The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers (WGA):

Nikos Kazantzakis (novel)
Paul Schrader (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 August 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the temptations that all humans face during their lives, and his final temptation upon the cross.

Plot Keywords:

Temptation | Jesus Christ | Roman | Cross | Prophet

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 nominations

Cast

Willem Dafoe	...	Jesus
Harvey Keitel	...	Judas
Paul Greco	...	Zealot
Steve Shill	...	Centurian (as Steven Shill)
Verna Bloom	...	Mary, Mother of Jesus
Barbara Hershey	...	Mary Magdalene
Roberts Blossom	...	Aged Master
Barry Miller	...	Jerobeam
Gary Basaraba	...	Andrew, Apostle
Irvin Kershner	...	Zebedee
Victor Argo	...	Peter, Apostle
Michael Been	...	John, Apostle
Paul Herman	...	Phillip, Apostle
John Lurie	...	James, Apostle
Leo Burmester	...	Nathaniel, Apostle

Also Known As:

Passion (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

164 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Philippines:(Banned) | South Korea:18 | Brazil:14 | USA:R (certificate #29344) | Argentina:18 (re-rating) | Argentina:X (original rating) | Spain:13 | Australia:M | Australia:R (original rating) | Chile:(Banned) (1989-2002) | Chile:18 (re-rating) (2003) | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Mexico:C | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | South Africa:(Banned) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2000) | UK:18 (video rating) (1988) | UK:18 (original rating) | West Germany:16 | Singapore:(Banned)

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Company:

Cineplex-Odeon Films

Trivia:

Some historians claim Pontius Pilate was born in Scotland, where his father was posted as a Roman Centurion guard. On knowing this, Scottish comedian Billy Connolly tried to convince David Bowie to play Pontius Pilate "as a Scotsman." (Bowie did not.)

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Camera shadow is cast over Jesus and other characters just before he is baptized by John The Baptist.

Quotes:

Pontius Pilate: Unfortunately for you, we don't want things changed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Maai hung paak yan (2001)

Dismal

This movie advertises itself as not being based on the gospels, and I had expected it to a fictionalized account of Jesus's life in events that weren't dealt with in the gospels, (which could have been interesting). However, this isn't the case. The movie covers the span of Jesus' life from just before his baptism, to his crucifixion. The movie deals with several well known events from the gospels, and kind of knits together a story that is partially from the gospels and partially not. Clearly the story is "based" on the gospels.

The film plods along at a snails pace (you'll want to keep your finger on the fast forward button). Some have commented on the nice score in the film. I would recommend hitting the fast forward button when the music is playing. With about 30 minutes of interesting content packed into 2 1/2 hours, you aren't going to want to spend any more time watching this than you have to.

A weak, and tormented Jesus unsure of seemingly everything he is doing, manages to work himself through the events of the new testament. *Yawn* I think I have seen that story told about a dozen different ways now, all of the others have been better than this one.