Harry Daniels it’s just a joke. It’s just playoff of Dafoe’s role of Norman Osborne in Spider-Man when he humbly said “I’m something of a scientist myself”. Don’t take it seriously
Willem Dafoe is brilliant and natural at playing villains. But he proves he can do it all with this movie, playing the ultimate, conflicted good guy, Jesus.
@@ConstantineJoseph - Nicely said. Jesus was quoted as saying, on the last night of his life in the garden of Gethsemane: " Father, if it's possible, let this cup pass from me. But, let not my will, but yours be done." I'm sure Jesus didn't want to die, just like anyone else; especially not such an agonizing death. He was all man, he had all the feelings and desires that men have. But he knew it was His Father's will that he die for sins of the world, so he set aside his feelings and his natural desire to live, and his instincts for self-preservation, and did his Father's will. He died for all, both living at that time, including his disciples, but for all those not yet born, which includes all of us no matter what our skin color is, or what country we come from. That's why Jesus said during the last supper: "Greater love has no man, then he who plays down his life for his friend."
Dafoe's remark about "showing up as blank as possible" is a very good way, in my view, of describing what it's like to be a composer... similar to Igor Stravinsky's describing himself as the "vessel" through which the Rite of Spring passed.
I'm a Christian and I've never understood what pisses people off about The Last Temptation. Subject matter aside, simply on the level of filmmaking and storytelling it works very well. In humanizing Jesus it brings a great immediacy and relatability to his life and death. I find it faith affirming. Far more than the Passion which only wallows in the brutality of his death.
@@Thespeedrap the thing about religion is everyone thinks they have it right or correct, Including myself and yet through believing we have it right we somehow contradict ourselves when in believing so.
People who are upset by it a) don't want babes (those who know nothing of Christ) to be confused, and b) do not want to blaspheme. I am a Christian as well, and I like the movie, but I DO understand what pisses people off. I think you do too, you just want to virtue signal and sound "open minded." It is a very complex situation, and if you can't both appreciate the film as a piece of art AND understand the troublesome aspects of it... well, I don't think you're trying very hard.
He’s one of the most iconic, acclaimed, and successful actors of all time. Not underrated. Someone likes Michael Parks you could have called underrated.
@@999tituhe’s been nominated 4 times for an Academy Award, first time was Platoon which he mentioned in this video. He should have been nominated and won for The Lighthouse. That was not only a phenomenal film, but a powerhouse performance by Dafoe. Robert Pattinson was also amazing in The Lighthouse, both at the very least should have been nominated for Oscars and it’s a shame they were ignored.
The Last Temptation of Christ was grossly misunderstood mainly by people who never really watched it. I thought William Dafoe did an excellent job in this role.
@@bigmacintosh1766 They both are. And they’re both _overall_ great films. At least in my opinion, the issues I have with The Passion of the Christ aside. The film clearly states it’s not biblically accurate at the beginning, and ultimately it ends with the Jesus that is presented embracing his role as the Messiah and saving mankind. It’s not as if at the end he leaps off the cross and runs for the hills leaving humanity behind. Ultimately he resists temptation, and delivers Mankind from evil, a truly powerful and inspiring example. It’s not meant to be biblically accurate, but it is meant to convey the same message. *He died for our sins.*
Me Too. I think the main problem is that the people go out with the mindset that they wanted to portray the "real" Jesus. Like "This is what realy happened with Jesus and that was not written down" But it is not. It is a story of a Jesus that was like the Jesus from the bible. A flawed, scared and unwilling Jesus, that had not understood, had not been enlightened and was not willing to walk the path that was layed for him. For what the movie REALY is, it is great!
This film will continue to be my favorite story about Jesus. It may not have been accurate to the Bible or to the history of the events, if that even matters, but, it was accurate to the human condition. I felt like I was watching a young man discover he was the Son of God and never totally accept or understand it but, in the end, allowing himself to understand that it's not the specifics of his own philosophy that mattered, it was his example and how it inspired others. He was truly the light that led the way, at least in the context of the more violent interpretation of humanity we've seen in Goodfellas and Mean Streets, Gangs of New York, etc. There was certainly a more pessimistic and violent depiction of the nature of humanity, but such a wonderful glimmer of hope and the future in every moment. It was like his films couldn't wait to reveal the future after the events of the film to show that good triumphed over evil in ways that we may not understand for generations to come. I think Last Temptation gave me a lot of hope and I'm very happy I got to watch it. What a wonderful film. I want to watch it again now.
I thought it was a ok movie hard questions and it's up to audiences to give their answers and views.Jesus could had not been killed than imagine the world being different from what we are in NOW.
Willem Dafoe will always be one of my favorite actors. He played my all time favorite villain; Green Goblin and had proven to be incredibly versatile and can nail any role he’s put into
"The Last Temptation of Christ" was Dafoe's best performance in an overall stellar oeuvre. The passion story has been filmed a million different ways, but it took Dafoe's presence to bring Kazantzakis' story, and Scorsese's vision, to life - and he was perfect.
I think people miss that the movie is the representation of the book… it’s a tremendous feat the author pulls off . And Scorsese and DeFoe pull it off in the filming… A man becoming the Christ.
This movie was one of the best, most intellectual treatments of Christianity ever. It strengthens my personal Christianity. The victory in the end was beautiful. The humanity was perfect, I could feel what it must have been like. . . . . . And btw. Willem Dafoe was the best Christ ever. It was just so very real. Of course there was poetic license, (St. Paul didn't murder Lazarus, LOL - but it made the point.) maybe some people aren't mature enough to deal with that, possibly it should be rated "not for children". But as an adult, this movie was incredibly moving, very well performed; a masterpiece of Christian art. . . . . . I've watched it over and over throughout my life, it's inspirational.
I'm an atheist, and it's one of my all time favourites. Most "Christian" movies tend to be barely veiled political propaganda, but Last Temptation is very spiritual and you can just feel feel how personal and important it was to Scorsese. It's not "the" story of Jesus, it's a story of Jesus, something like the Gospel of Martin. From a narrative perspective, there's so many brilliant choices. Scorsese structures the movie so that the crucifixion is a triumphant victory, which is really difficult to do. When Jesus does miracles, he doesn't seem like a superhero that can do anything. Instead it's portrayed as the act of creation, reaching into the void and pulling something out. Most of the time Jesus himself seems surprised at what he's done, pointing to the central paradox of him being both a man and God at the same time. It's so weird to me that fundamentalist Christians hated this. If someone is both a man and God, of course the greatest temptation is the rejection of Godliness and the embrace of the human experience with all it has to offer. It's also really ballsy and honest for Scorsese to explicitly say that the story of Christ isn't what really matters, it's whether or not it actually happened. When art is art, it's true on it's own terms, and I don't have to agree for it to be great.
christ. NOT EXIST. GOD. never seen. WHY promote Ja-Zeus ? the ANTI of CHRIST. christ - not called LORD. IS BUDDHA HIGHER THAN AN IDEA OF GOD.? then why place Jesus on a pedestal. JO JE JA JI JU but no Y ! . GREEKS dont pray to G zuz. ( SNAKE LIGHTNING ). they worship FEMALE AND MALE - B.E.A.UTY so : THE JEWS borrowed JA ZUZ from greeks . but NOT Romans .
I was surprised by this movie when I rented it on video about 4 years after its release.Dafoes portrayal was so different than I imagined JESUS was like but made me consider CHRISTIANITY in a way I never had before.It sure was controversial and some people were upset by the movie but it inspired me to become a CHRISTIAN !!!
@@mrv1271 I have many times and still do.I love the GOSPELS but the Divinity of JESUS outshines the Son of Man so much it becomes like an over exposed photograph for me where the man is hard to see through the light.This Movie portrays JESUS as a man with doubts,and fears at first making him very understandable to the viewer and easier to relate too.I never thought after seeing it that JESUS was like DAFOES unforgettable portrayal,but it made it easier to look back at the BIBLICAL accounts with a new fuller understanding.How you can call a movie so inspirational "Garbage"tells me you never saw it or your mind is closed and bound by Sarah who is blinding you to what many are calling the best JESUS movie ever made.Oh and if ya didn't know it's based on the GOSPEL of JUDAS.
@@jymfysher7704 So the movie was based on Gnostiscm.I can see WHY religious groups have a hard time with this. I had a argument with someone about the movie on another video talking about the movie.And he really believes Jesus was married and had kids and I'm like are you crazy😒
Yes, Dafoe was on a super roll at the time. He did "To Live and Die in L.A." with William Friedkin, "Platoon" with Oliver Stone, "Off Limits" (an underrated film, I think), Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ", Alan Parker's "Mississippi Burning", Oliver Stone's "Born on the Fourth of July", Robert M. Young's "Triumph of the Spirit", John Waters' "Cry Baby", and David Lynch's "Wild at Heart", ALL within 5 years. "Off Limits", "Temptation", and "Burning" were all in the same year.
I suppose this phrase is overused, you see it in articles, but I do believe that Willem Dafoe is one of the greatest actors of his generation. If I see he is part of the cast of a film, my odds of seeing that film in the theater or on disc rise DRAMATICALLY (no pun intended). Any work he is involved in tends to be better quality, and some of my favorite films of all time he has been a part of. I think most actors realize that NOW, but maybe not the general public that he is one of "the greats" of his craft, and maybe over time more people will recognize that when they look back on it. I'm glad he's still here, still relevant, and still bringing us great films. He hasn't worked with Tarantino yet has he?? That would be cool to see.
Ill share a lil story how to prove the op's statement is true ,first fipm i saw willem as a young lad was...( speed 2)its a bad film but i was entertained by dafoes villian character in a bad film next a few years later platoon on cable rerun it had cemented what my young mind knew on 1st contact in speed 2 "this guy is entertaining & a really good actor.great to know im a good judge of character.
Deep symbolic meaning to both book and film..human duality and divinity made flesh ...water cooler debate indeed is something Martin does well.. Willem is an absolute legend.. the guy has everything... sorrowful that he's never had a BIG W at the Oscar's...
According to R.M. Price, "The Last Temptation of Christ" and the original novel are the most faithful adaptations of orthodox Christian theology and christology, since they both deal with the serious implications of being both fully human and divine and what effect that would have on the personality and behavior of Jesus.
And we were waiting this movie after 2000 years to learn the right Christology! Are you serious? Christology is a subject of theologians or saint people only!
The story of Jesus is not restricted only to theologians or so-called experts. It's for all people who want to hear and discuss the "good news". Have you forgotten all that? You sound like the Pharisees, above it all, and looking down on the average people, working folks who make up the backbone of the church. Come on, brother. You don't have to like the movie, but Christ isn't a holy relic to be hidden on a dusty shelf. His message is for all, not just a select few big shots!
@John Cena It is amazing only on a technical level. The film looks absolutely beautiful. I'll give it that. But Scorsese's film is better. And I am not an atheist, like that should even matter. That you even bring that up implies that you think that any and all persons of devout faith MUST think that the film is great which is simply complete nonsense.
It would be interesting to see Willem Dafoe in a western. For some reason, I think he could pull it off, maybe in the role of either an outlaw, or a crooked sherriff.
Never been religious, never fell into the orthodoxy or thought genuinely on anything past historical information (what can be gleamed from it). Watching Last Temptation made me feel more relation and compassion for Jesus than any text or hymn has ever done. I still will not capitalize the "g" in god though...
Love Mr. Dafoe in all of his work. Boondock Saints is my Favorite. He is an Actor and always does a great job and has even carried some lesser movies. (In my opinion)
Willem Dafoe is a truly great actor. As a Christian myself and having seen this film in the theatre when it came out, "The Last Temptation" was not blasphemy. The reaction against it was not surprising, but no one was trying to redefine Jesus. Man cannot successfully do that anyway. Protest less and love your neighbor more.
Tbh I feel Jesus was redefined from the get go, I do believe he died on the cross for his beliefs and his words but his true message was lost when Constantine and Paul got involved.
@@gordianknot6867 Constantine for sure Paul not exactly 🤔he was more like drawing pepple from different backgrounds to believe in GOD through his son by faith.
His is my favourite version of Jesus on screen *despite* being typecast as psychos and villains because of how humble and human he is. And the messiah of that film is the OG messiah of Christianity, the guy who hangs out with sinners and scum because they NEED him. His voice is perfectly soft for it. And the fact this version of Jesus is one who has to overcome temptation means casting a traditionally heroic actor wouldn't have worked. A superhuman Jesus isn't as effective as a human Jesus because the latter is the miracle that makes people believe the former.
in spite of everything you've done for them eventually they'll hate you John 15:18-20 if the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of this world but I choose you out of this world, therefore the would hates you. Now you know what he actually ment in that scene.
Hi Mr. Dafoe. I've seen many of your movies & I love them & you. Thank you for making them. This is my favorite movie. I've seen/scene it many times. I think you & Mr. Scorses were channeling Jesus. Sorry Martin if I spelled your name wrong. Boy you pissed off a lot of closed minded people. Im very sorry about that backlash. My other favorite movie was when you were with Mr. Bean. So God & Jesus bless you. Thanks 0010110. 43
I wanted more follow-up on him portraying Jesus considering the cast (which he mentions). Did Keitel and Hershey and the others' performance influence his acting in any way?
I sometimes wish the movie hadn't ended with the crucifixion of Jesus and talk about resurrection.I mean don't show more like have the stone fall off and than end it that way.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
The Last Temptation of Christ is the best advertising for Christianity ever put to film. This makes criticizing it for blasphemy all the more absurd. By having Jesus struggle explicitly with all the same doubts as the rest of us, and having the same weaknesses we all do, it made Jesus's sacrifice for humanity all the more powerful. It sent the message that his triumph is something achievable for every one of us. That was really the point of Kazantzakis's book. His aim was to accentuate what he considered root-level humanistic Christianity in its earliest incarnation, unpolluted by images of Jesus as a god-like figure in his own right that later emerged. The ending was brilliant in its misdirection. You are led to believe Jesus had done enough for humanity and, after his resurrection, was entitled to enjoy the pleasures of a simple human existence. And then Jesus discovers that this was all wrong. He has to beg God one last time for forgiveness and for one last chance to make the ultimate, intensely painful sacrifice without the thought of any reward afterwards compromising the gesture. Absolutely brilliant. The positive Christian messages of this film have never left me.
One of the roles he didn't get was Doc Holliday in Tombstone. As much as it isn't right that he didn't get it because of Temptation, it was Val Kilmer's most tremendous role, so it worked out.
I understand that they made the movie about Jesus doing this instead of that and the ending was good but there was just a-bunch of dark moments that triggers me a little but it’s ok.
People in the comments section yelling blasphemy because “their Jesus is more important and much more powerful” trying to own jesus as your own is blasphemous, Jesus also was accused of blasphemy.
I finally got around to watching this and I was surprised as all I heard was how blasphemous it was. In context of the film it wasn't all that bad (the writer himself calls it blasphemous but says that's the point). Him turning away from the temptation I totally get what Marty was trying to do. Me issues with the film are more you can totally tell it was a mess behind the scenes and he lost budget and time. Many scenes they just improvised and you can tell. He gives one not good speech (would be different if it was his first time and then got better at it) and then suddenly he's got a shit load of followers calling him master. The Passion itself was rushed a bit. I loved the 'this is my father house' scene a lot and loved seeing his miracles. Harvey Keitel isn't great but he isn't bad, I like Judas having more motivation than gold and the betrayal feels more genuine with him as a rebellion starter who is angry Jesus isn't using the axe. However even his betrayal just got glossed over way too fast. I loved the John the Baptist and Jesus in the desert. Passion of the Christ and Last Temptation are the only recent faith movies that are done by brilliant filmmakers and on principle I had to watch Temptation because of Marty. Dafeo was a little too super model for me, mainly his hair looks styled and combed in every single frame and he looked too clean and came off too insecure for me the whole time, in some scenes this worked really well. I feel bad for anyone playing Jesus after Jim took the role because even looking back on film, for me, they all fail next to JC (I mean Jim ironically same initials and age when he played him). Without any dialogue he was just look at someone and have that empathy, compassion and commanding presence. He doesn't try at all.
