Last Temptation of Christ

Buy This Item Last Temptation of Christ by Universal Studios  Available from Amazon  $19.98  on 11-29-2008     It isn't difficult to imagine why this 1988 retelling of the Crucifixion story was picketed vociferously upon release--this Jesus bears little resemblance to the classical Christ, who was not, upon careful review of the Gospels, ever reported to have had sex with Barbara Hershey. Heavily informed by Gnostic reinterpretations of the Passion, <I>The Last Temptation of Christ</I> (based rather strictly on Nikos Kazantzakis's novel of the same name) is surely worth seeing for the controversy and blasphemous content alone, but it's difficult to find in skittish chain video stores. But the "last temptation" of the title is nothing overtly naughty--rather, it's the seduction of the commonplace; the desire to forgo following a "calling" in exchange for domestic security. Willem Dafoe interprets Jesus as spacy, indecisive, and none too charismatic (though maybe that's just Dafoe himself), but his Sermon on the Mount is radiant with visionary fire; a bit less successful is method actor Harvey Keitel, who gives the internally conflicted Judas a noticeable Brooklyn accent, and doesn't bring much imagination to a role that demands a revisionist's approach. Despite director Martin Scorsese's penchant for stupid camera tricks, much of the desert footage is simply breathtaking, even on small screen. Ultimately, <I>Last Temptation</I> is not much more historically illuminating than Monty Python's <I>Life of Brian</I>, but hey, if it's authenticity you're after, try Gibbon's. <I>--Miles Bethany</I> Reader Reviews I remember when churches had Sunday sermons about this movie. A lot of churches condemned the movie having never seen it. I admit that I was one of those people that listened at that time. It was not until years later that I finally saw it. I was very moved. In my opinion, the real meaning of this movie has never been explored. Satan never gives up trying to steal souls even as the body is dying. Jesus was a real man, with a human body, and human needs and emotions. That is what makes his sacrifice even greater. That He, in the form of a man, could withstand temptation, to give mankind salvation. In my "take" of the film, Christ is dying on the cross, and Satan tempts him with visions and emotions of the life Jesus could have had. A comfortable life, with a loving family, a physical relationship with a beautiful partner. Aren't these things what every average man would wish for? Is it impossible to think Satan would use the form of a sweet child to tempt a man dying in agony? Is it impossible to believe that Satan would tempt all of us at the last moments of life? Isn't this what we learn from childhood as Christians? Why should a movie be banned because it teaches us that the last moments we live are also "up for grabs" to Satan?

Last Temptation of Christ Available from Amazon Price: $19.98 Updated on 11-29-2008.

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