Rating: 
Summary: Keen on Where and How, Very Hot on Why
Review: Fresh off another annual Easter viewing of the movie, I'm not sure I can add much to previous reviews except to say that after twenty-plus viewings, the film never fails to mesmerize. Norman Jewison's direction is beautiful and artful. I love getting the sense of some seriously committed hippies making a pilgrimage to Israel and, after dismounting a Partridge Family-esque bus, proceeding to put on a tremendous show with a bare-bones budget. Dated? How about impeccable in spirit, in the way it captures an era and its sensibilities?
Rating:
Summary: Still cool
Review: I watched this movie last night (April 19, 2003) after eleven years. I also saw it when it was first released in 1973. After all these years, this rock opera, this movie is still cool and with it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for the era
Review: I have just watched this one back to back with the 2001 version. I definitely prefer this! Maybe it's my age showing. (I enjoyed certain parts of the 2001 version better - Simon Zealotes, Pilate, Caipphas and Annas, and maybe Mary Magdalene, but let's be quiet about this!) I liked the dynamics between Jesus and Judas. The contrast in their looks and voices was well defined, perhaps in keeping with the characters. Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson are really up there in the heavens, at least in this movie. So it's dated, but then it was made in 1973. I found the desert, the wind, the tanks, the sheep, everything, diverting. I thought the singing by Caipphas et al on the scaffolds was a definite plus. Ted Neeley IS Jesus. I do think his voice was a bit thin, compared with Glenn Carter's, but Ted breathed Jesus, every pore oozed Jesus. And Carl Anderson defines Rock!
Rating:
Summary: An Annual Event
Review: This is an amazing musical! Ted Neeley is phenomenal in the look for the part, but more importantly for his spectacular voice and range. Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman, and Barry Dennan are right there with him. This interpretation of the last days of Christ is so different from what people were accustomed to...it is wonderfully done in the settings and characters, however. I saw this when it hit the theaters no less than 4 times and have watched it on TV or VHS every year around Good Friday for as long as I can remember--am THRILLED to have it on DVD!!!
Rating:
Summary: Ted we need you back now! Please!
Review: Tom from Widescreen Review. Get a grip. Ted Neeley is a lot of things in this film, but whimpy is not one of them. I just came from the stage production touring with Sabastian Bach, and all I can say is, as a genuine fan, Catholic and devoutee to this artistic statement, give me Ted any day of the week. If Bach every finds the right key to sing in, he needs to keep it. He should have stayed in Rocky Horror & skid row & Dr. Jeckyl. Ted presents Christ as a caring, genuine human being, which after all, is what He was and still is. I don't care his age, if Carl can still stage it, I'd be thrilled to see Ted again! Please! If you are a fan of the original or this version, save your money on the tour.
Rating:
Summary: It's not about the sound..........
Review: I hope that my "review" will be deserving of this DVD/Presentation of this "Jesus Christ Superstar" cast. I saw this movie (for the first time) when I was in seventh grade, performed it (playing Jesus) when I was in the eigth grade. Four years ago when the show was on tour coming through Dallas/Ft. Worth, I purchased two tickets for seats three rows from the stage. I was fortunate to be able to have Ted Neely singing that evening (had not the night before, from throat irratation). The other individual that had come with me to see the performance had been forbidden to see the movie when it first came to the theator. I had not sung the songs in almost 20 years, but when the play started, the words flowed from my mouth. I would never have thought it possible for Carl Anderson (Judas Iscariot) to surpass Ted Neely(Jesus) as far as vocal...wrong! This DVD, or in VHS form, allows the viewer to understand the bible in a nutshell. Like the "Left Behind" series does for individuals that haven't read the bible or have read it, and still find it all too ..... hmmmm, how does one say this......'wordy.' That series of books, gives the reader (the common lamen) a better comprehension of the bible. This DVD will still relate to this generation, as to the various situations that the different charactors are playing. When I showed this DVD to friends of mine (I'm 42 now) they too were extremely effected and moved to a different level of understanding of the importance of those few days. The music, the sound and the actors chosen to play the roles were perfect. Ted Neely(Jesus) will give you goose bumps in The Garden of Gethsemane, Barry Dennen(Pontius Pilate) will make you feel the pain in the Trial Before Pilate and Carl Anderson will take your breath away with every song he sings! Enjoy! I have for over half of my life!
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC- MY FAVORITE OF ALL TIME!!
Review: This was the first movie I ever saw 2 times in the theatre- my parents took me to see it 2 weeks in a row (I was 8 yrs old). We also had the 8 track cassette and I used to listen to it constantly, and have known every single lyric ever since. (The CD is also great! The movie is fantastic! I also saw the 20 year Broadway revival in 1991, and it was great with Carl Anderson reprising his Judas role. Ted Neeley was also starring but he had the night off when I saw it.
Side note---Do not bother to see the current touring production--Although Carl Anderson is in it again- Sebastian Bach is TERRIBLE as Jesus. Don't get me wrong- I am a fan of his from his Skid Row days, but UGHHH! He is HORRENDOUS as Jesus! Nothing but SCREECHING!
Rating: 
Summary: cynical
Review: I'm so happy that someone mentioned Ian Gillan.guts to match judas.
Rating:
Summary: cynical
Review: i agree about overpowering vocals on the VHS &carl andersons cracking on everythings alright (expenSIVE),Annas' weasily voice,whimpy jesus at times.on the mountain I get chills.If you compare the VHS to the DVD you should see a big difference.
Rating: 
Summary: Stodgy Performances, Absentee Orchestra
Review: I love "Jesus Christ Superstar." I am a big fan of the original concept album (the CD has a white cover with the gold "praying angels" logo). The 1990s revival album (black cover with "praying angels" logo textured in wood) is also quite good. Unfortunately, the performances in the movie versions pale in comparison to these CD recordings. This 1970s effort is the worse of the two film versions. The vocals are mixed WAY louder than the orchestra. As if this would not be bad enough, the vocalists are a chore to endure. Judas minces his way through songs, Jesus speak-sings and Mary Magdalene just sounds off-key. Herod is portrayed as an overweight nelly queen. Annas and Priest test the limits of what the ear can tolerate. Caiphas and Pontius Pilate are perhaps the only major characters whose performances are worthwhile. If you MUST see a movie version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" then you should check out the 2000 version. However, I wasn't thrilled with that one, either.
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