MovieChat Forums > The Last Supper (1996) Discussion > Biblical References

Biblical References

posted 19 years ago by JonasNightengale
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I'd like to start a discussion of the bilbical references in the film. Frankly I'm surprised I didn't find a thread like this already in existence. The title, obviously refers to Jesus' last supper before his crucifixion. This is the most glaring reference. However, the names of the five main characters are also biblical in nature.

Pete: Reference to Peter, Jesus' most trusted apostle. Widely believed to be the first Pope (I say believed as there is debate in many circles on the accuracy of this). The biblical Peter was usually bold and courageous (although he did deny Jesus 3 times). He is also known as a leader. This does not pose many similarities with the film character.

Marc: Reference to Mark, scribe of one of the gospels of the New Testament. Mark was an artist in the film, and even began painting biblical imagery. The mirroring of an artist as a scribe is almost certainly the focus for this character.

Luke: Reference to Luke. Not at the last supper, but was another scribe of a New Testament Gospel.

Jude: Obviously Judas, however there were two Judases at the last supper. Judas Iscariot was the traitor that turned Jesus in to the Romans on that day. However, the name "Jude" was actually the renamed "other Judas" - also known as the "good Judas", "not Iscariot", "Thaddaeus", or "Judas, son of James". Nowadays Saint Jude is referred to by THAT name so as to NOT be confused with the traitor Iscariot.

Paulie: Paul/Saul is the obvious assumption, and Paul was also not in attendance of the last supper. Paul is reknowned for turning his life around, so last supper attendance aside, perhaps this refers to the (in the film) changing of her viewpoint. At first she is the most reluctant to perform the deeds in the film, but later is sexually excited by them.

I find it most interesting that there was no inclusion of a John or Matthew (other scribes) or a Thomas (the doubter - would have made for an extremely interesting character).

I'm obviously missing a lot, and that is why I have posted this here - for some other viewpoints and details that I have certainly missed. This was my first viewing of the film, so I'd especially like to hear from those who have viewed the film numerous times. Thanks in advance for your input.

[–] Mister_Anderson 19 years ago

Haha, just replied about this in the other thread. Anyway, I don't see too much similarity between the names in the film and the actual biblical figures. Paul turned his life around for the better, but in the film Paulie changes for the worse (as she gives in to her growing sexual power).

While there were two Judases, I think we can all agree that the Jude mentioned in the film refers to the betrayer Judas. However, Jude doesn't really betray anyone in the film. In fact, she the one who most comes to her senses.

Luke and Mark's gospels are the closest related, but Luke and Mark didn't seem that aligned in the film. Although I like your scribe/artist comparison.

And I didn't see Pete bearing any resemblance to the apostle Peter.

So I don't think the names were chosen other than for their general biblical reference, which is a shame because the filmmakers could have had real fun with this. (Although perhaps they thought doing so would make the relation too obvious and tacky.)

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[–] allisonwagner 19 years ago

Also, the film makers had the "good guy" with them of movie snort at praying before the meal and make fun of Christians who follow him because they need soemthing to follow.

I'm not sure they would see "Paul" as turning good in the end (turning to Christ would be, in their view, a turn to extremism). Paulie does turn from not wanting to kill to liking it. Perhaps they do fit the biblical references when the references are turned from Christian=good to Christian=extreme.

Scary thought really.