Like previous posts I’ve shared, we must attend 3 out of 5 movie showing for a grade in our FSEM. This Sunday, October 1st, we watched Jesus Christ Superstar. One thing I’d like to point out is how much you can tell this movie is from the 70s because of the music and clothing. I don’t think anyone was wearing bell bottoms in the time of Jesus Christ.
I had never previously seen this movie or the musical. It was a very odd movie, I was not expecting it to be a musical where communication was only put in song. But I didn’t have much of a hard time understanding what they were trying to say. I’ve seen some connections with our previous readings in our FSEM, like Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene. This movie did put a better understanding of who these people were in relation to Jesus Christ. They also mention Jesus being the ”King of the Jews.”
With mention of Mary Madelene, like in the brief text we read before, she kind of paints herself as this woman that gets around with different men. Even Peter, one of the twelve disciples, seems to mock her for trying so hard to get her message to Jesus Christ.
Then we see how Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus. He practically sells out his location to the Romans. Throughout the film, he seems disappointed in Jesus the mob that follows him. He thinks that it doesn’t make any sense or betraying God. But towards the end of the film, he realizes that he’s been used and that his mind is in darkness. He seems to regret what he’s done after seeing how beaten down Jesus is. Which ultimately leads him to taking his own life. This part was very unexpected and disturbing.
At the end of the movie, the different empires (I assume since it’s not stated) come together to decide whether Jesus should be crucified or not. Even his original mob has turned against him and demands he be crucified. Pontius Pilate even tries to save him by giving him a chance to speak his truth. We also see another glimpse of Judas speaking to Jesus again at the end trying once again to give him advice. But at the end, Jesus is not saved and he is crucified. He even says father forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing. Still holding on to the idea of being the son of God.