Made for television warning. Long haired hippy style Jesus, bemidst thuggish 'Rent Boy: the musical' style apostles. Nice weather throughout.

Jesus of Nazareth (Glenn Carter) is the messiah, surrounded by a group of apostles who appear determined to use Jesus' teachings to fight occupying Rome, thus missing the point of his teachings of peace.

An angst ridden Judas Iscariot (Jérôme Pradon) tells Jesus his movement is out of control and that they have gone down the wrong route to get the Jesus message of love across... there's only one way to stop it...

"Whilst this movie was probably made with people the same age as in the 1970's classic, without any hippy garb they look much younger and fitter in vests."

"The problem with the 1973 original version was that it was difficult to tell which one was Jesus. They all looked like hippies with long hair and beards. This time there is no danger: Jesus is the one not wearing the muscle vest."

"Jesus without a beard? It's a biblical disgrace, God damn them all!"

"A colorful effort."

"Lots of nice musical moments, without the slow bit in the middle of the 1973 original."

Judas, worried that everyone is going to call him the 'biggest bastard in history', tells Jesus' supporters they are about to arrest their messiah. They fight viciously to the end, Jesus escapes to write philosophy until he dies, aged 86...

... Naaa, only kidding folks: Jesus is crucified until he looks dead, is then cut down, comes back to life and then pops off again...

Is it possible to make a more defiantly Rent-a-boy looking Jesus musical effort? I beg to think not!

The music is well known and the piece benefits from modern production techniques, and the cutting of some of the more dated numbers (Pin ball wizard - be gone!)

This version is much less dusty than the original movie effort, and will have the youngsters all excited by the youthful vigor and dancing that envelopes this production. If this movie does not make you want to jump up out of your seat and dance then no biblical musical effort ever will, rest assured.

Both angst ridden and, yet, joyfully exuberant, and, yet, murderously sinister in places, the lighting never lets it down.

"I just don't know how to love him."

"What's the buzz?"

Any kosher food - to be eaten with chopsticks.

In the sitting round the Christian campfire, burning naughty books and vests.

For a moment we thought Jesus was running a rent boy business. Apparently they are the apostles.

All the apostles seem well up for a fight, but none of them look strong enough to tear their way out of a paper bag. However, what they don't have in muscle, they make up for in sheer, brutal, choreography.

One of those rare musicals where there is no talking at all (see also Evita.) The songs are catchy, although not as good as Evita.

This is a youth filled, cheeky, musical which takes many wide swipes at a complex, sensitive, subject. It fearlessly pulls no punches and is guaranteed to upset anyone remotely connected to the church.

On its original release, theaters showing the movie and the musical were protested.

Vest wearing should be made compulsory for all under 25's.

Dogs will appreciate the long walks associated with a messiah at this point in history.

Cats have always liked the idea of pulling a tablecloth off a table but with all the items staying on it. Judas does a very poor attempt at this trick during the last supper scene which may annoy.

Christian wood mites and any animal/insect that likes eating wood may get frustrated during the hanging scene.

13

A small crucifix.

Moments of thwacky-out arms and singing with crumply chins are spotted at times during this movie.

A pleasant movie and to be preferred to the 1973 effort which has dated terribly. Everything looks nice and colorful, and, despite some of the appalling lyrics ('then I was inspired, now I'm sad and tired'), this movie is a welcome reworking of an old musical favorite.

August 17 , 2003