The Last Temptation of Christ

The Last Temptation of Christ is a film released in 1988 based on a novel by the same name. The Film was directed by Nikos Kazantzakis, and stars Willem Dafoe as Jesus Christ and Harvey Keitel as Judas Iscariot. Emphasizing the aspect of Jesus as human, the film shows him as a bit of a bumbling buffoon who the Pharisees run circles around. It also has him make pantheistic statements about God being in all things. Due to its blasphemous nature, it was heavily picketed when it first came out. The film did not do well at the box office, but has been a favorite of secular Hollywood and is shown relatively often on movie channels.

The Film covers Jesus's ministry years, including his acquisition of apostles, and his temptations in the desert, up until his crucifixion. It makes Judas a type of hero.

The events of the film deviate from scripture in many points, but two are noted here. First, Judas is asked by Jesus to betray him, and in the film, Judas is the only Apostle loyal enough to turn Jesus in. Second involves Jesus's last moments on the cross. While on the cross, Satan appears to Jesus in the form of a little girl. Satan tells Jesus that he is not the son of God, and offers him a chance to live a normal life. Believing the child is an angel, Jesus accepts and begins his new life married to Mary Magdalene. Jesus continues to live his life following the advice of Satan, still in the form of a little girl, until while on his deathbed, Judas visits him and accuses him of betraying the 12. Realizing that the little girl is in fact the Devil, Jesus begs God to let him make things right. The movie ends with Jesus back on the cross, claiming that "It is accomplished."