Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

[octagon]

Originally Posted by vader4

Is this movie intended to be offensive? Everytime I hear the title I wonder

We listened to the (then brand new) album in my sixth grade class at a Catholic grammar school. That was our religion class for like a week.

[vader4]

Originally Posted by bluballer

No not really. It's a 70's unconventional take on the Jesus mythology couched in the music and language of that time period. Just a sampling of Judas' rhetorical meanderings of Jesus' motives:

"Tell me what you think
About your friends at the top
Now who d'you think besides yourself
Was the pick of the crop?
Buddah was he where it's at?
Is he where you are?
Could Muhammmed move a mountain
Or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that?
Was that a mistake or
Did you know your messy death
Would be a record breaker?"

To me (8 or 9 years old at the time), the lyrics were thought provoking.

Thanks blu baller and Octagon, I think I'll add it to my queue now.

[hotFstop]

I was hoping they would re-examine the audio for JCS. It's a great soundtrack, but has had various quality issues on cd or dvd releases. I thought we might see a 5.1 as well as a 2.0 option. Why, if you have one of the best selling "Rock Operas" of all time would you not treat it well. I really hope the audio is given its due in this release.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by hotFstop

I was hoping they would re-examine the audio for JCS. It's a great soundtrack, but has had various quality issues on cd or dvd releases. I thought we might see a 5.1 as well as a 2.0 option. Why, if you have one of the best selling "Rock Operas" of all time would you not treat it well. I really hope the audio is given its due in this release.

wasn't the DVD in 5.1? The film in theatrical form was released in multi-channel sound

[hotFstop]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

wasn't the DVD in 5.1? The film in theatrical form was released in multi-channel sound

I'm afraid this audio transfer is going to suck.
I hope I'm proved wrong.

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

wasn't the DVD in 5.1? The film in theatrical form was released in multi-channel sound

I have one in 4.0 and one in Stereo

[JenM]

Originally Posted by vader4

Is this movie intended to be offensive? Everytime I hear the title I wonder

My mom, who was raised Catholic and saw the original Broadway production with my dad (they were still dating at the time), recalls that her church at first dismissed it as offensive that they were using rock music to tell the story of Jesus Christ.

But then when it turned out to be a hit and kids were actually turning up at church after hearing the album or seeing the show, suddenly they thought telling the story of Jesus Christ using rock music was a wonderful idea.

It's a great show. I remember listening to a tape of the original album with a friend who was working on a production of it, and there were songs we were just rewinding and playing over and over. Neither one of us were particularly religious or anything, but the music is just that good that you just get caught up in it.

[DetroitSquirreL]

Originally Posted by JenM

My mom, who was raised Catholic and saw the original Broadway production with my dad (they were still dating at the time), recalls that her church at first dismissed it as offensive that they were using rock music to tell the story of Jesus Christ.

But then when it turned out to be a hit and kids were actually turning up at church after hearing the album or seeing the show, suddenly they thought telling the story of Jesus Christ using rock music was a wonderful idea.

It's a great show. I remember listening to a tape of the original album with a friend who was working on a production of it, and there were songs we were just rewinding and playing over and over. Neither one of us were particularly religious or anything, but the music is just that good that you just get caught up in it.

as a Catholic myself (and my son goes to catholic school) I've never seen a problem with this. just a different way of telling the tale of jesus

[Anthony P]

though I am a bit bummed that it will come out after Easter, who's dumb idea was that.

I will have to check out when the UK release is happening.

[in2video2]

I am overjoyed to see Norman Jewison's Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) finally arriving to Blu-Ray hi-def. The original film presentation was exhibited in Todd-AO 35 4-Track Stereo (in some cases with additional remote speakers for surround sound) and some cinemas had Todd-AO 70mm 6-Track Stereo (blow- up). Why then have Universal decided to produce their Blu-Ray transfer with a 2-Track Stereo soundtrack??? Makes no sense. It will sound a little bit underwhelming don't you think?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

wasn't the DVD in 5.1? The film in theatrical form was released in multi-channel sound

Take that with a grain of salt, because you're posting an add for a 70mm presentation for a film that wasn't shot in 70mm. It was a blow-up from 35. The original 35mm optical prints were released in mono and 35mm magnetic prints had 4 track stereo. The 70mm bumped that up to 6-track stereo.

So its the same as taking a stereo film now and releasing it in 7.1... the 7.1 really isn't real, or correct. The 2.0 version IS the original audio. My DVD is also presented with that same audio.

[Doombear]

Best news since Animaniacs Volume 4! It was high on my wanted list.
I e-mailed Universal about this Blu last summer and they didn't have a clue; sent me a form response. Hopefully they can still release it with a matching 100th Anniversary Slipcover like the DVD had. Weird seeing the blue banner on top; I'm so used to looking at the original DVD cover with the red banner. I can't wait!

Universal, if you're reading, please also release Xanadu this year. Thanks.

[AlecEiffel]

Couldn't be more excited! This is my favorite movie of all time (weird favorite, I know) and I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to get the upgrade.

[MarkW2]

I'm worried about the sound quality as well. The sound in all releases of this is very unbalanced. The vocals are too loud, and the band is pushed far to the background. I can't imagine this was the sound in theaters. People on this thread have already established the original track was 4 track stereo. Why then would universals Blu-ray be 2.0? Can anyone shed any light on this?...or this blu-ray? It's about time we see this film as it was meant to be seen.

[iamnoone]

I'm pretty sure a 4-track release back then would have simply been 2-track stereo separated into 4. So really, a 2-track stereo presentation should sound relatively the same overall. It's funny you mentioned how the vocals are too loud on the DVD compared to the music, but I never felt that. However, I saw a 35mm revival a few years ago and felt that the sound on the print was exactly the opposite: the vocals were too low and almost drowned out by the music. Of course, the theater showing it is not exactly known for its stellar technical presentations. I also noticed that the 35mm film resolution seemed darker and somewhat different (in a good way) than I've been accustomed to from watching the VHS and DVD for so many years. I had seen the film many years ago theatrically, but am so used to the brighter look of the DVD transfer that it was kind of a surprise to see the slightly darker way it looks on film again (and the print they showed was in terrific shape). I guess we shall all see, and hear, how this disc turns out relatively soon!

[hotFstop]

The sound has been frustrating over the years. Here you have Andre Previn conducting this incredible orchestra and on the DVD or CD, they sound like they are in a different room. This recent mixes have been horrible. I was hoping there would be some mention of them remastering the original recordings. The best I've ever heard the orchestra sound was actually just the Overture on a CD collection of music from Universal film scores. It was very alive and present. I haven't heard it sound that good since.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by hotFstop

The sound has been frustrating over the years. Here you have Andre Previn conducting this incredible orchestra and on the DVD or CD, they sound like they are in a different room. This recent mixes have been horrible. I was hoping there would be some mention of them remastering the original recordings. The best I've ever heard the orchestra sound was actually just the Overture on a CD collection of music from Universal film scores. It was very alive and present. I haven't heard it sound that good since.

I have the CD soundtrack and I agree, it is horrendous. I thought it was defective as it sounds so bad - very tinny, disconnected and distant. I used to have the vinyl double-LP and that sounded totally fine, so it had to be the digital mastering of the source materials where the terrible audio originated.

[MarkW2]

Ill have to find one of those LPs. Ive never heard the film as I thought it was meant to sound.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by iamnoone

I have the CD soundtrack and I agree, it is horrendous. I thought it was defective as it sounds so bad - very tinny, disconnected and distant. I used to have the vinyl double-LP and that sounded totally fine, so it had to be the digital mastering of the source materials where the terrible audio originated.

maybe MFSL could do a remaster on CD

[Lordy]

Glad the movie is hitting bly-ray, finally. But if you are looking for the best recording, or soundtrack of the production then this is the one to get:

The Original Broadway Cast



Murray Head (Judas Iscariot) Ian Gillan, formerly Deep Purple (Jesus), and Barry Dennen (Pontius Pilate) shine.