Movies - Oct. 12, 1988

The Last (Temptation) Roundup: Australian censors Tuesday revised their rating of the controversial Martin Scorsese film, downgrading it from an “R”--those under age 18 not allowed--to “M,” which only advises parents of children under age 15 that the film may not be suitable. The Films Board of Review found that the film was in no sense blasphemous or flagrantly and deliberately offensive to Christian audiences. “The Last Temptation of Christ,” which has already been banned in the Australian state of Queensland, opens everywhere else Down Under on Thursday. . . . Meanwhile, in Venice, Italy, an investigating magistrate threw out two lawsuits Monday against the film, saying it is “far from being blasphemous.” Magistrate Felice Casson said there are no grounds for the charge of having “publicly shown scorn for the Catholic religion” brought against Scorsese and Paolo Portoghesi, president of the Venice Biennial Celebration. The action was filed in connection with the screening of the film Sept. 7 at the Venice Film Festival, where it won a special prize. The festival is part of the Venice Biennial.