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NEW ULM - By the late 1960s, the musical film genre was at a low point and looked to religion for salvation.
The New Ulm Film Society will explore this musical revival with a screening of 1973's "Jesus Christ Superstar."
The screening will start at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the New Ulm Library.
In the early 1970s, musicals weird place. For decades, the musical genre was among the most successful genres. That trend continued into the 1960s, but by the end of the decades studios were starting to see diminishing returns. Audiences were turning away from the big lavish musicals. The musical genre was starting to seem old fashion and no longer relevant. Musicals were going to need to get experimental to survive.
Then in the early '70s, there was a rise in films with religious themes and the musical followed suit. In 1973, two different films hit theaters that retold the story of Jesus as musicals.
"Godspell" took the Gospel of Matthew and transferred it to modern day New York. "Jesus Christ Superstar" followed the Gospel of Mark, set mostly in the historic time and setting of Christ. Of the two musicals, "Jesus Christ Superstar" is usually cited as the most faithful to the source material.
"Jesus Christ Superstar" was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber in the late 1960s and premiered on stage in 1970, where it was deemed a failure.
Rather than rework the musical, Rice and Webber chose to release a concept album featuring the original music from the show. The album proved extremely successful. The song, "I Don't Know How to Love Him," performed by Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene, became a top ten hit.
Based on the success of the album, Rice and Webber were able to rework the script and soon there were plans to adapt it to film.
The film version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" opens in the modern day with a theater troupe traveling through the Middle East. The troupe is performing a musical version of Jesus' final days before the crucifixion. As the cast is preparing to tell the story, the actor playing Judas, (Carl Anderson) wanders off and soon the story travels back to Biblical times and the story continues as normal with the occasional musical numbers.
The framing of the movie serves as a reminder to the audience not to take the story too literally. This allows the filmmakers to take added liberties and insert contemporary references into the narrative.
"Jesus Christ Superstar" is set during the Biblical era, but it is heavily influenced by youth movements of the late '60s and early '70s. Jesus, played by Ted Neeley, and his disciples are part of a humanitarian movement. They are trying to help people by speaking out about injustices. However; Judas is concerned that Jesus is straying from their cause. Jesus does not preach on social justice as much as he preaches about being the Son of God. Judas also does not approve of his relationship with Mary Magdalene.
It was a rare Biblical film that chose to depict its characters as fully formed humans. Judas is not a simple villain who betrays Jesus out of greed, but rather a sympathetic character fighting against oppression. Jesus is depicted as having real emotions and desires.
Combining this interpretation of Jesus alongside contemporary music was considered controversial in 1973, however the filmmakers received support from the Vatican.
Pope Paul VI screened "Jesus Christ Superstar" and found it to be an appropriate depiction of Christ, praising the decision to add contemporary rock music. He even called Mary Magdalene's song "I Don't Know How to Love Him," 'inspired and beautiful.'
The New Ulm Film Society's screening of "Jesus Christ Superstar" is free to the public. Before and after the film, there will be a discussion about the movie's place in film history.