‘Last Temptation’: Is It Already Bearing Its Cross?

Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ,” due for release in the fall, already may be building a religious backlash.

A newsletter published by Baptist minister John Probst--founder of Media Focus, which “ministers” to the entertainment industry with such activities as Bible study classes at studios and networks--urges readers to express their concerns by letter or phone to Tom Pollock, chairman of MCA motion pictures.

MCA’s Universal Pictures, meanwhile, is trying to defray worries by hiring Tim Penland, a born-again Christian marketing consultant--who specializes in dealing with the Christian community. (Penland worked on the marketing of Warner Bros.’ “Chariots of Fire” and “The Mission.”) He calls “Last Temptation” “the talk of the Christian world.”

“Last Temptation,” adapted by Paul Schrader (“Taxi Driver,” “American Gigolo”) is based on Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis’ surreal and controversial 1955 bio, which portrays a mortal Christ (he lusts after Mary Magdalene, among other things). The Greek Orthodox Church denounced it as heresy.

A 15-year pet project of Scorsese--who once studied for the priesthood--”Last Temptation” stars Willem Dafoe as Christ, Barbara Hershey as Mary Magdalene and Harvey Keitel as Judas Iscariot. It filmed last fall in Morocco.

Consultant Penland said: “Universal asked me to step in and bring some sanity to what was becoming an insane situation. . . . There’s been a lot of talk about the film being blasphemous.”

Penland’s job is to quell the talk--at least until the film is available for screening. He’s asked for a special advance preview for select Christian leaders, possibly by early summer.

In a statement, Scorsese calls his picture “a deeply religious one. . . . Although Jesus is tempted by Satan, what the movie says, and what I believe, is that Jesus resisted temptation and was crucified--as told in the Bible.” Calling his film “an affirmation of faith,” Scorsese added, “I urge everyone not to judge my film until they see it.”

Probst said that he’s already heard from some Universal employees who are concerned about the studio’s involvement with the movie.

Jack Dabner, who heads the 13-year-old Long Beach-based National Assn. of Media Evangelism, while not speaking for all the members of NAME, expressed personal worries that the film “presents Christ in a way that is totally against the historical view--as a person confused about his identity, who has an affair with Mary Magdalene.”

Probst--who said he has a copy of the script (“though I realize the movie that will be made could be very different”)--personally takes objection to what he finds “a wimpy, almost milquetoast kind of characterization” of Christ--and the film’s daring to “go into the mind of Christ, to see what he is thinking.”

Said Probst: “The script has him wanting to be a mere man, and to have a family, and not wanting to die on the cross. This dishonors the deity of Christ--a belief that has held for nearly 2,000 years.”

Everyone, though, seemed to agree that the issue was on hold until the film can be screened.

“Who can say what will happen,” said Penland, “though if you think what’s happening with ‘Colors’ is something, just wait. . . . There are 150 million Christians (the figure encompasses Protestants, Roman Catholics and members of the Greek Orthodox Church) in this country. A lot of them will have something to say.”