The Last Temptation of Christ

Martin Scorsese and Paul Schrader’s adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel proved highly controversial due to the film’s clear departure from the gospels. Most of the vitriol was saved for the film’s suggestion of a physical relationship between Willem Dafoe’s self-doubting, reflective Jesus and Mary Magdalene. On television and in print, Anthony Burgess defended Scorsese’s right as a creative artist to offend. Whether heretical or philosophically engaged, this is a film that still demands attention and debate.