The Last Temptation of Christ

Director: Martin Scorcese
(1988)

Though this film is simply an imaginative adaptation of the life of Christ I really, really enjoyed it and I believe that it is a truly significant revision of the story of Jesus Christ.

The Last Temptation of Christ offers a portrayal of Jesus that is much different from the one that we are given in the Holy Bible. Jesus in TLTC is fearful and burdened and doesn't want to accept the responsibility of the messiahship. He also builds crosses for the Romans crucifixions which makes his disciples and the people of Judea look down on him because he is a Jew who is helping to kill other Jews. Also the role of Judas in the film is much different from the role of Judas in the Bible. He is Jesus' best friend and confidante, and even ventures into the role of his voice of reason. He also betrays Jesus in the film out of loyalty to him to fulfill the prophecy and not out of spite or for monetary gain like he does in the bible.
The film also offers a dream sequence which portrays what Jesus' life might have been like had he refused the messiahship where he marries Mary Magadalene, conceives children with her, and lives a normal human life yet on his death bed his disciples return to him and Judas scolds him for not holding up his part in fulfilling the prophecy and reveals to him that his so-called guardian angel is actually satan. Upon gaining this knowledge Jesus cries out to God that he wants to die on the cross, that he wants to save the people. This extends a new dimension to the story of Jesus the Christ. It notes that his sacrifice was more of a choice than an obligation, which is a very important and stimulating idea.

I found this film to be quite fulfilling even though it is different from the Bible stories that I've read and the other films about the life of Christ because even though it is relatively different Scorcese does a marvelous job weaving the Truth with his imagination so as to not compromise the gravity of the legend.