying too close to the sun but I think it likely that in fifty years from now when scholars take in his complete filmography, "Silence" -- no matter how tedious it might seem today -- will stand out as a masterpiece not unlike the Danish master filmmaker Carl Dreyer's late works, "Ordet" and "Gertrude". I certainly felt every single minute of this difficult, very trying film but I took something priceless away with me when I left the theater. I recommend it highly to the most serious and devout filmgoer. All others should best stay away.

Martin Scorsese as we all know is a legendary director. He has created many of my favorite films which are Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, The Departed, Raging Bull, Mean Streets, The Aviator, Gang of New York, and Bringing Out The Dead. This film Silence is close to a 3 hour film which reminds me a lot of the classic films such as Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments. It's a beautifully made film, but I can't agree that it is one of the greatest films of Martin Scorsese's career. This film is one of my favorite films and I recommend this film to anyone who has not yet watched a Martin Scorsese film.

Silence is a beautiful film, both aesthetically and thematically. Despite positive reviews, it seemingly came and went with little fanfare, and only managed a single nomination at the Academy Awards for its gorgeous cinematography. I also enjoyed Hacksaw Ridge, but of the two Andrew Garfield spiritual movies that came out last year, I highly recommend Silence to anyone with the patience to appreciate it. Hopefully it will be given another look in the future. FYI, Best Buy has the incorrect artwork on their website, so if you don't receive the cover pictured on the site, don't worry.

Silence is a monumental film, destined to stand as a stalwart in cinema history as one of the most purposeful and precisely crafted in not only Scorsese's career but in contemporary moviemaking. It's radically different from much of today's mainstream moviemaking and it defines the medium as one capable of offering the sort of intimate, soulful, meaningful experiences the greatest stories demand. The film is beautifully acted, strikingly constructed, and one of the most thoughtfully and spiritually engaging films of its time.

Silence is maybe the one movie that 2016 was really not ready for. People couldn't see through the religious subject matter to the universal message. People couldn't sit in their seats for 2 hours and 40 minutes. People were confused by the lack of obvious conclusion. And so on. If you can get past those things, then you know how to actually watch a movie, and you'll be able to actually appreciate Silence as one of the best movies of 2016.

Very good movie. I wish there was more of Liam Neeson. He was only a small part of the beginning of the movie and then showed up again near the end. Although he was referenced throughout. Still a very good movie. May not be for everyone, it involves Christian Persecution in Japan in the 1600's. Very interesting topic.

Scorsese has had an amazing career and this effort fits well on top. He's made several films dealing with religion and his own Catholic background and issues of faith have always been present in those works. It's consolidated here. He also brings his love of Japanese film, with Prieto (Cinematographer), into the framing and capturing of the images of the film. It's wholly new, yet informed by rich history. Highly recommended.