Superstar (Jesus Christ Superstar song) the recording, including using a full orchestra and the backing vocals of the Trinidad Singers. The Grease Band, one of the best rhythm sections in the world at that time, were brought in as the foundation of the ensemble. When the 1973 film version and its accompanying soundtrack was released, Carl Anderson played Judas. During the scene in the film when the song "Superstar" is played, Anderson was lowered onto the stage by a crane made to look like a star during the song's intro. Ted Neeley as Jesus is shown during the song being lowered onto a cross. Laura
Jesus Christ Superstar (film) at the box office and earned North American rentals of $10.8 million in 1973, against an estimated production budget of $3.5 million. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 55% based on 22 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10. On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 64 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Years later the film was still popular, winning a 2012 "Huffington Post" competition for "Best Jesus Movie." Jewison was able to show the film to Pope Paul VI, "who openly loved what