Interesting but slow and long-winded

Rating: 6/10 (15 April 2018)

1630s. Christians in Japan are being persecuted and news now reaches Lisbon that the senior Jesuit priest in Japan, Padre Ferreira, has renounced his faith. Two Jesuit priests set out to Japan to not only find Ferreira but also to continue his ministry.
Interesting drama, directed by Martin Scorsese. Quite gritty in its depiction of the persecution Christians faced, as well as the dilemmas they faced. The moral quandaries of the priests when faced with torture and death, not only of themselves of their flock, are explored well.
Some good themes covered, especially faith and what one has to do to remain true to it. Powerful ending.
However, far from perfect. The movie moves at a glacial pace and is quite long-winded and verbose: many themes and dilemmas are repeated unnecessarily. Quite difficult to remain engaged and focussed when things happen so slowly. Some editing would have gone a long way.