Copyright (c) 1993 Microsoft Corp.

A Universal Pictures and Cineplex Odeon Films Presentation.

Director: Martin Scorsese. Screenplay: Paul Schrader, based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. Producer: Barbara De Final Executive Producer: Harry Ufland. Cinematography: Michael Ballhaus, A.S.C. Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker. Production Designer: John Beard. Costume Designer: Jean-Pierre Delifer. Music: Peter Gabriel.

Cast: Willem Dafoe (Jesus), Harvey Keitel (Judas), Paul Greco (Zealot), Steven Shill (Centurion), Verna Bloom (Mary, Mother of Jesus), Barbara Hershey (Mary Magdalene), Roberts Blossom (Aged Master), Barry Miller aeroboam), Gary Basaraba (Andrew, Apostle), Irvin Kershner (Zebedee), Victor Argo (Peter, Apostle), Michael Been (John, Apostle), Paul Herman (Phillip, Apostle), John Lurie James, Apostle), Andre Gregory (John the Baptist), Peggy Gormley (Martha, Sister of Lazarus), Randy Danson (Mary, Sister of Lazarus), Tomas Arana (Lazarus), Alan Rosenberg (Thomas, Apostle)

Synopsis: Plagued by blinding headaches, Jesus, a Nazarene carpenter, complains to his mother, Mary, that he is not sure whether God or Satan is trying to get a hold on him. His friend Judas is convinced that Jesus has the potential to be a political leader who can protect the Jews against Rome, and that he should stop building crosses for the them to crucify rebellious Jews. It is Mary Magdalene, a young woman who took up prostitution when Jesus spurned her love, who moves Jesus to change his course. Jesus begins to preach and attract disciples. After meditating alone in the desert, where he is tempted by Satan in many forms, Jesus returns to spread his message more openly. Practicing miracles and alternating pleas for peace and brotherhood with calls to overthrow accepted laws, he raises the ire of the Jewish leadership. Telling Judas to betray him to the Romans in order to furfill his mission, Jesus is arrested, tortured, and crucified as an enemy of the state. While Jesus is on the cross, a young girl tells him that he has "done enough" and doesn't have to die. Taking him down from the cross, she leads him to Magdalene, whom he marries. Mapdalene dies in a mysterious flash of blinding light. The young girl tells Jesus not to mourn, that "all women are one." He marries both Martha and Mary, and has children by them. On his deathbed, Jesus's disciples come to visit him. All are sad except Judas, who complains that the tumult that surrounds them would never have happened had Jesus died on the cross. Judas unmasks the young woman as Satan, and Jesus is on the cross again. What Satan had showed him was a vision. Jesus dies knowing his mission has been accomplished.

Copyright (c) 1992, David Ehrenstein