Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Ted Neeley | ... | ||
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Carl Anderson | ... | |
Yvonne Elliman | ... | ||
Barry Dennen | ... | ||
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Bob Bingham | ... | |
Larry Marshall | ... |
Simon Zealotes
(as Larry T. Marshall)
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Josh Mostel | ... |
King Herod
(as Joshua Mostel)
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Kurt Yaghjian | ... | |
Paul Thomas | ... |
Peter
(as Philip Toubus)
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Pi Douglass | ... |
Apostle
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Robert LuPone | ... | |
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Jonathan Wynne | ... |
Apostle
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Thommie Walsh | ... |
Apostle Thaddeus
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Richard Molinare | ... | |
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David Devir | ... |
Apostle
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Based on a concept album project written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and the subsequent long-running Broadway performance, this film tells the story of the final 6 days in the life of Jesus Christ through the troubled eyes of Judas Iscariot. Too often mis-labeled a musical, this film is a "rock opera." There are no spoken lines, everything is sung. Written by Ralf Southard <rps8@psu.edu>
The only disciple without a book in the bible, Judas gets his say in this Norman Jewison adaptaption of the Andrew Lloyd Weber play. Superstar sets Christianity on edge by turning supposed villians into the heroes of Christ 's crucifixion. Judas is seen as the noblest and most knowledgeable of all Christ's disciples who is used by God to accomplish His master plan. The movie makes clear that the legacy of Jesus would not have been possible without the involvement of Judas. Pontius Pilate too is shown in a more positive light than modern Christianity would like. Pilatae is shown as a troubled man who has premonitions of the "Jewish King" and his own role in his death. In recounting his dream, Pilate says that he "saw thousands of millions, crying for this man" and then he "heard them mentioning my name, and leaving me the blame". As controversial as Superstar is and as wonderful > as the score is it can stand alone on just the merits of its movie making. > > The cinematography is tops and the visual effects are magnificent.