Jesus

I watched my copy of Jesus Christ: Superstar(2000) over the weekend. I bought it back in 2001. Since then I've watched it perhaps 50 to 60 times. "Watched", may be an overstatement, as many of those times it just played in the background; I haven't watched it in the last few years.

Quite an interesting production really, I'm glad they went in a different direction compared to the 1973 version. It does come across as being a bit homo-erotic at times though, which some found unsettling, personally I didn't give a fuck.

While watching it again, I began remember all the opinions people had about it. Many hated it with a passion while others loved it. Some were mad about individual performers. "Oh Jérôme Pradon, he's the best Judas ever! He's fucking better than the real Judas!"... the same sentiment seem directed at Tony Vincent who played Simon (He might be alright at playing Simon, but he's still a shit Freddie Mercury!). Poor old Glenn Carter (Jesus) came out the worst. Nobody I spoke to liked him. "Oh, he couldn't sing the micky off a leper!.... and he's a fruitcake... he's all into that new age space alien shit". I thought he was alright, no Ian Gillan, but fine for the production.

The one thing I never discussed with those who watched it, is Renee Castle's performance as Mary Magdalen, a pity really because she was fabulous (and is fabulous). Her voice is not only delectably smooth but wonderfully accurate too. There is unfortunately very little about Renee on the internet, barely even a picture. I've taken a few stills from the above video's time-line, just to even things up a bit.







I think a Gnostic Priest once said it best: "If I were Jesus, I definitely would!"

[Dont forget to check out the Japanese version of 'Superstar]