MovieChat Forums > Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Discussion > Tanks and machine guns?

Tanks and machine guns?

posted 16 years ago by glassocchocomilk
30 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone know the purpose of the tanks and modern weaponry in the movie?

I always thought it was supposed to represent the timelessness of the story of Jesus' last week, like it will never be old or outdated.

Any other opinions?

[–] bthr 16 years ago

i think it meant to show the danger and death that judas felt was coming closer to him and the other followers of jesus.

[–] wielderofspoons 16 years ago

I think it was for the same reason they used modern-sounding songs...to give it a modern 'twist', like the story was being updated for a modern audience.

[–] rammo123 16 years ago

Nailed him to a cross?

[–] stueee 16 years ago

The way I heard it was that it was a reference to the 6 day war and the fighting that still goes on in Israel/Palestine today

[–] riegelsvillegrrrl 15 years ago

It was the Seventies. They did stuff like that a lot back then. It seemed edgy at the time. Don't worry about it; just relax and enjoy the movie.

[–] MamboJamboBrazil 15 years ago

yom kippur war happened in 1973

[–] rwsmith29456 14 years ago

Israel had been in several wars and were viewed (still are) as a militaristic state.

[–] HyperU2 13 years ago

Ironic foreshadowing of Waco.

[–] Ainull_seepage 13 years ago

It's just a spin on the popular tale. Updating yet still displaying the past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73SidPwuG78

Confound your lousy toll.. TROLL!

[–] BoxOfficePoison 8 years ago

I took the jet fighters to signify that Judas couldn't take back or stop the violence he'd set into motion.

"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."
"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die."