I was a teenager when this came out. I collected everything about it, records, video, and magazines. In one interview with Ted Neely, he told about filming in the holy land, and how every day the sun was shining for all of their filming. Then, when they filmed the crucifixion, the sky turned black. He said that it freaked everybody out. He said that some people actually became Christians from the cast & crew that day.
@@bgfd1 You are correct. There's an anniversary DVD I have of this film where you can watch but also listen to an audio of Norman Jewison and Ted Neeley doing a commentary and it stills gives them chills when they talk about the shepherd just appearing in the foreground as they filmed that fade back shot. It wasn't planned. They caught it while editing and were just blown away.
This was filmed on location in Israel including at Herod’s ruins and it was filmed exactly after the 10 day war between Palestine and Israel in the 70’s, which is how they had the tanks available for the movie.
That you are correct it was filmed in Israel when Israel was not as insane as it is now. Although Israel was formed by Zionism, which has nothing to do with Judaism, sorry I had to add that.
I'm a 65 year old Catholic and saw this when it first came out. 4 nuns took our class to see it. What a controversial film for its time. I've loved it for 50 years. So ahead of its time.
I think the actors arriving and leaving on the bus is pseudo-fourth wall, invites us to examine the meaning in our context, to put ourselves there. The actors seem somber and reflective as they leave.
Some were somber and reflective, and some seemed ready for the cast party. As for Ted Neely, he doesn't board the bus. The cross is empty, he did not die. But he cannot go back to what he was after playing that role. It is a great allegory for how a production affects different actors.
Pilate was played by Barry Dennen who was responsible for this movie happening. He sang Pilate on the original Brown Album, the only one to be on both the first album and the movie. He also played in Fiddler On The Roof, which Norman Jewison was directing. Barry played the album for Jewison and suggested making a movie. Jewison thought it was a great idea and got Universal to green light the movie and Jewison directed this movie also. Jewison is why this movie is so good. It’s such a work of art that even many atheist love it. His idea to shoot it among the ruins of the holy land was brilliant and his shot selection and everything to casting Carl Anderson as Judas and Ted Neeley as Jesus was all his doing. I met Ted a few times and he told me that he wasn’t even in the running for the part since many bigger names were under consideration and of course the studio was pushing for big names, not unknowns, but no one can say that Carl and Ted weren’t the best choice. Ted told me that he took Norm to lunch one day and convinced him he was the man for the role. Though Ted looks nothing like a Jewish person, he does look like every Jesus from every painting ever done. The blond hair, blue eye Jesus is the picture in everyone’s head. Norm was able to get such dramatic performances out of these actors. I have seen Ted and Carl live three different times in the 1990s, before Carl passed away (RIP Carl). Their performances were good and the singing was superb, but the acting was never as good as the movie. It just goes to show what a great director can do. Few people give Norm the credit he deserves for this movie. The casting of unknown talent was bold, but paid off in a huge way.
I confirm, I am an atheist and this is one of my favorite movies 💖💖💖💖💖 I saw it for the first time in 2006 when I was in middle school and I loved it!! , plus I also had a crush on Barry Dennen for that role 🤭
If you look closely at the end below the cross is a imagery of the silhouette of a shepherd tending to his flock of sheep. Original plan was the end film at the site of the cross is the sunset but According to Norman Jewison and Ted Neeley; an actual shepherd and his herd wandered onto the what was believed to be a closed set by mistake. Jewison decided to keep it as it gave the film a deeply spiritual closure. When you can take a closer look.
Unconventional as it was, it turned many young people to the teachings of Jesus! It was powerful for me to see and feel. Thank you for checking it out.
That "weirdness" you see that was tripping you out so much is called psychedelia. Something our generation embraced as a form of artistic expression and rebellion. More than half a century removed it might come off as just weird; but in the context of the times it was considered pretty cool amazingly creative and artistic stuff. And btw, when the musical first appeared on Broadway it got its fair share of protests from the religious community both Jewish and Christian. But at some point over the years the anger died down and it has become accepted as an iconic and important piece of musical theater. Love your reaction, glad you enjoyed it.
you were amazing to watch and listen to...thank you for sharing your journey of watching this , I grew up on it, have seen in at least 50 times and was genuinely looking forward to your reactions
Filmed in Israel, mainly around the Dead Sea. A great back tsory in itself- the heat, dust, and remoteness- with cameos by the Israeli army and air force. Written by the great Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice- who also wrote "Phantom of the Opera," and Evita- both of which dealt with the same "superstardom" themes. And you are right- "Gethsemane", as performed by the incredible Ted Neely- was unequaled in the history of movie musicals. Floors you every time you see and hear it. And what you call "weird" was what we used to call wildly creative and talented. Everyone- the composer, lyricist, director, and every actor was supremely talented. Remember- this was first a n album, and then a stage play. The decision to film in Israel. with anachronistic touches like tanks and machine guns, was entirely Norman Jewison's vision, and it was a stroke of true genius. Finally, there was much criticism about casting a black man as Judas, because tt would supposedly make "blacks look bad." But Jewison said that Anderson gave the best screen test and that no one else could play this role,- in a sense, it would have been reverse racism not to cast him. In retrospect, Talk about the right decision- how can such a phenomenal performance do anything but make blacks look good? all in all, an spellbinding experience! Almost makes you believe in God. Almost...
Next year, you should react to the entire film of Godspell. It has both songs and dialogue, and you will definitely recognize who plays Jesus. I still have questions on how they managed to film it in New York City and yet make the city look completely empty of people!
I saw this in 1972 as a play in an open air amphitheater over looking Los Angeles ~ Fell in love with it then, Ted Neely is my all time favorite as Christ ~ Then I was able to see Ted in his farewell tour in Bangor Maine ~ Amazing!
Man, that visual and the bassline when Judas descends is stunning no matter how many times I see it. And the lyrics "don't get me wrong, I only want to know". Some of my strongest memories of being taught religion in school was not having questions answered, and I really like that the musical both acknowledges that common experience, and treats Judas as a person with questions. We also have to remember that Christianity in it's current form was spread by the Roman Empire, so they had a vested interest in not putting themselves in a bad light. Unfortunately Could We Start Again, Please? wasn't on the original album, because I love the way they've portrayed the apostles as sort of well-meaning but useless in a way that's both touching and hilarious. Bowie played Pilate in another Jesus movie, can't remember which one though.
I absolutely love the drums in "Pilate and Christ": very chill and relaxed to start, and then going a lot harder after Jesus speaks. Excellent representation of Pilate's emotional state.
There was a reason for the style of that music and that dance routine for King Herod. It was a clear reference to the Roaring Twenties, which was only about 40 years prior to when this was made. That would be like if something came out this year and then they took one scene and made it different than the others and did it up like early 1980s. Both music and dance. The Roaring Twenties represented vast gaps between the rich and the poor, and epitomized opulence and greed and gluttony and excess. Vulgar displays of wealth. And yet some truly amazing things came out of it in terms of music and culture and whatnot, including Flapper girls. Tons of great early movies as well and the rise of 78 RPM records with Victrola machines to play them back. That's why they call it the Roaring Twenties. And then it all came crashing down in 1929 when the stock market collapsed and the banks collapsed and people that had been extremely wealthy the day before lost it all and were literally throwing themselves out of high-rise buildings on Wall Street and killing themselves in shock and despair. Normal people couldn't access any money they might have managed to accumulate in a bank. It was a major hardcore collapse all the way around. And then of course the 30s was the Great Depression, in stark contrast to the opulent decade before. Both the music and the dance you were seeing in the King Herod number are straight out of the Roaring Twenties. That was the style of music and what they were doing there was a modified form of the Charleston, one of the hugest dance crazes in modern American culture. I'm so glad you did this. I haven't seen this since I was a little kid. It was literally the first movie I went to by myself without my parents taking me. I went with a friend on our bikes in the fourth grade, and we found a difficult back way to go through these unfamiliar neighborhoods to come up behind the movie theater so we didn't have to get out on the highway. In the theater, they had the volume really cranked up and when that first scene hits with that telephoto lens and the shimmering heat waves and Judas is running through the desert and then it pans out and you realize all these tanks are coming up behind him and it's really loud and chaotic? About the time I was freaking out over what I was seeing, I immediately thought to myself, oh boy, this is not the kind of movie that my parents had assumed it was, lol. Because I was also raised in the church and the whole Easter story was something that was just drilled into us year after year. And it truly is a provocative and powerful narrative. When it ended, we were so absolutely blown away that we stayed through the 15 or 20 minute break and then watched it right away again - the whole thing. It put me home very late for dinner and I got in huge trouble, but I just told them that it was a religious movie about Jesus and the Easter story and they relented, laugh.
I absolutely *love* JCS ... it's odd, rocky, quirky, outstanding and moving all at the same time. I was only 7 when it came out... wonderful cast and Ted Neely was just wonderful as he "agonised in the garden" ❤ I've seen it in the theatre a few times, I prefer this version as it has the 70s, hippie vibe 😊
I think you'd love the album. The syncopation/meter used movie is sung more theatrically, as it should be, but the album was sung the way an album would be, as it should be. So, the album is obviously more radio friendly and flows much better.
Sometime go back and re-listen to the Overture. Almost all the songs are in there and now that you know them it hits harder. Esp that guitar at the start.
Hasn't this aged well?! They did an amazing job with 70s production. You'd gave to watch it in it's entirely on HD or so. The visuals and sound just pops!
@@L33ReactsIf you think Herod’s song is trippy, you should check out Godspell, the other Jesus musical from the same time (which also became a movie in 1973). That has Jesus and his disciples as circus clowns singing and dancing around New York City.
Yes, that's right. And there's a nice story attached to this: Zero Mostel, despite having originated the rôle of Tevye on Broadway, was not hired to play Tevye in the movie version of "Fiddler on the roof". They hired Topol instead. When Josh Mostel proudly announced to his father that Norman Jewison (who had directed the "Fiddler on the roof" movie) had hired him to play King Herod in this movie, Zero Mostel answered bitterly, "Tell him to hire Topol's son!"
I will watch like 5 different versions of this musical every Easter (I’m an atheist who genuinely loves this musical and it’s my own little tradition) and will see any production on stage that’s remotely close to me, and the best part of this musical is that you can kind of do whatever you want with it. The movie is one of the best out there, but if you want to see a completely different take, I would recommend Swedish Christ Superstar (if you look up that phrase on TH-cam, the actor playing Judas has Act 1 and 2 on his channel). It’s the exact aesthetic opposite of the movie. And it’s wonderful! Watch it after you are familiar with the score though because there are no subtitles and it is performed in Swedish. Also, for a great album version, check out She Is Risen, an all-female concert of JCS. It’s *chef’s kiss*
Saw this company in Chas. WV. I arrived very early to get agood parking spot. A couple of guys came out to play Frisbee. I didn't know I had been playing Frisbee with Ted and Carl; or Jesus and Judas! It was a very emotional experience for me. I had the double album set and kinda knew what I was in for. Wow. I cried. Sloppy weeping.😢 it was awesome!
Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalene) and Barry Dennon (Pontius Pilate) are the only cast members to have performed their roles on the original concept album (this is the one to react to), on Broadway, and in this film.
I don’t know if you or others realise the history of this film. I am from Ireland but I do remember hearing bits and pieces of Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway and very strange people protesting against it thinking that it was blasphemy. It travelled also to England. But the lead in the play was not Ted Neely who was the understudy however it was the lead singer of Deep Purple. My opinion is that the singer of Deep Purple didn’t sound like Jesus if you can get an older older album listen to it there’s two different versions eventually Made it to the screen and Ted Neely became Jesus. Oh the other reason why there were crowds because the black thought that black playing Judas was prejudice. The Director Norman Jewason, also directed a very very good film called fiddler on the roof, which is also musical I would suggest you checking that out. And at around the same time on Broadway came the musical Hair. So, I find that interesting. Ciao.
If you have time, you should watch the 2000 stage revival movie. The emotional triangle between Jesus, Judas, and Mary Magdalene is so well portrayed. And the ending of Superstar moving into The Crucifixion will rip your soul!
In this movie, Judas doesn't betray Jesus for money... from the beginning he questions Jesus and thinks that he is losing control of himself and the crowd. They are occupied and he is terrified of what that will mean for them since he is afraid Jesus is going to get them all killed. That's why he went to the priests And the line 'But what is truth? Is truth unchanging law? We both have truths, are mine the same as yours?' is one of my all time favourites.. some things that we believe are truths to us, but someone else can hold a completely different believe which is just as true for them.... who is to say who is right?
Lee, I just found your channel yesterday and have subscribed. This movie was released when I was 3. I was raised on loving musicals. I watch this probably twice a year, but it was really nice to watch it with you. Thank you so much for appreciating this work of art!! The casting was absolutely amazing. I want to share this story, because I think you'll enjoy it. When they were filming, they cleared the set, making sure nobody was there. In one scene, there's a shepperd with his flock. He was not supposed to be there. He was a local, just existing, and doing his everyday life. They had CLEARED it. He just appeared and the camera was rolling. There are a lot of stories out there about the making of this, and it's worth checking out. Sending love to you and everyone reading this, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana!! 💙💙
Hello Tara! Great to have you. I'm so happy you enjoyed watching this with me. It was a fever dream disguised as a musical movie... and I loved every second of it. That is so wild that Shepard wasn't supposed to be there. Thank you for watching!
Pilates in the "you're deep in trouble..friend" is hilarious. i love him since i was 12. he is an icon Also he damn chaos Herod scene is ahhaahahahahahahahha and to end it he throws bread to Jesus...and the romans moving away from the "projectiles" XDDD I always loved that this movie was from the point of view of Judas and showed Judas as just a man, just like Jesus. a man who messed up because he was human, and not like this evil entity they sell us in school. If he spent 3 years with Jesus as a friend he couldnt be that evil I just remembered something...during the pandemic, Ted tweeted "do as Pilate, wash your hands" with the pic of him with his hands in the glass water bowl...The way I burst laughing that day
I find the part where Judas sings to Jesus, "You've begun to matter more than the things you say" to be so accurate today. I love love love Carl Anderson as Judas. His singing gives me goose bumps. I really appreciate how the movie fleshes Judas out as someone with a love/hate relationship with Jesus. In church he is taught as almost some demonic being but he was a man in the middle of a movement with conflicting feelings. Judas echoes normal people better than the unquestioning type. One of the world's leading authorities on the subject, Professor John Granger Cook of LaGrange College, Georgia, US, estimates that between around 200BC and the virtual abolition of crucifixion in AD337, between 100,000 and 150,000 people were crucified in Roman-controlled territories.
the final scene with the cross, you can kinda make out a shepherd walking his sheep across the front of the screen. This was unplanned- they had the set fenced off but a shepherd walked through and they didn't notice until editing (Ted Neely's version) pretty powerful. Ted also spoke about some of the supernatural things that happened during the crucifixion scene
There was an enormous moment not shown just as the JC Superstar song fanfare starts, before Judas descends. Jesus looks torn and tattered and transforms into pure white robes and clean flowing hair. We see him become the heavenly image we think of. It's very powerful and so wrong that they didn't show it in the edit. This musical, along with "Godspell" made the story much more relatable than church sermons to us youngsters at the time.
Also, from a dramatic point of view, "Superstar" takes place inside Jesus' head as he makes the long march to Golgotha - all the doubts and questions and uncertainties his human side feels. So naturally, the voice in his head expressing all of this would be Judas'...
It takes your "enemy" to truly define you and keep you in check. A good condemnation of modern religion. Which is a joke and if Jesus saw what became of his name after his death... ugh. Let Me stop lol
@@L33Reacts Well, I am the "enemy". Born and raised in Scandinavia, where no one is religious. - It feels like floating around on a secular island in an ocean of fairytale worship and divine (in)justice! I'm not sure that Jesus ever existed, to be honest. He seems to be a mashup of many various myths and legends. I mean, nothing about him, from the immaculate conception to the resurrection, is original. Nor do I think that Jesus would have any right to criticize what's become of Christianity. He started it! And not only that, but what he said made no sense whatsoever. No, religion is a tool for controlling the masses and to ensure the loyalty of future tax payers...
@SpaceCattttt I'm like an old friend that had a falling out. So I know first hand how much power it has over people. The fear they live in at points for no reason. The blind faith is admirable. But I saw through it at a young age. I believe in the morals and values it teaches but that is about it. We see how society has fallen into disarray without a purpose that religion used to fill (at least in the west) and it must be replaced with spirituality and empathy and a united world. I also believe Jesus was a real man (Roman census data) who followed John the baptists message and just continued it. Started causing trouble. Became a martyr. And here we are. But his story was told in ancient Egypt through Osiris and other stories that predate the Bible. But, it is a timeless tale. That unfortunately has caused more bloodshed then anything else EVER.
@@SpaceCatttttlol pretty extreme views but no problem. I’m not religious at all. I recognize him as the living master of his time. Religion springs up after the master is gone - Buddha, Muhammad, etc. Jesus didn’t start a new religion, the master has nothing to do with religion, dogmas, beliefs, or anything done in his name (wars!). He’s of the here and now, the living time, with living people. “The kingdom of heaven is within.”🙏🏽
@@L33Reacts Sure, Jesus may have existed, but I don't believe for a second that he was a divine being. Especially not since all known accounts of his life were written down centuries after his lifetime. I am a humanist, though. And a cynic. I think its inherently human to be greedy and lustful, and to always put yourself first, above all others. Ego runs our lives, and even if you put your children's well-being first, ultimately, it's your ego that makes you want to do that, because it makes you feel good to do so. This is not me judging, however. Ego is necessary to have in order to survive. I may also be a nihilist who thinks that survival is fundamentally pointless, but I have nothing against anyone who wants to live. Hell, I do, too! But it's ego that drives that desire, and it's ego that makes certain people want to control others. And religion just happens to be an excellent way to do that, because a lot of people would rather listen to someone who claims to hold all the answers than blindly find a purpose on their own.
My mom loved this movie, so we'd watch it around Easter. I remember asking her what this scene was all about, and she explained it the same way - that it was depicting Herod's mockery of Jesus - that none of it was sincere, but more like "hey, do some parlor tricks".
In the tv movie that aired a few years ago, Alice Cooper played Herod and John Legend played Jesus. I liked this newer version as well. Alice was great!
30:35 - 30:40 A big shocking anecdote: One of the soldiers in the crucifixion did not speak English at all, (he was a local) and for some reason thought they wanted to do it for real… The other actor stops him.
After pilate washes his hands comes the dramatic JC Superstar theme with Jesus in the white robe. It was the most exciting and exalting moment of the whole movie!!! How the hell could this have gotten edited out of this video?! L33, find another version with that in it, please.
Flip through a few other versions of that scene and you'll see what I'm talking about it's really worth seeing . It is nothing less than the Thematic culmination of the movie check out the one posted by Marcus vinicius de Paula 6:10 from 14 years ago@@L33Reacts
I was 22and a recently returned Vietnam combat vet. I returned to my rock/blues musical roots and saw the official stage production. It was an amazing experience that I remember to this day. Imagine for a moment, not matter what your faith, how the world's history would have changed if Pilot had decided just to ship him to Rome and not martyred Jesus. Would Christianity have faded into nothingness? All of the wars made in the name of Christianity. Would they still have happened? Would society have evolved so much differently. The simple act of washing his hands and crucifying Jesus was perhaps the most or one of the few most impactful moments in known history.
I’ve seen JCS on the stage since I since it opened in 1973 in London with various production about 15 times. Seen this film countless times on DVD/steaming etc. Even seen it sung in the theatre in Japanese by a Japanese theatre compoany in kabuki make up and costumes with Samurai Warriors as Roman soldiers. Totally worked. The thing is it such a strong score (with some of the best guitar riffs and base lines ever). The album from the film and the original album is amazing. The horrible effect on Yvonne Elliman’s (Mary’s) voice is not on the film's soundtrack. Some one decided to put that on the video for some mad reason. Grown up with JCS like many people so very interesting and enjoyable seeing your reaction to this classic. PS: love all the scenes but one my favourites is Simon Zealots because of the dance. The choreography is actually very complicated and thet get it spot on with so much energy.
The moment in history is insane, it's like all of history pivots on that day. One of the reasons I truly believe is because the teachings are so against authority, and yet they've survived. He predicted his name would be abused, and it is. But imagine that - knowing you're going to be killed as a heathen, but also knowing that your teachings would be so powerful as to be abused by future generations.
I hate to be the one to say this, but the movie sound track is a pale comparison to the actual album release from Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice, which is phenomenal. Here’s an a short excerpt from Wikipedia: For the recording, Lloyd Webber and Rice drew personnel from both musical theatre (Murray Head had just left the West End production of Hair) and the British rock scene (Ian Gillan had only recently become the singer of Deep Purple). Many of the primary musicians-guitarists Neil Hubbard and Henry McCullough, bassist Alan Spenner, and drummer Bruce Rowland-came from Joe Cocker's backing group The Grease Band. Saxophonist Chris Mercer had also played with Hubbard in Juicy Lucy.
JUDAS propaganda lol , Its a great musical good songs , fine voices ,I'm an atheist but I loved it. Carl Anderson as Judas is fantastic , the whole cast give great performances ,our host obviously thinks it's all fact , recommend he checks out George Carlin on religion .
I have always loved this.movie and got to see a Broadway revival several years ago as well as the tv version last year with John Legend and o have the original concept album as well. Love every version, but Ted Neely is it for me. I don't know if anyone had mentioned it yet, but in the fist scene when you see all of the actors getting off the bus - the one actor you don't see is Neely. You don't see him until the gathered 'chorus/populace' lift their arms and you see his robe being lowered. You also don't see him get back on the bus at the end. Powerful and subtle.
It may not be exactly as scripture says (what is) but the portrayal of Judas as part of the big plan started me to question things. Growing up I was taught that god is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent...and if so then all of Jesus' story was as planned. This includes the need for someone to betray him to further the sacrifice etc etc. People like to think of Judas as a villain...but if it was all part of a greater plan was he really? Not questioning the story itself but more the interpretation people present as fact instead of as >THEIR INTERPRETATION
Now do "Godspell". It came out the same time as JC Superstar and is a musical rendition of the Sermon on the Mount. There was a great deal of making the Gospel relevant to contemporary culture at the beginning of the 70s. Vatican2 in 1969 released Catholic creativity and brought Rock-n-roll into the Church resulting in the first mass with contemporary music.
The concept album is great, but it's definitely not a universal opinion that it's superior. I far prefer the film cast. Aside from Ted Neely's incredible voice, he just acts the part so well. He and Carl Anderson are the best ever in these roles, imo. The film's soundtrack album is fantastic and stands on its own apart from the movie visuals. Listening to the film soundtrack is actually my favorite way to experience JC Superstar!
I love Ian Gillian on the album and he couldn't do the play/film because of contract with Deep Purple. But honestly do we know if he was/is a good actor? Ted Neely didn't just sing, he ACTED so well. Not sure if Gillian could have come close.
The only two versions that really matter are the 1970 and 1973 versions, and yes, I agree, the 1973 version took it to another level. There is no other version of the Last Supper that even comes close to the film version.
Biblical scholars now recognize that the gospel writers were trying to pin the blame of Jesus’s death on the Jewish priests and people instead of the Romans, who historically had no problem sentencing insurrectionists to death and did the same with Jesus. But, by the time the gospels were written, it was after the failure of the Jewish revolt and the push was on to recruit Gentiles instead of Jews. So, the motivation had to go to the others, not the ones you are trying to draw in.
If you can find it, watch the Live Arena Tour version of JCSuperstar, with Tim Minchin as an incredible Judas. It's set even more modern than the original.
Really a shame your first viewing of this amazing flick was done in segments, instead of fully playing from beginning to end, without missing a moment! (R.I.P Carl, Norman, Barry.)
@@L33Reacts It’s about flow & pacing, & so you will get the entire production! It looks like there was at least one scene that was excluded. (The arrest, immediately after, “Gethsemane”, comes immediately to mind.) But, whatever. 🤦♂️
They said when his mother watched this movie, when Jesus (Ted) got whipped she had to leave the theatre during that time because she never raised a hand against Ted and was so aghast at seeing her boy looked like he got whipped.
I saw this when it first came out, believe it or not even with Judas suicide this was still rated G back in the early 70's. i might have been 12 or 14. It was a hard watch for a child esp a black child knowing that just 7 or 8 years earlier black men were still being lynched in the south. Fortunately I grew up in eastern PA so that wasn't going on, but in 73, that was still in the beginning of the black power and soul era when people of color felt more empowered, afro's soul train, lots of activism. For a little black kid it was a hard watch, But it was an amazing movie, so popular and the title song a hit and the album actually went to number so it was all over the radio back then.. I've probably watched this 10 times since I was a child. This was definitely ground breaking. I actually loved this movie. My top 3 easter movies, this movie, The Robe with Richard Burton and Demetrius and the Gladiators, a sequel to the Robe and throw in Barabbas with Anthony Quinn
I think we were weird back then because we were trying to break away from the 1950s mindset and culture. We were trying to start a different kind of society not exactly knowing how to do it. But we all wanted peace and love hence protesting the Vietnam war.
Jesus Christ Superstar could be called "The Gospel of Judas". The entire main narrative is from his point of view and thas was the provocative novelty of the authors of this wonderful opera rock. It's worth checking out the original album with Ian Gillan playing Jesus (he's amazing) and Murray Head playing Judas ( it's very good, but Carl Anderson is unbeatable and was also chosen for the film because he's black and adds another layer fo reading to the film). The album with the film's soundtrack is also worth it and incluse a new song, "Could We Start Again, Please".
I was in the first grade in early '71 when my older sister's hippy boyfriend brought over a copy of the original ( brown cover ) album featuring Deep Purple lead singer Ian Gillan as Jesus. I loved it, my mom was pretty cool about it ( except for "Herod's Song"), and the nuns, priests, and uppity parish leaders at my church and catholic school HATED it. I saw the movie in the theater in '73. JCS been a part of my life ever since. I saw a live performance with my wife and daughters at Wolftrap in Virginia in '93 with Ted Neely, Carl Anderson, Dennis DeYoung ( Styx ) as Pilate, and Irene Cara as Mary Magdalene. I didn't care that much for the 2000 video stage show version and even less for the live NBC version. The best live version in my opinion is the Volendam ( Netherlands ) production. ( Check it out on TH-cam ) Anyway, this was the best Superstar reaction I've seen ( and you didn't do any preachy "story correcting" thankfully) . I really enjoyed your reaction! Thank you!
I can tell you for a fact that the greatest Jesus Christ superstar version is the original 1970 release. Ian Gillan of Deep Purple played Jesus, Murray Head was Judas and the backing band was Joe cocker's Grease Band. II was a kid when the movie came out and I was disappointed because when you experience a BMW, a H9onda Accord won't do. That's how good the original JCS was. Do yourself a favor and listed the whole thing. Incredible vocals, incredible band...period.
Mabey, they don't listen him at all now is what I think. The people believes knows much more they really know. My favorites scenes: the multiple paints in the Garden of Getsemaní, when Jesus claim a prove if his sacrife will be valuable. The diferent angles of arrive the cross. The almost final with the jazzy piano distorsion and the Ted Nelly voice in off. My favorite song is Can We Started Again? Is so clearly a humans thougt, it's we wasted time for not show love and when all it's over we think can we try another chance. It's so well done.
Could We Start Again is one of the two songs that was not on the original album. And it is one of my favorites. Just think how they were all feeling at that moment. So lost and confused.
I was a teenager when this came out. I collected everything about it, records, video, and magazines.
In one interview with Ted Neely, he told about filming in the holy land, and how every day the sun was shining for all of their filming. Then, when they filmed the crucifixion, the sky turned black. He said that it freaked everybody out. He said that some people actually became Christians from the cast & crew that day.
I love that image at the end with the empty cross and the shepherd and his flock walking in the foreground. Beautiful.
Me too. You can barely see it.
What was amazing was I heard the director in an interview say that he was a real shepperd who just happned to pass as they filmed so they kept him in.
@bgfd1 that is really awesome if it was a random Shepard and they just left it in. Very evocative image. I couldn't see it though lol
@@L33Reacts I was so hoping it'd be in hd because it is absolutely incredible to see.
@@bgfd1 You are correct. There's an anniversary DVD I have of this film where you can watch but also listen to an audio of Norman Jewison and Ted Neeley doing a commentary and it stills gives them chills when they talk about the shepherd just appearing in the foreground as they filmed that fade back shot. It wasn't planned. They caught it while editing and were just blown away.
This was filmed on location in Israel including at Herod’s ruins and it was filmed exactly after the 10 day war between Palestine and Israel in the 70’s, which is how they had the tanks available for the movie.
The bus was Ted Neeley's own that they borrowed for the film.
That you are correct it was filmed in Israel when Israel was not as insane as it is now. Although Israel was formed by Zionism, which has nothing to do with Judaism, sorry I had to add that.
@@siobhanvictorian3669💜important to spread light and truth to clear our collective misunderstandings💜
I'm a 65 year old Catholic and saw this when it first came out. 4 nuns took our class to see it. What a controversial film for its time. I've loved it for 50 years. So ahead of its time.
Did the nuns like it? Or was it a bit too much for them?
The nuns from my school went to the play when it came to out city. Love it forever.
I think the actors arriving and leaving on the bus is pseudo-fourth wall, invites us to examine the meaning in our context, to put ourselves there. The actors seem somber and reflective as they leave.
It was a nice touch of Carl being last, nearly falling.
Yeah very meta. They ended like they started... but completely changed.
Also I think there’s significance in the empty cross being the parting shot.
I wish I’d said that coz it was a good one. The main one.
Some were somber and reflective, and some seemed ready for the cast party. As for Ted Neely, he doesn't board the bus. The cross is empty, he did not die. But he cannot go back to what he was after playing that role. It is a great allegory for how a production affects different actors.
I’m happy that a man of your age can appreciate the message of this film. It’s been a fav for many years 🩷
Pilate was played by Barry Dennen who was responsible for this movie happening. He sang Pilate on the original Brown Album, the only one to be on both the first album and the movie. He also played in Fiddler On The Roof, which Norman Jewison was directing. Barry played the album for Jewison and suggested making a movie. Jewison thought it was a great idea and got Universal to green light the movie and Jewison directed this movie also.
Jewison is why this movie is so good. It’s such a work of art that even many atheist love it. His idea to shoot it among the ruins of the holy land was brilliant and his shot selection and everything to casting Carl Anderson as Judas and Ted Neeley as Jesus was all his doing.
I met Ted a few times and he told me that he wasn’t even in the running for the part since many bigger names were under consideration and of course the studio was pushing for big names, not unknowns, but no one can say that Carl and Ted weren’t the best choice.
Ted told me that he took Norm to lunch one day and convinced him he was the man for the role. Though Ted looks nothing like a Jewish person, he does look like every Jesus from every painting ever done. The blond hair, blue eye Jesus is the picture in everyone’s head.
Norm was able to get such dramatic performances out of these actors. I have seen Ted and Carl live three different times in the 1990s, before Carl passed away (RIP Carl). Their performances were good and the singing was superb, but the acting was never as good as the movie. It just goes to show what a great director can do. Few people give Norm the credit he deserves for this movie. The casting of unknown talent was bold, but paid off in a huge way.
I confirm, I am an atheist and this is one of my favorite movies 💖💖💖💖💖 I saw it for the first time in 2006 when I was in middle school and I loved it!! , plus I also had a crush on Barry Dennen for that role 🤭
If you look closely at the end below the cross is a imagery of the silhouette of a shepherd tending to his flock of sheep. Original plan was the end film at the site of the cross is the sunset but According to Norman Jewison and Ted Neeley; an actual shepherd and his herd wandered onto the what was believed to be a closed set by mistake. Jewison decided to keep it as it gave the film a deeply spiritual closure. When you can take a closer look.
The movie was shot in Israel. Every time I watch it I cry… and I’m not even a believer!
Andrson leaving with that face is the most iconic moment. What a damn good fine piece of an actor he was.
Unconventional as it was, it turned many young people to the teachings of Jesus! It was powerful for me to see and feel. Thank you for checking it out.
That "weirdness" you see that was tripping you out so much is called psychedelia. Something our generation embraced as a form of artistic expression and rebellion. More than half a century removed it might come off as just weird; but in the context of the times it was considered pretty cool amazingly creative and artistic stuff.
And btw, when the musical first appeared on Broadway it got its fair share of protests from the religious community both Jewish and Christian. But at some point over the years the anger died down and it has become accepted as an iconic and important piece of musical theater.
Love your reaction, glad you enjoyed it.
Your reaction speaks volumes. You do believe no matter what you say. Don't be afraid. He is with you always
you were amazing to watch and listen to...thank you for sharing your journey of watching this , I grew up on it, have seen in at least 50 times and was genuinely looking forward to your reactions
Happy Easter everyone. Glad you got the chance to hear this amazing rock opera, one of the best ever!
Filmed in Israel, mainly around the Dead Sea. A great back tsory in itself- the heat, dust, and remoteness- with cameos by the Israeli army and air force. Written by the great Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice- who also wrote "Phantom of the Opera," and Evita- both of which dealt with the same "superstardom" themes. And you are right- "Gethsemane", as performed by the incredible Ted Neely- was unequaled in the history of movie musicals. Floors you every time you see and hear it. And what you call "weird" was what we used to call wildly creative and talented. Everyone- the composer, lyricist, director, and every actor was supremely talented. Remember- this was first a n album, and then a stage play. The decision to film in Israel. with anachronistic touches like tanks and machine guns, was entirely Norman Jewison's vision, and it was a stroke of true genius. Finally, there was much criticism about casting a black man as Judas, because tt would supposedly make "blacks look bad." But Jewison said that Anderson gave the best screen test and that no one else could play this role,- in a sense, it would have been reverse racism not to cast him. In retrospect, Talk about the right decision- how can such a phenomenal performance do anything but make blacks look good? all in all, an spellbinding experience! Almost makes you believe in God. Almost...
Next year, you should react to the entire film of Godspell. It has both songs and dialogue, and you will definitely recognize who plays Jesus. I still have questions on how they managed to film it in New York City and yet make the city look completely empty of people!
Compared to JCS, Godspell is a farce. I didn't like the movie version at all. The music was good, but it just can't compare to this. My opinion.
I saw this in 1972 as a play in an open air amphitheater over looking Los Angeles ~ Fell in love with it then, Ted Neely is my all time favorite as Christ ~ Then I was able to see Ted in his farewell tour in Bangor Maine ~ Amazing!
Man, that visual and the bassline when Judas descends is stunning no matter how many times I see it. And the lyrics "don't get me wrong, I only want to know". Some of my strongest memories of being taught religion in school was not having questions answered, and I really like that the musical both acknowledges that common experience, and treats Judas as a person with questions. We also have to remember that Christianity in it's current form was spread by the Roman Empire, so they had a vested interest in not putting themselves in a bad light.
Unfortunately Could We Start Again, Please? wasn't on the original album, because I love the way they've portrayed the apostles as sort of well-meaning but useless in a way that's both touching and hilarious.
Bowie played Pilate in another Jesus movie, can't remember which one though.
Great comment. Didn’t know Bowie got into it. Very surprisingly.
I’ve seen Ted do this play live a few times, met him 3 times . Super nice man. He still promotes this film today with screenings. Peace
Happy Easter, Lee. He is risen!
I absolutely love the drums in "Pilate and Christ": very chill and relaxed to start, and then going a lot harder after Jesus speaks. Excellent representation of Pilate's emotional state.
There was a reason for the style of that music and that dance routine for King Herod. It was a clear reference to the Roaring Twenties, which was only about 40 years prior to when this was made. That would be like if something came out this year and then they took one scene and made it different than the others and did it up like early 1980s. Both music and dance.
The Roaring Twenties represented vast gaps between the rich and the poor, and epitomized opulence and greed and gluttony and excess. Vulgar displays of wealth. And yet some truly amazing things came out of it in terms of music and culture and whatnot, including Flapper girls. Tons of great early movies as well and the rise of 78 RPM records with Victrola machines to play them back. That's why they call it the Roaring Twenties.
And then it all came crashing down in 1929 when the stock market collapsed and the banks collapsed and people that had been extremely wealthy the day before lost it all and were literally throwing themselves out of high-rise buildings on Wall Street and killing themselves in shock and despair. Normal people couldn't access any money they might have managed to accumulate in a bank. It was a major hardcore collapse all the way around. And then of course the 30s was the Great Depression, in stark contrast to the opulent decade before.
Both the music and the dance you were seeing in the King Herod number are straight out of the Roaring Twenties. That was the style of music and what they were doing there was a modified form of the Charleston, one of the hugest dance crazes in modern American culture.
I'm so glad you did this. I haven't seen this since I was a little kid. It was literally the first movie I went to by myself without my parents taking me. I went with a friend on our bikes in the fourth grade, and we found a difficult back way to go through these unfamiliar neighborhoods to come up behind the movie theater so we didn't have to get out on the highway.
In the theater, they had the volume really cranked up and when that first scene hits with that telephoto lens and the shimmering heat waves and Judas is running through the desert and then it pans out and you realize all these tanks are coming up behind him and it's really loud and chaotic? About the time I was freaking out over what I was seeing, I immediately thought to myself, oh boy, this is not the kind of movie that my parents had assumed it was, lol. Because I was also raised in the church and the whole Easter story was something that was just drilled into us year after year. And it truly is a provocative and powerful narrative.
When it ended, we were so absolutely blown away that we stayed through the 15 or 20 minute break and then watched it right away again - the whole thing. It put me home very late for dinner and I got in huge trouble, but I just told them that it was a religious movie about Jesus and the Easter story and they relented, laugh.
I absolutely *love* JCS ... it's odd, rocky, quirky, outstanding and moving all at the same time. I was only 7 when it came out... wonderful cast and Ted Neely was just wonderful as he "agonised in the garden" ❤
I've seen it in the theatre a few times, I prefer this version as it has the 70s, hippie vibe 😊
I think you'd love the album. The syncopation/meter used movie is sung more theatrically, as it should be, but the album was sung the way an album would be, as it should be. So, the album is obviously more radio friendly and flows much better.
Sometime go back and re-listen to the Overture. Almost all the songs are in there and now that you know them it hits harder. Esp that guitar at the start.
Hasn't this aged well?! They did an amazing job with 70s production. You'd gave to watch it in it's entirely on HD or so.
The visuals and sound just pops!
Herrod's scene is a trip!!
Hahaha that's the point where I was like ok what is happening here lol
@@L33ReactsIf you think Herod’s song is trippy, you should check out Godspell, the other Jesus musical from the same time (which also became a movie in 1973). That has Jesus and his disciples as circus clowns singing and dancing around New York City.
You did a great job! I met Ted and Carl and they were so nice. ❤
I believe Herod was played by the son of Zero Mostel. (Who was in The Producers)
Herod was played by Zero Mostel’s son Josh.
Yes, that's right.
And there's a nice story attached to this: Zero Mostel, despite having originated the rôle of Tevye on Broadway, was not hired to play Tevye in the movie version of "Fiddler on the roof". They hired Topol instead.
When Josh Mostel proudly announced to his father that Norman Jewison (who had directed the "Fiddler on the roof" movie) had hired him to play King Herod in this movie, Zero Mostel answered bitterly, "Tell him to hire Topol's son!"
I love the Herod scene. Throwing bagels😂
I will watch like 5 different versions of this musical every Easter (I’m an atheist who genuinely loves this musical and it’s my own little tradition) and will see any production on stage that’s remotely close to me, and the best part of this musical is that you can kind of do whatever you want with it. The movie is one of the best out there, but if you want to see a completely different take, I would recommend Swedish Christ Superstar (if you look up that phrase on TH-cam, the actor playing Judas has Act 1 and 2 on his channel). It’s the exact aesthetic opposite of the movie. And it’s wonderful! Watch it after you are familiar with the score though because there are no subtitles and it is performed in Swedish. Also, for a great album version, check out She Is Risen, an all-female concert of JCS. It’s *chef’s kiss*
Saw this company in Chas. WV. I arrived very early to get agood parking spot. A couple of guys came out to play Frisbee. I didn't know I had been playing Frisbee with Ted and Carl; or Jesus and Judas! It was a very emotional experience for me. I had the double album set and kinda knew what I was in for. Wow. I cried. Sloppy weeping.😢 it was awesome!
Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalene) and Barry Dennon (Pontius Pilate) are the only cast members to have performed their roles on the original concept album (this is the one to react to), on Broadway, and in this film.
David Bowie played Pontius Pilate in 1988's The Last Temptation of Christ. Willam Dafoe played Jesus.
I wouldn't say this story is Judas propaganda, but it *IS* told from his point of view, which I think is a fascinating choice.
I don’t know if you or others realise the history of this film. I am from Ireland but I do remember hearing bits and pieces of Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway and very strange people protesting against it thinking that it was blasphemy. It travelled also to England. But the lead in the play was not Ted Neely who was the understudy however it was the lead singer of Deep Purple. My opinion is that the singer of Deep Purple didn’t sound like Jesus if you can get an older older album listen to it there’s two different versions eventually Made it to the screen and Ted Neely became Jesus. Oh the other reason why there were crowds because the black thought that black playing Judas was prejudice. The Director Norman Jewason, also directed a very very good film called fiddler on the roof, which is also musical I would suggest you checking that out. And at around the same time on Broadway came the musical Hair. So, I find that interesting. Ciao.
The music at the end was incredibly sad. You posted this 3 mos ago. So glad it's still up.
If you have time, you should watch the 2000 stage revival movie. The emotional triangle between Jesus, Judas, and Mary Magdalene is so well portrayed. And the ending of Superstar moving into The Crucifixion will rip your soul!
I've been looking forward this whole series to seeing your reaction to Herod's song, lol.
This was great & some powerful songs in there too.
judas priest was epic. hilarious reaction, the look on your face lolll
In this movie, Judas doesn't betray Jesus for money... from the beginning he questions Jesus and thinks that he is losing control of himself and the crowd. They are occupied and he is terrified of what that will mean for them since he is afraid Jesus is going to get them all killed. That's why he went to the priests
And the line 'But what is truth? Is truth unchanging law? We both have truths, are mine the same as yours?' is one of my all time favourites.. some things that we believe are truths to us, but someone else can hold a completely different believe which is just as true for them.... who is to say who is right?
Lee, I just found your channel yesterday and have subscribed.
This movie was released when I was 3. I was raised on loving musicals. I watch this probably twice a year, but it was really nice to watch it with you.
Thank you so much for appreciating this work of art!! The casting was absolutely amazing.
I want to share this story, because I think you'll enjoy it.
When they were filming, they cleared the set, making sure nobody was there. In one scene, there's a shepperd with his flock. He was not supposed to be there. He was a local, just existing, and doing his everyday life. They had CLEARED it. He just appeared and the camera was rolling.
There are a lot of stories out there about the making of this, and it's worth checking out.
Sending love to you and everyone reading this, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana!! 💙💙
Hello Tara! Great to have you. I'm so happy you enjoyed watching this with me. It was a fever dream disguised as a musical movie... and I loved every second of it. That is so wild that Shepard wasn't supposed to be there. Thank you for watching!
Pilates in the "you're deep in trouble..friend" is hilarious. i love him since i was 12. he is an icon
Also he damn chaos Herod scene is ahhaahahahahahahahha and to end it he throws bread to Jesus...and the romans moving away from the "projectiles" XDDD
I always loved that this movie was from the point of view of Judas and showed Judas as just a man, just like Jesus. a man who messed up because he was human, and not like this evil entity they sell us in school. If he spent 3 years with Jesus as a friend he couldnt be that evil
I just remembered something...during the pandemic, Ted tweeted "do as Pilate, wash your hands" with the pic of him with his hands in the glass water bowl...The way I burst laughing that day
I find the part where Judas sings to Jesus, "You've begun to matter more than the things you say" to be so accurate today.
I love love love Carl Anderson as Judas. His singing gives me goose bumps. I really appreciate how the movie fleshes Judas out as someone with a love/hate relationship with Jesus. In church he is taught as almost some demonic being but he was a man in the middle of a movement with conflicting feelings. Judas echoes normal people better than the unquestioning type.
One of the world's leading authorities on the subject, Professor John Granger Cook of LaGrange College, Georgia, US, estimates that between around 200BC and the virtual abolition of crucifixion in AD337, between 100,000 and 150,000 people were crucified in Roman-controlled territories.
the final scene with the cross, you can kinda make out a shepherd walking his sheep across the front of the screen. This was unplanned- they had the set fenced off but a shepherd walked through and they didn't notice until editing (Ted Neely's version) pretty powerful. Ted also spoke about some of the supernatural things that happened during the crucifixion scene
One of my all time favorites. Loved your take and reactions.
are you going to try "Hair" you will love it.
Hair was amazing and what a captivating ending, WOW!
There was an enormous moment not shown just as the JC Superstar song fanfare starts, before Judas descends. Jesus looks torn and tattered and transforms into pure white robes and clean flowing hair. We see him become the heavenly image we think of. It's very powerful and so wrong that they didn't show it in the edit. This musical, along with "Godspell" made the story much more relatable than church sermons to us youngsters at the time.
Also, from a dramatic point of view, "Superstar" takes place inside Jesus' head as he makes the long march to Golgotha - all the doubts and questions and uncertainties his human side feels. So naturally, the voice in his head expressing all of this would be Judas'...
Different productions portray Judas in different ways using the same lyrics, but different tones and mannerisms.
Great reaction, fun movie.
The best religious musical ever written. By two Atheists!
It takes your "enemy" to truly define you and keep you in check. A good condemnation of modern religion. Which is a joke and if Jesus saw what became of his name after his death... ugh. Let Me stop lol
@@L33Reacts Well, I am the "enemy". Born and raised in Scandinavia, where no one is religious. - It feels like floating around on a secular island in an ocean of fairytale worship and divine (in)justice!
I'm not sure that Jesus ever existed, to be honest. He seems to be a mashup of many various myths and legends. I mean, nothing about him, from the immaculate conception to the resurrection, is original.
Nor do I think that Jesus would have any right to criticize what's become of Christianity. He started it! And not only that, but what he said made no sense whatsoever.
No, religion is a tool for controlling the masses and to ensure the loyalty of future tax payers...
@SpaceCattttt I'm like an old friend that had a falling out. So I know first hand how much power it has over people. The fear they live in at points for no reason. The blind faith is admirable. But I saw through it at a young age. I believe in the morals and values it teaches but that is about it. We see how society has fallen into disarray without a purpose that religion used to fill (at least in the west) and it must be replaced with spirituality and empathy and a united world. I also believe Jesus was a real man (Roman census data) who followed John the baptists message and just continued it. Started causing trouble. Became a martyr. And here we are. But his story was told in ancient Egypt through Osiris and other stories that predate the Bible. But, it is a timeless tale. That unfortunately has caused more bloodshed then anything else EVER.
@@SpaceCatttttlol pretty extreme views but no problem. I’m not religious at all.
I recognize him as the living master of his time. Religion springs up after the master is gone - Buddha, Muhammad, etc.
Jesus didn’t start a new religion, the master has nothing to do with religion, dogmas, beliefs, or anything done in his name (wars!). He’s of the here and now, the living time, with living people. “The kingdom of heaven is within.”🙏🏽
@@L33Reacts Sure, Jesus may have existed, but I don't believe for a second that he was a divine being. Especially not since all known accounts of his life were written down centuries after his lifetime.
I am a humanist, though. And a cynic.
I think its inherently human to be greedy and lustful, and to always put yourself first, above all others. Ego runs our lives, and even if you put your children's well-being first, ultimately, it's your ego that makes you want to do that, because it makes you feel good to do so.
This is not me judging, however. Ego is necessary to have in order to survive.
I may also be a nihilist who thinks that survival is fundamentally pointless, but I have nothing against anyone who wants to live. Hell, I do, too! But it's ego that drives that desire, and it's ego that makes certain people want to control others. And religion just happens to be an excellent way to do that, because a lot of people would rather listen to someone who claims to hold all the answers than blindly find a purpose on their own.
My mom loved this movie, so we'd watch it around Easter. I remember asking her what this scene was all about, and she explained it the same way - that it was depicting Herod's mockery of Jesus - that none of it was sincere, but more like "hey, do some parlor tricks".
In the tv movie that aired a few years ago, Alice Cooper played Herod and John Legend played Jesus. I liked this newer version as well. Alice was great!
Oh no; I missed it. I'll have to go back and watch. Thanks for this
Thank you, Lee. Happy Easter to you and your Family.
Happy Easter to you and yours as well, fellow Lee.
30:35 - 30:40 A big shocking anecdote: One of the soldiers in the crucifixion did not speak English at all, (he was a local) and for some reason thought they wanted to do it for real… The other actor stops him.
You're right! It was weird back then, being a child of the 60s I can remember...the weirder the better with everything.
If you notice, Ted Neely didn’t get on the bus and if you watch in the background, you’ll see him walking across the desert
After pilate washes his hands comes the dramatic JC Superstar theme with Jesus in the white robe. It was the most exciting and exalting moment of the whole movie!!! How the hell could this have gotten edited out of this video?! L33, find another version with that in it, please.
Blame youtube. I just used the clips they had for the movie lol
Flip through a few other versions of that scene and you'll see what I'm talking about it's really worth seeing . It is nothing less than the Thematic culmination of the movie check out the one posted by Marcus vinicius de Paula 6:10 from 14 years ago@@L33Reacts
@L33Reacts why didn't you use the DVD version?
Bowie plays Pilate in the Last Temptation of Christ, an absolutely amazing movie, btw.
I was 22and a recently returned Vietnam combat vet. I returned to my rock/blues musical roots and saw the official stage production. It was an amazing experience that I remember to this day. Imagine for a moment, not matter what your faith, how the world's history would have changed if Pilot had decided just to ship him to Rome and not martyred Jesus. Would Christianity have faded into nothingness? All of the wars made in the name of Christianity. Would they still have happened? Would society have evolved so much differently. The simple act of washing his hands and crucifying Jesus was perhaps the most or one of the few most impactful moments in known history.
Herod was throwing bagels at him. 🥯
I love this movie!!!🥰
Happy Easter ! Please … listen to the original 1970 studio double album featuring Ian Gillian as Jesus . It is amazing also ! Thank you . 🙏🎸🐇
I’ve seen JCS on the stage since I since it opened in 1973 in London with various production about 15 times. Seen this film countless times on DVD/steaming etc. Even seen it sung in the theatre in Japanese by a Japanese theatre compoany in kabuki make up and costumes with Samurai Warriors as Roman soldiers. Totally worked. The thing is it such a strong score (with some of the best guitar riffs and base lines ever). The album from the film and the original album is amazing. The horrible effect on Yvonne Elliman’s (Mary’s) voice is not on the film's soundtrack. Some one decided to put that on the video for some mad reason. Grown up with JCS like many people so very interesting and enjoyable seeing your reaction to this classic. PS: love all the scenes but one my favourites is Simon Zealots because of the dance. The choreography is actually very complicated and thet get it spot on with so much energy.
Happy Easter, this time I am really looking forward to your reaction, it has a very emotional final(if you can call this a final)
Do you mean Yvonne Ellerman who had the hit 'If I can't have you...I don't want nobody baby, if I can't have you'!
I absolutely recommend the original soundtrack as opposed to the film soundtrack.
Well done Lee. This one is not easy. Well done.
Thank you my friend I appreciate that 🙏
The moment in history is insane, it's like all of history pivots on that day. One of the reasons I truly believe is because the teachings are so against authority, and yet they've survived. He predicted his name would be abused, and it is. But imagine that - knowing you're going to be killed as a heathen, but also knowing that your teachings would be so powerful as to be abused by future generations.
I hate to be the one to say this, but the movie sound track is a pale comparison to the actual album release from Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice, which is phenomenal.
Here’s an a short excerpt from Wikipedia: For the recording, Lloyd Webber and Rice drew personnel from both musical theatre (Murray Head had just left the West End production of Hair) and the British rock scene (Ian Gillan had only recently become the singer of Deep Purple). Many of the primary musicians-guitarists Neil Hubbard and Henry McCullough, bassist Alan Spenner, and drummer Bruce Rowland-came from Joe Cocker's backing group The Grease Band. Saxophonist Chris Mercer had also played with Hubbard in Juicy Lucy.
We know...
No need to be a rude prick
I find the movie soundtrack far superior...Neeley and Anderson are untouchable in their roles...
@atomreader8162 not being rude. Just heard it 2081 times already.
JUDAS propaganda lol , Its a great musical good songs , fine voices ,I'm an atheist but I loved it. Carl Anderson as Judas is fantastic , the whole cast give great performances ,our host obviously thinks it's all fact , recommend he checks out George Carlin on religion .
I have always loved this.movie and got to see a Broadway revival several years ago as well as the tv version last year with John Legend and o have the original concept album as well. Love every version, but Ted Neely is it for me. I don't know if anyone had mentioned it yet, but in the fist scene when you see all of the actors getting off the bus - the one actor you don't see is Neely. You don't see him until the gathered 'chorus/populace' lift their arms and you see his robe being lowered. You also don't see him get back on the bus at the end. Powerful and subtle.
It may not be exactly as scripture says (what is) but the portrayal of Judas as part of the big plan started me to question things. Growing up I was taught that god is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent...and if so then all of Jesus' story was as planned. This includes the need for someone to betray him to further the sacrifice etc etc. People like to think of Judas as a villain...but if it was all part of a greater plan was he really? Not questioning the story itself but more the interpretation people present as fact instead of as >THEIR INTERPRETATION
I was an actress and played Mary Magdalene. There was one performance where I could see nuns and a priest in the audience. They ended up loving it.
This is the only Lloyd-Webber score I like.
Now do "Godspell". It came out the same time as JC Superstar and is a musical rendition of the Sermon on the Mount. There was a great deal of making the Gospel relevant to contemporary culture at the beginning of the 70s. Vatican2 in 1969 released Catholic creativity and brought Rock-n-roll into the Church resulting in the first mass with contemporary music.
The concept album is great, but it's definitely not a universal opinion that it's superior. I far prefer the film cast. Aside from Ted Neely's incredible voice, he just acts the part so well. He and Carl Anderson are the best ever in these roles, imo. The film's soundtrack album is fantastic and stands on its own apart from the movie visuals. Listening to the film soundtrack is actually my favorite way to experience JC Superstar!
I agree!
I love Ian Gillian on the album and he couldn't do the play/film because of contract with Deep Purple. But honestly do we know if he was/is a good actor? Ted Neely didn't just sing, he ACTED so well. Not sure if Gillian could have come close.
The only two versions that really matter are the 1970 and 1973 versions, and yes, I agree, the 1973 version took it to another level. There is no other version of the Last Supper that even comes close to the film version.
Biblical scholars now recognize that the gospel writers were trying to pin the blame of Jesus’s death on the Jewish priests and people instead of the Romans, who historically had no problem sentencing insurrectionists to death and did the same with Jesus. But, by the time the gospels were written, it was after the failure of the Jewish revolt and the push was on to recruit Gentiles instead of Jews. So, the motivation had to go to the others, not the ones you are trying to draw in.
This has been an amazing series. I have the original vinyl records when it first came out.
Happy Easter.
"WHAT do you mean by THAT??"
*head bob*
"unhh!"
that made me laugh out loud, that's my reaction every time
and *sees herrod* "what the fu-"
If you can find it, watch the Live Arena Tour version of JCSuperstar, with Tim Minchin as an incredible Judas. It's set even more modern than the original.
David Bowie is not in JCS. Don't know who told you that, but they were wrong! LOL
That’s right he played Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ directed by Martin Scorsese in 1988 and not JCS.
@@olivierroy5540 He was in the fan fiction "ideal cast" list on idea wiki for a rebooted JCS movie, but it was never actually made. ;)
Really a shame your first viewing of this amazing flick was done in segments, instead of fully playing from beginning to end, without missing a moment!
(R.I.P Carl, Norman, Barry.)
Why does it matter? I know the story. It's about the music. There isn't a need to really watch this at once if it's just about the songs.
@@L33Reacts It’s about flow & pacing, & so you will get the entire production! It looks like there was at least one scene that was excluded. (The arrest, immediately after, “Gethsemane”, comes immediately to mind.) But, whatever. 🤦♂️
as an ex-catholic this is such an incredible film
They said when his mother watched this movie, when Jesus (Ted) got whipped she had to leave the theatre during that time because she never raised a hand against Ted and was so aghast at seeing her boy looked like he got whipped.
FYI this movie was shot on location in Israel during one of it's many armed conflicts!
I saw this when it first came out, believe it or not even with Judas suicide this was still rated G back in the early 70's. i might have been 12 or 14. It was a hard watch for a child esp a black child knowing that just 7 or 8 years earlier black men were still being lynched in the south. Fortunately I grew up in eastern PA so that wasn't going on, but in 73, that was still in the beginning of the black power and soul era when people of color felt more empowered, afro's soul train, lots of activism. For a little black kid it was a hard watch, But it was an amazing movie, so popular and the title song a hit and the album actually went to number so it was all over the radio back then.. I've probably watched this 10 times since I was a child. This was definitely ground breaking. I actually loved this movie. My top 3 easter movies, this movie, The Robe with Richard Burton and Demetrius and the Gladiators, a sequel to the Robe and throw in Barabbas with Anthony Quinn
I think we were weird back then because we were trying to break away from the 1950s mindset and culture.
We were trying to start a different kind of society not exactly knowing how to do it.
But we all wanted peace and love hence protesting the Vietnam war.
Superstar sung by Murray Head as Judas came first as a single in 1969.
The rest of the concept album followed in 1970.
Jesus Christ Superstar could be called "The Gospel of Judas". The entire main narrative is from his point of view and thas was the provocative novelty of the authors of this wonderful opera rock. It's worth checking out the original album with Ian Gillan playing Jesus (he's amazing) and Murray Head playing Judas ( it's very good, but Carl Anderson is unbeatable and was also chosen for the film because he's black and adds another layer fo reading to the film). The album with the film's soundtrack is also worth it and incluse a new song, "Could We Start Again, Please".
It took me 20 years after watching the arrest for me to realise those were reporters holding imaginary microphones
I remember an image of Jesus walking in the sunset at the end to represent the resurrection. I think this was edited. Trippy movie.
I was in the first grade in early '71 when my older sister's hippy boyfriend brought over a copy of the original ( brown cover ) album featuring Deep Purple lead singer Ian Gillan as Jesus. I loved it, my mom was pretty cool about it ( except for "Herod's Song"), and the nuns, priests, and uppity parish leaders at my church and catholic school HATED it. I saw the movie in the theater in '73.
JCS been a part of my life ever since. I saw a live performance with my wife and daughters at Wolftrap in Virginia in '93 with Ted Neely, Carl Anderson, Dennis DeYoung ( Styx ) as Pilate, and Irene Cara as Mary Magdalene. I didn't care that much for the 2000 video stage show version and even less for the live NBC version. The best live version in my opinion is the Volendam ( Netherlands ) production. ( Check it out on TH-cam )
Anyway, this was the best Superstar reaction I've seen ( and you didn't do any preachy "story correcting" thankfully)
. I really enjoyed your reaction! Thank you!
This whole movie's a fever dream 😂😂😂 yeah, pretty much. But it's awesome though. Some truly intense and passionate acting/singing ✌️
I can tell you for a fact that the greatest Jesus Christ superstar version is the original 1970 release. Ian Gillan of Deep Purple played Jesus, Murray Head was Judas and the backing band was Joe cocker's Grease Band. II was a kid when the movie came out and I was disappointed because when you experience a BMW, a H9onda Accord won't do. That's how good the original JCS was. Do yourself a favor and listed the whole thing. Incredible vocals, incredible band...period.
Mabey, they don't listen him at all now is what I think. The people believes knows much more they really know.
My favorites scenes: the multiple paints in the Garden of Getsemaní, when Jesus claim a prove if his sacrife will be valuable.
The diferent angles of arrive the cross.
The almost final with the jazzy piano distorsion and the Ted Nelly voice in off.
My favorite song is Can We Started Again? Is so clearly a humans thougt, it's we wasted time for not show love and when all it's over we think can we try another chance. It's so well done.
Could We Start Again is one of the two songs that was not on the original album. And it is one of my favorites. Just think how they were all feeling at that moment. So lost and confused.