The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

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 | Epic

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 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:18 | 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:

Martin Scorsese banned smoking from the set, both because he's a severe asthmatic, and to avoid any photographs being taken of the biblical characters - namely Willem Dafoe, who smoked at the time - with cigarettes hanging out of their mouths.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When the first man is being crucified, as he yells when the soldier nails his hand, we can see a lot of metal fillings in his upper teeth.

Quotes:

Jesus: Brothers, my old friends! Listen to me! It's me the prophets preached about. God talked to me in the desert; he gave me a secret and told me to bring it to you. Didn't you hear me coming? I ran here to Nazareth, where I grew up, to bring you the news. The word of God is here now.
Voice in Crowd: You work miracles. Make a miracle for us. Make us believe in you. Otherwise, go away.
Jesus: The Messiah doesn't need miracles. He is the miracle. Now he's here. Are you ready for me? I'm here to tear down everything around you, and you know what I'm going to replace it with? Something new: God. The World of God. So take your bread and give it to the poor...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of '...And God Spoke' (1993)

A fascinating film from a fascinating book

I find this film moving, I find this film asks me more questions than I have answers too, I find my mind in turmoil with questions about love and sacrifice, I find this film fascinating. I do not find it blasphemous nor degrading towards my beliefs. I have watched this film many times now, and each time I've watched it the same question comes to mind, if Christ who loved mankind was prepared to sacrifice his life for us, what little sacrifice can we make for him and for others in return, perhaps that is the question we should all consider from this film or maybe that's a question too many of us fear to ask ourselves, and maybe watching this film can help remind us. The film is as much about us as about Christ, since we are all God's children, we must battle between the physical and spiritual, we must all fight temptation, are we strong enough, are we as strong as Christ. It's a film that provides many difficult questions for those who watch it.