JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

US, 1972, 108 minutes, Colour.
Ted Nealy, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman.
Directed by Norman Jewison.

Jesus Christ Superstar has become one of the most talked about phenomena of the 70's. The record was a great success. The stage version was an extravaganza. The film seems to be one of the best ways of communicating the rock-opera visually.

The music has become very popular over the years and merited discussion in its own right. The words have led to religious controversy. The work was intended only as an interpretation of the last seven days of Jesus' life, not a biography; however, many religious commentators found fault with the whole concept of the work. They considered that there was an emphasis on the humanity of Christ that did not give enough to his divinity. The fact that the rock-opera finished with the burial of Jesus and said nothing of his resurrection rendered the work unsatisfactory as a representation of Jesus. These discussions will be modified a little by the film's seeming attempt to take criticism into account and cater for the widest possible audiences.

As a visual experience the film is excellent, offering us a performance of the opera in the Judean desert. Scenery is used most effectively as backing for songs and dances. The choreography utilises the scenery for atmosphere and effect.

Much of the meaning of Jesus' life and death can be gained from Superstar.

1. Comment on the difference between the recording, the stage play, and the film treatment. Comment on the style of film and its success - the use of the cinema styles. The use of the touring group in Israel itself, their arrival and behaviour during the overture, visualising the setting for the audience, the participation of the people in the play in Israel, the same for the conclusion. Comment on the impact of the music, the words of the songs.

2. Jesus - a small man, but strong? How attractive was he to people? The role of Mary Magdalene, Peter, the children, the Apostles? Judas contrasting with Jesus? The Agony in the Garden? The lashing? The Superstar number? The use of close-ups to emphasise the character of Jesus?

3. Comment on the fact that this was not a biography of Jesus but an interpretation and musical representation. How was this emphasised by a touring group putting on a play about Jesus and not just merely presenting a straight biography?

4. Judas - strong, forceful. but confused? His confusion in the face of Jesus' serenity? (Any significance that Judas was black); Judas and the High Priests, and Mary Magdalene? The impact of Judas' betrayal and kiss (after the Last Supper)? Judas and his death - hanging himself with the rope for the money bag? The significance of Judas in the 'Superstar' number?


5. Mary Magdalene - her songs and their significance? As a disciple of Jesus, responding to the reality of Jesus? Her place during the Passion "Can we start again please?" And at the Crucifixion?

6. Caiphas, Annas. the priests their costumes, tones of voice, the significance of their plotting and plans? At the various phases of the Passion? Peter - especially in his individual songs, in his denial, and his song with Mary Magdalene? Pilate - and his being placed on cliffs for the songs; his initial song and premonition? His behaviour at the trial? Counting the lashes? What insights into Pilate’s dilemma did the songs and the film give? Herod - why is this interlude always successful? The comic style? How well was it handled in this version? The significance of Herod and his fear of Christ? The re-appearance of Herod during the lashings?

7. The effect of the crowd sequences - at the 'Hosanna', the buying and selling, the impact in the healing sequences. their fickleness during the Passion? The significance of the crowd's behaviour? Mankind confronted by Christ and mankind's fickleness?

8. The Supper - the respectful attitude of its representation? Da Vinci, a communion service? Did it throw light on the meaning of the real Supper?

9. The Passion - Jesus' climb during the Agony in the Garden? The meaning of Christ through this song. his relationship to the will of his Father? Jesus' suffering - how realistic? How meaningful? The introduction of the Peter and Mary Magdalene song during the Passion and the way this was visualised? The interruption of the Passion with the 'Superstar' number and its significance? The impact of the Crucifixion visualised? What emotional impact did it have? The music? The words?

10. The meaning of the Superstar number - communication of Christ's message to the modern world, a type of immortality? The significance of Judas singing the song?

11. The significance of the ending - the players returning to the bus. except Jesus? The cross still present on the hill and the sunset? The figure walking alone after the Crucifixion? The Israeli shepherd and its symbolism?

12. The significance of the phenomenon of Superstar in the '70's? Why? The theological inadequacies complained of by critics? How important are these? The valuable impact of insight into Christ? How strong?