Season 2 Episode 35 - BOOK TO SCREEN: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

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Music Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics and Book by Tim Rice

 Film Directed by Norman Jewison

 

A rock opera conceived and written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in 1970, the album would be a huge success with two songs becoming international hits ‘Superstar’ by Murray Head and ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’ by Yvonne Elliman  Interestingly enough, Yvonne Elliman’s song was done in one take with no rehearsals.

 

The Rock Opera would eventually be staged on Broadway and around the world before academy award winning director Norman Jewison would bring it to the screen.  Using mostly a combination of the Broadway, original concept  and touring company casts, and moving filming to Israel and the Middle East.  The film was a critical and audience success finishing out the year as one of the most successful film of 1973. 

 

The film would star Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennan, and Bob Bingham.  Interesting fact is that Barry Dennen had a relationship with Barbara Striesand and help work out her night club act which would lead to her stardom. 

Opening Credits (.20); Introduction (4.35); Forming the Plot (10.01); Page to Page (6.44); Commercial Break (37.08); Film Trailer (37.38); Commercial Break (41.04); Lights, Camera, Action (42.21); Epilogue (1:31.12); End Credits (1:3.4.11); Closing Credits (1:35.01)

 

Opening Credits:  Superstar – Murray Head taken from the original 1969 concept album Jesus Christ Superstar

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Closing Credits: White Christmas – by The Drifters– Taken from the album White Christmas – The 50 Best Christmas Songs

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