Jesus Christ Superstar
And now the film…
Overview
As played out by a theatre troupe, the last days of Jesus Christ are depicted from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, his betrayer. As Jesus' following increases, Judas begins to worry that Jesus is falling for his own hype, forgetting the principles of his teachings and growing too close to the prostitute Mary Magdalene.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Originally premiering on Broadway in 1971, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' challenged traditional religious narratives by presenting its story through a contemporary rock opera format. The movie version of the production came at a time when the counterculture movement was questioning established norms and values, making it a reflection of the cultural climate of the early 1970s.
- The film adaptation of the groundbreaking rock opera brings a unique blend of music, drama, and spectacle that continues to captivate audiences today.
- Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic score offers a fresh take on familiar biblical stories, making it a must-listen for music lovers.
- The film features an all-star cast including Ted Neeley as Jesus, Carl Anderson as Judas Iscariot, and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene, delivering powerful performances that showcase their vocal talents.
- The exploration of complex themes such as friendship, betrayal, power, and faith provides thought-provoking material for discussion and reflection.
Fun Facts
- 'Jesus Christ Superstar' was initially met with controversy due to its unconventional approach to religious subject matter. However, it later became a critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards and inspiring numerous revivals and adaptations over the years.
- The film version of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' was shot on location in Israel, providing an authentic backdrop for the story and enhancing the overall viewing experience.
- In the original Broadway production, actor Ben Vereen portrayed Judas Iscariot. When the role was recast for the movie adaptation, Carl Anderson delivered a performance that earned him critical acclaim and cemented his place as a standout performer in the show.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"And now the film…"
Magyar
HU
Title: Jézus Krisztus Szupersztár
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Italiano
IT
Title:
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Pусский
RU
Title: Иисус Христос - Суперзвезда
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Nederlands
NL
Title:
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Español
ES
Title: Jesucristo Superstar
"Un Film de Norman Jewison"
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
Risky adaptation of a great musical with catchy songs. Carl Anderson performs a great Judas. Some of the other actors are quite good too, like Barry Dennen as Pontius Pilate but Ted Neeley as Jesus is quite a whimp.
In any case, a very interesting adaptation of a musical which deserves to be watched at least once.
Norman Jewison shipped everyone to Israel to help give this adaptation of the Lloyd Webber/Rice hit rock opera as much authenticity as possible for the big screen. Ted Neeley dons the robes for the title role and ably aided by a very much on form Carl Anderson (Judas) and Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalene) reimagines the stage performances that take us from modern day through the ages to the lifetime of Christ. Neeley certainly has that established look to him, but I actually found him rather underwhelming (it doesn't help that his are certainly not the best numbers). As the story gathers momentum the other two very much come into their own leading an ensemble cast that mixes historical and contemporary styles of music and dance, language and imagery to try to modernise (1970s style) this provocative story. Josh Mostel turns in quite a fun routine as the slightly camp King Herod, and Barry Dennen likewise as the conflicted governor Pilate but for me the whole thing really belongs to Anderson's traitor. The settings serve it well, Douglas Slocombe knows well how to use the ancient monuments and some modern lighting to deliver that extra layer to differentiate it from the stage performance - which, at times, this all too closely resembles. Groundbreaking it certainly was, but time hasn't been especially kind to it and fifty years on it almost comes across as much of a parody as "Life of Brian" (1979). Still, "I Don't Know How to Love Him", "Everything's Alright", "Heaven on their Minds" and the powerful "Gethsemane" offer robust lyrics for the unfolding story of the last few days of Jesus. I did enjoy this on stage, but this film not so much...
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
MUSIC (Scoring: Original Song Score and Adaptation -or- Scoring: Adaptation) - 1973
Andre Previn, Herbert Spencer, Andrew Lloyd Webber
Media
Clip
Jesus Christ Is Crucified | Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) | TCM
Featurette
Darren Bousman on JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Trailer
Jesus Christ Superstar Original Trailer (1973)