The Subterranean: ‘Silence’ a sadly overlooked masterpiece

Review of Silence (2016)

Available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital (Amazon Instant Video, Fandango Now, Vudu) and the 1971 Shinoda film is available on FilmStruck

****1/2 out of five stars 

by Walter G. Tarrow

An emotionally wrenching, thought provoking but, sadly, overlooked masterpiece of faith-based cinema.

Aside from the almost three torturous hours of repeated physical and spiritual assaults on the priests and their followers, this film is ultimately a compelling argument for the power of quiet courage in holding steadfast to one’s beliefs.

Based on historical fact, from a 1966 novel by Shūsaku Endō and a 1971 film by Masahiro Shinoda, Silence is Martin Scorsese’s cinematic treatise on Christian faith when confronted with savage and barbaric persecution.

During the 17th century, Portuguese Jesuit priests, Fathers Garupe and Rodrigues, embark on a mission to Japan to find, rescue and continue the works of their mentor, Father Ferreira, in converting Buddhists to Christianity. Their actions, and subsequent converts, are seen as a threat to the feudal authority, its coffers and its influence. Prior to their arrival, and continuing during their mission, they, and thousands of their followers, many hidden Christians, were subjected to public subjugation, torture and beheading.

There is a heavy reliance on religious objects, such as the rosary, in the practice of their faith, especially since such objects are forbidden. The trampling of the fumi-e, which is stepping on a block of wood or stone with likeness of Jesus or Mary, is demanded of the Christians as a public denial of their beliefs.

As strangers in a strange land, the two priests, while continuing to minister to their converts despite difficulties in understanding them, are hidden from the authorities, particularly the Inquisitor. They are separated, with Garupe leaving, and the story focuses on the trials, tribulations and doubts of Father Rodrigues.

Among the followers is Kichijiro, their initial guide to the island, a believer when all is sunny, who recants his “faith” to feed his belly and save his skin, even betraying Rodrigues for pieces of silver, and who always follows his transgressions with requests to confess in order to receive forgiveness from the priest. Yet his sins bring very little jeopardy to his fellow Japanese, while the decisions and actions of Rodrigues, being responsible for the lives of his acolytes, result in profound pain and suffering.  

Rodrigues suffers doubts, and the silence as he asks Jesus for answers tortures him.  His meetings with the Inquisitor (with a standout performance from Issei Ogata), and later with Father Ferreira when they are reunited, only raise more doubts. If he recants, if he capitulates even to the point of being assimilated into the ways of the Japanese, has he abandoned his faith?

Is it best to worship in silence, to keep private our faith in order to avoid persecution? Or is it more a matter of silence being where we truly come to hear, know and understand our faith.

Stay for the final shot. It says it all.