The Last Temptation of Christ - Benjamin Hilton

Title/Year:  The Last Temptation of Christ/1988
Director/Birth Country/Year Born:  Martin Scorsese/USA/1942
Budget:  $7 million
Gross:  $8.4 million
Synopsis:  Jesus of Nazareth, questions why God placed him on Earth.  While attempting to discover why he is tormented by demons and sin until he is hoisted onto the cross to die.  There he is faced with the temptation of leaving the cross and living a normal life.
Narrative and Visual Keywords:  Cross, death, sin, Jesus Christ, Gospels, Bible, God, Judas, Romans, Faith, temptation, Satan, prophecy, Crucifixion, Jewish
Characterization/Dialogue:  Scorsese faced the difficult challenge of giving human qualities to Jesus, and the other apostles.  Though moving almost completely away from the bible, he succeeds in make Jesus a believable person, instead of a idol for good.
Political/ Social Commentary:  The film was banned in several countries such as Turkey, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina.  The movie is still banned in Philippines and Singapore.
Historical Relevance/ Recognition
Notable Collaboration:  Leo Marks, writer of the screenplay, provided the voice for Satan.
Random fact, Etc.


Why is the film considered controversial? Where was it banned (considered controversial)?The film was banned in countries for several reasons, the most prominate being the alternate endings where Jesus chooses not to die on the cross and instead go live the life of a regular human.  Other reasons are that Jesus was a cross builder for the Romans, being tormented by the voice of God, and him lamenting in the "many sins" he has commited.

What societal "comfort zones" does it push the limit of?
The film pushes the "comfort zone" of society's religious beliefes.  The film shows Jesus as a human, instead of a devine savoir.  Jesus has doubts, fears, and gives into sin all for the feeling of comfort, a very human quality.  Jesus giving into temptation at the end of the movie truly shows the audiance the true "weakness" of Jesus.

Would it still be considered controversial if it were released today? I would not consider this controversial today.  The idea of challenging religious beliefes and questioning what life truly means is a common practice today.  And believing that truly devout individuals could give into temptaiton is something that is widely accepted and even expected to some degree (especially in politics).

Do you feel the director's choice to show the material is ethically sound?Yes, because without it the audiance would be deprived of the true character arc of Jesus.  We would witness Jesus as questioning his faith, then devotly dieing on the cross.

Would you recommend this film to a friend?
Yes, I would.  This film is both an excellent film for it's story and characters, as well as an important part in the history of film.