Filmscholar35

Strangely, after years of Universal neglecting the Martin Scorsese picture, "The Last Temptation of Christ", they are finally releasing it themselves (it has only ever been on R1 DVD from Criterion), as part of their ongoing 100 Years of Universal centennial releases.

The Criterion Collection, meanwhile, is giving the film its first ever BLU RAY release, as well.

The Universal standard DVD is coming out on March 6,2012, while the Criterion blu streets the NEXT WEEK, on March 13, 2012.

I am wondering if there are any special features on the Universal release? Probably not. I would imagine it is barebones.

Criterion's blu ray has the same features as the Criterion standard DVD.

tenderheartbear

Well, I guess that might silence a few doubters on the Blu-ray thread who said there was no way Universal would handle a release of it in the US. I don't recall if the leaked list that appeared (which was also largely shouted down, but is proving to be pretty accurate so far) had it listed as just a DVD release of not, but either way it shows Universal hasn't swept the movie under the carpet.

Filmscholar35

Universal has always handled it "quietly", since its enormously controversial, worldwide picketed theatrical release nearly 24 years ago. I remember breaking through picket lines of protesters, talking to a radio reporter while standing in a long line, and being FRISKED by the cops while going to see it in the theater. I have never ever experienced anything like that over a movie before or since.

Universal waited almost a year to release it on VHS (presumably to let the controversy die down some), and even then released it without any advance marketing or promotion. Most video stores weren't even aware it was on video yet. It was like a dirty secret. And, of course, Blockbuster chain famously banned it (initially).

The VHS was quietly in print for a few years (though you'd never find it at Wal-Mart), and then slipped away. DVD came along in the late 90s, and by then Universal seemed to have NO desire to re-release the film.

Finally, The GREAT Criterion Collection (who never seem to shy away from controversial films) licensed it from Universal, and released it in April of 2000.To date, that was the only R1 US DVD of the film. (Even Criterion told me two years ago that no blu ray was being considered for the film at that time).

Then, in December 2011, Criterion finally announced this film for blu ray (though I was disappointed that it had the exact same artwork as the DVD and no new bonus material).

Now, Universal IS finally releasing the film themselves on a standard DVD. It is much more affordable than the Criterion, and has a nice cover,too. It is currently on pre-order for just $13.49! I personally have no use for it, as I have the Criterion DVD AND have pre-ordered the blu ray, as well. Still, if someone doesn't have it ( and I DO recommend it highly), it's a cheap way to get the film on DVD!

Josh-da-man

I grew up in Kansas and remember that when Last Temptation played on Cinemax that there were so many protests and complaints that the cable carrier blacked it out when it played.

Filmscholar35

Yes, i remember Cinemax was the ONLY premium cable channel that aired it, just five times in October 1989, and it has never aired there again. It never aired on HBO, Showtime, etc. . There were some religious groups in Canada that tried to get some cable channel there in trouble over airing it (the government ultimately ruled in favor of the channel). I remember hearing that some cable companies blocked it. It has aired a few times in recent years on IFC Channel in the States.

There is an entire documentary out there somewhere about some small midwestern town guy that owned a video store and was the only store in that county to carry the film for rental. As a result, he was boycotted, protested, harrassed and even threatened until his entire business went under! Gotta love religious zealots.

This wasn't just an American controversy, either. Countries like Greece and Spain banned it outright to start with, and it caused a lot of controversy in Britain and even riots in France, as well.

Regardless, the film was a low budget affair, and ultimately turned a modest profit in its theatrical run, in spite of a very limited and protested release. And over the years on home video and DVD has continued to generate revenue. Now, it likely will a lot more, with the arrival of the new affordably priced Universal DVD and the Criterion blu ray.

I think it's a fabulous film.

tenderheartbear

I've never really understood all the controversy. It's a story of humanity, love, and ultimately making the right choice. Like most things, it was the people who hadn't seen it that were outraged.

Filmscholar35

I STILL have a real, original petition from the summer of 1988! Someone I worked with at the time was very heavily involved in the church, and he gave me a petition that the church members were going around with, door-to-door, to get people to sign it asking theaters not to book the film. Local churches were giving these out to all of their members, and then the members were getting everyone they knew to sign them. Ministers were turning over stacks and stacks of them to local theaters, and the theaters were agreeing not to run the film. The whole AMC chain banned it.

Finally, a beautiful Cineplex-Odeon palace of a theater that we had DID run the film, with the protection of police and private security, and they got picketed all to hell.

The petition, by the way, is full of garbage that is not even in the film. Many nasty and grotesque bits described (that were likely the parts getting the christians angry) are not even remotely in the film. Examples include Jesus kissing John the Baptist open mouth and then later telling the disciples, "His tongue felt like a burning coal in my mouth." , the disciples vomiting up bloody flesh all over the table in the last supper, and an angel asking Jesus to let her watch him have sex with Mary Magdelene (he agrees, and she then watches as they have sex), and Jesus telling Magdalene, "Woman is God's greatest work. I worship you. God sleeps between your legs." .

Now, if one has seen the film, they know there is NOTHING like this in the film. But this is the kind of dishonest nonsense the film's detractors were spreading around, so that even only mildy religious people would think it was distasteful.

tenderheartbear

Maybe they saw the directors cut. Here's hoping for a release of that version.

Filmscholar35

LOL! They hadn't seen it at all. That was the problem.

No, we've seen all there is to see.

I'm just anxious to see it all again in blu ray.

HollywoodLights

Honestly I have never seen "The Last Temptation of Christ" and after reading a few posts in this thread I understand exactly why I have never seen it: It's impossible to come by and no one airs it on TV anymore. I may look into picking up the DVD when it comes out only because Willem Dafoe is one of those actors that I hope to see all the films of at some point.

In regards to the controversey of the film, I can't say I am all that aware of it. Seeing as it has the words "Temptation" and "Christ" in the title I get a feeling that the movie gets about as much love from the bible belt as "The Da Vinci Code" did.

Filmscholar35

Oh, HollywoodLights, you simply MUST see the film at some point.

Imagine, it is directed by Martin Scorsese, the screenplay is by Paul "Taxi Driver" Schrader, it features the absolute finest performance of Willem Dafoe's career, as well as strong support from Harvey Keitel, David Bowie, Barbara Hershey, and Harry Dean Stanton, and the legendary soundtrack by Peter Gabriel that everybody uses tracks from in their movies and trailers to this day. There is even "Last Temptation" music in "Natural Born Killers", "The Matrix", and recently in the "John Carter" trailer. It was shot in Morocco, so it looks gorgeous, and is just plain ole the coolest Jesus film ever. Not the bloodiest Jesus film anymore (now that we have Mel Gibson's film), but it is a close second. There is some serious blood slinging on display here, Scorsese style. And even if one is not religious, this is a very moving film about a very HUMAN Christ, willing to reluctantly forego the comforts of a normal man's existence, to be the slaughtered sacrificial symbol to people he doesn't even know. No greater love.

A compelling and surreal and dreamlike, yet earthy, sweaty, bloody film. Nearly every image could be a painting. Highly recommended.

Note: There is a disclaimer at the beginning of the film (that normally goes ignored), that states clearly that this film is NOT based upon the Biblical gospels, but on a fictional novel by Nikos Kanzantzakis (of "Zorba the Greek" fame).

HollywoodLights

sounds interesting. where exactly in matrix is the music from this film. picked up The Matrix on DVD and might be watching it tonight for the first time, would love to know where to keep an ear out for the music.

Filmscholar35

Well, I've just been holding and looking at the new universal DVD, and it has the most beautiful cover art for the film. They really went quite reverent with this release after neglecting the film for so long.

It has a slip cover, that also opens up, and inside the cover is some beautiful stills and the original poster art. It also has some beautiful art on the keepcase itself.

If you don't already have the film, then pick up this edition. It's only about 11 dollars!

Mabuse

Filmscholar you seem like a huge fan of the film. I love it too. I think what's interesting is that in our current contemporary moment Last Temptation is the most influential biblical film. I'm refering to the visual style and casting, not the actual story or content. Not only was the film controversial among religious nut jobs when it came out, but there was also considerable controversy among film critics and level headed fans about the "style" of the film. This was no grand Cecille B DeMille hollywood biblical story. It used semi-authentic archeological locations and the characters spoke in a modern voice often with their own regional American accents. A lot of people criticized the film for this, but I always felt it was brilliant.

Today when I flip past a biblical movie on Trinity Broadcasting or see a docuemntary on the History Channel about the bible, the default "look" is to immitate Last Temptation: Simple costumes, common language, dusty dirty minimal "authentic" sets, Eastern music, no special effects, etc. The Nativity Story that came out a few years ago also follows the template.

It's funny that a film that was so controversial has become the modern benchmark for the genre.

Doc Moonlight

Don't know how true this is, but I heard LTOC is responsible for Scorsese directing the "Cape Fear" remake.

The 1962 "Cape Fear" was one of the first films that Jennings Lang worked on. He later becasme head of production at Universal and wanted to remake it. Spielberg was interested in directing it, but became involved with "Shindler's List" and couldn't fit it into his schedule. Scorsese was offered the film and declined, but Lang gave the edict: "Call Marty and tell him he owes me for 'Last Temptation'."

hasslein

Where did you pick it up? I want to find it @ B&M to make sure I get the slipcover. I haven't seen it anywhere.

Filmscholar35

A friend of mine got it from amazon. It's beautiful. Very collectable cover art, indeed.

I have the Criterion blu coming Tuesday from amazon.

As for the "Cape Fear" story, I'd heard a similar story before. But actually, I think it was sort of a condition in the first place that if Universal allowed Scorsese to finally realize his dream of making "Last Temptation", that he would do two more commercial films for them during the next seven years. Those wound up being "Cape Fear" and "Casino".

Universal was very interesting in the late 80s-early 90s. On one hand, they were still making very commercial films, like the 1988 video release for "E.T."; they opened the Orlando theme park in 1989, they made back-to-back sequels for "Back to the Future", and eventually also did the "Jurassic Park" films.

BUT, they also were setting aside a portion of the studio's output to very deep and daring fare. They courted both Scorsese and Spike Lee for multi-picture deals. Scorsese had a deal from 1988 until 1995, and he made "The Last temptation of Christ", "Cape Fear", and "Casino". Lee made "Do the Right Thing", "Jungle Fever", "Mo' Better Blues", "Crooklyn", and "Clockers" (which Scorsese helped tp produce), between 1989 and 1995. They also made Alex Cox's unusual "Walker. They made Oliver Stone's "Talk radio" and "Born on the Fourth of July". They made Michael Apted's "Gorillas in the Mist". They made Hector Babenco's "At Play in the Fields of the Lord". They made the first NC-17 rated film, Philip Kaufman's "Henry and June". And they even made a three-plus hour, black and white Holocaust picture with Spielberg, called "Schindler's List". Scorsese once said of the company at that time, "There were definitely some people there at the time that were interested in making movies ABOUT something."

I miss those days.

jbnugent

Not to mention Criterion releasing this title on laserdisc in 1997. Still have it in my collection along with the dvd release from 2000. I will get the blu-ray version during Barnes & Noble's next half off sale.

Jimmy

hasslein

^Defoe signed my laserdisc @ a screening. It looks awesome!

hasslein

The Aero theater in Santa Monica CA is showing a 35mm print with Barbara Hershey discussion after on April 6.