Rating: 
Summary: Rice & Lloyd Webber's Operatic Passion Play on Film
Review: After the bizarre Broadway staging of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera, the film version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" had to be a more traditional offering. Producer-Director Norman Jewison filmed on location in Israel, using natural settings and sparsely constructed sets for what is essentially a string of music videos (since it was written as a studio album first, the music presents problems for moving from one scene to the next). The framing device for the film is the cast arriving/departing by bus. Ted Neeley's voice is suited to the role, but certainly he is the shortest Jesus I can recall seeing in films. Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen remain from the original studio album and Broadway production as Mary Magdalen and Pilate, which is perfectly all right. However, it is clearly Carl Anderson as Judas who gives the best performance in the film. The film version suffers from the inadequate voices of several of the supporting cast members (most notably Josh Mostel as Herod) and the grossly reduced chorus of singers which never comes close to matching the number of bodies on screen, and there are a few unintentional laughs (as when Israeli tanks come over the dune and chase Judas). But the use of paintings depicting the crucifixion and the final shot of sheep being herded past the cross the cast leaves behind on the hill, are particularly effective. Of course as with most movies, if you want to watch it you want to get a hold of the widescreen edition, otherwise you cannot appreciate the Last Supper tableau or just enjoy the compositional elements of the shots. Every Easter weekend I watch this film, even if I do not have time to do all of "Jesus of Nazareth" or "The Greatest Story Every Told." The only thing radical here is the music, but I still have to think it qualifies as the requisite joyful noise.
Rating: 
Summary: Jesus Christ Superstar
Review: Based on a concept album project written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and the subsequent long-running Broadway performance, this film tells the story of the final 6 days in the life of Jesus Christ through the troubled eyes of Judas Escariot. Too often mis-labeled a musical, this film is a "rock opera." There are no spoken lines, everything is sung.
Rating:
Summary: It's a little bizarre....
Review: But we have a new tradition of viewing this DVD every Christmas Night, to sort of shake off the story of the nativity and reground the last 7 days of Christ. This, our favorite version of the telling of the tale, is crafted from the first true rock opera hit from partners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is odd, but the Webber format of Broadway operas is unpopular in our household; this first play was, however, truly enjoyable and a real departure from the norm back in 1973.Norman Jewison artfully stages the play to film by utilization of a mix of period costumes and scenes with modern day conveniences, particularly as they reflect the militarism of his modern day setting in Israel. Most often praised are the performances of Carl Anderson, who took over the role that made Ben Vereen a star, as Judas, (The Rice/Webber storyline is unique in its emphasis on Judas as a character, what drove him to his betrayal, and also the characterization of Jesus as one who has doubts about the wisdom of his final days), and the cinematography on a sparse set filmed in the desert region of Israel. Controversial was Ted Neeley in the lead role, a man beset by media and hype which led his quiet revolution in a direction that led to his inevitable doom. The film and play do not deal with the resurrection, also a controversial decision at the time of its writing; because the "feel good" aspects of resurrection generally help we Christians recover from the shock of Jesus portrayed on the cross. Neeley, who has the voice for the role, did not have the stature, being slim and short. Somehow, for me, this humanizes Jesus into belief as the quiet carpenter from Galilee, who must change his whole world in order to prepare a belief and values system for millions in the centuries to follow. In the scene where Jesus clears the temple, there is little doubt that Jewison chose well; the fire and spirit in Neeley surfaces, and you throw your belief behind him thanks to this scene. A beautiful film that helped to bridge some of the gaps of the theater staging, with memorable music and outstanding Rice lyrics .... this is a film experience.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, deserves better commentary
Review: Even though I'm not a chirstian, I really like this film. A bunch of believers (in this case, hippies) going out into the wilderness to recreate the most important events of their religious belief is a very ancient and widespread practice dating back long before the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. So it's kinda cool to see a 20th Century version of this. I also feel a lot more comfortable with the movie's presentation of Jesus as a doubt-filled man, rather than some serene demi-god. It makes Jesus more believable. And presenting the story from Judas' point of view is interesting because it makes everyone involved sympathetic - Judas, the Macabees, Pilate, etc., in that no one seems to have a choice of action; it is, after all, god's plan and thus inescapable, despite the wishes of the people involved.
My only complaint is the lousy commentary. Both the director and Kneely seem to have nothing substantive to say about the film. Perhaps too much time has gone by. Most of their commentary is spent either admiring the scenery or complimenting each other. Very tedious. I wanted to hear why they did things they way they did, what they were trying to say in the film, and perhaps some anecdotes about the filming (there are a couple, but only just a couple). Too bad. They shouldn't have bothered with the commentary at all.
So I therefore rate the DVD as four stars. Five for the film itself, but minus one for the weak commentary.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing sound quality
Review: First off, I love the music, and once owned the LP version of the soundtrack. But for whatever reason, the soundtrack on the DVD is so quiet that I had to turn the volume WAY UP just to hear it. What gives? Are they saving "bits" for some other recording? If the original movie was this "quiet", why couldn't they boost the sound level? This isn't me or my DVD player. All my other movies play "normally".
For this reason I CANNOT recommend that you buy this DVD. You will be sorely disappointed by the sound quality.
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: love this movie!!!
Review: I can't believe some of the bad reviews about this movie. I love this movie very much, its one of my all time favorites! I found it to be very moving & uplifting and the music is great! Ted Neely did a great job playing Jesus. People who don't like this movie have to remember that it was done in the 70's & it is a "Rock Opera", so yes, it is "dated" now, but still a fantastic movie that has inspired me all my life. I was 11 when this movie came out & still love it very much today!!!! I highly recommend this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Ten stars, really
Review: I find the acting compelling and the singing and emotion amazing. I have watched Jesus Christ Superstar on stage in London and I still love the movie just as much. I have seen the movie at least fifeteen times and it always leaves me sobbing. The empathy for Judas is a different perspective from most tellings of the crucifixion. There is also quite a bit of subtle humor contained in this story. I watch it again and again and each time I find something new.
Rating:
Summary: Jesus Christ.... The One And Only Superstar
Review: I LOVE the music! I sometimes pop the DVD in and just LISTEN to it if I am busy with other things. And crank in up LOUD!!!! In spite of the 70's jargon incorporated into the songs, the meaning of the words retains their Biblical accuracy. The words stir emotions. And if I have time to WATCH the movie, it is a feast for the eyes as well, the gymnastic dancing, the out-of-place modern objects incorporated into the ancient story, the bright colors of the clothing, the ruins that merely suggest the presence of a building, the rugged rocks and terrain. This movie was never meant to be a reflection of exactly how it was... it was meant as an art form, something different and unique, to tell the old gospel of Christ in a new way, to an audience comprised of the hippie generation, of which I am one. I loved the movie then; I LOVE IT NOW!
Rating:
Summary: MUST GET IT
Review: if you love musicals, you MUST get this movie. some other reviews said that it was dated, and doesnt include all parts of the bible and of jesus's life in it. but thats because its a movie for entertainment, not for educational purpuses. its catchy songs will have you singing along, and its unique potrayal of jesus's life is something that must be seen. from scenes of laughter, tears, and thought provoking parts, this movie is a classic and must be bought. ive seen this movie more times than i can count and it still is just as good as the first time. i HIGHLY recomend it.
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