See it, then decide for yourself
Letter to the Editor
It is unbelievable that an educated person should be so vehemently opposed to the film, "The Last Temptation of Christ." Your letter disturbs me. Have you even seen the film? Your letter never mentions you actually viewing it. If you have seen it, then you would remember the intertitle stating that the film is not telling the story of any of the books in the Bible. It is simply a film made by a Christian, based on (and very closely following) a book written by a Christian.
You call the film sacrilegious. Hollywood liberties are taken in every film. Would you be so opposed to a similar Snite screening of "The Ten Commandments" or "Prince of Egypt?" I seriously doubt it.
Such films, if not purely for entertainment, are created as works of art. They should be viewed as such, and if you wish to criticize it, then do it in an intellectual fashion. I completely agree with one thing you said, "Get informed and
investigate." People have read about how this film received so much negative publicity, and when they actually saw it, realized that it was all for nothing.
Though I often disagree with Roger Ebert, I believe his review sums up perfectly how I feel about this film: "Here is a film that engaged me on the subject of Christ's dual nature, that caused me to think about the mystery of a being who could be both God and man. I cannot
think of another film on a religious subject that has challenged me more fully. The film has offended those whose ideas about God and man it does not reflect. But then, so did Jesus."
See the movie; judge for yourself.
Chas Grundy
Freshman, Dillon Hall
February 2, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Thursday, February 3, 2000
