Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ is a thought-provoking and deeply felt drama, adapted from Nikos Kazantzakis’s best-selling novel.
Grade: B (*** out f *****)
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Theatrical release poster
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Scorsese had wanted to make a film version of Jesus’ life ever since he was a young boy growing in Little Italy.
While he was directing Barbara Hershey in the 1972 film Boxcar Bertha (his sophomore jinx), she gave him a copy of the Kazantzakis novel. Scorsese optioned the book in the late 1970s, and he gave it to Paul Schrader to adapt.
The Last Temptation of Christ was originally to be Scorsese’s follow-up to The King of Comedy, which was a big commercial flop.
Production was slated to begin in 1983 for Paramount, with a budget of about $14 million and shot on location in Israel.
The original cast included Aidan Quinn as Jesus, Sting as Pontius Pilate, Ray Davies as Judas Iscariot, and Vanity as Mary Magdalene. Management at Paramount and its then parent company, Gulf+Western, grew uneasy due to the ballooning budget and protest letters received from religious groups.
The project went into turnaround, and was finally canceled in December 1983, leading to make a low budget indie, After Hours, one of his very best films.
The film depicts the life of Jesus Christ and his struggle with various temptations, such as fear, doubt, depression, reluctance, and lust.
The film depicts Christ being tempted by imagining himself engaged in sexual activities, which caused outrage from some Christians.
Like the novel, the film generated controversy from Christian religious groups, who resented its departures from the Gospel. The producers then added a disclaimer stating: “This film is not based on the Gospels, but upon the fictional exploration of the eternal spiritual conflict.”
While Dafoe’s performance as Jesus was praised, Keitel’s role as Judas Iscariot was nominated for Worst Supporting Actor at the Golden Raspberry Awards.
Narrative Premise
Jesus of Nazareth, a carpenter in Roman-occupied Judea, is torn between his own desires and his knowledge of God’s plan. His friend Judas Iscariot is sent to kill him for collaborating with the Romans to crucify Jewish rebels, but suspects that Jesus is the Messiah and asks him to lead a war of liberation against the Romans. While Jesus assures him that he preaches for universal love for mankind, Judas warns him not to harm the rebellion.
This controversial film, condemned by various religious groups, speculates about Jesus’s self-doubts, when he realizes he has been chosen by God to carry His message.
The film contains many moments of power and beauty, and displays a genuine feeling for time and place that makes the story real.
The Last Temptation of Christ is meant to be a sincere investigation of the subject, made as collaboration between two American filmmakers (director Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader), who have been continuously attracted to serious films (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull) about sin, guilt, and redemption.
Scorsese deserves credit for shying away from making a boring biblical “costume epic,” and refraining from describing him as a handsome emasculated figure (as has been the case of numerous paintings and postcard’s), with no real pain or joy in his mundane existence. Nonetheless, his goal of turning Jesus into a flesh and blood man is only semi successful, effective in the moments of anguish and pain, in which he questions and struggles with his mission in life, with what’s right and wrong.
Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack is not only stunning, but it can also stands on its own.
Critical Status:
The film earned mixed reviews from critics and some religious leaders, and Scorsese received yet another Best Director Oscar nomination.
Cast
Willem Dafoe as Jesus
Harvey Keitel as Judas Iscariot
Barbara Hershey as Mary Magdalene
Harry Dean Stanton as Saul/Paul of Tarsus
David Bowie as Pontius Pilate
Steve Shill as Centurion
Verna Bloom as Mary, mother of Jesus
Roberts Blossom as Aged Master
Barry Miller as Jeroboam
Gary Basaraba as Andrew
Irvin Kershner as Zebedee
Victor Argo as Peter
Paul Herman as Philip
John Lurie as James
Michael Been as John
Leo Burmester as Nathaniel
Andre Gregory as John the Baptist
Tomas Arana as Lazarus
Alan Rosenberg as Thomas
Nehemiah Persoff as Rabbi
Peter Berling as Beggar
Leo Marks as Satan
Martin Scorsese as Isaiah
Juliette Caton as Girl Angel
Peggy Gormley as Martha
Randy Danson as Mary
Credits:
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Screenplay by Paul Schrader, based on “The Last Temptation of Christ” by Nikos Kazantzakis
Produced by Barbara De Fina
Cinematography Michael Ballhaus
Edited by Thelma Schoonmaker
Music by Peter Gabriel
Production companies: Universal Pictures; Cineplex Odeon Films; Testament Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures (US)
Release date: August 12, 1988 (US)
Running time: 163 minutes
Budget $7 million
Box office $33.8 million
