The Last Temptation of Christ

Name: The Last Temptation of Christ
Genre: Drama
Released: August 12, 1988
Duration: 164 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Barbara Hershey, Harvey Keitel, Willem Dafoe

1988

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 91 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 91 Ratings

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The Last Temptation Of Christ

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 12, 1988 | R

Starring: Barbara Hershey, Harvey Keitel, Willem Dafoe

Summary: A thought-provoking interpretation of the classic tale of Christ, Temptation explores the idea of Christ as a mere mortal, who, at the threshold of self-sacrifice, is tempted by the desire to continue on with his life.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 164 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Powerful, haunting, and at times very moving, The Last Temptation of Christ presents its account of the events and conflicts of Christ's life with a depth of dramatized feeling and motivation that renders them freshly compelling. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

Here is a film that engaged me on the subject of Christ's dual nature, that caused me to think about the mystery of a being who could be both God and man. I cannot think of another film on a religious subject that has challenged me more fully. The film has offended those whose ideas about God and man it does not reflect. But then, so did Jesus. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

A film of challenging ideas, and not salacious provocations, The Last Temptation of Christ is a powerful and very modern reinterpretation of Jesus as a man wracked with anguish and doubt concerning his appointed role in life. Read full review

Julie Salamon

Mr. Scorsese has created a Judea that is dusty and harsh, where visions in the middle of a night seem like. Some of the visual compositions are dizzyingly beautiful; the Crucifixion scene couldn't be more masterful, or heartbreaking. [11Aug 1988, p.1]

Jay Carr

It could have been shorter, some of its exchanges misfire, but I respect The Last Temptation of Christ, and I'm much more for it than against it. It's the most spiritual biblical movie of our times. [2 Sep 1988, p.25]

Andrew O'Hehir

It's a lovely, measured and deeply earnest work. It balances a realistic view of first century Palestine against a sincere consideration of how an ordinary man might learn he is divine. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

The efforts to plant this story in a contemporary vernacular are not always successful but the performances are uniformly fine in their adherence to the material, and consistently avoid any vulgarity or showboating. Read full review

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User Reviews

GregSkywalker

Jan 10, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm particularly fond of this movie because it tells a story through music & images as it does through dialogue. I also want to highlight the fact that costumes, sets etc are historically believable however all actors conspicuously use their normal accents. At first, it might seem jarring to see Harvey Keitel talking to "Jesus". But I'm glad Scorsese decided not to direct his actors to affect silly "ancient" accents which end up sounding like inexperienced high school actors attempting Shakespeare.
David Bowie as Pontius Pilate. His understated sense of superiority towards Jesus is perfectly acted. The whole scene fully deserves its iconic status.
Finally a few words on the controversial nature of this film. As a secularist, I admit that I can happily watch this tale without any concern for anything biblical, orthodoxy or historical. As a cinema person, I can keep it as simple as, "Cool, Willem Dafoe is a bad ass Jesus!"
Last Temptation is a compelling period piece with almost action flick undertones that oddly creates the charm for me.
Finally, this is a bold departure from Scorsese's typical fare. I respect him for that.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cezarpimentel

Mar 18, 2014

Very nice movie. Brilliant acting, narrative and story. Martin Scorcese knows what he does. The best Jesus film ive seen in my opinion. The more I watch Scorceses films, the more I like and respects him.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Mstordahl

Mar 20, 2021

The Last Temptation of Christ is an intimate portrait of Jesus, who is the son of God, yet fully a human man. This movie expertly takes the audience along with Jesus on his journey to figure out for what purpose was he sent to earth.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Sevvy88

Jun 7, 2013

Great movie. Probably the best "Jesus film" I've ever seen. Despite it not being totally according to the Gospels, I feel that it, ironically, portrays Jesus as the revolutionary and troubled man that he was. (Or I believe him to have been!) Whether or not you are a Christian, you should seeGreat movie. Probably the best "Jesus film" I've ever seen. Despite it not being totally according to the Gospels, I feel that it, ironically, portrays Jesus as the revolutionary and troubled man that he was. (Or I believe him to have been!) Whether or not you are a Christian, you should see this film. When it came out, apparently it was a HUGE controversy as well. That in and of itself makes it sort of a historical experience. My one complaint is that at times the acting felt really off and strained and that was disappointing. Really darkened a lot of scenes. Willem Dafoe pretty much knocks the ball out of the park as Jesus though. Solid stuff.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

stefantomasi

Apr 13, 2020

The Last Temptation of Christ is one of my favourite Martin Scorsese films. The acting is terrific and Willem Dafoe delivers a great performance. Thumbs up for this classic.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jfrotylpe532

Dec 2, 2012

This film was good until Jesus got married then I said screw it. Being a christian and all I have to say I'm really displeased with Scorsese on this one. Maybe next time.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Brandy

Jul 17, 2014

One of the great directors forgets every last thing he ever learned about how to shoot a movie in 'The Last Temptation of Christ', one of the stupidest and worst-looking films you'll ever see (or, to be sure, hear). Religion really does squander the intellect. Scorsese and Schrader alsoOne of the great directors forgets every last thing he ever learned about how to shoot a movie in 'The Last Temptation of Christ', one of the stupidest and worst-looking films you'll ever see (or, to be sure, hear). Religion really does squander the intellect. Scorsese and Schrader also neglect, of course, to include the episodes of the quasihistorical Nazarene's ministry involving his racism, support of slavery or assertion that the world was just about to end. This movie is a mortal sin, but Scorsese more than atoned for it a decade later by making 'Bringing Out the Dead'.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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