Not one of Martin Scorsese's very best and not for everybody. However, while 'The Last Temptation of Christ' challenges the viewer and raises a lot of interesting and thought-provoking ideas it also highly rewards them with a real harrowing impact and emotional power.

While it is easy to see why 'The Last Temptation of Christ' is controversial, I am with those who found nothing blasphemous or offensive about it. And have also been illuminated and convinced, and also thoroughly agree despite not being religious at all, by the reasons put forward by those who have defended it as to why. Am also of the opinion that the most controversial part of the film was the highlight of the film.

'The Last Temptation of Christ' is not by all means perfect. It does go on for a little too long, and meanders in pacing at times especially in the middle third. There is a use of voice over narration too, and its somewhat surreal tone struck an odd, jarring note. Had mixed feelings on Harvey Keitel as Judas, it is a very interesting and remarkably complex interpretation (more so than most portrayals of Judas) and Keitel puts a lot of energy and emotional feeling into the character, but his appearance and accent does make him look and sound somewhat out of place.

However, the arresting and richly powerful images, breath-taking and sometimes hard-hitting cinematography and evocative production values make for a film that is top-notch visually. Admired and appreciated the restraint but still constant engagement of Martin Scorsese's direction, while Peter Gabriel's score makes precisely the same impact as the crucifixion itself in wrenching the gut and moving to tears (particularly in the Crucifixion which is some of the most not only beautiful but truly powerful pieces of music of any film seen recently),one of the best scores to me for a Scorsese film.

Scripting is very thought-provoking and was really bold in how much it challenged anybody watching, resisting the urge to ramble and it makes sense. The story does have pacing issues but benefits from a strong emotional core and characterisations that are far more complex than your scripture stereotypes (a very bold move and comes off wonders, in not showing characters as either entirely virtuous or jealousy/greed driven but ones that maintain the essence of how the characters are usually portrayed but with strengths and conflicts). The crucifixion scene is harrowing and heart-rending.

Willem Dafoe is a sensitive yet commanding Jesus, one of the better and more complex portrayals on film, while Barbara Herschey is astonishing as Mary, being luminous, heartfelt but still with a backbone. David Bowie comes off surprisingly well, as immensely talented as he was expectations were for him to be as misplaced-feeling as Keitel but it is a subdued, down-to-earth yet frighteningly arrogant and menacingly ruthless depiction of Pontius Pilate. It is easy though also to overlook Harry Dean Stanton, but despite not being in the film long he does prove himself to be a scene stealer.

Overall, challenging film but a rewarding one that is not to be dismissed due to the subject matter or the controversy. To me it is one of the better films and portrayals of Jesus and much better than the well made but pretty repulsive 'The Passion of the Christ'. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Martin Scorsese's THE LAST TEMPTATION OF Christ is an undeniably powerful and compelling version of the story and, unsurprisingly given the director's tough films, one of the most controversial. However, I found the director's spin on what is a highly familiar story to be all the more effective because of the controversy.

In fact, it's not QUITE as controversial as I had been led to believe, because for much of the time it's a fairly traditional retelling of Christ's last days on earth. Sure, the sex and violence are more explicit than in many a more family-oriented production (although this is relatively tame in comparison to Mel Gibson's later PASSION OF THE Christ) but the format is familiar.

Much of the controversy stems from the last thirty-minute section in which Christ experiences a vision whilst on the cross of what his life would have been had he lived to old age. It's by far my favourite part of the movie, and a masterful way of exploring just what he gave up by sacrificing himself. Of course, it helps that Willem Dafoe gives a tremendous turn as Jesus, all repressed anger and pathos. All in all, this is a worthwhile effort and a must for fans of Biblical productions.

Jesus of Nazareth (Willem Dafoe) is conflicted by the voice in his head. He carves crosses for the Romans and is filled with self-hatred. His friend Judas Iscariot (Harvey Keitel) hates what Jesus does. He asks the prostitute Mary Magdalene (Barbara Hershey) for forgiveness. In the desert, he encounters snakes and purifies himself. Judas is sent to kill him but he stops. As a crowd starts stoning Magdalene for going with Romans on the sabbath, Jesus asks Who hasn't sinned? He starts to gather a following but Judas still questions him. Then he encounters John the Baptist.

This starts with a surreal inner voice narration which gave it an odd tone. It meanders a bit and departs from the Gospels. Then it takes on the familiar stories but always with Jesus conflicted. It's a lot of personal struggle. In this version, Jesus is very human trying to come to terms with his doubts. It's sometimes interesting to see a different take on the Gospels. There is the main controversy about the alternate path at the end, but I consider it more like a dream sequence. It shouldn't really count.