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Jesus Christ Superstar

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Jesus Christ Superstar

G

Released Aug 15, 1973

1h 47m

Musical

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Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Broadway rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar recounts the last days of Jesus Christ (Ted Neeley) from the perspective of Judas Iscariot (Carl Anderson), his betrayer. As Jesus' following increases, Judas begins to worry that Jesus is falling for his own hype, forgetting the principles of his teachings and growing too close to the prostitute Mary Magdalene (Yvonne Elliman). After Jesus has an outburst in a temple, Judas turns on him.

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Critics Consensus

Jesus Christ Superstar has too much spunk to fall into sacrilege, but miscasting and tonal monotony halts this musical's groove.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Finally ‘Superstar’ blares forth with the shallow impact of an inferior imitation of Isaac Hayes.

Oct 13, 2023

Full Review

David Parkinson

Empire Magazine

If it weren't for Lost Horizon, this would have gone down in history as the Worst Musical of 1973.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 19, 2008

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

The music quickly becomes monotonous, and the operatic dialogue is silly right from the start.

Mar 19, 2008

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…should not be taken as gospel. This good old-fashioned funkadelic religious -themed musical offers a decidedly 1970’s hippy-dippy slant on the story of Christ, and those who find the rock-opera concept offensive should return to their unfiltered text…

Rated: 4/5

Mar 27, 2024

Full Review

David Elliott

Chicago Daily News

"Superstar" would be fairly innocuous except that its appeal is so calculated to blitz the audience with pure, dumb sensation. The emphasis on brute scale and shrill volume is oppressive, and at times even frightening.

Oct 3, 2023

Full Review

Terry Staunton

Radio Times

Carl Anderson's conflicted Judas Iscariot makes the greatest dramatic impact, while Yvonne Elliman, as Mary Magdalene, has the affecting vocal power to give the production its emotional heart

Rated: 3/5

Mar 16, 2023

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Pat

It's an amazing film, I adore it, is just fantastic. I hope Art House Eugene will show it again in a year or two. Also would love to see Hair and many others too! So glad this theatre is back in business!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

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Joe S

This is an incredibly well shot and staged film. I had never seen it on the big screen and it's one of my favorites. The emotions in the performances connect so deeply with the human side of Christ's last days. It's a wonderfully rendered human portrait and, if they show it every Easter in the theaters, I'll be there.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/18/22

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Iain O

One of the best musicals on film. Even though it was made in the 70’s, it still packs a punch to this day for me. Judas has got to have the best vocals of any I’ve heard. No one can even come close.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

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Alec B

The stage musical was already pretty weird. This movie really pushes the hippie angle as far as it can go and then keeps going. That said the performances are impressive given all the nonsense around them.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/15/25

Full Review

Will G

A great religious film. It tells the story of Jesus and his disciples leading up to his crucifixion. The music and acting were good. I saw the actor who played Jesus in person. A good Easter film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

Full Review

Mark J

Just love this, one of my favourite film musicals. I actually love the casting, the weird setting and visuals add to it. A couple of week songs bring it down slightly but some amazing high points in the musical do make up mostly for this.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/19/25

Full Review

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Norman Jewison

Director

Ted Neeley

Jesus Christ

Carl Anderson

Judas Iscariot

Yvonne Elliman

Mary Magdalene

Barry Dennen

Pontius Pilate

Bob Bingham

Caiaphas

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - What's the Buzz

4:05

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - I Don't Know How to Love Him

3:53

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - King Herod's Song

3:14

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - Heaven on Their Minds

4:17

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - Simon Zealotes

4:10

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - Trial Before Pilate

4:10

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - This Jesus Must Die

3:43

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - Damned for All Time

3:56

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - Superstar

3:33

Jesus Christ Superstar: Official Clip - Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)

4:58

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Synopsis

Adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Broadway rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar recounts the last days of Jesus Christ (Ted Neeley) from the perspective of Judas Iscariot (Carl Anderson), his betrayer. As Jesus' following increases, Judas begins to worry that Jesus is falling for his own hype, forgetting the principles of his teachings and growing too close to the prostitute Mary Magdalene (Yvonne Elliman). After Jesus has an outburst in a temple, Judas turns on him.

Director: Norman Jewison
Producer: Norman Jewison, Robert Stigwood
Distributor: MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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