It was aired live once . Now I can watch anytime

I love the 70s version but this was an excellent live version. Great singing and acting, especially Mary and Judas. Glad I have it now.

It's nice to be able to have this great show to listen to anywhere !!! If you loved the original from years ago you'll love this one !!!

I recorded the show, not having time to watch it when it was originally aired. I've watched it at least four times (JC: SS happens to be a favorite Andrew Lloyd Weber production) since. Even when my DVR became nearly full I watched/deleted everything else, but kept this movie. I jumped online when I discovered that it was finally on DVD, yet I kept the DVR version - just in case. I need not have worried.
It is obvious that the original production was aired on network television - movies without commercials do not fade-to-black like productions where the commercial have been excised. The film is expertly edited so the "breaks" allow for a bit of a breather. The presentation is high-energy and very well done. The story is timeless so you hardly notice that the "Israelites" are wearing torn blue jeans and sneakers. You really don't want to miss Alice Cooper as Herod.
If you've never seen any other production of this rock-opera you can stop reading now, as a comparison may not mean anything to you.
There have been countless productions of Jesus Christ: Superstar over the years, with varying demographics: white Christ, white Judas; black Christ, white Judas; white Christ, black Judas and this one: black Christ, black Judas. I've seen a couple live and now own two recorded versions. The most ambitious, in my opinion, is the production with Ted Neely as Christ and Carl Anderson as Judas (1973): "The film was shot in Israel (primarily at the ruins of Avdat, Beit Guvrin National Park, and Beit She'an) and other Middle Eastern locations in 1972." (IMDb) - there are tanks and fighter jets, shepherds with their flocks of sheep, and an amazing sunset. None of this is possible on a stage, but this current "live" version gets the point across.
While I enjoy John Legend, his role as Jesus Christ left me unsatisfied. My opinion is that he doesn't have the voice for the libretto - there are times when he seems to be working very hard to push out the song. There is also one spot where he gave me the feeling that Christ loved everyone because of who they were while JL's Christ loved everyone because of who he is. It's a play, the cast obviously had fun with it - in fact, on the DVD you get to see the "curtain call" which was cut from the "live production". If one remembers that, then one can excuse the actors playing to the audience. In the 1972 version, the actors remain in character as they get back on the bus - to the point where Neely never appears on screen after the crucifixion.
In short, sort of, my opinion is that this movie is worth the time to watch and whatever cost is involved to view it. Yes, I HAVE finally deleted the recording off of my DVR.

I saw this when it originally aired. I only found the dvd no streaming options available. Not of the John Legend performance. Moving and fantastic music.