Review of The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) by Matthew C — 17 Jan 2008

An intriuging film that keeps you captivated with its stunning cinematography, its unique story and interrpretation of the gospel, and an excellent musical score copmosed and performend by Peter Gabriel.

Many Chirstians have grossly misunderstood this film and screenings were picketed by many fundamentalists during the late 1980's. The film is not meant to be an exact account of Christ's ministry according to the gospels, rather Nikos Kazantzakis' novel used Christ as a symbol for the opposing forces of temptation and redemption that mankind struggles with.

The vision of Jesus that is presented in this film gives more of an insight into the human side of Christ and for that reason many Christians were upset. This film defies the conventional and often simplistic vision of Jesus as one who never had any serious struggles with temptation, or doubts about his calling.

This film deals exactly with those primary issues of tempation and doubt. All throughout the film Satan is trying to tempt Jesus and make him doubt and reject his calling to be the savior. The ending of the film is the most fascinating adaptaion I have ever seen of the crucifixion.

While Jesus is on the cross he begins to hallucinate. During his dream he is visited by an angelic little girl dressed all in white. The girl begins to take the nails out of Christ's wrists, and when Jesus tells her to stop because he is supposed to die and rise again to fufill God's promise, the girl tells him that it is not God's will that he should die.

The "angel" says that God was only testing him like he tested Abraham when he asked him to offer up his son as a sacrafice. The angel explains that just as God stopped abraham from sacrificing Issac, she has been sent to rescue Jesus.

She tells Christ that just as God found Abraham faithful throught the test with Issac, God has found Jesus to be faithful by his willingness to go to the cross. The angel tells him that he does not have to die, and she leads him to a marriage feast where he becomes married to Mary Magdelane.

We see Jesus and Mary have children, we see Jesus and Mary age together, and we soon discover that Jesus has one last temptaion to overcome before he can fulfill the fathers promise and bring salvaion to the world.