About

David Bowie brings an understated sensibility to the character of Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese’s powerful examination of faith and doubt, The Last Temptation of Christ.

In a bold departure from the Gospels, the film portrays Jesus (Willem Dafoe) as a figure with an unfathomable burden whose worldly connection to humanity causes him to succumb to temptations of doubt, fear and flesh. Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, the film was incredibly controversial upon release, with religious groups objecting to its reworking of holy stories and scenes of Jesus enticed by all-too-mortal allures of the flesh. Scorsese and Paul Schrader (who wrote the screenplay adaptation of the book) were both raised in devoutly Christian households and hold thoughtful, complex understandings of the scriptures.

A role originally intended for singer Sting (née Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner), and auditioned for by Lou Reed, on meeting Bowie, director Martin Scorsese was so taken back by the starman’s acting ability, that the musician was ultimately granted the role. In addition to Bowie, the film boasts a high-profile cast, including Dafoe as Jesus, Harvey Keitel as Judas Iscariot, and Barbara Hershey as Mary Magdalene, each of whom deliver captivating performances in a grand, yet personal, production from two of American cinema’s most potent filmmakers.

M | Medium level violence, Medium level sex scenes