Jesus Christ Superstar

Rating:
Summary: A different way to view Jesus
Review: This story is an amazing adaptation of the last days of Jesus Christ. It shows Jesus as a man who though strong in his faith and wish for peace, is still almost overcome by the wishes of his followers and the knowledge of his own impending death. The makers of this production also went to great lengths in order to not only show the complex relationship between Jesus and Judas, but also to offer an explanation as to why Judas, an otherwise good man would have betrayed a person he so obviously cared for and had considered to be a master for so long. Add an amazing soundtrack, superior choreography, and a cast diverse enough to represent equally almost every race, and nationality on earth (which alone gives the movie a sense of honesty and harmony) and that is Jesus Christ Superstar.

Rating:
Summary: "So they'll all read about us, when we die....."
Review: My fiance' convinced me to watch this movie & I thought it was a low-budget, acid-trip kind of B-movie, at-first.... But, as the story develops it actually gets quite interesting (don't let the "G" rating fool ya--I didn't know kids could watch this sort of..."stuff").

I had to review this movie, because I cannot get the song outta my head ( "What's the buzz? Tell me what's a happening.... ).

However, my personal favorite, was the song in-which the Apostles sing, "Then we'll All write a Gospel, so they'll talk about us, when we die...." <g> It was worth watching the movie, for that bit, alone !

If you are a Christian, this movie will probably just make you mad--but, not as angry as "The Last Temptation of Christ" probably made you. This movies seems to retain a reverence for Jesus Christ and his message. So, if you can accept the fact that Jesus might have had a sense of humor, you will enjoy this film.

This movie is the strangest version of the Jesus story I have encountered!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Jesus Christ Superstar is an incredible movie with an extremely effective cast. The music is superb; even the songs you don't like at first really grow on you. Other songs are immediately powerful. I'm not religious but I know the movie follows the Bible story accurately, at least for the most part, although most of the characters have a twist, especially King Herod. Obviously it's a modernised version of the Bible story, hence the army tanks, afros and bellbottoms. As well, the movie is told from the point of view of Judas, who is made into a sympathetic character and is brilliantly acted by Carl Anderson. Jesus, who is played by Ted Neeley, seems a bit wimpy, but since that was probably the intention, he is so sympathetic that he makes you want to cry, especially in his Gethsemane song where he asks God why he should die. Other impressive members of the cast include Bob Bingham who plays a wicked Caiaphas, and whose voice is deep and intimidating; Yvonne Elliman, who does an excellent Mary Magdalene (who has a relationship with Jesus in the movie); Joshua Mostel, who plays a hilariously mean King Herod; and especially Barry Dennen, whose Pontius Pilate is so intense and sympathetic that he really steals the show, at least the end of it. The movie has scenes of incredible power and beauty. My family would watch this movie at Easter when I was young, but all I remembered from it until I watched it again recentely were a few songs and some disturbing scenes (especially the lepers, although it's just people in ragged black robes). Thus, the movie probably shouldn't have a G-rating. See this movie, but maybe hold off on showing it to young children.

Rating:
Summary: A must-have for Superstar fans
Review: Since i saw the new Gale Edwards production first (see my review under that title), this review is a comparison. I like the other film a lot more, but this one has plenty of strong points that i think make it worthy of the rating i gave it. The stunning cinematography of the Israeli landscape, completely lacking in the newer film which is done entirely on an indoor stage set, is one of the highlights. "What's The Buzz" takes place in a massive cave where a white dove is seen flying up to a hole through which the sunlight cascades in. "The Last Supper" takes place in a picnic-type setting beside a stream. Several scenes are framed by the ruins of ancient buildings and we routinely are given beautiful shots of rolling dessert, jagged mountians and lovely skies. Native sheep are used to create some of the symbolism.

The costume has a touch of historical accuracy with modern 60's and 70's mixed in. The political symbolism is less prominent here than in the second film. Still, "Hosanna" is reminiscent of a flowery hippie gathering and we see military planes and tanks in "Judas' Death."

The sound quality is surprisingly good if one takes into account that sound production wasn't nearly as advanced as it is today. The instrumentals have a definite early 70's flavor. Some of the lyrics are different from those in the new movie and an extra song is included here. When the music fades after the last act, it doesn't return, and the credits roll in silence, creating a powerful effect. I've never seen this before in any other film.

For the most part, the acting is excellent, though i like the ensemble of the second film more. This movie doesn't have quite the profound variation in singing styles that the other has, nevertheless, the singing is good overall. My favorites are Ted Neeley (Jesus), Carl Anderson (Judas), who's voice is very similar to Jarome Pradon's but not as raw, Bob Bingham (Caiaphas), and i actually like Yvonne Elliman's Mary Magdaline better than Renee Castle's, even though her singing isn't quite as well-honed.

Some things that are minuses for me but may be plusses for other viewers: Ted Neeley's Jesus is very restrained, both in voice and action, and considerably less emotional than Glen Carter's. The same goes for all the actors, so that the overall tone of this movie is less melodramatic.

The homoerotic overtones present throughout the second film are almost entirely absent here. This greatly sudues the Yin/Yang aspect of Jesus and Judas that's so pronounced in the other movie and makes all the characters seem more distant and aloof.

This movie is far less violent than the newer one, which turns into a regular blood bath in the final scenes. Unlike Carter, Neeley doesn't scream when Jesus is being flogged or nailed to the cross. Also, the scene in the second film wherein Jesus is beaten in his cell is nonexistant here. Parents might consider this one more suitable for children.

As i'll say in all my reviews of films that contain songs, (in hopes that production companies will take the suggestion), it would be nice if a lyric booklet was included in the package.

Rating:
Summary: Good visuals, but bad singing.
Review: The visuals are great in this version. But the singing...I think it's the worst JCS version ever for the singing. The 3 stars are entirely for the desert scenary and sunsets. Ted Neely wasn't nearly as good as Ian Gillian, and Carl Anderson fell short of Murray Head. The rest of the cast is not as good as the orginal. And the two that came from the orginal, the Mary Magdalene and the Pontius Pilate, gave worse performances here. Especially Pilate, he was MUCH MUCH MUCH better in the orginal. This time he gives a laughable performance.

Rating:
Summary: Dated but still good...
Review: This movie's got good and bad points. Bad in the fact that Ted Neeley's Jesus is emotionless and that Eliman whines and moans her way through it (as usual), but it's got numerous high points. Carl Anderson's Judas is one of, it not the, best. Dennon's Pilate is a sympathetic Pilate that act's wonderfully. The fellow that plays Herod (his name escapes me) is such a slime bag that he's perfect in the role. The music is great. Better than on most other recordings. The inclusion of "Then We Are Decided" really adds to the movie. I really liked the way that everything was fimed on location. I thought that added a nice element to it. My only complaint about this movie is that it's very dated. Hippies and 'Nam inspired images run rampant. But still this is a fine film that I'd recommend to any JCS fan

Rating:
Summary: A reverent and inspiring retelling
Review: I found this film to be quite sincere and not at all defamatory to the reality of Jesus as a messiah/savior/prophet (all of which I, for one, accept him to be, along with the Buddha, Meher Baba, and Ramana Maharshi, for that matter).

For me, this film was actually the first time I 'grokked' what the story of Jesus was all about. Having had the NT read to me in schools, and having tried at times to read it on my own, I found it never really made sense until this film laid out the storyline for me.

Though, it must be said this film does detract from the truly transcendental aspects of Jesus' message regarding the Kingdom and the Father, which are hardly ever mentioned or alluded to. It does try a little too hard at making the story a purely 'humanistic' one, it seems to me.

Though, I find that some of the songs have acquired as deep a spiritual meaning for me as some of the finest gospel music I have ever heard. In this sense, I consider the film to have some genuine 'inspirational' content, in the true religious sense of the word 'inspired'.

Another book that I have found as useful as this film in making the message and story of Jesus understandable, is Stephen Mitchell's 'The Gospel According to Jesus'.

Rating:
Summary: fresh and innovative after all these years
Review: I enjoy this film more with each viewing, and despite the bellbottoms and big hair, it's as fresh as ever. The cast is superb. Carl Anderson's Judas, Yvonne Elliman's Magdalene, and in the smaller parts, Bob Bingham as Caiaphas, Barry Dennen as Pilate, and Joshua Mostel as a flabby and decadent, charleston dancing Herod.

Ted Neeley is my all-time favorite "film Jesus"...though small in physique, he shows so much strength and emotion, in his movements and his face...and what a beautiful face ! This was truly great casting.

Filmed in Israel, the cinematography is spectacular, as this play unfolds among the ruins and desert regions...I also like the use of color...the lavendars and oranges, etc. This was, and remains, an innovative, one of a kind film, and one that's here to stay for years to come.

Rating:
Summary: Got Heaven on my mind!
Review: Awesome, just awesome. I believe this is the greatest musical ever, and the movie was well done. As always, Weber's music/Rice's lyrics were excellent. The crucifiction/39 lashes etc. were pretty graphic, which made the entire movie extremely moving. I am a strong Catholic and I love the different views this story presents. And I gotta say, some of the scenes...I'm not much of a crying person when it comes to movies, but the last scene on the cross and Judas' suicide made me a little teary.

Some great lyrics to listen for (see if you recognize these): ~"At last, all too well, I can see where we all soon will be" ~"You sad pathetic man, see where you've brought us to, our ideals die all around us, and all because of you" ~"I have no thought at all about my own reward, I really didn't come here on my own accord" ~"He is not a king, he is just the same, as anyone I know...he scares me so!" (Judas)

~"Why are you obsessed with fighting times and fates you can't defy?" ~"My temple should be...a house of prayer" ~"Judas...must you betray me...with a kiss?" ~"Far too keen on where and how, but not so hot on why." (Jesus)

~"tell me Christ how ya feel tonight" ~"what's the buzz, tell me what's happening?" ~"Jesus I am with you touch me touch me Jesus!" ~"Won't you touch won't ya heel me Christ?" ~"healing cripples...raising from the dead! and now i understand, you're...God. At least that's what you've said..." (other people, herod)

And of course, the Last Supper part between Jesus and Judas is wonderful.

5 stars all the way!

Rating:
Summary: Still rocks!
Review: I saw 'Superstar' when if first came out in theaters, and loved it! It was considered a 'cool' version of the Gospel, and understandably controversial for its time. Recently, I caught the stage version as a Broadway revival, and then watched the film again. The powerful performances and singing, the music, dancing, and the story of Jesus still pack a wallop! I highly recommend it. A few dated scenes - particularly Judas' rock and roll number at the end - scream '1970s'! But the message of the film is a timeless and beautiful one. Great score!