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I was introduced to Jesus Christ Superstar when I was a sophomore in high school and I've listened to it probably hundreds of times. I even got to see a live production of it starring Carl Anderson and Ted Neely, although Mr. Anderson was out that day and we got his amazing understudy instead.
Listening to my old tape of the original cast recording used to be an Easter tradition with me, but it's been a long time since I've had a cassette player and I can't seem to find that same recording on CD (I haven't checked iTunes).
I was flipping channels a moment ago and noticed that TCM is playing the 1973 movie tonight. I flipped it on in the opening strains of "Heaven on Their Minds." What always amazed me back when I was a teenager is how sympathetic Judas comes off in this play. Listening to that song again so much later, I'm noticing Judas' inner conflict so much more than I used to.
Seeing parts of the story from Judas' point of view adds an extra layer of drama to an already dramatic story. Jesus Christ Superstar isn't Jesus' story; it's Judas'.
Back in the mid-90s, I asked my mom about Judas. She was probably speaking off the cuff because I don't think she'd given it much thought before. She told me that since Judas was an apostle he was probably a good man. I like this interpretation of it. A good man who made a bad choice.
What I love so much about Carl Anderson's portrayal is his agony over the decision. There's no rubbing his greedy hands together and no maniacal laughter. He's the bad guy, but his reasons complicated. It wasn't about money and it wasn't about power. It was about fear. And faith. Judas lost his faith and that made him question what was happening around him, but betraying Jesus brought him no peace and things continued to spiral out of control. His horror over the situation is evident in his face, in his body, and in his voice. He tries to undo it, but can't. He's told, "You'll be remembered forever for this." Anderson makes Judas so sympathetic that I nearly cry when he hangs himself.
The song "Jesus Christ Superstar" strikes me as modern day man's questions to Jesus. Why then? Why there? Did it happen as planned? We only wanna know.
I think the movie holds up extremely well over time. In some ways it's like a time capsule. The hair, costumes, and musical styles are all relics of the 70s. I consider this a good thing. It wasn't trying to be historically accurate. It wasn't trying to be biblically accurate. It wasn't trying to be anything it wasn't. It's just a good story, good music, and good actors. And I love it as much today as I did when I was 15.
Edited to add a Youtube video of "Heaven on their Minds."
Listening to my old tape of the original cast recording used to be an Easter tradition with me, but it's been a long time since I've had a cassette player and I can't seem to find that same recording on CD (I haven't checked iTunes).
I was flipping channels a moment ago and noticed that TCM is playing the 1973 movie tonight. I flipped it on in the opening strains of "Heaven on Their Minds." What always amazed me back when I was a teenager is how sympathetic Judas comes off in this play. Listening to that song again so much later, I'm noticing Judas' inner conflict so much more than I used to.
Seeing parts of the story from Judas' point of view adds an extra layer of drama to an already dramatic story. Jesus Christ Superstar isn't Jesus' story; it's Judas'.
Back in the mid-90s, I asked my mom about Judas. She was probably speaking off the cuff because I don't think she'd given it much thought before. She told me that since Judas was an apostle he was probably a good man. I like this interpretation of it. A good man who made a bad choice.
What I love so much about Carl Anderson's portrayal is his agony over the decision. There's no rubbing his greedy hands together and no maniacal laughter. He's the bad guy, but his reasons complicated. It wasn't about money and it wasn't about power. It was about fear. And faith. Judas lost his faith and that made him question what was happening around him, but betraying Jesus brought him no peace and things continued to spiral out of control. His horror over the situation is evident in his face, in his body, and in his voice. He tries to undo it, but can't. He's told, "You'll be remembered forever for this." Anderson makes Judas so sympathetic that I nearly cry when he hangs himself.
The song "Jesus Christ Superstar" strikes me as modern day man's questions to Jesus. Why then? Why there? Did it happen as planned? We only wanna know.
I think the movie holds up extremely well over time. In some ways it's like a time capsule. The hair, costumes, and musical styles are all relics of the 70s. I consider this a good thing. It wasn't trying to be historically accurate. It wasn't trying to be biblically accurate. It wasn't trying to be anything it wasn't. It's just a good story, good music, and good actors. And I love it as much today as I did when I was 15.
Edited to add a Youtube video of "Heaven on their Minds."