The Last Temptation of Christ

1988
R
2h 44m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

64K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer1:19

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

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

64K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,347

346

Director
- Martin Scorsese
Writers
- Nikos Kazantzakis
- Paul Schrader
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 7 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 1:19

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

Photos174

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

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 reviews368

Review

Featured review

7/10

an alternative reality for Christ

This adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis's novel, directed by Martin Scorsese, caused quite a stir on its initial release, accused of blasphemy and of causing offence to the Christian religion.

However, in its depiction of Jesus Christ as a human being rather than a man divine, it gets to the core of his story. This is a man who makes the choice of self-sacrifice for the good of his fellow men, despite the temptations of an alternative life - shown in this film by a life with Mary Magdelene rather than dying at the Crucifixion.

Played by Willem Dafoe with great sensitivity, this Christ performs miracles and discusses the intricacies of life and death with his disciples. Harvey Keitel is Judas, a rough man who fails to understand the significance of being the chosen Son of God; while Barbara Hershey is an effective Magdelene. David Bowie makes a short appearance as Pontius Pilate and is surprisingly good.

'The Last Temptation of Christ' is not one of Scorsese's best films but it certainly sparks questions and leaves food for thought. Some of the imagery is superb and the script is coherent and of a high standard.