Be prepared for a deeply spiritual film that will touch your soul in a way that you have not experienced. The requirements to partake in this kind of experience are twofold: time and patience.
This movie tells the story of the Carthusian monks, whose monastery is located in the French Alps. “Into Great Silence” refers to the silence that many contemplative orders practice in order to concentrate on their most important tasks: living in the present moment, offering up their work as prayer, and offering up their lives as a gift to God.
The Carthusians lead a fundamentally solitary and contemplative life. The movie is long, clocking in at about 2.5 hours. About 80% of it has no dialogue whatsoever.
At this point you are probably saying, “Wow, Gleason. This sounds like such a great movie.”
Suspend your judgement for a moment. Think contrarian.
I recommend you watch this movie by yourself, without any distractions. Take in the images, the people, the pace, the beauty of these monks.
The silence will speak volumes to your soul.
