Rating: 
Summary: Christians need not fear this excellent film
Review: Just wanted to say that I'm a conservative Baptist, we don't like everything, right? Well, I'm telling you, Jesus Christ Superstar is not a show that Christians should avoid or encourage others to avoid. Some of the uninformed knee-jerk reactions that I've heard over the years such as "They say Jesus had sex with Mary Magdalene!!" or "There are drag queens and gay people!" and things of that nature are fairly ludicrous. For one, they imply that Mary Magdalene has feelings for Jesus, but there is no implication that he returns the feelings. "I Don't Know How To Love Him" was a huge pop-song, and really that's all it is. The film replays the Biblical scene where Jesus intercedes on her behalf "If you slate is clean, then you can throw stones..." and it's certainly believable that she has been mistreated by men all of her life, she's is going to be grateful and have confusing feelings. There is no tainting of Christ's divinity implied at all! And as for the drag queens and such, they characters in the outlandish outfits are in the "King Herod's Song" section. Considering that Herod was the Roman Governor at the time, having decadant behavoir around him isn't very outlandish either. I actually heard a Pastor say that the crassness and the sarcasm of Herod's song is actually pretty close to how Jesus was treated.
So please...please, don't have knee jerk reactions to his film. If you sit down with the New Testament on your lap and watch the movie, you'll see how remarkably close it really is. One of the other major complaints is that Jesus wants to get out of being crucified, but the lyrics are taken right out of the Bible, so if you think the film says that Jesus doubts, the Bible says He doubted as well by that standard. The movie isn't going to be an Evanglistic tool, but certainly Christians have nothing to fear about the film, or at least they should have nothing to fear.
Rating: 
Summary: Yet Another Great Performance.
Review: I loved this movie. It was just magical. I saw it once and I can recite almost the whole movie. I strongly recommend this to anyone--even if you're not religeous. It is a sad tale of Jesus Christ in Rome. It's a must-see!!!
Rating:
Summary: Profound
Review: I've worn out my first copy of "Jesus Christ Superstar" with more than 32 watchings. Talent runs rampant in this video filled with great music. If you have never seen this captivating Rock opera grab a copy today. A production overflowing with great music and a supurbly talented cast.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge
Rating:
Summary: Too much heaven on their minds...
Review: I can still remember watching this for the first time with my parents at the age of five. I was absolutely enchanted by the music, the bellbottoms, and the magical voices. Ten years later, I watch it with a renewed sense of awe.I still get goosebumps every time I listen to Ted Neeley (Jesus) "pull a Bee-Gee" during "Everything's Alright." He has a beautiful voice. Still, it pales when compared to Yvonne Ellimann's (Mary Magdelene) soft and entrancing melodies during "Everything's Alright" and "I Don't Know how to Love Him." No matter how many times I have watched that, I keep becoming enveloped in her voice. Still, I can't say enough to praise Carl Anderson (Judas Iscariot) and his performance. It was he that has gotten me to obsess over this movie. I would recommend this movie to anyone. Yes, there are some gruesome parts in it (I.e. the 39 Lashes), but the good far outweighs the bad. Norman Jewison's vision of ALW's and Tim Rice's creation has always struck me as the only true version. Do not let the title "This Jesus Must Die" frighten you away, for, despite its obvious subject, the lyrics, music, and staging for it are beautiful. Before going out and getting the 2000 version, buy Carl Anderson's "Damned for All Time" and see what you would be missing without this version (DfAT is ommitted from the 2000 version, sadly). You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: An enduring Jesus Christ film that would last for a lifetime
Review: I first saw this movie in the theatre in 1973. I was impressed with the cast and Ted Neeley's performance. Due to the very simple way of presenting the last days of Jesus via songs--the movie stucked in my mind. Several years after, as I was browsing a video store, I found the VHS tape of the movie. I bought it right away and ever since, I've watched the movie every year around Holy Week. I came to really love the movie and each time I watch it, the more I understand what Jesus Christ had gone through. The lyrics are so mesmerizing and the acting of Ted Neeley is superb. I don't get tired watching this film, it doesn't get old because the lyrics of all the songs can identify with today's time and age. I passed this treasured information to my son; he bought his own tape; and he has since been hooked in watching it. He said he watches it (about 3 or 4 times a year) everytime he wants to be enlightened and be reminded that Jesus Christ sacrificed his life to save us from our sins. My son and I are both number one fans of Ted Neely and through this movie, he has touched our hearts and made us more closer to GOD.
I got a chance to watch the musical play in 1993. I believe that GOD gave Ted Neely his great voice to spread the words of Jesus Christ and for us to know that GOD is with us if we let HIM be in our lives. This is a video tape that's worth buying for the whole family.
Rating:
Summary: Totally awesome!
Review: What really helped in viewing this movie is seeing the musical on stage live. Yes, the film and stage productions were controversial, but then so was "The Last Temptation of Christ", which just happened to be banned from the local theaters here in North Texas thanks to the uproar caused by the rather large Baptist community. It was refreshing to see Ted Neeley in the lead role both on film and in the stage production. It was also nice to know that the casting directors for both stage and film chose a black man to play Judas, even if he was the bad guy, so to speak. This proves that they weren't color blind. Two things turned me off about the stage play. One, Mary Magdelon made me sick hanging all over Jesus like she did. Two, Pontius Pilate should not have worn those revealing leather trousers with his rear end hanging out. That was totally inappropriate. Everyone in the audience laughed, but I didn't think it was funny at all.
Rating:
Summary: Jesus as a man
Review: I watch this movie every year during the season of Lent and never grow tired of it. I inevitably end up crying as Ted Neeley's portrayal of Jesus as an ordinary man with an extrordinary fate is so powerful. It reminds me of the fear and suffering he endured for us. I love the way Norman Jewison set the movie in the desert. Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman's voices are incredibly well-suited to their parts. And the music is just plain awesome. I just don't get people who don't get this movie. It is a gem!
Rating:
Summary: I Loved It!
Review: The first time I saw this movie I did not like it. I thought it was stupid and corny. But for some reason, after a 1 year hiatus, I viewed it again and loved it! I went out and bought the DVD (which has a very fine 2.35:1 transfer) and the CD soundtrack (which unfortunantley is a 2 out of 10 for quality). I highly recommend this film to anybody interested in the life of Jesus. It is highly entertaining and very informative.
Rating:
Summary: A classic!
Review: I saw this film when it first came out. At the time, I was attending a Catholic school, and, of course, it was a hot topic. The nuns kept to the word(s) of the Bible and quietly downplayed any humanistic parts, e.g. when Jesus cried out, "heal yourselves" to the lepers who were overwhelming him. One of the good Sisters stated that she did not feel Jesus would have said such a thing. Almost thirty years later, I, a non-Catholic, own a copy of the film and still enjoy the music and dancing, as well as, the subtle references to Vietnam. And, who can forget the Coca-Cola commercial loosely based on one scene from the film? LOVE this film!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite Musicals on film...
Review: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice show their pure genius here. Well, technically the play itself is what I mean, and I have seen this as a play as well...Both the film adaption and play are excellent. I consider this to be one of the best musicals of all time.
The film takes a cast of JCS and sticks them in a desert in Israel to act out the entire play. Everyone in this is has a great voice and brings great life to their character. And they look like they were having a ball. There is no talking in this film, one must pay complete attention to the music as it tells the story. This is Webber/Rice's signature. Evita is told the same way.
Ted Neeley, who plays our title character, looks just like the "image" of Jesus that we have inbedded in our heads. It is so uncanny, and he is an amazing talent. His voice is wonderful. Yvonne Elliman is Mary Magdelene is just breathtaking. Her voice during "I don't know how to love him" is spine tingling. This is my favorite song from this show.. Recognize her voice? She does the hit< "If I can't have you" from Saturday Night Fever.
If you are just looking for the story of Jesus, you may be disturbed by this. It is not the same story we have seen on t.v. There are visions that may upset some viewers. I hadn't seen this in awhile and was a little shocked myself at some things, but I still love it. I love all the songs, and am a fan of most of Webber & Rice's work.
I think this was a good purchase, but I wouldn't ever show it to my children. or teens! It's Judas's image of Jesus, and it's not the same image that we are taught about growing up. So, be aware of that.
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