Jesus Christ Superstar (Special Edition)

Amazon.com

Ted Neeley makes for a wimpy looking Jesus in Norman Jewison's screen adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice "rock opera," which was a smash on stage in the early '70s. Jewison (Other People's Money) adds some good exterior settings in the desert, but Lloyd Webber and Rice's dialogue-free story (everything is sung, as in a real opera), with its quasi-profundities about the inner demons of principal figures in the life of Christ, is the real hook. Yvonne Elliman sings the show's best-known song, "I Don't Know How to Love Him." --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Still awesome!.......2007-09-11

I purchased this dvd for a 15 year old grandson who loves music and figured he couldn't be hurt by a little religous history. Although I didn't see this movie 30 years ago (yep, you can tell from the hair styles), I did see Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA and, of course, almost everyone knows at least a couple
of the the most memorable songs. My preview of this film (before sending
it off to grandson) left me in awe. Whether you see if for religous, historical or just musical reasons, it's a GREAT show to see. What marvelous music! I thought watching something this dated would be a detraction but it wasn't. Ted Neeley is outstanding as Jesus. I was glad to send it on, hoping my grandson enjoys it as much as I did.

A "Must own"!!.......2007-08-28

You do not have to be a Christian to enjoy this DVD!!!

If you do not own this DVD, and you love music, inspiring performances, or just well made movies, you are missing out! After many years of not owning a copy of this film, I purchased a copy of this DVD. I was amazed at how great this film was, and is!! You will find inspiring performances, excellent cinematography, and an excellent commentary from Ted Neeley (the star). The vocals and arrangements are amazing, and stood the test of time. This material is still fresh, still thought provoking. The performances are still awe inspiring. Anyone who enjoys incomparible vocal performances should not miss this DVD. Buy it, play it, wear it out, and buy another one!! The vocal performances of Ted Neeley as Jesus Christ and Carl Anderson as Judas are especially noteworthy, although there is not one mediocre performance in this entire film. The quality of the reproduction seems as good as you could expect, and the sound is very good as well. Well worth the investment, for parents and children alike.

I don't believe in God..........2007-08-22

...but I do believe in Ted Neeley. He has very long hair, and a bus full of merrymakers who, despite their seemingly-whimsical shenanigans in the desert, have a lot to say about truth, the Bible, and Vietnam (I'm guessing). Plus, his falsetto is divine.

The fact of the matter is, if you don't own this movie, you're going straight to Hell. And I got that from the Good Book (Leonard Maltin's movie guide).

A Still Fresh Look at Jesus.......2007-08-05

This is still my favorite 'Life of Jesus Movie.' The film shows the struggles of Jesus, and the disciples. The music, minimalist scenery, and songs are great, it's a timeless film, wish I could have seen the original Broadway production.

Son of God? Heal lepers? Save souls? Phooey! It turns out Jesus' best trait was rock singer........2007-07-30

I suppose it's fitting that The Who's rock opera TOMMY, about a boy who gains followers the way religious figures do, would be followed nary a year later by fellow rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Yes kids, Jesus beat Molly Shannon to the title.

JCS is an imaginative and exciting musical. With its mix of anachronisms (fighter jets) and minimalist sets and props (I swear, the art direction budget paled in comparison with what they spent on hats), we follow JC (Ted Neeley) and his loyal then not so loyal fans through his last days, all sung (remember, it's an opera) to an infectious rock score. And it's all told largely through the eyes of that Benedict Arnold of the Bible, Judas (Carl Anderson, now sadly departed). The conceit is a Bus and Truck acting troupe doing the story in the Holy Land.

Neeley's vocal performances are perfect, especially bringing it home in the song "Gethsemane" where he gets to show off his chops, range, emotions, and awesome neck muscles. But it's Anderson who steals the show with his passionate, charismatic, and robust (get this guy to an anger management class) Judas. And quite frankly, the man's points made a lot of sense (which led to controversy when the Broadway show was first launched in 1971). He frames the story with the first line of the libretto, "My mind is clearer now," and closes his arc with "My mind is in darkness now" from his last song ("Judas' Death"). Well, we all know the bullet points of the story so I won't bore you with all the fiction. Plus this way you won't crucify me for giving away the ending.

But what I will say is that the shots are breathtaking, with beautiful vistas of desert landscape. The pace is perfect, it's surely a fat-free movie. The acting, largely on the money (though the lip-syncing not so great). The voices, soaring into the heavens. Yet it's the rock and funk score that sells this movie. It's the only score Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice ever wrote that's worth 30 pieces of silver. And please do not fight me on this or I'll lock you in a theater with a bunch of cats on roller skates. JCS's score is so sharp, catchy, and smart that I am skeptical Webber and Rice actually composed it. But okay, I'll give them this one.

The great Norman Jewison made JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. He's got such a terrific eye for detail, composition, and rhythm. His use of long lenses and zooms, which were admittedly more popular in that time, are creative and even fun. Musicals suit him. I wish he made more.

My love for this musical is never ending. I've seen it maybe six times now (once with Sebastian Bach as Jesus, and once with Dennis DeYoung from Styx as Pilate...which should give you a clue as to how much I love this show).

Average customer rating:

Fabulous Voices!
This Is The One To See
Disappoints
Plenty of good, plenty of bad
Glenn is Jesus!

Jesus Christ Superstar
Starring: Glenn Carter (III) , Jérôme Pradon , Renee Castle , Fred Johanson , and Michael Shaeffer
Director: Nick Morris , and Gale Edwards
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000056NX5
Release Date: 2001-03-20

Amazon.com

Before Andrew Lloyd Webber took over Broadway with his operatic productions and Tim Rice tossed in his lot with Disney's animated musicals, they were the young turks of musical theater and their rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar was their calling card. Director Gale Edwards's 1999 stage revival, which became the basis for this video production (also available on CD), takes the show out of ancient Jerusalem to an indeterminate mix of modern New York (complete with graffiti-scrawled walls and T-shirt garbed disciples) and timeless Rome. The grandly abstract sets, rainbow lighting, and striking costumes are more theater than cinema, but like the previous made-for-video Lloyd Webber-Rice production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the enormous soundstages give the director free reign to combine the mediums.

The setting folds fascism, intolerance, and revolution into a portrait out of time, robbing the play of its powerful historical grounding but injecting it with energy and insight. As Christ, Glenn Carter (who played the role in the 2000 Broadway revival) flashes his anger and rolls his eyes at Judas (Jerome Pradon) but cannot deny the truths of Judas's fears: "Every word you say today gets twisted 'round some other way." As Christ sees his cult of personality overtake his message and struggles with the fears of his sacrifice, he reaches within for faith and forgiveness, giving the show the spiritual dimension it so often lacks.

It's an entertaining, thoughtful, and well-sung production. Edwards avoids the tepidity of Norman Jewison's solemn 1973 film, driving forward with energetic editing and swooping cameras, and guided at all times by the dramatic, exhilarating score. --Sean Axmaker

Description

A brand-new production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice classic musical, "Jesus Christ Superstar" tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus. It describes his entry into Jerusalem, the enmity that his preaching and his popularity causes among the Jewish religious leaders, his betrayal by Judas, mocking contempt of Herod, and the trial in front of Pontius Pilate, who despite his sympathy towards Jesus as a person, bows to the demands of Caiaphas, the Chief Priest, and has him crucified.

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous Voices!.......2007-03-19

I've seen this musical many, many times but this is THE BEST version! The men's voices are SUPERB! The directing and staging is excellent; Judas and Jesus play off of each other to create a real tension in the plot line that I have never seen in any other production. I HIGHLY recommend this DVD.

This Is The One To See.......2006-10-30

The final week of Jesus' life makes for masterful storytelling. It's full of the agonies of deep reflection, and the hope that human existence is not without some meaning. It's got jealousy, rivalry, hate, lust, greed, torture, fear, self-doubt, and, yes, all-out betrayal of the most brutal, blood-soaked kind. Yes, the story of a vacillating Jewish mystic who was the inspiration for a major religion is great, and this version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's still-controversial 1970's musical is my favorite of the many productions I've seen. Here a nice twist comes in and takes the form of the evolution of the set and characters, as we begin with pseudo-modern-looking performers and backgrounds, and gradually over the course of the next ninety minutes everything shifts to looking like some neo-post-modernist version of Jerusalem circa 30 CE. The excellent Glenn Carter in particular takes his version of Jesus from a man who'd garner nary a sideward glance on twenty-first-century streets, thru a vaguely Greek-looking Christ, to the full-fledged Jesus of Sunday School familiarity. The cast here, mixed in ethnicity and nationality, achieves a superb synthesis of purpose and meshes together as few groups of actors do, until these individuals convincingly weave together a story that is ancient and modern, timeless, universal, and as powerful now as it was at its first telling nineteen-hundred years ago. Jesus Christ Superstar has it all: great music, outstanding performances, and a re-telling of a story that launched a change in world civilization that continues with no end in sight.

Disappoints.......2006-08-09

The problems with the DVD production are the lead actors. Jerome Pradon is totally unsuited to the role. He might be a good actor, but when he squeaks and whines through rock numbers, it physically hurts my ears. He's best watched when he's silent. Glenn Carter made an brilliant Simon Zealotes on the 1996 recording, and I was very interested in seeing what else he had done, but he disappointed here. Not only his acting range limited, he was only moderately better than Pradon. Renee Castle sounded beautiful, but was brought down by the decision to cry at the end of 'I Don't Know How To Love Him', appearing very tacky.

Rik Mayall gave a Herod that was sleazy, attempting to be funny and dangerous, but falling flat. Tony Vincent was terrific, in almost-mad devotion to the "cause". I keep hoping that the presence of the ever-amazing Mykal Rand as a random apostle is worth the money I paid for the DVD.

The 're-imagining' of the show turns it into the bubble-gum pop, totally unsuitable to the plot. It seems very fake, attempting to be happy-go-lucky, while the story is anything but. The Romans, however, had a very interesting and intriguing look. The set was initially interesting, but after a few scenes, it got to be very repetitive. They didn't have to invest in more than one set, but using different lighting or angles would have broken up the monotony.

Plenty of good, plenty of bad.......2006-08-09

Firstly let me say I was having sound troubles with my player, so had to listen to the whole thing on soft. From what I could hear, the vocals and music were great - plenty of quality voices - but who knows what I've missed from if I'd been able to play it louder!
The production on the other hand - euw. Started off very effectively during the opening credits, and I was very impressed with the modern imagery and had high hopes for the rest. Unfortunately it was downhill from there.

The staging was claustrophobic - running in and out of the same set got really tired after a while. Come on guys, even stage productions manage more variety than that! Crowd scenes weren't, well, crowded, which totally destroyed their impact.
The stylised imagery was cool in parts, but for the most part so fake that it destroyed any sense of the reality of the story, the tongue in cheek humour of the lyrics, and any sympathy with the characters involved.

But my main gripe with the whole thing was the horrific overacting. I don't know how to describe it, but I found it truly painful. By the end I was fast forwarding. JC was turned into a totally unlikeable wet sock who just kept giving everyone hurt angry looks interspersed with a few inexplicable smiles. Judas was pretty good, but once again, just too much acting - people aren't constantly making faces at eachother in real life! It just doesn't feel real when someone is expressing 5 different heartfelt emotions within the same 10 seconds - it looked ridiculous. Mary Magdalene played more subtly, and Herod's part required some overacting, so no complaints there. Pilate - what a waste of a great voice and soulful face - WHAT was with that acting!
I guess I should keep in mind that I'm comparing this production to 2 very recent stage productions I've seen that were fantastic, not to the old movie.

Well, maybe this is why people say there is a difference between acting for stage and TV - if these guys were stage actors, maybe on stage over acting is necessary to be noticed at all - whereas on TV (especially with all the closeups) it's horribly magnified. Just relax guys - you don't need to have a different face for every single word of a song.

Glenn is Jesus! .......2006-07-13

this man is brilliant as Jesus. I love him. I have this soundtrack and now i'm trying to find this copy in my house so i can watch him.They say on the making of this film that he does look a little bit like Jesus, with the curly hair and bright blue eyes.Glenn, what more can i say about him. This is the most brilliant and beloved stories of all time. I love this movie. I don't think i want to the show though live. My favorite songs that he sings, i think is: The Last Supper, Hosanna, trial before Pilate and that's it (that's not a song.) Glenn is wonderful by this dvd. Bye

Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway Favorites Collection (Cats / Jesus Christ Superstar / Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat / The Royal Albert Hall Celebration)

Average customer rating:

what?
Reasons
YAY!!!!
Good collection
Very poor sound quality for Joseph

Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway Favorites Collection (Cats / Jesus Christ Superstar / Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat / The Royal Albert Hall Celebration)
Starring: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Musicals & Performing Arts | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

ASIN: B0001GWBOQ
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Amazon.com

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Spotlight Performance Collection includes Cats, A Royal Albert Hall Celebration, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ Superstar. The 1998 video version of Cats stars a cast assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, including Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy and Elaine Paige (the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat) whose version of "Memory" remains definitive.

A Royal Albert Hall Celebration (1998) features more than two hours of hits from star after star: Elaine Paige delivering "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" and "Memory" with her usual power, Michael Ball and Donny Osmond stretching the last vestiges of boyish charm to the very limits but still sounding great; Sarah Brightman performing an outstanding selection from The Phantom of the Opera; Antonio Banderas; and Glenn Close, stupendous and moving in songs from Sunset Boulevard.

In Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Old Testament tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors gets a splashy, vigorous treatment with an energetic cast, Las Vegas-style glitz, and catchy, eclectic songs, including "Any Dream Will Do" and the peppy "Go, Go, Go Joseph." Former teen icon Donny Osmond is perfect in the title role, while Maria Friedman performs well as the narrator.

The 1999 stage revival of Jesus Christ Superstar became the basis for this 2000 video production, which takes the show out of ancient Jerusalem to a mix of modern New York and timeless Rome. As Christ (Glenn Carter) sees his cult of personality overtake his message and struggles with the fears of his sacrifice, he reaches within for faith and forgiveness, giving the show the spiritual dimension it so often lacks. It's an entertaining, thoughtful, and well-sung production, avoiding the tepidity of Norman Jewison's solemn 1973 film.

Customer Reviews:

what? .......2006-07-15

i want this dvd set 1.cuz i love the musicals josph,cats.and 2. i want to see superstar! i could care less for the albert hall thing. i want to see the musicals! also you must see phantom of the opera ( the best musical EVER!!!!) fiddler on the roof (not enough songs but still good!)

Reasons.......2006-05-07

Cats - This DvD performance is a must have and that is all there is to it. A brilliant piece of work with very good bonus features. I am in awe of such raw and amazing talent that this DvD contained.

Joseph - This DvD perfomance was fine, actually more than that. Though the sound quality was not brilliant, but the over all performance was divine. Very very good!

Albert Hall - This DvD performance was good. Michael Ball was as ever out-standing as were the other members of this fine collection. HOWever I did feel that Michael Crawford was missing when it came to Phantom performances, even though Antonio Banderas did a respectable job, you will never be able to rid my love of Crawford's angelic yet haunting voice.

Jesus Christ - This DvD performance was laughable. Never in my life would I have imagined that the brilliant works of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice could be butchered in such a horrible way. After seeing Cats the DvD I had high hopes. I believe the phrase being "let down" does not even begin to describe the emotion caused by this sorry excuse of a musical.

Everything about it, was a piss ass poor job. Jesus was fine, not good, but able, Mary also was not too bad, and King Herod, despite his brillance as an actor was terrible in this. However I think the prize definately goes out to Judas. I do believe a tap-dancing mute giraffe would have performed much better than this over-acting, deaf-toned, poor excuse for a 'performer'. Not only do I feel that I should get my money back, I feel I should be able to be given money for enduring it as long as I did. I am honestly disgusted in how the editors didn't cut out majority of the musical. If they did so, they would have been left with possibly 15 - 20 minutes of film and it would have been passable.

I am literary in shock! I think I need to watch 'Cats' again and regain my love for theatre from scratch. If you love yourself and love musicals and especially Jesus Christ Superstar, I beg of you don't even consider looking twice at this absolute rubbish since it will burn your eyes right out of your head, leaving you in much disdain, like me, and confused as how talent has been replaced with used toilet paper.

Thank you.

YAY!!!!.......2005-12-07

I love this entire collection. When I bought this, I wasn't very excited about Jesus Christ Superstar, because I thought it was the 1973 version. Imagine my delight when this was in fact the updated version of the show. An amazing cast draws you into the story, and finally Judas does not appear simply as a traitor or a psycho, but as someone tormented.
Royal Albert Hall Celebration--Wow! All I can say is I would love to have my 50th Birthday party like that. Hoards of stars appear singing ALW's wonderful compostions.

Good collection .......2005-09-05

Good collection of A.L.Webber's most popular musicals + Albert Hall Celebration. Only problem to take into account when ordering from Europe: All DVD's are Area 1 (North America) encoded, so most DVD players in Europe would not play them (Philips, Samsung).

Very poor sound quality for Joseph.......2005-05-25

We've watched Joseph a few times and it is visually captivating however the sound quality is awful. We have surround sound and even at full volume (maxed!) it's too low and is difficult to hear some of the singing. Then othertimes it's too loud. It's not me or my system; otherwise they work fine. The sound quality on this (as on Les Miserables Dreamcast 10th anniversary DVD) is a big dissapointment. Be ready to max your volume.

Average customer rating:

Still awesome!
A "Must own"!!
I don't believe in God...
A Still Fresh Look at Jesus
Son of God? Heal lepers? Save souls? Phooey! It turns out Jesus' best trait was rock singer.

Jesus Christ Superstar
Starring: Ted Neeley , Carl Anderson (II) , Yvonne Elliman , Barry Dennen , and Bob Bingham
Director: Norman Jewison
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Musicals & Performing Arts | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0783232071
Release Date: 1999-03-16

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Still awesome!.......2007-09-11

A "Must own"!!.......2007-08-28

I don't believe in God..........2007-08-22

A Still Fresh Look at Jesus.......2007-08-05

Son of God? Heal lepers? Save souls? Phooey! It turns out Jesus' best trait was rock singer........2007-07-30

Les Miserables (2 Disc Collector's Edition) [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import]

Average customer rating:

Les Miserables (2 Disc Collector's Edition) [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import]
Director: Gavin Taylor
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Please note that this is a PAL, Region 2 DVD Set and requires PAL or multi-system capable DVD players. It will not play on standard North American DVD players. Please read the item technical description carefully. ----------------------------------- Synopsis: A performance of Les Miserables by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, for a 10th Anniversary Concert celebration. Special Features (Bonus Disc): 'Stage By Stage' featuring interviews with Cameron Mackintosh, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Commemorative booklet

BiscuitHands, the Animated Musical (WideScreen)

Average customer rating:

BiscuitHands, the Animated Musical

BiscuitHands, the Animated Musical (WideScreen)

Manufacturer: CustomFlix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0007UMOF2
Release Date: 2006-07-13

Product Description

A contemporary musical based on the works of Mathew, Mark, Luke & John; comprised of 25 original scores: Pop,(mild) Hip-Hop, Rock, R&B & Classical tempos. A 110-minute extravaganza with no spoken dialog for all ages & musical tastes to enjoy!

Customer Reviews:

BiscuitHands, the Animated Musical.......2007-02-13

In another time, in another place, on another planet (much similar to our own), one man challenged the oppression & injustice of those who ruled with an iron fist with a message of love & peace as his only weapons!

Average customer rating:

Fabulous Voices!
This Is The One To See
Disappoints
Plenty of good, plenty of bad
Glenn is Jesus!

Jesus Christ Superstar [Region 2]
Starring: Glenn Carter (III) , Jérôme Pradon , Renee Castle , Fred Johanson , and Michael Shaeffer
Director: Nick Morris , and Gale Edwards
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004YVEG

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous Voices!.......2007-03-19

This Is The One To See.......2006-10-30

Disappoints.......2006-08-09

Plenty of good, plenty of bad.......2006-08-09

Glenn is Jesus! .......2006-07-13

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Spotlight Performance Collection (Cats, Royal Albert Hall Celebration, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar)

Average customer rating:

what?
Reasons
YAY!!!!
Good collection
Very poor sound quality for Joseph

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Spotlight Performance Collection (Cats, Royal Albert Hall Celebration, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar)
Starring: Glenn Carter (III) , Jérôme Pradon , Renee Castle , Fred Johanson , and Michael Shaeffer
Director: Nick Morris , Gale Edwards , and David Mallet
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD