Image: TMDB
Which character wandered away from the group during the setup?
Mary Magdalene.
Jesus.
Pilate.
Judas.
Judas wandered away from the rest of the group in the very beginning. Judas was the compelling reason they wanted to write this story. They felt that he did not have motivation for what he was doing in the traditional Biblical story and wanted to tell it from his point of view.
Judas opened the film singing that he was upset with Jesus because of what?
He thought Jesus should charge for his miracles.
He thought Jesus was beginning to believe the myths about Him.
"If you strip away the myth from the man, you will see where we all soon will be… You started to believe the things they say of you. You really do believe this talk of God is true."
He was upset because Jesus reprimanded him.
He felt ignored by Jesus.
The first scene showed what type of vehicle traveling across the desert?
A chariot.
A bus.
The actors arrived at the place in the desert by bus. The actor who played Jesus neither got off the bus in the beginning nor got back on it in the end. However, the acting troupe does help him dress in the beginning.
A train.
An airplane.
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During "What's the Buzz" what did Mary Magdalene do that Jesus approved of?
Shooed the people away from Jesus.
Wiped Jesus' face and neck with water.
"Let me try to cool down your face a bit. Let me try, oh, let me try to cool down your face."
Gave Jesus a back massage.
Brought Jesus food.
Who played Judas in the movie?
Ben Vereen.
Marvin Gaye.
Carl Anderson.
Carl Anderson (February 27, 1945—February 23, 2004) was a singer whose group had performed some of the songs from the album. During one of these performances, he was spotted by a talent scout for the Broadway production and employed initially as a backup for the lead Judas (Ben Vereen).
Larry Marshall.
When Judas criticized Jesus for letting Mary touch him, how did Jesus respond?
He agreed it was bad for publicity.
He told Judas He could do anything he wanted to do.
He ignored Judas and did not respond.
He told Judas since he had sinned he could not judge Mary.
"Who are you to criticize her? …if your slate is clean, then you can throw stones; if your slate is not, then leave her alone."
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Who composed the music for Jesus Christ Superstar?
Stephen Sondheim.
Irving Berlin.
Andrew Lloyd Weber.
This was one of many collaborations where Lord Andrew Lloyd Weber (born March 22, 1948) composed the music, and Tim Rice (born November 10, 1944) wrote the lyrics. "Evita" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" are two other examples.
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.
Although Annas wanted to ignore Jesus, Caiaphas said they couldn't for what reason?
Jesus refused to pay taxes.
Jesus kept telling everyone He was God.
Jesus was a Roman.
The people called Jesus a king.
"He's just another scripture thumping hack from Galilee." "The difference is they call Him king. The difference frightens me."
From where did Caiaphas and the other Pharisees watch as Jesus entered Jerusalem?
Scaffolding.
The Pharisees were on scaffolding. No theater wanted to produce the musical, but the single "Jesus Christ, Superstar" was released and had moderate success in some countries. Because of this, they were given enough money to make a full album.
Inside the temple.
From a cave.
On a cliff that overlooked the road.
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During the scene where people were worshipping Jesus with palm branches, which song did Jesus' followers sing?
"Poor Jerusalem."
"The Temple."
"Hosanna."
"Hosanna! Hey, Sanna, Sanna, Sanna, Hosanna… Hey, J. C., J. C. won't you smile at me? …Hey, Superstar."
"Everything's Alright."
Who had a dream about Jesus?
Pontius Pilate.
Barry Dennen (born February 22, 1938) was one of the few actors to perform his role as Pilate on the album, stage, and screen. He has had a few small parts on television shows and has also provided the voice of several cartoon characters.
Pontius Pilate's wife.
Judas.
Mary Magdalene.
What was not one of the modern items being sold at the temple?
Drugs.
Electronics.
Norman Jewison, who directed the film, stated, "My hope is that audiences will take this for what it is – an opera, not history. These kids are trying to take Jesus off the stained-glass windows and get him down on the street. Some people are not going to like that."
Weapons.
Postcards.
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When the people wanted to be healed, what structure did they come out of?
The sewers.
Rock formations.
The people who wanted to be healed literally came out of the rocks. Jesus' miracles were downplayed throughout because Rice wanted to humanize Jesus, believing that Judas would not have accepted Him as the Son of God.
The river.
The Temple.
What did the Pharisees say to get Judas to take the money?
They told him they would shoot him if he didn't take it.
They told him he would need the money to leave town when the deed was done.
They told him to give the money to charity.
"Think of the things you can do with that money. Choose any charity; give to the poor."
They told him it was just a gift.
What chased Judas through the desert?
Chariots.
Tanks.
In addition to humanizing Jesus and sympathizing with Judas, they wanted to show Jesus as a purely political figure. This better represented the political atmosphere of the 60s and 70s in which the rock opera was written.
Police cars.
Busses.
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Which day of the week did Judas tell the Pharisees to seek Jesus?
Thursday.
"On Thursday night, you'll find Him where you want Him—far from the crowds in the Garden of Gethsemane."
Friday.
Saturday.
Sunday.
In the middle of the movie, what famous painting was replicated with a frozen shot?
Raphael's The Transfiguration.
Titian's The Entombment of Christ.
Da Vinci's The Last Supper.
The film was shot in Judea, and the weather was hot. The only time it rained was during the crucifixion scene, and they had to shut down until it stopped. The centerpiece of the film was The Last Supper, which freezes on all the apostles in an image similar to the one painted by Da Vinci.
Caravaggio's Ecce Homo.
Finish the quote: "For all you care, this bread could be __________."
"…Stale."
"… My last."
"… My bones."
"… My body."
"For all you care, this wine could be my blood. For all you care, this bread could be my body."
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Which character sings "I Don't Know How to Love Him?"
Judas Iscariot.
Simon Zealotes.
Mary Magdalene.
Ted Neeley (born September 20, 1943), who played Jesus, met his wife on the set of Jesus Christ Superstar—but it was not the actress who played Mary Magdalene. Instead, it was one of the dancers. He had been watching her and felt she was dancing too close to the fire, so he went to tell her to be careful, and the rest was history.
Peter.
What did Jesus tell them to do when they ate and drank?
Wash their hands.
Remember Him.
"If you would remember me when you eat and drink. I must be mad thinking I will be remembered."
Wash each other's feet.
Pray.
When Judas ran off to betray Jesus what herd of animals did he have to run through as he was leaving the Last Supper?
Pigs.
Sheep.
Judas runs through sheep. Many Christians protest the musical, but surprisingly the protesters with the loudest voices are those who complain Jesus is singing rock-n-roll. The main complaint of those Christians who have actually watched the show (and are not condemning it solely based on the music) is the fact that Jesus has lost his divinity in it.
Horses.
Camels.
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Who did Jesus say would deny him three times?
John.
Judas Iscariot.
James.
Peter.
"Peter will deny me in just a few hours—three times will deny me, and that's not all I see."
While Jesus sang Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say), what were the other apostles doing?
Cleaning up dinner.
Arguing in the background.
Sleeping.
Neeley always regarded this as one of the most difficult scenes for him to shoot, but he managed to nail it in one take, despite having to climb a mountain while hitting some of the highest notes in the performance. Neeley has continued playing the stage versions of "Jesus Christ Superstar" through his 70s.
Jesus had chased them all away.
What were the people who questioned Jesus on His way to Caiaphas representing?
His apostles.
Lawyers wanting to get money from Him.
Reporters.
Again, the reporters were a way to bring the story to a modern audience. Robert "Bob" Bingham born October 29, 1946) played Caiaphas but did not remain in show business long and retired from it in 1974.
Those who wanted last-minute miracles.
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Who witnessed Peter's denial of Jesus?
John.
John and Mary Magdalene.
The Apostle James and Mary Magdalene both witness Peter's denial. Richard Orbach, who played the Apostle James, went on to tour with dance companies, such as The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Judas Iscariot.
Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdelene.
Where did Pilate first send Jesus?
To King Herod.
Herod was played by Josh Mostel (born December 21, 1946), one of two actors to have previously performed in a film before "Jesus Christ Superstar." Mostel can also be seen in "Sophie's Choice," "The Money Pit," "City Slickers," and "Big Daddy."
To prison.
To Caiaphas.
To be beaten in the desert.
Which miracle was not one that Herod asked Jesus to perform?
Water to wine.
Raise a dead cat.
"Prove to me that you're divine: Change my water into wine… Walk across my swimming pool… feed my household with this bread. You can do it on your head."
Walk on water.
Turn bread into enough to feed his household.
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When Jesus was thrown into the cave-jail, who peered down at Him?
Peter.
Mary Magdelene.
Pontius Pilot.
Judas Iscariot.
Anderson, who played Judas Iscariot, was friends with Neeley offstage. They had both toured together with the stage production, and both fell into their roles when the lead who was cast could not perform. The director told them to keep their offstage friendship in mind while playing their roles.
What did Judas do with the money the priests gave him?
Gave it to the poor.
Used it to buy a field.
Threw it at the priests.
Judas threw the money at the priests, and it landed on the ground. The song "Then We Are Decided" was one that was made for the film version.
Bought new clothes and rope with it.
When Pilate asked the crowd what crime Jesus committed, what was their reply?
"He is not sinless!"
"He pretends to be a king!"
"He says He's the Son of God!"
"Crucify Him!"
"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" "Behold the man! Behold your shattered king!"
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How did Judas hang himself?
He uses what is left of the money to buy some rope.
With his shirt.
With his belt.
Judas hung himself with his own belt, but he does it as if compelled to that moment. During filming, the actors not only had to drink five quarts of water each day to fight dehydration, but also had to watch out for scorpions and terrorists.
He was sitting in the tree and singing, and accidentally hung himself when he fell out of it.
How many times was Jesus flogged?
10.
39.
"39! Where are you from, Jesus? What do you want, Jesus? Tell me."
50.
100.
Who came to Jesus to sing the song, "Jesus Christ Superstar?"
Judas.
Judas came back from the dead to sing "Jesus Christ Superstar." This was not the first rock opera released. "Tommy" had been released by The Who in 1969.
Peter.
God—in the form of a dove.
Lazarus.
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What was the closing shot of?
Mary Magdelene getting on the bus.
Judas Iscariot wandering in the desert.
The cross in the sunset.
The final shot is of the cross at sunset, and a figure can be barely seen walking in the dusk. The film covers the Passion play, which does not include Christ's resurrection. The fact the director left this accidental shot in the movie can be seen as a nod toward the resurrection.
A dove flying up to Heaven.
Who played Mary Magdalene?
Linda Rondstadt.
Chaka Khan.
Dionne Warwick.
Yvonne Elliman.
Yvonne Marianne Elliman (born December 29, 1951) performed on the album, stage, and in the film as Mary Magdalene. She went on to sing "If I Can't Have You" in the movie "Saturday Night Fever," which became a #1 hit.
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