Who is the Superstar Jesus or Judas?
This 1973 film starring Ted Neely as Jesus is based on an earlier Broadway “rock opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice.
The film was filmed on location in Israel though the sets are ambiguous in nature and do not represent any true historical locations.
The cast is made up of a very stereotypical late 60’ early 70’s group of ragtag hippy style actors who are members of a fictitious acting troupe who comes upon this desert setting and immediately begins to set up for the production. Quickly the actors are in costume and the production begins. It is obvious from the very beginning that this film unlike others that have been reviewed earlier here will have a unique emphasis on Judas. The film follows the story of Christ through to his crucifixion and death from the viewpoint of Judas. As with other films of the era there is no resurrection scene and the film leaves the viewer to struggle with the questions of whom Christ was for themselves.
Key Characters-
Jesus Christ (Ted Neely)
- In Jesus Christ Superstar Nelly brings a new look and feel to the role of Jesus. Neely truly puts the rock into rock Opera with his strong vocals matching up with Weber’s and Rice’s music and lyrics. The Feel of Jesus in this film is different then others as Neely play him as more of an agnsty teen then the childlike or disconnected heavenly figures that viewers have experienced in other films. The role certainly was one that Neely found a connection with as he has continued on Broadway and many touring companies of the live production of the rock opera.
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Judas Iscariot (Carl Anderson)
- In a departure from the stage actor role of Judas played by Ben Vereen we see Carl Anderson cast to take on what in this film is the lead role of Judas Iscariot. Anderson brings strong vocals and a commanding presence to the role of Judas. We see Judas in this film in a completely different light then other Jesus films as he is a key role and in many ways the main role in this film with his story even at many times eclipsing the story of Christ. Viewers see Judas as conflicted between his view of Jesus as a revolutionary come to change the structures of the day and his role as messiah. As Jesus comes closer to fulfilling his role as messiah Judas becomes angry with him and frustrated that he is deviating form “the plan.” Judas over and over again talks about what a great man Jesus is and all that he can do for the poor and the oppressed Jews of the day. Viewers find that the ultimate reason for his betrayal to be his belief that Jesus has completely lost touch with the reality of what Judas believes to be his mission and that he has become more dangerous to himself and his followers. The climax of this comes in Judas’ suicide and subsequent return with is reprise of the title song Jesus Christ Superstar.
Key Scenes-
There are many key scenes in which the viewer must struggle with if this is or is not the story of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ or rather the story of Judas Iscariot. SO the Question at hand is Who is the real Superstar of Jesus Christ Superstar?
The First major musical piece of the film is Jesus singing about his call and role as savior of the world but rather Judas critiquing Jesus work and how it is not in line with his vision of what “the plan” should be and the way Jesus should be acting.
Key scenes that illustrate Judas struggle and showing the focus of the film on Judas and his struggle include when Mary is Anointing Jesus with Oil, the Cleansing of the Temple, Judas Suicide, and the final Closing Scene that includes Judas reprise of the Title Song Jesus Christ Superstar.
- Judas struggles with the idea that Mary would lavish Jesus with expensive oil that he believes could feed many of the poor. Viewers must wrestle with Jesus response that the poor will always be with us. In this scene it is very easy for viewers to sympathize with Judas and become confused and annoyed by Jesus response.
- - In the Cleansing of the Temple we again see Jesus again deviate from “the plan” when he offends the Jewish and Roman authorities. Judas here is upset believing that Jesus has brought unwanted and dangerous attention to their mission. The scene certainly feels awkward and again viewers are forced to think about if Judas's point makes scene or not.
- - In this film Judas Suicide is more of a focus then other films we have reviewed so far. This clearly shows the filmmakers focus on Judas. In many ways some viewers could argue that Judas death is larger in this film the that of Jesus.
- - The final Reprise again puts Jesus and Judas toe to toe and places Judas as the central figure questioning why everything went so wrong and how they got to the place that Jesus had to die and how the entire plan fell apart.
Given that there is no resurrection scene and Judas reprise and Jesus death ends the films as viewers watch the actors silently load back up their sets and costumes onto their bus and leave without Neely the ending focus remains Judas’s questions. Viewers must ask why such a focus on Judas? Is it the historical Judas that the filmmakers so wanted viewers to focus on or is it that in some ways Judas and his questions simply represent the questions that viewers today continue to ask about who Jesus was and what his life and mission was for the world?
Jesus Christ Superstar Controversy
ReplyDeleteSince I am a fan of most musicals you will find Jesus Christ Superstar one of my top choices. As we are aware the music for this musical was released before the actual play and received high reviews and commercial sales. Yet, when the movie came out it seemed to flop not gaining momentum in the mainstream or media. There maybe some particular historical dramas playing out that affect this particular rendition of the story of Jesus.
The movie was released in 1971 where race issues and the Vietnam War are in the fore front of the media. In music one does not see the color of ones skin and everyone can enjoy many genres of music without segregating it by racial divides, but in this muti-cultural rendition of Jesus’ life in Jesus Christ Superstar you cannot separate the actors from their cultural differences. I am sure that that was the intent for the movie to be portrayed this way but it seems the country was not quit ready to support such interracial drama especially with an African-America Judas who is angry throughout the film. This may bring up front too much similarity with the controversial Black Power movement that was going on at the time. No matter that the integration laws had been passed years before there where still many that were uncomfortable with the struggles that were so blatantly in the news including riots, death and KKK rallies. If these were some of the issues that affected the release and success of the movie we may never know. I do know that the movie does seem more popular and still continues to be reenacted even with some of the original cast.
Another point of controversy in the film is the infatuation of Mary Magdalene with Jesus. We see Jesus rendered in a more human content in this film than many of the previous others that we have seen, as he struggles with his knowledge of injustice and upcoming controversial death. Humanity seems to ooze from this Jesus as he even becomes angrier than other renditions of Jesus at the temple scene. Emotions are strong throughout the movie with many of the characters and we can relate to them honestly. Even with Mary as she seems not to only love Jesus as the Messiah but as also a man. Many may see this as sacrilegious but the movie tries to deal honestly about our human side and the struggles we face at all times. Even loving those in ways we should not, Eros not agape love.
As with all movies the more you watch them the more you find that you did not see before. At the end of the movie we know that as the cast reloads the bus Jesus (Neely) is not with them. What does this to mean, is left for the individual to speculate. The last seen of the cross does not only show an empty cross but a Sheppard on the hill with one sheep (something I did not remember from previously watching the film). Could that be Jesus, always looking to bring that lost sheep back to the fold.
In the end when one watches a movie they can and do go away with different perceptions filtered through their own psyche. Many try to fit Jesus into their own perception of what he is to be or at least be to their selves. If Jesus did not some how align with their own perception they may dislike any film that portrays Him differently. This can and does include any figure in a film, including an angry African-American Judas.
Of all the films discussed on this blog I found this film to be most compelling. It is certainly not the most theologically sound, nor is it biblical faithful in a strict sense. The performance by Carl Anderson is, however, dramatically powerful. In addition, the new take on Judas’ role in the story opens the Biblical narrative in a way no other film has. The Judas of this film invites the view to ask fresh questions of the Biblical text and challenge the Biblical text in some of its most troubling areas.
ReplyDeleteFor the sake of brevity I would like to comment on the the song, “Heaven on their Minds.” This is the opening chorus and sets the tone for the remainder of the movie. IN this song Judas, the long time friend of Jesus, questions why Jesus has changed so much. Jesus has gone from a moral teacher where his words mattered to the Son of God where his personhood matters. Judas sees that the crowd surrounding Jesus will bring about his ruin as the authorities seek to eliminate him in favor of greater social stability. Hoe much this is a prophetic statement and how much Judas is doomed into the role of betrayer is the focus of this moview from this very first song.
Most interestingly Judas’ pleas seem to be in accordance with reason and Jesus seems to be the one who is self-deluded. The song invites the viewer to say, ‘Hey, Jesus, Judas is right, what the heck?’ Judas stands in for the countless generations who have questioned the necessity, actions, and teachings, of Jesus. This scene and the rest of the movie seem to suggest that Jesus’ actions at the end of his ministry are contrary to the original intent of his work. Despite this fact, Judas is constantly sidelined and opposed by Jesus and the other disciples throughout the movie. A conflict between reason and the ministry of Jesus emerges.
Perhaps today that same assumption and tendency persists, yet is stifled by religious sensibilities. This film stands as permission to ask these questions, while at the same time calling the questions themselves into question. This provides for a unique richness within the movie. The great contribution of this movie is its permission and simultaneous rejection of bringing ‘common sense’ and ‘human sensibilities’ into the arena of divine revelation and activity.