The Last Temptation of Christ - Criterion Collection

Rating:
Summary: All wrong, Part 2
Review: I stated once before that this film is incorrectly taken. Jesus never sins in this film. So when he dies he is absolutely sinless thus allowing biblical prophecy to be fulfilled. He has not sinned because these events that occur through the film are a TEMPTATION presented as a HALLUCINATION. Satan is tempting Christ to reject the cup he has to bear. Dying for the sins of all is a very serious "cup to bear," so Satan finds Jesus an easy target. Remember the other part of the prophecy, Jesus must suffer. This is a part of that suffering, making the agonizing decision to die for all. And I refer to "religious zealots" as the ones who automatically killed this film from the beginning instead of seeing it for what it really is, but religious people in general are not "zealots". I consider myself a religious man. Of course you all are entitled to your opinions as to the actual quality of the film (some said it was boring) but I found it a thoroughly engrossing film, another hit for Scorcese.

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Summary: One of the greatest movies ever made: a tremedous work.
Review: This is a fantastic movie about the spiritual struggles of Christ and can be applied to the search to become, as Saint Francisis wrote "an instrument of thy will". The end of the movie had an unbelievable impact on me. Before the crucifixtion Christ searches for another way, and although he doesn't wish to be crucified he submits, but not with his heart. Through a delusion of the Devil he learns that this is the greatest act on Earth that he can undergo and that it is the will of God. In the end Christ truely wishes, with all his heart, to submit to his fate, to his spiritual purpose on Earth. I don't take the crucifixtion literally, however in order to live a spiritual life it is necessary to give up certain personal pleasures or endure difficulties. The lesson of the movie is that these must be welcomed and loved as opposed to being submitted to with reluctance and bitterness.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, But Unnecessary...
Review: Scorcese's film is certainly unique and raises some good questions. Those critical of so-called "religious zealots" (see review below) should remember that no one who has attacked the film is denying that Christ was also human. But being tempted and actually sinning are two different things. According to Biblical account, for Christ's crucifixion to have meant anything at all, he had to be sinless. Thus, a Christian like myself would be expected to take offense at a film like this. At the same time, I understand the questions Scorcese was raising with the film, and there are some valid points. I know Jesus was tempted; it is referenced in the Scriptures. But the humanity of Christ could have been portrayed in a more subtle way. On top of all that, I just found it to be a pretty boring piece of film - from Scorcese, of all people. Time seemed to slow down for awhile there. Two hours felt a lot longer, and that's just poor filmaking...

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Summary: A movie that restored my faith
Review: First of all, the musical soundtrack by Peter Gabriel is a masterpiece in itself (you can find it in music stores under the title "Passion") -- it's a haunting, eerie, mysterious, rhythmic journey through Middle Eastern music from all ages, woven together into a muscial fabric that envelops you and permeates you in a way that few other musical experiences can. But even aside from this, I remember THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST as the movie that restored my faith at a time when I was in doubt. I had half-heartedly been confirmed as a Roman Catholic in the late 1980s, though I always had trouble finding support in a church that seemed to care more about politics (especially stupid anti-abortion rants) than anything approaching spiritual comfort. My low point came during the Gulf War of 1991, when I was worried about my brother heading to Kuwait to fight as part of the 82nd Airborne division. I went to church the week that the ground war began, hopinf to find some solace...and was treated to an idiotic abortion sermon by the priest about how abortionists are Nazis who want to murder babies and senior citizens (don't ask how that came around), and how women becoming pregnant by rape should allow their babies to be born so that the children would grow up to love Christ. That was the last time I willingly set foot in a Roman Catholic church, and after that I rented and watched THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST just for the hell of it. And to my amazemement, I found a spark of hope in this movie, with its portrayal of Christ as a man with faults and doubts, so that by the time of his final victory at the climax of the film, I felt appeased and even happier...enough for me to seek a spiritual path that could make me feel good about myself. Maybe that's the point that Christ himself was making when he defied the established order in his time: forget the silly religious politics and seek to discover the true "spirit" that moves within us. It certainly moves within this film.

Rating:
Summary: This movie is reviewed all wrong
Review: The few knocks i've seen serious people take at this movie (outside you religious zelaots) is that christ was portrayed as a weak man. Another knock was that Christ, being what he is, would never walk into a whorehouse. This is untrue. These are not Jesus' thoughts at all, they are a hallucination presented by Satan. If these were indeed Christ's thoughts then this film would have been called "The Last Thoughts of Christ." Satan is showing Christ what he could have as a man. Remember the great confusion surrounding Christ: he was both God AND man. And as we all know and have experienced, man is tempted every day. That is what is so good about this movie. Unlike most other movies, which always view the Jesus as God aspect, this movie focuses on Jesus as man, and man is tempted. Hence the name "Last TEMPTATION of Christ." And as anyone who has actually read the Bible knows, Christ even asks that he not have to bear what he has to do (Matthew 26:39, 42). To assume that Christ really wanted all of the pain and suffering he experienced is crazy. (Also many people complained that Judas had a Brooklyn accent, but I've heard maybe one complaint of David Bowie's British accent. Remember the British wouldnt come around until maybe 700 years later.)

Rating:
Summary: An unconventional film about the life of Christ
Review: I enjoy religious films, particularly those dealing with the life of Christ. There have been many excellent "Jesus" movies, but, by far, the most interesting I have seen is Scorsese's "Last Temptation of Christ." It was unconventional, contraversial, and very compelling. It presents divinity as a state reached after great effort and sacrifice (which makes the sacrifice on the cross more meaningful). It is not a film for the fainthearted and many conventional Christian notions are challenged, but I found myself thinking this must have been what Christ's struggle was like. We have seen the Hollywood glitz films about Jesus, most of them very reverent and well done, but "Last Temptation" shows us the down to earth struggle for the salvation of mankind.

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Summary: Very good!
Review: Though I'm not a christian and would NEVER consider becoming one, I enjoyed this movie enough to watch it twice.

Rating:
Summary: great representation
Review: Jesus was a cool dude. oop

Rating:
Summary: A very, VERY spiritual film.
Review: How paradoxical that the brave veracity of this movie caused such a stir amongst voodoo Christians. For the more Christ is portrayed as a human male, the more divine His final attributes appear. What greater temptation to any man than the agony of intense sexual enticement and denial? Yet this film brilliantly portrays an even GREATER (and spiritually conflicted!)Satanic incitement to sin--to live as an ordinary man, avoid the Cross, and thus doom the human race. The human doubt of this Christ can seem to border on blasphemy. But the movie's ending carries the viewer to a beautiful new level of love for this drama, this Man, this Blessed and Bloody outcome.

Rating:
Summary: A closer look at "the greatest story ever told"
Review: How refreshingly different to see how it could have been like and to perhaps question the bible in this way, adding perspective to it that hardly anyone would DARE - probably fearing the wrath of the Almighty :-). Geez, those who feel offended by this very intriguing film, why don't you stop for one minute following blindly what is being presented to you and the rest of organized religion, take a close look, switch on your brains on and make up YOUR OWN religion. Who is to say that what was written by MAN (not Jesus or God) so long ago, so many times translated, twisted, no originals (except the suspicous one chapter locked up at the vatican) - that all this is never to be questioned? Think about it - if I said "This is a hard drive" am I referring to a tedious journey or to my computer disk? The way every human being is different, the same way everyone would interprete things differently. The bible is no exception. People should wake up, be strong to face the truth and see that Goodness, Humanity and Love - your religion is first and foremost to be found IN YOU, not in a stupid little book or a materialistic church. Oh, by the way - nice to see how many dared to show up with their name and email LOL... I'd better get outta here before I'm being tared and feathered :-)...