Jesus Christ Superstar (1973 Film): Behind the Scenes Footage

I've posted this before but this is in better quality and has no watermark, This is ABC News footage of the filming of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972.

[@tikaalik]

The humbleness and stoicism in the interviews is such a stark contrast to anything today.

[@marblox9300]

Ted Neely looks like the quintessential "Jesus". The 1973 version will never be topped.

[@CraZyJSpades]

Honestly, when I think of Christ, it is Teds' image I cant help but picture. What did it for me was the transition to his white robe just before the final number. 😭

[@marblox9300]

@@CraZyJSpades Yes, he sure does look like what most of us picture as Jesus.

[@MsDana-mo9fp]

Ted has played the role of Jesus for almost 50 years!

[@graziacavasino8884]

He embodies the Western, specifically American, vision of Jesus Christ, which is ethnically incorrect. When I saw the first scenes from the film for the first time, I was disappointed with him being a blond young man with clear eyes, but then, of course, I was hooked for a lifetime by his performance - and I come to the film very often because it's a masterpiece from every point of view.

[@132allie]

Jesus was born as a Jew from a Jewish mother. He most likely would have had dark hair and brown eyes and short hair, as long hair on males was frowned upon. He was also working with Joseph as a carpenter right up to the time he started preaching, so he was most likely muscular, not a frail looking man. There is no physical description of Jesus in the Bible, but we can assume that he looked very similar to the people in his geographical area.

[@donglenphillip8887]

I saw this in 1973- half a century ago, Judas stole the show. His emotional connection to the character and his tonal range was mind-blowing.

[@raulishnikovdancer2346]

Yes, undoubtaly, Is ironic to think nowadays in the way the industry is over compensating stereotypes, maybe Jesus would be the black guy, and Judas, I don't know what it would be, maybe an AI character to avoid ofending somebody.

[@ApostolicPreaching4J]

I remember as a teenager my friend won a T-shirt, on KHJ Radio show, and they asked what celebrity you would like on the shirt, and she said TED Neeley, and they said who is Ted Neeley, and we said WHAT, are you KIDDING ME!!! WHO IS TED NEELEY and she told them, but she never received the T-shirt in the mail. I'm 62 years old and I still listen to all the music of JCS! Its Legendary.

[@suzyukla]

thank you so much for this! the girl in the front with the dark black hair is Teds real life wife..hes still married to her :)

[@jimbond578]

Who cares. This is so much bigger than such petty nonsense.

[@ShadrakJohn]

11:47 Her?

[@user-iu7ec6je1g]

Interesting fact.

[@kemarchese1]

Very interesting fact and I thank you for it.

[@suedalshaug3804]

Leeyan is a lovely Lady. I saw the 20th Anniversary Tour on New Years night 1994 with Ted ,Carl.and Leeyan . ❤

[@DebraStacey-zi1gn]

Ted is the most wonderful performer and such a beautiful man, inside and out. I’ve loved him since seeing this film at ten years old, and was so excited to play a dancer the next year in school when we were “performing “ JCS. I danced down the aisle of our school hall in a bikini and a net curtain 🤔

[@redshibaman]

I could watch footage like this over and over again. But...., I so much miss Carl and Yvonne in it. Where were they?

[@Maca494]

Ted just being the cutest. he is like "nah, all good. im from texas so this heat? just fine" haahhahah i cant thank you for posting this, it's so nice to see it

[@hanschristianbrando5588]

I guess you had to be there. Little did Ted Neeley realize that he'd be playing this part for decades afterward. He really does work in mysterious ways!

[@martinezdirce9225]

Wowwww amazing raw material!!! I wish they had more ♥️♥️♥️

[@blueleaf1717]

how crazy is it that ted neeley wouldve been just 29 years old at this time

[@lindagyftopoulos577]

In fact Ted was 33 years old, the same age at which Christ was crucified. Ted has said that in an interview

[@daviddephy188]

Treasure! This footage is an absolute treasure. Priceless.

[@raulishnikovdancer2346]

And Ted keeps singing in 2024. I watched a video a couple of months ago and he is singing and lokking way better than in the videos from 5 or 10 years back. If God would exist he would love Ted.

[@beaed9296]

Thanks for this. Would love to see more. This was my time when this was made. I remember going to see it in the cinema and I still have the original vinyl album. 👏👏

[@fernandocarreterodiaz807]

Recuerdo como me marco la película cuando tenía 12 años ... aumento mi fe y esperanza

[@lesleynicholls5677]

Got hooked on this in 1982. I too still have the movie soundtrack album. Saw it at the Empire in Liverpool three days ago and it was brilliant but this is the real version and the best.

[@p.b.-letspickacardandsee8576]

We saw it too on the opening night (25/10/23) at the LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre 🎭 👏🏾🎉 Sound! 👍🏾😀 👼🏾

[@goat8477]

I saw the movie as a teen. And again in San Diego in 2010 or so. With Ted Neeley! His voice still a force of nature :-) This old gal will not forget these moments.

[@raulishnikovdancer2346]

I just saw a video made in 2024 and TED is singing way better than he was around 2010. His voice doesn't sound cracked and old as then. but clear and powerful as when he was young and is reaching that high D as in his younger days.

[@jantakac7706]

Best movie ever!!!

[@mitramitramitramitra]

Ted Neley is so sweet!

[@crisqwer3395]

I was 6 first Time l watched It and 12 when l've got the music. Ted Neealy the Best Jesuscrist performer ever and so amazing singer.This BS is a jewl l loved It but many things to ask and and most of It about wheter? 😮 Every thing else so great❤

[@timmoporter3742]

This film is the only one I've watched...refuse to watch the remakes. The same with Rocky Horror...the original is the definitive movie.

[@dianamckibben8441]

At the age of 10, I had a huge crush on Jesus, Judas, Annas, and Caiaphas. My 6 year old sister crushed on Pilate.

[@jenrosa9844]

I remember being 5 years old and terrified because I thought I was going to help because I was in love with Jesus Christ lol

[@fatimablush2676]

Needs a bit more editing of the blank parts in the video. Love it.

[@Shodan616]

Thanks for this!

[@leec6707]

Ted is beautiful.

[@ciziaamicucci6460]

Grandissimo Ted

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

Imagine having to do that scene over and over.

[@ickysan]

This is incredible, truly.❤

[@AlexGNop]

Liquor on the crafty table 😂

[@goat8477]

It was the 70s... Fewer viewer sensitivities, less manipulation, editing or censorship I guess. I wish we could be this innocent today :,-(

[@formerfundienowfree4235]

RIP Norman Jewison fellow Canadian

[@MariEriksenNess-fm7ze]

I have never seen this movie before, but i heard a lot about it. I can't wait to see it. Mari.

[@raulishnikovdancer2346]

Mari, you don't know the jewel you are missing. Is an impressive piece of art, whether you are christian or not. The music the landscape the story, the characther were so well chosen. I hope you have watch it by now or to watch it soon. And tell us your impressions. Be sure you watch the 1973 movie, there's other movies made in 2000 but although some characther were very good, nothing compares to the 1973.

[@Astridellie]

to all I love all of your songs like what’s the buzz and I don’t know how to love him

[@flametree74]

I'd love to see more behind the scenes footage..

[@JamieElvisGass]

Just awesome in every way.

[@TitanicHorseRacingLover]

Love this ❤

[@MarkMiller-gt5tu]

I would ❤💕😘 love to have known what it would have been like to have had one of the Roman soldiers for my dad.❤🎉😊

[@lilibombin6667]

Fascinating .

[@MiNinaBravo]

Ted ❤❤❤

[@shaider355]

And the old of this is gone

[@TOMReefer]

Great Stuff! I was 13 years old 🙏🏻 Ted was so young! 😂

[@marblox9300]

This is very interesting.

[@susanwarner8902]

😮wow it was really good 👍

[@jcsfan1973]

♥i love this.....

[@emilionassarantonio7868]

Excelente película musical..saludos

[@ernestomendozatheremin]

Denise was and still a beauty❤

[@malcolmmclindon9582]

RIP Norman Jewison.

[@BoundaryElephant]

Well, who wouldn't "like" this. Ha! Thanks.

[@mitramitramitramitra]

Ахаах, они с шаббатом столкнулись !))

[@sydhamelin1265]

When I die, if Jesus does this kind of "take the form that makes sense", he'll be Ted Neeley to me.

[@rogerw-interested]

a bunch of C roll film, but interesting views

[@pinograssi7212]

Ha condizionato la mia vita questo film. Poi ho scoperto anche Steve balsamo in Gesù. Consiglio di vederlo

[@Essbee-th2dz]

Steve Balsamo

[@graziacavasino8884]

Naaaa, nessuno può reggere il confronto con Neely, a parte ovviamente Ian Gillan.

[@JeffersonCumberbatch]

The fire water not good.

[@user-iu7ec6je1g]

Bible has incredible scientific accuracy like round Earth and jet streams and the hydrologic cycle and much more!

[@graziacavasino8884]

So?

[@nolikeygsomnipresence270]

Ted is Jesus. He'll be back. So he's the Terminator too.

[@bigchieftheman-fi1zf]

I didn't like the movie or the play judas was a black man and jesus doesn't rise from the grave and they didn't show the power of god

[@punkbjork]

i understand how you might feel but that isn't the point. this show actually sympathizes with judas and humanizes him, as well as portrays jesus and the entire story from his perspective, which is why christ's divinity is left deliberately ambiguous; judas died before he knew that christ had risen, and the point was that he doubted his divinity, and that maybe we, who don't know the story, would too if we were in his position. the story is about christ's humanity, either way, not his divinity; he is depicted as a mortal man with human flaws, not a god.

[@bigchieftheman-fi1zf]

The​@@punkbjork the play still sucks and so does the movie

[@punkbjork]

@@bigchieftheman-fi1zf then why r u here? lol

[@bigchieftheman-fi1zf]

​​@@punkbjork giving my opinion what it is to you?

[@punkbjork]

@@bigchieftheman-fi1zf why did u come here tho?