MOVIES - Aug. 15, 1988

The bulk of the American hubbub over “The Last Temptation of Christ” may be pretty much finished, but in Britain--where the Martin Scorsese film is set to open Sept. 9--it’s just starting up, even though there have been no screenings of the film in that country. Among the protesters: Nicholas Coote, assistant general secretary of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales; two Conservative lawmakers from the House of Commons; officials of the Salvation Army, and the National Viewers’ and Listeners’ Assn. One major difference between American and British protest groups, according to Reuters, is that many British groups--including the Church of England--are withholding comment on the film until they have seen it.