Part of 1973 and Music City Mondays
All Screenings: Pre-recorded introduction from Ted Neeley, who plays Jesus Christ
This bold interpretation of the hit rock opera and Broadway smash from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the story of Christ’s (Ted Neeley) final weeks in a series of dazzling songs, images and music. Academy Award Nominated for the Best Music Adaptation, producer-director Norman Jewison (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF) creates a brilliant example of groundbreaking vision and unforgettable songs shot entirely on location in Israel.
“A bright and sometimes breathtaking retelling of the rock opera of the same name…. Jewison, a director of large talent, has taken a piece of commercial shlock and turned it into a Biblical movie with dignity.” —Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times (Aug 15, 1973) “In a word, the film is awesome. However wildly misunderstood (accused, for example, of being anti-Semitic because of the villainous Pharisee priests, the film was, in reality, directed by the same guy who made FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Norman Jewison) and however dated stylistically (everybody’s dressed, to put it baldly, like hippies) it remains immensely powerful.” —Todd Hanson, The A.V. Club
