Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Film Location Avdat Israel (23HQ) Google Earth (((Stereo)))

The film was shot in Israel (primarily at the ruins of Avdat)also the Dead Sea and other Middle Eastern locations in 1972.
Avdat (Hebrew: עבדת‎, from Arabic: عبدات‎, Abdat), also known as Ovdat or Obodat was the most important historic city on the Incense Route after Petra between the 7th century BCE and the 1st century BCE. It was inhabited by Nabataeans, Romans and Byzantines. It was a seasonal camping ground for Nabataean caravans travelling along the early Petra - Gaza road (Darb es-Sultan) in the 3rd - late 2nd century BCE. Avdat was named for Nabataean King Obodas I who was revered as a deity and, according to tradition, was buried there.
The cast consisted mostly of actors from the Broadway show, with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson starring as Jesus and Judas respectively. Neeley had played a reporter and a leper in the Broadway version, and understudied the role of Jesus. Along with Dennen, Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalene), and Bob Bingham (Caiaphas) reprised their Broadway roles in the film. Originally, Jewison had wanted Ian Gillan to reprise his role as Jesus, but Gillan turned down the offer, deciding that he would please fans more by touring with Deep Purple. Like the stage show, the film gave rise to controversy even with the changes to the script.

Some of the lyrics were changed for the film, partly enriching its content ("Hosanna", "The Temple") and partly making it more acceptable for a Christian audience. In a scene where a group of beggars overpowers Jesus, "Heal yourselves!", was changed to "Leave me alone!". In "Trial before Pilate", Jesus said "There may be a kingdom for me somewhere else, if you only knew", while the original line had been "if I only knew". And in "Judas' Death," the line "What you have done will be the saving of Israel" was changed to "... the saving of everyone."

Another important change was the insertion of a totally new song ("Then We Are Decided") in which the troubles and fears of Annas and Caiaphas regarding Jesus are better developed. These latter changes weren't espoused by later productions and recordings.

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