Jesus Christ Superstar (film) who had played Jesus is missing. A shepherd and his flock cross the hillside beneath the empty cross ("John Nineteen Forty-One"). During filming of "Fiddler on the Roof", Barry Dennen, who played Pilate on the concept album, suggested to Norman Jewison that he should direct "Jesus Christ Superstar" as a film. After hearing the album, Jewison agreed. 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. Likewise, Anderson understudied
Barry Dennen master of ceremonies in the London version of "Cabaret". In 1970, he played Pontius Pilate on the album of "Jesus Christ Superstar", and he played the same role in the Broadway production (1971). In the same year, he played Mendel in Norman Jewison's film of "Fiddler on the Roof". According to Dennen's website, he suggested to Jewison that he direct a film version of "Jesus Christ Superstar". Jewison did so, and Dennen played Pilate again (1973). Dennen also played a variety of small parts on American television shows including: "Batman", "Galtar and the Golden Lance", "Tales from the Darkside" and