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The Last Temptation of Christ: The Criterion Collection

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Description

The Last Temptation of Christ, by Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull), is a towering achievement. Though it initially engendered enormous controversy, the film can now be viewed as the remarkable, profoundly personal work of faith that it is. This fifteen-year labor of love, an adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis’s landmark novel that imagines an alternate fate for Jesus Christ, features outstanding performances by Willem Dafoe (Antichrist), Barbara Hershey (Hannah and Her Sisters), Harvey Keitel (Mean Streets), Harry Dean Stanton (Paris, Texas), and David Bowie (The Man Who Fell to Earth); bold cinematography by the great Michael Ballhaus (Broadcast News); and a transcendent score by Peter Gabriel.


MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)


Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 3.2 Ounces


Item model number ‏ : ‎ CRRN2118BR


Director ‏ : ‎ Martin Scorsese


Media Format ‏ : ‎ Blu-ray


Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 43 minutes


Release date ‏ : ‎ March 13, 2012


Actors ‏ : ‎ Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Harry Dean Stanton, David Bowie


Subtitles: ‏ ‎ English


Studio ‏ : ‎ Criterion Collection


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • I'm an Athiest, and I love this movie
One of my favorite movies. I'm not at all religious, or let's say I dont believe in some force , or being, that rules over humanity, unless its science, microbes, nature , but this movie at the very least made me contemplate the religion of my grandparents on a somewhat deeper level. I never read the book, but the movie directed by Scorcese , approaches Christ on a very human level. Showing him as a man, who had serious doubts, and at times doubted his own sanity, of course the religious nut jobs had a problem with it, because they hate any interpretation that is not their own. The acting of course is first rate, especially William Defoe as Christ. David Bowie even has a brief but poignant cameo, as Pontius Pilate. Definately worth seeing, unless your blinded by some sort of screwy belief system. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2020 by Damaged by Dub

  • Scorsese dire
This is the 80’s, more user friendly, more stylish version of the Jesus Christ saga. The best version in my opinion:) The casting is superb. Willem Defoe’s best performance to date by far. Barbara Hershey is the best Mary Magdalene on film, period. Harvey Keitel as Judas is priceless. Scorsese direction puts forward a depiction of Jesus Christ the man who lived and died on earth as suppose to the standard religious icon Hollywood biography that we’re all used to. The super slow mo sequence of the carrying of the cross is mesmerizing, hypnotic. The film is also accompanied by a very successful authentic tribal score produced by Peter Gabriel (serious, earthquake-like percussion). One my favorite all-time films for sure. Highly recommend it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2019 by Luis Morales

  • Alternative version of the “historic/classic” Bible story...
I saw this film on opening day against all the negative press that “some” people were stirring up against the film. It was far from the forbidden and blasphemous work that hard-core religious groups were yelling it was. I thought it was a very humanistic look at the life of Christ, but I suppose “that” is what the hard-core religious groups were all up in arms about. I don’t want to get into a religious debate with anyone, but as a film I thought it was a very plausible explanation to “the divine” issue and how Christ “might” have dealt with what was happening to him as a human being and not as an “all-knowing-walking-on-water” god-like figure that I suppose people who “do-not-believe” have a hard time with. I think, my opinion only, it was dealt with in a very realistic way and handled with a lot of grace from Scorsese and also Willem Dafoe in a stellar performance. I mean really, ANYONE who saw him in TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA would NEVER think of him as JESUS! Myself included. My Lord....(sorry, heh..heh...heh...)  ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2017 by Richard H. Strobel

  • Scorsese Directs a Moving Spiritual Epic with Jesus Christ as a Humanist Figure
Scorsese delivers us his faith with compassionate direction. Director Martin Scorsese’s religious epic drama The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) is the first and perhaps the most powerful of Scorsese’s three spiritual films, the other two being Kundun (1997) and Silence (2016). What I appreciate most about The Last Temptation of Christ is that you feel that Scorsese truly has faith and how it guides him to portray Jesus Christ as both a complex, flawed man and as the Son of God sacrificial messiah. Scorsese’s direction is artful with a sincere faith and spirituality about his every choice that helps even a non-believing viewer to feel his closeness to God. Whereas another faith epic based on The Bible like The Ten Commandments feels cold and methodical as it goes through the motions of the biblical story with no real sense of feeling from director Cecil B. DeMille, Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ is all about our collective doubts about God as well as Jesus Christ’s doubts and lapses of faith that ultimately lead him to be the strongest believer in The Lord once he truly understands God’s path for him to follow. Writer Paul Schrader takes Nikos Kazantzakis’ controversial banned novel and adapts it for Martin Scorsese with an inquisitive and critical lens. Schrader sees Jesus as a simple man with sins, doubts, and flaws like the rest of us and elevates him to the brave pedestal of a prophet and messiah as his faith grows and strengthens alongside his message to his apostles. Schrader’s writing uses modern language so that The Bible’s text contains the main story, but contemporary audiences can follow along easier, but with Schrader’s distinctly thoughtful and poetic dialogue. Between Paul Schrader’s inventive, tender writing for Jesus and Martin Scorsese’s empathetic, faithful direction, The Last Temptation of Christ is transformed into a transcendent piece of religious art. From Jesus pleading with God to his brutal crucifixion, Scorsese captures the incredible life story of someone more than a man on Earth. Editor Thelma Schoonmaker once again cuts Scorsese’s film beautifully for a strikingly steadily paced epic at 164 minutes that never bored me. Normally, I would find a faith drama like this quite tedious, but I was constantly enthralled by Scorsese’s arthouse depictions of Christ’s miracles and Schoonmaker’s striking edits from moment to moment. You’re always shocked by the violent imagery and in awe of the divine presence on screen. Willem Dafoe delivers one of his greatest acting performances as Jesus Christ in Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ. I really enjoyed his every subtle wincing glance of pain, recoiling away in cowardice, each instance of brave conviction, to every monumental speech to the public about love in each other and faith in God. Dafoe feels like a sacred presence on the silver screen with Scorsese’s focused and sympathetic perspective allowing Dafoe to depict Jesus as a sincerely conflicted being just wanting to follow God’s will. Dafoe completely sells you on Jesus’ charisma and oratory skills as well as his genuine belief that God wants him to convert the public into a new way of thinking, feeling, and believing. Willem Dafoe should have got an Oscar for Best Actor for portraying Jesus Christ in The Last Temptation of Christ. Harvey Keitel is riveting and moving as the questioning, yet faithful apostle Judas Iscariot in this new interpretation of Judas as needing to betray Jesus at his request in order to fulfill God’s plans. Keitel is fearsome and intimidating, yet you feel his pain and doubt in his eyes and hear it in his words in a beautifully nuanced performance like Dafoe’s. He’s really incredible here. Barbara Hershey is fascinating as Jesus’ would be lover and prostitute Mary Magdalene. Hershey captures a resilient nature for Magdalene, while also finding this hurt romance and sincere love for Jesus like no other woman could ever have. Harry Dean Stanton is excellent as the bewildered and raving Paul the Apostle with his unique charm still present in his religious role. Martin Scorsese cameos as Isaiah, but the real wonder is how he got David Bowie to cameo as Pontius Pilate. Bowie takes the role deathly seriously as he is intriguing and threatened by Jesus’ faith crusade against violent actions. Bowie brings impressive gravitas and a commanding coolness that is frightening with a lot of nuance as Pilate. Furthermore, Verna Bloom is great as a confused and devout mother to Jesus Christ named The Virgin Mary. Roberts Blossom cameos as the Aged Master. Victor Argo is quite engaging and kind as Jesus’ apostle Peter. Michael Been is very loyal as Jesus’ Apostle John. John Lurie is very interesting as Jesus’ Apostle James. Lastly, I really am impressed by child actress Juliette Caton as the Girl Angel who appears to Jesus Christ on the cross to offer him God’s mercy with a dream to relieve his suffering. Michael Ballhaus’ gorgeous cinematography uses ultra wide shots for the desert landscapes and these stunning close-ups of Willem Dafoe for his spiritual moments. Whether Ballhaus is shooting the wind blowing through leaves in a tree or a glowing aura around Dafoe’s Jesus, The Last Temptation of Christ looks breathtaking. Jean-Pierre Delifer’s costumes feature layered robes that look so authentic to the time period, culture, and area. Mario Michisanti, Luigi Rocchetti, Maurizio Silvi, and Manlio Rocchetti’s make-up looks actually real for all of Jesus’ torture and wounds. All the characters look transformed so that I hardly recognized many famous actors in Scorsese’s insane ensemble here. Finally, legendary musician Peter Gabriel composed The Last Temptation of Christ’s score for Scorsese. It is truly transcendent with instruments and artists from all over the world coming together to sing and play something ethereal, haunting, scary, and moving. Gabriel’s music fits nicely with the 1980’s synth sound alongside added world music. In conclusion, The Last Temptation of Christ remains Martin Scorsese’s most spiritual and challenging art film of his illustrious career. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2021 by Matthew D'Souza

  • An Amazing Film Based Off The Novel of The Same Name
An excellent movie, based off a modern Greek novel of the same name (by Nikos Kazantzakis). When the film was released, many Christians moved to ban and destroy it. Scorsese received many death threats. The story is an alternative take on Jesus but with a much higher focus on the human condition and internal battle. I haven't read the novel yet, so I am not sure how far Scorsese strayed with the film, but the film is amazing. Dafoe is an excellent actor in portraying such conflict of man and God. Full Disclosure: I am not religious, but I have a Christian background and I do think that a Christian would appreciate the film by going into it while knowing that it isn't based off the Biblical text (nor is it trying to claim it is). Knowing this going into the film would be crucial in being able to appreciate it, otherwise it would seem incredibly shocking and heretical. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2017 by Cori H.S.

  • SIMPLY FANTASTIC!
It has such a similar title to the Mel Gibson film I was expecting that kind of "hard viewing". This film was SO good and takes a look at Jesus Christ as the life of a man with normal human emotions and the way Marty could twist the ending in film such as this was simply BRILLIANT!
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021 by James Kenyon

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