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Jesus Christ Superstar (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jesus Christ Superstar | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover for Jesus Christ Superstar |
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| Directed by | Norman Jewison |
| Produced by | Norman Jewison Patrick Palmer Robert Stigwood |
| Written by | Norman Jewison Melvyn Bragg |
| Starring | Ted Neeley Carl Anderson Yvonne Elliman |
| Music by | Andrew Lloyd Webber André Previn Herbert W. Spencer |
| Cinematography | Douglas Slocombe |
| Distributed by | Universal Studios |
| Release date(s) | August 15, 1973 |
| Running time | 108 min. |
| Country | US |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
| Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Argentina: | 13 |
| Australia: | G |
| Canada (Home Video)): | G |
| Finland: | K12 |
| Iceland: | L |
| Netherlands: | AL |
| Norway: | 12 |
| Singapore: | PG |
| Spain: | 13 |
| Sweden: | 11 |
| United Kingdom: | PG |
| United States: | G |
Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1973, Oscar-nominated film adaptation of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, about the last weeks of the life of Jesus. The film was directed by Norman Jewison. Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson were nominated for two 1974 Golden Globe Award for their portrayals of Jesus and Judas, respectively.
Though it attracted criticism from some religious groups, the film was generally well received.
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During the filming of Fiddler on the Roof, Barry Dennen (who played Pilate on the concept album) suggested to Norman Jewison that he should direct Jesus Christ Superstar as a film. After hearing the album, Jewison agreed to do it. The film was shot in Israel (primarily at the ruins of Avdat) and other Middle Eastern locations in 1973. The cast consisted mostly of actors from the Broadway show, with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson starring as Jesus and Judas. Neeley had played a reporter, and a leper in the Broadway version, and understudied the role of Jesus. Along with Dennen, Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalene), and Bob Bingham (Caiaphas) reprised their Broadway roles in the film. Originally, Jewison had wanted Ian Gillan to reprise his role as Jesus, but Gillan turned down the offer, deciding that he would please fans more by touring with Deep Purple. The actor who played Peter, Philip Toubus, would go on to be a prolific actor and director in the porn industry. Like the stage show, the film gave rise to controversy, and a religious group bombed a theater in South America at which it was playing.
Some of the lyrics were changed for the film, partly enriching its content ("Hosanna", "The Temple") and partly making it more acceptable for a Christian audience. When Jesus had originally said to a group of beggars overpowering him "Heal yourselves!", the film had "Leave me alone!". In "Trial before Pilate", Jesus said "There may be a kingdom for me somewhere else, if you only knew", while the original line had been "if I only knew". And in "Judas' Death," the line "What you have done will be the saving of Israel" was changed to "... the saving of everyone."
Another important change was the insertion of a totally new song ("Then We Are Decided") in which the troubles and fears of Annas and Caiaphas regarding Jesus are better developed. These latter changes weren't espoused by later productions and recordings.
The show begins with a group of actors arriving in a bus and preparing for the filming of "Jesus Christ Superstar" during the overture. The show gets underway, and we see Judas sitting on a hill watching Jesus surrounded by followers. Judas is worried about Jesus' popularity - he is being hailed as a God, but Judas knows he is just a man, and fears the consequences of their growing movement ("Heaven On Their Minds").
The other disciples badger Jesus for information about his plans for the future, but Jesus will not give them any ("What's The Buzz?"). A woman named Mary Magdalene tries to calm Jesus by dabbing cool water on his face. Jesus finds this very soothing, but Judas ruins everything when he arrives and tells Jesus that he should not be associating with Mary, ("Strange Things Mystifying"). Furious, Jesus tells Judas that he should leave Mary alone, because his slate is not clean. He then accuses all the apostles of not caring about him, and storms off.
In a new song added for the film, we are introduced to the High Priest, Caiaphas, and his sidekick, Annas. Caiaphas is worried about Jesus' growing popularity as well- he fears that the people will crown him King, which will upset the Romans. At first, Annas tries to calm him, but he finally sees Caiaphas' point, and suggests that he convene the council and explain his fears to them. Caiaphas agrees ("Then We Are Decided").
Mary Magdalene rubs ointment on Jesus' face to calm him, ("Everything's Alright"). The relaxing mood is again shattered by Judas, who says that the money spent on ointment should have been given to the poor. Jesus rebukes him again, and the song continues.
The council of the Priests meet, and they all discuss their fears about Jesus. Caiaphas tells them that there is only one solution, ("This Jesus Must Die").
Jesus and his followers joyfully arrive in Jerusalem, but Caiaphas orders Jesus to disband the crowd for fear of a riot. Jesus refuses ("Hosanna"). An apostle named Simon Zealotes, and a crowd of followers, voice their admiration for Jesus ("Simon Zealotes"). Jesus appreciates this, but becomes worried when Simon suggests he attacks Rome in order to gain greater power. Jesus sadly dismisses this suggestion ("Poor Jerusalem").
We are now introduced to Pilate, the Roman governor. He reveals that he has dreamed about Jesus - he has dreamed that he will be blamed for his death ("Pilate's Dream"). Jesus and his followers arrive at the temple, which has been taken over by traders and prostitutes. A furious Jesus destroys the stalls and sends them all packing ("The Temple").
A disconsolate Jesus goes for a walk, but is confronted by a crowd of lepers, all wanting to be healed. Jesus tries to heal as many of them as possible, but eventually gives up and screams at them to leave him alone. Mary comforts Jesus and Jesus goes to sleep. Mary loves Jesus, but is worried because he is so unlike any other man she has met ("I Don't Know How To Love Him").
Judas' doubts have come to a head. He goes to the Priests and expresses his concerns, but he is worried about the consequences of betraying Jesus ("Damned For All Time"). The Priests take advantage of his doubts, and offer him money if they will lead him to Jesus. Judas initially refuses, but Caiaphas wins him over, by reminding him that he could use the money to help the poor ("Blood Money").
At the Last Supper, Jesus reveals that he knows Judas will betray him. A bitter argument between them ensues. Judas leaves. Jesus and the remaining apostles go to Gethsemane. Jesus leaves them and vents his feelings about his imminent death ("Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say")). He returns to his disciples, but Judas arrives before he can wake them, and he is captured by guards. The disciples offer to fight the guards ("What's The Buzz? (Reprise)"), but Jesus will not allow it.
Jesus is taken to the High Priest's House ("The Arrest"), found guilty of blasphemy, and sent to Pilate. Peter, meanwhile, denies Jesus three times, after being set on by a crowd of Jesus' enemies, ("Peter's Denial"). Jesus is taken to Pilate's house, where the governor, in spite of his earlier fears, mocks him. He then sends him to Herod - he does not deal with Galileans ("Pilate and Christ").
The effeminate and flamboyant King Herod is excited to finally meet Jesus, for he has heard all the hype about him. He tries to persuade Jesus to perform various miracles for him, promising to set him free if he does. Jesus does not perform miracles, and Herod has a dramatic change of mood. He hurls abuse at Jesus, throwing bread at him as he does so. The guards take the hint and drag Jesus off ("King Herod's Song").
The apostles and Mary Magdalene remember how things began, and wish they hadn't gotten so out of hand. Mary wishes they could start from the beginning again ("Could We Start Again Please?"). Jesus is flung into a cell, where he is seen by Judas, who is gripped by remorse and runs to tell the priests that he regrets his part in the arrest. The priests try to make him see that he has done the right thing, but fail. Judas hurls his money to the ground, runs off and hang himself ("Judas' Death").
Jesus is taken back to Pilate. Pilate questions him, and realises that, although he thinks Jesus is mad, he has committed no crime. The crowd yell for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate attempts to sway them by having Jesus flogged ("Trial Before Pilate and 39 lashes"). Pilate starts out calm, but by the end of the flogging he is angry. Herod is present, and he finds the flogging hilarious at first, but by the end he is feeling pretty sick. Pilate realises he has no option but to kill Jesus, or he will lose his job - and Jesus seems to want to die anyway.
- Ted Neeley as Jesus Christ
- Carl Anderson as Judas Iscariot
- Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene
- Barry Dennen as Pontius Pilate
- Bob Bingham as Caiaphas
- Josh Mostel as King Herod
- Kurt Yahgjian as Annas
- Philip Toubus as Peter
- Larry Marshall as Simon Zealotes
The soundtrack for the film was released on vinyl by MCA Records in 1973. It was re-released on CD in 1993 and in 1998.
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