Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
Teresa DonnellanOctober 11, 2016
Martin Scorsese on the set of 'Silence,' a film based on the novel of the same name by Shusaku Endo.

Martin Scorsese’s latest film, Silence, will be released on December 23. The story follows a young Jesuit who travels to 17th century Japan, where Christianity is outlawed, to find his old mentor.

The film is based upon a novel of the same name by the Japanese Catholic author Shusaku Endo. In anticipation of the film’s release, America has gathered its coverage of Silence here. Check back for reviews, interviews and more news about the film.

Interviews

Director Martin Scorsese sits down with James Martin, S.J., to discuss his faith, his films and his new movie "Silence."

A conversation between William Johnston, S.J., who has written extensively on Zen and Christian contemplation, and Shusaku Endo, recipient of America’s Campion Award in 1990. Father Johnston also translated 'Silence' into English.

Brendan Busse, S.J., interviews "Silence" star Andrew Garfield about his experience going through the Spiritual Exercises in preparation for his role. 

Film Reviews

John Anderson reviews "Silence" for America

Zac Davis reports on a special screening of "Silence" for 300 Jesuits in Rome, which was followed by a Q&A with the film's director, Martin Scorsese. 

James Martin, S.J. answers 5 common questions about "Silence."

Catholic Book Club

Kevin Spinale, S.J., invites readers to revisit Endo's novel and explore the complicated moral questions it raises.

Book Reviews

From 1969, America’s original review of ‘Silence,’ by William J. Everett

Podcasts

Shusaku Endo’s ‘Silence’

Kevin Spinale, S.J., and James Keane revisit Endo's acclaimed novel in this audio conversation

From the Archives

Shusaku Endo: Japanese Catholic Novelist, Francis Mathy

A profile of the struggling faith and fascinating work of Shusaku Endo.

‘America’ Remembers Shusaku Endo, John B. Breslin

A reflection on the life and career of Shusaku Endo, examining what made him “one of the most important Christian novelists of the 20th century.”

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

At a Mass for the Jubilee of Youth outside Rome, Pope Leo exhorted over a million young people to be "seeds of hope" and a "sign that a different world is possible."
Gerard O’ConnellAugust 03, 2025
Perhaps it is the hard-won wisdom that comes with age, but the Catholic rituals and practices I once scorned are the same rituals and practices that now usher me into God's presence, time and time again.
Maribeth BoeltsAugust 01, 2025
"Only through patient and inclusive dialogue" can "a just and lasting conflict resolution can be achieved" in the long-running conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, said the Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations.
This is the movie poster for “The Bad Guys” (CNS photo/DreamWorks Pictures)
The ”Bad Guys” films ask, how do we determine who the “bad guys” are? And if you’re marked as “bad” from the start, can you ever make good?
John DoughertyAugust 01, 2025