Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

[Akijama]

Jesus Christ Superstar Blu-ray

The second Biblical epic to be turned into a musical by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, this box-office disappointment recounts the last week in the life of Jesus Christ in rock-opera format and from the surprising point of view of Christ's betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Carl Anderson stars as Judas, who has begun to believe that Jesus (Ted Neeley) has sold out and started buying into the mythology that's quickly springing up around him. Particularly disturbing to Judas is the relationship between Jesus and his friend Mary Magdalene (Yvonne Elliman), a prostitute. When Jesus throws a temper tantrum at the moneylenders in a temple, Judas determines to work with the Pharisees who want to put Jesus on trial as a false prophet. Following his success with the adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof (1971), director Norman Jewison experimented with a hippie-influenced sensibility on Jesus Christ Superstar (1973). Among such touches are depictions of the cast arriving via bus to mount the show, modern high-tech weaponry in the hands of the ancient Romans, and on-location filming in Israel.

Jesus Christ Superstar Original Trailer (1973)

[PowellPressburger]

Hmmm after Easter but better late than never I suppose. I hope it looks good I believe the UK is getting it earlier than the US but I can wait until May.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

FANTASTIC MUSICAL... strange film adaptation...

Certainly going to have to add this to my collection though. I absolutely love the casting in this film... aside from Mary. Her voice is a bit annoying. I usually have to nearly mute the sound during "Everything's Alright." It's too bad since it's such a great number.

[Scottie]

I'm hopeful in other "Universal 100th Anniversary" DVDs finally hitting Blu-ray.

Hopefully we get Double Indemnity and Touch Of Evil very soon!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Hmmm after Easter but better late than never I suppose. I hope it looks good I believe the UK is getting it earlier than the US but I can wait until May.

Yes I also think it's strange that it would be release after Easter.

Still very happy that it's coming out, one of my favorite to watch during the Easter week/weekend.

[Duke_45]

Excellent news. Been waiting for this release on blu for some time now. I recently (last Spring) saw the current production on Broadway, and absolutely loved it. I have the DVD of the film, and can't wait to upgrade to high-def.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Hmmm after Easter but better late than never I suppose. I hope it looks good I believe the UK is getting it earlier than the US but I can wait until May.

Yeah, isn't that ironic!

[bluballer]

Grew up listening to this on vinyl and I know every lyric to every song. I hope they have some special features since Ted Neeley is still playing JCS in limited performances.

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm hopeful in other "Universal 100th Anniversary" DVDs finally hitting Blu-ray.

Hopefully we get Double Indemnity and Touch Of Evil very soon!

I'm starting to think perhaps Criterion will release these.

[Dubstar]

as much as I like the music - this one to me didn't work as a film ("Hair" had the same reaction from me as well).

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

FANTASTIC MUSICAL... strange film adaptation...

Certainly going to have to add this to my collection though. I absolutely love the casting in this film... aside from Mary. Her voice is a bit annoying. I usually have to nearly mute the sound during "Everything's Alright." It's too bad since it's such a great number.

It's not just the film — she sang on the original pre-Broadway album and toured with the stage show for 4 years as well. Love her in it.

[Dubstar]

saw Ted Neeley a couple of years back - his voice is still strong ... but he was looking a bit too old for the lead (IMO).

[Deciazulado]

Jesus Christ Superstar Blu-ray

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

I'm starting to think perhaps Criterion will release these.

That would be nice.

[in2video2]

Another movie musical on its way to my Blu-ray collection.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

saw Ted Neeley a couple of years back - his voice is still strong ... but he was looking a bit too old for the lead (IMO).

I met Ted after a JCS show, he personally and signed my dvd copy, one of the nicest entertainer I ever met, he did'nt leave until he met all that wanted to meet him, thats very rare these days
I will never part with it!

Some cool trivia, he was a rock and roll drummer before he became a musical actor, his bands name, The Teddy Neeley Five is shown briefly on the Blue Boy episode of Dragnet 1967!

[ArnoldLayne56]

Originally Posted by Crimson King

I met Ted after a JCS show, he personally and signed my dvd copy, one of the nicest entertainer I ever met, he did'nt leave until he met all that wanted to meet him, thats very rare these days
I will never part with it!

Some cool trivia, he was a rock and roll drummer before he became a musical actor, his bands name, The Teddy Neeley Five is shown briefly on the Blue Boy episode of Dragnet 1967!

Ted recently posted this on his FB page, don't miss his performance from an episode of the Smothers Brothers! Very cool. I may have watched it at the time, don't remember!

The Teddy Neeley Five - Always Something There To Remind Me - YouTube

His band is currently touring.
I've also seen JCS several times live, and indeed Ted is a very nice guy to meet in person!
And I love this movie; first saw it in Mexico City while on a high school field trip from Oklahoma!

[Crimson King]

hopefully some new extras will be included maybe a new 40th Ann doucumentary, and a group commentary with Jewison, Neeley, Yvonne Elliman, Josh Mostel, Paul Thomas, Larry T Marshall, Bob Bingham, and Barry Dennen would be awesome, sadlay Carl Anderson (Judas) passed away in 2004.

[octagon]

I don't think I've ever made it all the way through the film but the soundtrack (is 'soundtrack' the right word when talking about a musical? it almost sounds dismissive) is amazing.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by octagon

I don't think I've ever made it all the way through the film but the soundtrack (is 'soundtrack' the right word when talking about a musical? it almost sounds dismissive) is amazing.

there are two diff soundtracks from around the same time, the original studio LP form 1970, and the film soundtrack from 1973, both are double LP sets (CD's these days)

BOTH albums have Yvonne Elliman as Mary, and Barry Dennen as Pilate

The 1973 movie soundtrack album contains two songs that are not on the original concept album. "Then We Are Decided," in which the troubles and fears of Annas and Caiaphas regarding Jesus are better developed, is original to the film. The soundtrack also retains the song "Could We Start Again Please?" which had been added to the Broadway show. Most of these changes have not been espoused by later productions and recordings, although most productions tend to retain the expanded version of "Trial Before Pilate."