This film has the touch of God.

garpo

There are moments in this movie that are so ethereal and have such spiritual resonance that you can't help but be moved by them. Unlike his other pictures, Jewison takes full advantage of his cinematic medium, manipulating images to full religious impact. He turns a quaint, low-budget stage production into a sweeping epic with majestic landscapes and dazzling editing. Carl Anderson's conflicted Judas is the most believable and heart-breaking rendering of the man who betrayed Christ that I've ever known. And what a singer he is!! As for Neeley's Jesus, all I can say is that I have to believe the performance was truly inspired by God Himself. For all who think the film is sacrilegious, note it has the same EXACT ending as Ben Hur. The entire film is a complete religious experience.

score 10/10

garpo 12 April 2000

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0129861/