IMDb plot summary: Film version of the musical stage play, presenting the last few weeks of Christ's life told in an anachronistic manner.
Directed by Norman Jewison. Starring Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman, and Barry Dennen.
This film takes a fourth-wall-breaking approach to the narrative, featuring a group of actors traveling to the desert, performing the show, and traveling back home. It's a creative choice that lets the performances and cinematography shine. And they do! Carl Anderson as Judas is especially electrifying, with incredible renditions of "Heaven On Their Minds" and "Damned for All Time." Where the film maybe lacks a bit is in the original musical source itself. "Gethsemane" is a great tune but only works for me out of context with the show, because IN context, Jesus is one of the pettiest, most unlikable characters in musical theater history, and it's almost impossible to empathize with him in that moment. Maybe that's intended to solidify Judas as our protagonist, but then we get just SO much Jesus in the story and I get antsy for it to pass. As always, whenever I watch a production of Jesus Christ Superstar I have to go rewatch some Godspell to cleanse my palate a bit. But if you already love the show, the film is a great production of it and I'd highly recommend it.
How it entered my Flickchart:
Jesus Christ Superstar > The Misfits
Jesus Christ Superstar < Dark Passage
Jesus Christ Superstar > Fantasia 2000
Jesus Christ Superstar > The Artist
Jesus Christ Superstar > Manhattan Murder Mystery
Jesus Christ Superstar < Shall We Dance? (2004)
Jesus Christ Superstar > The Color Purple
Jesus Christ Superstar > Sisters
Jesus Christ Superstar > Good Morning, Vietnam
Jesus Christ Superstar > Gremlins
Jesus Christ Superstar < Muriel's Wedding
Final spot: #899 out of 3378, or 73%.
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