Movie Review

Dijana Markovic

Ms.Moore

Humanties, 8A

31 January 2012

Last Days of Jesus’ Life

If you like biblical stories, but also enjoy rock music, then you should definitely see this movie. With the great singers who really fit their parts and music written by Andrew  Lloyd Webber (soundtrack for Evita and Cats, music for   Phantom of the Opera)  this rock opera was sure  to become a box office hit. Being filmed in Israel and topped with perfect costumes and inspirational melody it basically makes you become  a part of the atmosphere in ancient Jerusalem at the time of the Christ’s  arrival.

Jesus Christ Superstar, the story that tells about the last week of Jesus’ life as seen by Judas, was brought to life by an award winning director, Norman Jewison, and his magnificent crew, Ted Neelet as Jesus , Carl Anderson as Judas Iscariot, Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene , etc. in 1973. Lyrics for absolutely perfect music were written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a famous English songwriter. Melvyn Bragg based her screenplay on book written by Tim Rice. This movie was awarded three stars by Roger Ebert.

When Jesus Christ arrives in Jerusalem with his twelve Apostles he soon becomes a threat to the Roman Empire as seen by the priest Caiaphas. Because of his great influence on the Jewish people, Judas becomes concerned about the poor and the consequences of Jesus’ fame, so he betrays Jesus who gets arrested for being a false messiah and a blasphemer.

The movie has a great background idea that Jesus Christ was in fact the first Superstar with the great charisma and the ability to reach the people. Ordinary people around him became enchanted by him, afraid of him, or worried because of his rising fame.

I would gladly recommend this movie to viewers of all the ages because it brings a new and interesting perspective to the story that is familiar to everyone. It really gives you the impression that, even though millennia have passed, the world  has not changed a lot. Great music combined with outstanding choreography and marvelous performances really capture viewers’ attention and every second is interesting and fun. That is why I give this movie thumbs up.