Silence Trailer (2017)

Trailer for Martin Scorsese's Silence.

The story of two Christian missionaries (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) who face the ultimate test of faith when they travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor (Liam Neeson) - at a time when Christianity was outlawed and their presence forbidden.

This film has been in the "works" for a very very long time, about 25 years. Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Jay Cocks had written an early draft of the film in the 1990s with the intention of Scorsese directing it after Gangs of New York (2002). But when Scorsese couldn't get financing for the project, he decided instead to do The Aviator (2004). When the project was announced, Daniel Day-Lewis, Gael García Bernal and Benicio Del Toro were cast in the lead roles. Day-Lewis was originally set to play Father Ferreira, Bernal was initially set to play Father Rodrigues, & Del Toro was formerly set to play Father Francisco Garrpe. They all dropped out of the project after the repeated delays in the production's development. Del Toro and Bernal were replaced by Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver respectively while Liam Neeson replaced Day-Lewis.

The film is based on the book "Silence" by Shusaku Endo, the story of a Jesuit missionary sent to 17th century Japan, who endures persecution in the time of Kakure Kirishitan ("Hidden Christians") that followed the defeat of the Shimabara Rebellion.

This is quite the story. I am sure that like myself, most people have never heard of this story. 

When you see that the great Martin Scorsese has Written and Directed a movie, you immediately get excited. Scorsese has Directed some of the greatest films. And then you add actors Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver and Ciarán Hinds to mix, and you get a recipe for what should be a success.

But, this film may have an uphill battle. Based on the trailer, the story does not have the mass appeal I was expecting. The story seems to be a bit tough to follow and slow at times. There is also a reason that the film has taken so long to make, which has me worried. Hopefully, we will get another trailer that gives us a better look and erases all my fears.