Their Holiday Favorites: 'Swingin' Trio' Filmmakers Love 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

Welcome to our latest entry in Their Holiday Favorites, a series in which members of the Austin film community tell us about movies they enjoy watching during the holiday season. This one is from Kelvin Phillips and Carla Jackson, who made their feature film debut this fall at AFF with A Swingin' Trio. 

Kelvin: Though technically more of an Easter film because of its story, we love going back to Jesus Christ Superstar -- the original 1973 film directed by Norman Jewison -- for repeated viewings, particularly around the holidays. Firstly, there is the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, plus there's the witty lyrics and controversial book (story) that presents Judas's argument in a sympathetic light.

But the thing we REALLY LOVE is the singing -- everyone is great, but special shoutouts have to go to Carl Anderson as Judas, Ted Neely as JC, and Bob Bingham as the bass-singing Caiaphas. The film itself is gorgeous to look at (would love for the Alamo to present it on the big screen!). It was shot in Israel, using widescreen photography of the desert vistas and ancient ruins that are spectacular.

Carla and I argue about our favorite scene: I really love when Mary Magdalene sooths JC by singing "Everything's Alright," because the song has that jazzy 5/4 lilt to it, but Carla loves when Mary sings to the sleeping JC "I Don't Know How to Love Him" because it makes her cry.
 
Carla: It makes me cry (Carla speaking) because to a certain degree, this is the lament of every woman in love. We want to love our man (in Mary M's case, man/messiah) in a way that makes him feel like he can accomplish anything. I gladly revisit that struggle theatrically -- to love "correctly"/generously -- in the film as my annual gift to my husband."

Want to watch? Jesus Christ Superstar is available for rental at both Vulcan Video and I Luv Video. It's also available streaming through Netflix Watch Instantly and Amazon.