Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus Christ Superstar illustrate Jesus wearing white underwear and robe. Alternatively in Mark 15 Jesus is dressed in a purple robe. This is highlighted in the line “They put a purple robe on Jesus”. I personally think that Jesus wore white, as that is a very clean and positive colour that reflects his personality. In all sources he is given a crown of thorns to wear this is so he is more like a king.
Jesus of Nazareth creates a very negative image, as he is unable to stand up for himself. He appears to be the victim and he doesn’t defend himself. He seems to be dreaming and he barely says a word. He gives the impression the cleansed and not afraid of dieing, as the atmosphere is very serene, calm and quiet. All these factors mirror his helplessness.
Jesus Christ Superstar depicts Jesus as being very normal he defends himself and shouts to the audience that he is not guilty. It is clear from the way that he acted that he didn’t want didn’t want to die. Therefore the image created is positive.
The extract Mark 15 represents Jesus as having a strong strength of character as he refuses the drink that was going to dull the pain. This is empathized in the line “There they tried to give him wine mixed with a drug called myrrh but Jesus would not drink it”. He also shows strength is silent as he does not challenge what is happening to him.
In one of the films, Jesus of Nazareth, he has no emotions; as he doesn’t scream when he is beaten this shows that he was an exceptional man who was prepared die. It also establishes how inhuman and spiritual he is. In the second film he is human and feels pain as he screams loudly when he is beaten. In the extract Jesus screams for help just as he is about to die. He screams for god.
Equally in the two films lightening creates a special aura. The lighting is always behind Jesus so it provides a glow or a halo above him. This idea reinforces his other worldness and how divine he was.
The music also helps to construct a special aura. In Jesus of Nazareth the music is very eerie. It changes when Jesus enters sop it is more calming to reflect Jesus’ mood. In Jesus Christ Superstar music is not present for the whole time he is on the cross. A full orchestral background is heard when Jesus shouts “Sprit” while he is dieing.
Out of all sources I believe the Jesus of Nazareth is how Jesus is typically shown n all forms of media. It was far more serious and natural that Jesus Christ Superstar. It highlighted the fact that he was someone special who came to save world. I do not believe this idea was picked up fully enough in Jesus Christ superstar for it to be deemed a high-quality account of Jesus crucifixion.
