Scorsese's 'Last Temptation' and the Religious Right's Culture War
Martin Scorsese's 1988 film 'The Last Temptation of Christ' sparked intense cultural debates in the U.S., pitting the director against conservative Christian leaders, notably Reverend Donald Wildmon. A practicing Catholic, Scorsese based the film on Nikos Kazantzakis's novel, which presents a controversial final temptation for Jesus. Initially, Paramount had begun the project, but it was put on hold in 1983 due to Wildmon's opposition. Universal Pictures took it on in 1987, allocating a budget of $7 million and casting Willem Dafoe as Jesus and Harvey Keitel as Judas. Wildmon's distribution of a pirated script to 2.5 million people incited protests. The film, which received mixed reviews, ultimately broke even and financially aided Wildmon's organization, reinforcing boycott strategies in cultural conflicts.
Key facts
- Scorsese wanted to make a Jesus film since age ten and considered the priesthood.
- The film is based on Nikos Kazantzakis's novel 'The Last Temptation of Christ' (1960).
- Kazantzakis was nearly excommunicated for depicting Jesus as a tormented man.
- The project was initially at Paramount but shelved in 1983 after protests.
- Universal Pictures revived it in 1987 with Tom Pollock's support.
- Filmed in Morocco on a $7 million budget in 58 days.
- Willem Dafoe played Jesus, Harvey Keitel Judas, David Bowie Pontius Pilate, Barbara Hershey Mary Magdalene.
- Reverend Donald Wildmon led the opposition through the American Family Association.
- Wildmon distributed a pirated 1982 script by Paul Schrader to 2.5 million people.
- Protests included antisemitic demonstrations by Reverend R. L. Hymers Jr.
- Universal hired political operatives to manage the film's rollout.
- The film broke even; Wildmon's organization profited from donations.
- The controversy is detailed in 'The Perfect Moment: God, Sex, Art, and the Birth of America’s Culture Wars.'
Entities
Artists
- Martin Scorsese
- Nikos Kazantzakis
- Paul Schrader
- Willem Dafoe
- Harvey Keitel
- David Bowie
- Barbara Hershey
- Aidan Quinn
- Christopher Walken
- Sting
- Thelma Schoonmaker
- Irwin Winkler
- Tom Pollock
- Barry Diller
- David Kirkpatrick
- Salah Hassanein
- Tim Penland
- Larry Poland
- Josh Baran
- Susan Rothbaum
- Donald Wildmon
- Jerry Falwell
- James Dobson
- Bill Bright
- Lloyd John Ogilvie
- Jack Hayford
- R. L. Hymers Jr.
- Pat Buchanan
- Lew Wasserman
- Sally Van Slyke
- Michael Dukakis
- Thomas Lindlof
- Pat Broeske
Institutions
- Paramount Pictures
- Gulf & Western
- Universal Pictures
- Cineplex Odeon
- United Artist Theatres
- American Family Association
- National Federation for Decency
- Moral Majority
- Focus on the Family
- Campus Crusade for Christ
- Mastermedia International
- Sorting It Out
- King's University
- M.C.A.
- Blockbuster Video
- The New Yorker
- Hollywood Reporter
- Variety
- New York Times
- Washington Post
- Los Angeles Times
- Atlanta Constitution
Locations
- New York City
- Tupelo
- Mississippi
- Israel
- Morocco
- Marrakesh
- Ithaca
- New York
- United States