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| Last Temptation of Christ | 
 enlarge | List Price: $19.98
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 270 reviews)
Sales Rank: 5698
Category: Video
Actors: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Paul Greco, Steve Shill, Verna Bloom
Director: Martin Scorsese
Publisher: Universal Studios
Studio: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Label: Universal Studios
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Hifi Sound, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6301338057
UPC: 096898084239
EAN: 9786301338059
ASIN: 6301338057
Release Date: March 1, 1992
Theatrical Release Date: August 12, 1988
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
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, The Last Temptation of Christ (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, Last Temptation is not much more historically illuminating than Monty Python's Life of Brian, but hey, if it's authenticity you're after, try Gibbon's. --Miles Bethany
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| Customer Reviews: Read 265 more reviews...
 The most spiritual movie ever made May 26, 2008
The Last Temptation of Christ shows Christ as one who struggled, and some Christians find that blasphemous. Isn't it ironic that in the bible, Jews had Christ crucified for blasphemy, and now some Christians would have Scorsese excoriated for blasphemy?
Christ was revolutionary, and this movie gets that accross with more impact by straying from the familiar biblical account. Some wrong ideas are given voice in the course of this story, but not sympathetically. We learn in this movie that the truth is important and to be careful what voices we follow, and for that wisdom we look... where?
The Last Temptation of Christ suggests that God is to be discovered, not taught. If we wrote down what we discovered, we might all of us be bible writers. Is that blasphemy?
Faith-Stretcher! April 2, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Want to be stretched in your faith stance? Watch the "Last Temptation of Christ". Dealing with the humanity of Jesus is always a ticklish endeavor, and Willem Dafoe et al. pull it off. Some folks make not like it; they may even hate it. However, one cannot see this flim and come away neutral. It demands a response. A great discussion-starter.
 A lousy film March 25, 2008
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
I'm old enough to remember the controversy surrounding the release of this film. Concerned about the charges of "blasphemy!" that I heard shouted by the movie's most ardent critics -- including many who hadn't seen the film but only knew of some of its contents -- I avoided it for the better part of 20 years. Friends whom I trust suggested the movie's spiritual content was not "that bad" and the film had some redeeming value to it.
So I rented it with an open mind, hoping to see a depection of the human side of Jesus, as most "Jesus movies" depict only his divine characteristics. I was sadly disappointed. More than human, this fictional story of Christ depicted him as a weak, sniveling, reluctant messiah lead by the nose by an overbearing Judas. The Jesus of the Gospels, though not thrilled at the thought of his crucifixion, was not reluctant to teach, to lead. As a child, he taught in the synagogue. Scorsese's Jesus (I know Kazantzakis wrote the book on which the film is based) was not only lacking any sign of divinity, but was nothing anyone of the day would have called a "Rabbi."
I know that I will get blasted for this review and get a lot of "not helpful" votes. But it needs to be said that, on top of the lousy story, the acting was atrocious.
This movie was one of the worst films I've seen. It's a stinker.
For those you might watch this film to be "moved" or to get a feel for Jesus's suffering and sacrifice, you're wasting your time. Want to see pain and sacrifice? See Gibson's the Passion of the Christ. Heck, you'll get more out of Jesus Christ Superstar than this dog of a movie.
Don't buy it. Don't rent it. You'll thank me later.
Last Temptation- The Real Story March 3, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
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?
important discussion movie February 26, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a pastor, I have found this movie to be great for discussion. It tackles just about every question anyone might have about who Christ is. For those who are doubting their faith, it's a great way to re-examine what they believe. I have not read the book and therefore cannot make a comparison. The movie is somewhat "artsy" for lack of a better term. I think it is now far enough removed from it's initial highly controversial release that it can be embraced as an important faith tool. Everyone I have ever shown it to has been blown away. I love it and highly recommend it!
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