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The Last Temptation of Christ

  • 1988
  • R
  • 2h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
60K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,048
1,718
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Trailer for The Last Temptation of Christ
Play trailer1:19
1 Video
99+ Photos
Drama

The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.

  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writers
    • Nikos Kazantzakis
    • Paul Schrader
  • Stars
    • Willem Dafoe
    • Harvey Keitel
    • Barbara Hershey
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    60K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,048
    1,718
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writers
      • Nikos Kazantzakis
      • Paul Schrader
    • Stars
      • Willem Dafoe
      • Harvey Keitel
      • Barbara Hershey
    • 358User reviews
    • 127Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Last Temptation of Christ: The Criterion Collection [Blu-Ray]
    Trailer 1:19
    Watch The Last Temptation of Christ: The Criterion Collection [Blu-Ray]

    Photos172

    Harvey Keitel, Willem Dafoe, Barbara Hershey, Victor Argo, and Verna Bloom in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Harvey Keitel in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Harvey Keitel, Willem Dafoe, and Victor Argo in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Barbara Hershey in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Harvey Keitel, Willem Dafoe, and Michael Been in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Willem Dafoe in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
    Willem Dafoe and Giovanni Cianfriglia in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Willem Dafoe
    Willem Dafoe
    • Jesus
    Harvey Keitel
    Harvey Keitel
    • Judas
    Barbara Hershey
    Barbara Hershey
    • Mary Magdalene
    Paul Greco
    Paul Greco
    • Zealot
    Steve Shill
    Steve Shill
    • Centurian
    • (as Steven Shill)
    Verna Bloom
    Verna Bloom
    • Mary, Mother of Jesus
    Roberts Blossom
    Roberts Blossom
    • Aged Master
    Barry Miller
    Barry Miller
    • Jeroboam
    Gary Basaraba
    Gary Basaraba
    • Andrew, Apostle
    Irvin Kershner
    Irvin Kershner
    • Zebedee
    Victor Argo
    Victor Argo
    • Peter, Apostle
    Michael Been
    • John, Apostle
    Paul Herman
    Paul Herman
    • Phillip, Apostle
    John Lurie
    John Lurie
    • James, Apostle
    Leo Burmester
    Leo Burmester
    • Nathaniel, Apostle
    Andre Gregory
    Andre Gregory
    • John The Baptist
    Peggy Gormley
    Peggy Gormley
    • Martha, Sister of Lazarus
    Randy Danson
    • Mary, Sister of Lazarus
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writers
      • Nikos Kazantzakis
      • Paul Schrader
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Production art
    Photos

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The script for this film sat in the office of Martin Scorsese's lawyer for at least five years prior to being made. Although Scorsese thought the film could be brilliant, he was concerned how the public might respond to the finished film. His lawyer agreed the script was brilliant and very "brave", but advised against making the movie, because he did not think moviegoers were ready for such a story.
    • Goofs
      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: You think God belongs only to you? He doesn't. God is an immortal spirit who belongs to everybody, to the whole world. You think you're special? God is not an Israelite!

    • Crazy credits
      "This film is not based upon the Gospels but on this fictional exploration of the eternal spiritual conflict."
    • Alternate versions
      Most DVD and streaming versions are missing Judas's line, "It's Magdalene; she deserves it," right before the attempted stoning scene. The line can be heard on the Criterion Blu-ray.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Betrayed/Stealing Home/The Last Temptation of Christ/Married to the Mob/Hero and the Terror (1988)

    User reviews358

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Offensive - no. Fantastic film-making - yes!
    Has there ever been a more misunderstood film than Martin Scorcese's The Last Temptation Of Christ? Released amid great controversy and accused of being an offensive and unholy film, the truth of the matter is that it is a deeply reverent work which has the courage to ask challenging questions about the pressures and doubts Jesus must have experienced as the appointed Messiah. It also shows the violence of the times in graphic detail. If viewers consider it blasphemous to explore on film the immense burden of duty that Jesus bore through his life, then they are narrow-minded and ignorant. If people feel that to show the brutality and harshness of life in Roman times is tasteless and inappropriate, then they are guilty of glorifying difficult but factual truths. There is NOTHING offensive about this film. There is, however, much that is challenging.

    Jesus (Willem Dafoe), an honest carpenter, saves Mary Magdalene (Barbara Hershey) from a stoning. Already dimly aware that he is destined to lead an extraordinary life, he soon finds himself being drawn into the role of a religious figurehead. But Jesus finds it hard to accept that he is a Messiah, and as his reputation and following grows he constantly questions if he is a strong enough man to handle the burden of being God's son. After isolating himself in the desert, where he experiences several hallucinations in which he is confronted by visual manifestations of good and evil, Jesus finally concludes that he IS the true son of God and whole-heartedly sets about imparting his love and wisdom to all who'll listen. Later betrayed to the disgruntled Romans by his friend Judas Iscariot (Harvey Keitel), Jesus is crucified. While on the cross, he imagines what his life would have turned out like if he had shied away from his duty as the Messiah and lived life like a mere mortal.

    It is this final section of the film that has provoked the most vociferous outrage. The sequence shows Jesus as he slowly dies on the cross, dreaming of an alternative life in which he sins and copulates and hates like all normal people. Many people have criticised the film on the grounds that these scenes are blasphemous. Such claims are nonsense - the film is not saying that Jesus was a sinner, nor that he gave in to temptation of the flesh, nor still that he was a man filled with hate. The film is merely saying that, in such great pain and so close to death while still just a young man, he might - just maybe - have wondered if it was all worth it. At the end of the film, we see Jesus accept his role knowing that his death is the ultimate act of unselfish love, so the film actually is totally in agreement with what all Christians believe. If the film had come to the conclusion that Jesus's whole life was a waste, his death too, then maybe the detractors would've had cause to complain. But how can they possibly be offended by the film as it stands? For goodness sake, it's a film about absolute faith!!! In truth, The Last Temptation Of Christ is an excellent movie. Compellingly acted, beautifully shot on Moroccan locations, and full of telling ideas, it is a work of real depth and power. The accents are sometimes distracting and some of the dialogue occasionally betrays ill-suited modernisms, but apart from these minor drawbacks it is one of the most important and thought-provoking films ever made.
    helpful•193
    48
    • barnabyrudge
    • Apr 14, 2005

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    FAQ3

    • Is this film based on the Bible? Can it be considered an adaptation of the Bible?
    • Was Nikos Kazantzakis a Christian? Is Martin Scorsese?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 12, 1988 (Canada)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Passion
    • Filming locations
      • Moulay Ismael Stables, Villa Imperiale, Meknès, Morocco(Pontius Pilate's palace - Passover baths - interiors: the Temple)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Cineplex Odeon Films
      • Ufland Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,373,585
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $401,211
      • Aug 14, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,865,702
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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