1.85, or 1.666? Protesting THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST

At the opening of Martin Scorsese's film version of Nikos Kazantzakis' novel "The Last Temptation of Christ," moviegoers at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Manhattan (as well as in other cities) were greeted by crowds of protesters. On August 12, 1988, approximately 500 protesters stood outside the sold-out crowd waiting to enter. At that time only theatres owned by Cineplex Odeon, which had acquired Walter Reade in 1987, agreed to book it. [The New York Times reported that the General Cinema chain refused to show the film at any of its 1,300 theatres.] The Ziegfeld took threats seriously — not only was there considerable police presence outside, but there were also security guards standing in front of the auditorium, on the left and right sides, throughout the running of the film, in case anyone attempted to vandalize the screen.

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