Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

  • 57% of critics liked it
    (21 reviews)

  • 74% of users liked it
    (35,704 ratings)

The second Biblical epic to be turned into a musical by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, this box-office disappointment recounts the last week in the life of Jesus Christ in rock-opera format and from the surprising point of view of Christ's betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Carl… More

G,
Directed By
Written By
Melvyn Bragg
Genres
Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Musical & Performing Arts
In Theaters
Aug 17, 1973 Wide
Universal Studios

Critic Reviews

  • Don Druker, Chicago Reader

    The music quickly becomes monotonous, and the operatic dialogue is silly right from the start.

  • , Time Out

    Despite the 'impressive' desert locations and an array of tanks (to represent the ills of modern militarism), it's still staged like a student revue.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    Jewison, a director of large talent, has taken a piece of commercial shlock and turned it into a Biblical movie with dignity.

  • , TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Yvonne Elliman is electrifying as Mary Magdalene, and Carl Anderson couldn't have been better as Judas; but Ted Neeley as Jesus is more whiny than heroic.

  • David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

    If it weren't for Lost Horizon, this would have gone down in history as the Worst Musical of 1973.

Read all 11 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Lucas M


    A surreal portrait of Jesus with a mix of 70's and music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Jesus Christ Superstar it's also a tense, unique and sometimes boring, but the soundtrack and the oddity made this controversial cult classic charming musical a likable movie.

  • Jacob E


    This is not the best movie musical ever made, not even close. But is it highly enjoyable? Short answer: Yes. Long answer: This is one of the most surreal films made. Not only is it based on the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, but the film gives us thousand anachronisms to stammer at,… More

  • AJ V


    One of the best musicals of the 70s, best uplifting Jesus related films, and just super cool. I love this movie.

  • erika b


    really good film

  • Lady D


    Andrew Lloyd Webber?s musical is very dated and after just 15 minutes I turned it off (not something I do very often). I believe the musical has probably since been updated and is a much better show, but this version really did nothing for me.

Read all 16 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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