Silence (1971)

Recommended

Japan

Feature Film

Original Title: 沈黙

Director: Shinoda Masahiro

Writers: Endo Shusaku, Shinoda Masahiro

Cinematographer: Miyagawa Kazuo

Composer: Takemitsu Tōru

Cast: David Lampson, Don Kenny, Matsuhashi Noboru, Kato Yoshi, Iwamatsu Mako

Shinoda’s film about humanism’s battle against the evils of religious fanaticism, religious persecution, and martyrdom - in which a pair of Portuguese Jesuit priests land on the shores of 17th century Japan, where Christianity is banned, attempting to spread the word of Jesus, but end up captured by the authorities - is a fascinating, harrowing, and uncompromising work. Iain.Stott