This is a fascinating look at Jesus's dual nature; what he might have been; the struggles and confusion he must have endured; what kind of life he would have had if he had not submitted himself to be sacrificed.
These are the strongest aspects of the story, and the locations in Morocco are perfect. Also, David Bowie gives a too-short performance as Pontius Pilate.

That said, I found the New York and other modern accents from many of the actors to be distracting, and some of the scenes could have been more effective or tightened up. The scenes with John the Baptist and his raving lunatic followers were rather bizarre as well.

This movie is not for the uneducated, or those who never entertain a theological thought. Quite the opposite to the warm, fuzzy Christ of today's charismatic Christian fervor where nothing, really, is demanded of the believer, the Christ in the Last Temptation is the genuine human form of God. And, fact is, many in the Christian camp today, are uncomfortable with that realization: that their God-made-man, could actually experience insecurity, depression, and heaven forbid, lust.

I recall when the film first made its appearance in the U.S., the evangelist James Dobson went absolutely, rabidly ballistic. His radio rantings against the movie proved to me that this man has a psychological problem. He ranted, and ranted, and ranted... and yet, Dobson never saw the movie. Dobson reacted to the charismatic hysteria that was fomenting at the time. Hypocrite that he is.

Oh well, be that as it may, The Last Temptation of Christ is a thinker's work - both the book and movie - and only cogent minds will be able to embrace it.

The Last Temptation of Christ shows Christ as one who struggled, and some Christians find that blasphemous. Isn't it ironic that in the bible, Jews had Christ crucified for blasphemy, and now some Christians would have Scorsese excoriated for blasphemy?

Christ was revolutionary, and this movie gets that accross with more impact by straying from the familiar biblical account. Some wrong ideas are given voice in the course of this story, but not sympathetically. We learn in this movie that the truth is important and to be careful what voices we follow, and for that wisdom we look... where?

The Last Temptation of Christ suggests that God is to be discovered, not taught. If we wrote down what we discovered, we might all of us be bible writers. Is that blasphemy?

Want to be stretched in your faith stance? Watch the "Last Temptation of Christ". Dealing with the humanity of Jesus is always a ticklish endeavor, and Willem Dafoe et al. pull it off. Some folks make not like it; they may even hate it. However, one cannot see this flim and come away neutral. It demands a response. A great discussion-starter.

I'm old enough to remember the controversy surrounding the release of this film. Concerned about the charges of "blasphemy!" that I heard shouted by the movie's most ardent critics -- including many who hadn't seen the film but only knew of some of its contents -- I avoided it for the better part of 20 years. Friends whom I trust suggested the movie's spiritual content was not "that bad" and the film had some redeeming value to it.

So I rented it with an open mind, hoping to see a depection of the human side of Jesus, as most "Jesus movies" depict only his divine characteristics. I was sadly disappointed. More than human, this fictional story of Christ depicted him as a weak, sniveling, reluctant messiah lead by the nose by an overbearing Judas. The Jesus of the Gospels, though not thrilled at the thought of his crucifixion, was not reluctant to teach, to lead. As a child, he taught in the synagogue. Scorsese's Jesus (I know Kazantzakis wrote the book on which the film is based) was not only lacking any sign of divinity, but was nothing anyone of the day would have called a "Rabbi."

I know that I will get blasted for this review and get a lot of "not helpful" votes. But it needs to be said that, on top of the lousy story, the acting was atrocious.

This movie was one of the worst films I've seen. It's a stinker.

For those you might watch this film to be "moved" or to get a feel for Jesus's suffering and sacrifice, you're wasting your time. Want to see pain and sacrifice? See Gibson's the Passion of the Christ. Heck, you'll get more out of Jesus Christ Superstar than this dog of a movie.

Don't buy it. Don't rent it. You'll thank me later.