Jesus Christ Superstar (2000) (TV)

Directors:

Gale Edwards
Nick Morris

Writer:

Tim Rice (book)

Release Date:

20 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Musical | Drama

Plot:

A rock musical version of the Passion Play seen from the point of view of Judas.

Plot Keywords:

Based On The Bible | King | Jesus Christ | Religion | Rock

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Glenn Carter	...	Jesus of Nazareth
Jérôme Pradon	...	Judas Iscariot
Renee Castle	...	Mary Magdalene
Fred Johanson	...	Pontius Pilate
Michael Shaeffer	...	Annas
Cavin Cornwall	...	Peter
Tony Vincent	...	Simon Zealotes
Rik Mayall	...	King Herod
Peter Gallagher	...	First Priest
Michael McCarthy	...	Second Priest
Philip Cox	...	Third Priest
Matthew Cross	...	Apostle / Ensemble
Kevin Curtin	...	Apostle / Ensemble
Paul Vickers	...	Apostle / Ensemble
Mykal Rand	...	Apostle / Ensemble

Also Known As:

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar (Australia)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Netherlands:AL | Netherlands:6 | Australia:M | USA:Unrated

Company:

Really Useful Films

Trivia:

Jerome Pradon (Judas) admitted in an interview that he did not have the voice for the part of Judas and that he would not be able to play Judas in a real stage production.

Quotes:

Caiaphas: I see bad things arising! They would make king whom the Romans would ban! I see blood and destruction, our elimination because of one man!

Movie Connections:

Version of Jesus Christ Superstar (1972)

Brilliant, Best musical film adaption yet.

The 2000 film version of Jesus Christ Superstar not only superceeds the orginal '73 version, but is a thoughtful, powerful and classy presentation of the brilliant musical penned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

I first saw this movie several months ago, I was stunned. Based on the Broadway revival, this is essentially a stage play on film and perhaps that is why it keeps some of the "theatre magic". It should seem easy with the fantastic work of ALW and TM behind them but Gale Edwards and her team ought to be commended (actually, I think they were *cough*EMMY*cough*) for the presentation of this show; the lighting, the direction, the costumes, the setting all add, not only a modern and easily accesible feel, but a believable dramatic aspect that makes the story all the more heartbreaking. It is an undeniabley dark and tragic presentation, but this does not take away from it so much as add more power to the story. As Mr Webber says in the extras, this version is the one he always wanted.

It is the actors however, that bring the most to JCS 2000. In particular Jesus and Judas (Played by Glenn Carter and Jerome Pradon respectively) bring an amazing dymnamic to the screen. Carter (after you get past the fact that he looks scarily like a cute crossbreed of Michael Bolton and Fabio) is an impressive Jesus, he adds a vulnerabilty to his character that makes him both intriguing and humanising. Jerome Pradon is even better, his vocals struggle at times, but his portrayal of Judas outweighs this. He is perhaps one of the most pathetic and simeltaneously heartbreaking Judas' ever played. He plays the inner conflict beautfully, and when Jesus and Judas come up against each other their scenes are rivetting and intensily emotional. The Last Supper and the Kiss Of Betrayal in particular is...just amazing...

The supporting cast is brilliant also, Tony Vincent plays an great warmongering Simon Zealotes, and Pilate is given a newer, sadder aspect by the intense looking Fred Johanson. Perhaps the one exception is Renee Castle as Mary Magdelene, who while looks beautiful and sings even more beautifully, brings a touch too much drama to her part to take in.

If you do not like musicals, or you do not think you can tolerate a story that explores the ideas behind the story of Jesus Christ then you wont like this film, if you do however, you are in for a real treat.

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. ;P