Compare and Contrast Essay: King of Kings and Jesus Christ Superstar

The life of Jesus Christ is often portrayed differently in modern films and other editions of the bible. In the two films, King of Kings, directed by Nicholas Ray, and Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Norman Jewison, Jesus’s life is portrayed differently between each other. With each movie having comparisons and differences, each filmmaker made choices giving Jesus a different illustration of who Jesus was and what Jesus did. 

Nicholas Ray’s film King of Kings portrayed Jesus the same way the bible does or the same way we are taught. He was born in a stable and three wise men from the east paid a visit making Jesus be the King of Judah. The Romans ordered all newborn children in Bethlehem to be put to death but Jesus had left in time. He is then baptized and faces the wilderness. Jesus gained followers and proved himself to be the son of god after changing people's lives and being wise. The same last supper scene and crucifixion. Lastly, Jesus' death was portrayed similarly as he was buried behind a boulder but in the morning was not there. Ray portrayed Jesus as the main character many people see him as. A man who speaks the truth, a man who values and cares for others, and someone who forgives. The point Ray was trying to make is that Jesus is perfect. He was shown as the boss throughout the whole film. No matter the situation Jesus was always seen as a good guy who was calm and knew how to handle the situation as if he was flawless.

Norman Jewison’s film Jesus Christ Superstar portrayed Jesus’s life very differently than Ray’s film especially since it was a musical. The film does not show Jesus’s upbringing and come up. He is already supported by many followers and everyone is curious about when they will go to Jerusalem. Jesus in this film has a lady who is like his wife or girlfriend. What's different in this film than Ray’s is that Jewison had Jesus become a mad man when his temple wasn't being used for prayers but had guitars and clothes and food everywhere. The last supper is outside and as soon as Jesus is crucified and dies the movie ends and everyone heads back to the bus they arrived on. They all seemed to be down or sad almost as if they didn't believe in Jesus anymore. Jewison portrayed Jesus as an ordinary man. He is a man with higher power and is still believed to be the son of god but he acted like a normal man. He was frustrated and stressed at moments and happy and wise as well. The point Jewison was trying to make is that Jesus is just like all of us. He is a human being and can act the same way we do at times but that doesn't make him not the son of God. He is still Christ. The point is proven by him having a wife or girlfriend and having multiple moments in the film where he was stressed and let out his rage like at his last supper on one of his disciples who turned him in.

Although both films portrayed parts of Jesus’s life differently, they portray Jesus’s lives similarly as well. Both films give Jesus the same characteristics. He had the same complexion and type of hair. Jesus was also emphasized as a man of the people in both films. Both had 12 disciples and the last supper. Both talked about the miracles Jesus performed for example The Romans reading a scroll of all of Jesus's miracles in King of Kings and Jesus Christ Superstar having a whole song about having Jesus complete the miracles they had heard he done. Even the death of Jesus had the same build-up to it. 

Overall with each movie having comparisons and differences, each filmmaker made choices giving Jesus a different illustration of who Jesus was and what Jesus did. In the film King of Kings, Nicholas Ray portrays Jesus as a perfect being. No matter the situation Jesus knew how to handle the situation. In the film, Jesus Christ Superstar Jewison was trying to make it that Jesus is seen as any other person in the film. A normal being. Finally, both films showed great portrayals of the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of different people.