Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Film version of the musical stage play, presenting the last few weeks of Christ's life told in an anachronistic manner.

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

Melvyn Bragg (screenplay: based upon the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" by), Norman Jewison (screenplay: based upon the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" by)

Stars:

Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ted Neeley	...	Jesus Christ
Carl Anderson	...	Judas Iscariot
Yvonne Elliman	...	Mary Magdalene
Barry Dennen	...	Pontius Pilate
Bob Bingham	...	Caiaphas
Larry Marshall	...	Simon Zealotes (as Larry T. Marshall)
Josh Mostel	...	King Herod (as Joshua Mostel)
Kurt Yaghjian	...	Annas
Paul Thomas	...	Peter (as Philip Toubus)
Pi Douglass	...	Apostle
Robert LuPone	...	Apostle James
Jonathan Wynne	...	Apostle
Thommie Walsh	...	Apostle Thaddeus
Richard Molinare	...	Apostle Andrew
David Devir	...	Apostle

Storyline

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 Iscariot. Too often mis-labeled a musical, this film is a "rock opera." There are no spoken lines, everything is sung.

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Plot Keywords:

babe | rock opera | palestinian | palestine | mary magdalene character | 

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Taglines:

And now, the movie......

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Genres:

Drama | History | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jesucristo Superstar

Filming Locations:

Avdat, Israel

Box Office

Gross USA:

$24,477,615

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints) Mono (35 mm optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "Could We Start Again Please" was not on the original album, but was meant to capitalize on the popularity of Yvonne Elliman's "I Don't Know How To Love Him", which was released in 1970 and became a top ten hit. The song "Then We Are Decided" was not on the original album and was added to the show later as well.

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Goofs

During "King Herod's Song", in a close-up of the pianist, a female is sitting on the piano. Later on, the female gets up to dance. In another close up of the pianist after the dancer leaves, someone i still sitting on the piano.

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Quotes

Angels Chorus: Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, who are you? What have you sacrificed? Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, who are you? What have you sacrificed? Jesus Christ Superstar; do you think you're what they say you are? Jesus Christ Superstar; do you think you're what they say you are?

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Connections

Referenced in El ministerio del tiempo: Tiempo de magia (2016)

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Soundtracks

Simon Zealotes
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Performed by Larry Marshall (as Larry T. Marshall) and Crowd

User Reviews

Superstar Rocks!

Speaking for the younger generation, I've never seen anything like it. This movie hit theaters 6 years before I was born and I only just saw it now in Nov. 2004. and I was so moved that I had to comment. Visually it was psychedelic, and the editing matches the music masterfully.

The music rocks! Carl Anderson is beyond amazing as Judas, and ALL of the performances are really magnetic. I love singing along with Annas, Jesus, and Kiafass. I mostly listen to KoRn and Rap, so I never expected to remember (rock opera) lyrics and run around performing them. The feeling I got when 1st "experiencing" the movie was trippy. Similar to a live concert. The movie is outstanding and in my opinion will last for generations and generations. It speaks to a part of my soul and spirit.It says "right on" "rock on"