I saw this film in primary school catechism class in 1974, because we got a very young teacher who had a broad mind and wanted us to see it for further discussions (I remember before him this class was so dull). We went to the cinema and were happy not having to explore the Bible. Immediately afterwards I bought the double LP. I love the music since then extremely and got some all time favourites, songs I sing along with (you don't wanna hear)
Now I got a chance to see the film again after almost 35 years (seen it twice at the time and never since). I am really enchanted by it's modernism in many accounts... much better realized than some operas or theaters which do Greek classics I've seen, with sometimes dreadful mise en scène. Meaning in the film they don't hide it's done in 20th century showing the bus, modern cloth, tanks etc. I particularly like the Pharisee's scaffold, and when they sing tapping with their hands for percussion, that is really great. So I discover again a lot of details I forgot over time, having only the score.
Look e.g. at the dance scene ca 28 min. To me, it looks so fresh, dynamic & entertaining compared to the ENDLESS TIRESOME recent Hollywood/Music scene dancing of groups (dance virus initiated maybe by Michael Jackson's great Thriller video), and worse, the Bollywood inflation we get now. I look Bollywood films since 15 years & am getting really tired of it by now. So I think, Hair & JCSt are the best music films we have (not judging anything with music & dance before 1965.
I am not gong to talk about technical quality of filming etc, there are already enough such comments. Just want to point out that this was a real great event for me to see this film again, and I encourage everyone to see it at least once. It has so much emotions in it, sometimes cannot keep back the tears. You may say, I am much influenced because I listened to the score for 35 years. I admit and say, when we have great Rock Operas such as this, we can just be grateful for both, a fantastic score, and a fantastic film. This Film is a must see.
Now I got a chance to see the film again after almost 35 years (seen it twice at the time and never since). I am really enchanted by it's modernism in many accounts... much better realized than some operas or theaters which do Greek classics I've seen, with sometimes dreadful mise en scène. Meaning in the film they don't hide it's done in 20th century showing the bus, modern cloth, tanks etc. I particularly like the Pharisee's scaffold, and when they sing tapping with their hands for percussion, that is really great. So I discover again a lot of details I forgot over time, having only the score.
Look e.g. at the dance scene ca 28 min. To me, it looks so fresh, dynamic & entertaining compared to the ENDLESS TIRESOME recent Hollywood/Music scene dancing of groups (dance virus initiated maybe by Michael Jackson's great Thriller video), and worse, the Bollywood inflation we get now. I look Bollywood films since 15 years & am getting really tired of it by now. So I think, Hair & JCSt are the best music films we have (not judging anything with music & dance before 1965.
I am not gong to talk about technical quality of filming etc, there are already enough such comments. Just want to point out that this was a real great event for me to see this film again, and I encourage everyone to see it at least once. It has so much emotions in it, sometimes cannot keep back the tears. You may say, I am much influenced because I listened to the score for 35 years. I admit and say, when we have great Rock Operas such as this, we can just be grateful for both, a fantastic score, and a fantastic film. This Film is a must see.