Jesus Christ Superstar | Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)

After the Last Supper, Jesus knows Peter will deny Him and Judas will betray Him. In the night before his crucifixion, he wrestles with God's plan for Him in this rock ballad from Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Buy/Rent Jesus Christ Superstar!

This dazzling interpretation of the hit Tim Rice - Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera tells the story of Christ's (Ted Neeley) final weeks in a bold and epic production. Shot entirely on location in Israel, producer-director Norman Jewison creates a brilliant example of modern movie making with groundbreaking vision and the unforgettable songs of Rice and Webber. Nominated for several Golden Globe Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress.

© 1973 Universal Pictures Corp., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Cast: Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennen, Bob Bingham, Larry Marshall, Josh Mostel, Kurt Yaghjian, Philip Toubus
Produced by: Norman Jewison, Robert Stigwood
Directed by: Norman Jewison

[Edtuma]

Imagine waking up to see Jesus absolutely shredding those vocals

[stheno]

No other version will ever beat Jesus Christ Superstar 1973, it's perfect ❤

[em]

"Why then am I scared to finish what I started?
... What YOU started.
I didn't start it!"

[tonymuratori]

The thing that always got me about Ted Nealy‘s performance was he truly had the haunted hunted look. That set him apart from all the other actors who played Jesus.

[claires]

Even as an Atheist, this performance brings me to tears every time seeing a human being trying to make sense out of his life circumstances. Then he holds that last note as he stares out to that hauntingly indifferent sunset. So beautiful.

[bobgreen]

Ted figured into one of my most perfect days…I was 15 years old (so spring 1972)…skipped school with a friend, took the train into NYC, had my first drink in a bar (I was 15, but the bartender never even glanced at us as he poured the beers) and then caught a matinee of JCS at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. Ted was otherworldly as Jesus! I’m nearly 67 and remember it like it was yesterday! Glorious….

[gpeddino]

"God, thy will is hard, but you hold every card." My favorite line from this masterpiece.

[vicentehizon]

4:00 the slideshow of famous paintings of Jesus on the cross never fails to give me chills.

[sjmcmichael]

The most soul-crushing part of this song for me is Jesus’ revelation that it’s out of his control. There’s a huge emotional shift in the space between “What I started” and “What you started.” Everything after that is just pure emotional power.

[cameronpearce]

The greatest part of Jesus was not his divinity, but his humanity

[masarusenpai]

Ok, but can we just all appreciate how heart wrenching that climax was?

[andreajuanitodicandia]

"Can you show me now
that I will not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little
of your omnipresent brain!
Show me there's a reason
for your wanting me to die!
You're far too keen on where and how,
but not so hot on why!"
Goosebumps even to an atheist like me...

[connieatkinson]

The Bible says Jesus was sweating drops of blood when he was asking his Father for the "cup" of crucifixion to pass from him before submitting to his Father's will. The lyrics and Ted Neeley's superb performance portrayed it perfectly.

[keyblademasterclark]

I've seen SO many people perform this song and no one even comes CLOSE to Ted's performance in this song!

[darkangel_]

Ted Neeley has his own YouTube channel, and he sang this in 2023, while the movie played silently in the background. 50 years later, and the man's still got it. I get all teary eyed when he sings.

[marklivingstone]

Ted Neely owned this song. I have never heard it performed better or with more heat wrenching passion. He set the bar high and no one, imo, has topped him.

[fleabaguette]

"I will drink your cup of poison, nail me to your cross and break me, bleed me, beat me, kill me. Take me now before I change my mind..."

The whole song is beautiful, but that last line paired with the shot of him reaching out to the sunrise... it's like a punch to the feels. To be so afraid and unsure, to be so HUMAN, but still follow the plan to the end even if it means his death... I may not be as religious as I used to be, but the story of Christ always brings tears to my eyes. 😢

[goobi]

“Will none of you wait with me.”

The fact my faith has plummeted in the past years, this hit me hard

[karyncasey]

I saw this at 7 years old. No amount of church made me understand what this movie did. It brought it to life for me and it still gives me chills...God bless all who see it.

[aleishadinisi]

Saw him live, he hit those notes so strongly that he did not need a microphone