TheMartin Scorsesewho put outThe Last Temptation of Christis not the Martin Scorsese we know today.
It reunitedAndre GregoryandWallace Shawnwith a cast (that includesJulianne Moore) that performedAnton ChekhovsUncle Vanyaon the fly for years.
Both have come out from Criterion on Blu-ray, and our reviews of both follow after the jump.
Judas decides to give Jesus some time as he sees something in him.
Jesus goes to meet Mary Magdalene (Barbara Hershey), who offers her bed but he passes.
For Scorsese and for Kazantzakis it was about understanding Jesus as a man, and not just a savior.
Image via Universal
you could see what he wants to believe.
The film seems to ask how can I make sense of these stories?
The power comes from the viewer, and how they digest the material.
Image via Universal
The film comes with a thoughtful commentary from Scorsese, Dafoe, and writersJay CocksandPaul Schrader.
On Location in Morocco (16 min.)
Its very charming, though the quality is terrible.
Finally the disc comes with a section on Peter Gabriels music.
), and a photo gallery showing some of the instruments used in the score.
Vanya on 42ndStreetsucceeds on two levels.
On one level it is a fine staging of the original play.
Vanyas sister was the professors first wife, and Vanya now takes care of the family estate.
The professor also has a daughter from the first marriage named Sonya (Brooke Smith).
But neither of the wanted are receptive.
The film is engaging partly because its a magic trick.
You forget that youre watching people in normal dress on stage and become engaged in the material.
Which in that way makes it a great double feature withLast Temptation of Christ.
The Criterion Collection presents the film in widescreen (1.66:1) and in 2.0 uncompressed stereo.
The film was originally shot on super 16mm, and this transfer is excellent.
