Me defending my dissertation in from of my PhD committee: “Then, I was inspired. Now, I’m sad and tired. Listen, surely, I’ve exceeded expectations. I tried for 3 years. Seems like 30. Could you ask as much from any other man?”
@@vroomfondel42 I love when he says “What YOU started! I didn’t start it!” Because the realness as a PhD student. We’re legit working on our PI’s projects.
Elizabeth Aso part of the problem is the pacing of the song itself. MHO the big break comes too late. It should come before he changes his mind and agrees. That timing is so quick it’s hard to make it work.3:30 he turns on a dime and then the big break follows. It’s just written with odd pacing.
That's what this song is-- portrays the turning point in Jesus' life .. This song starts with JC tired, sad, pleading/ bargaining, Angry, Angier; then, finally, acceptance. He does an excellent job! Wow
To improve your falsetto, you have to speak in falsetto a *lot*. Just think about how much work Ben has put in to achieve this - scarily a lot Also, raising your eyebrows can help, and stretching your throat. There are a few place in your throat where you can sing, so figure out which one of them gives you a purer tone
I'm just completely obsessed with the way he sings this, like Jesus is brimming with anger and resentment all the way to the end, because he doesn't WANT to die, but he doesn't get a say in that at all.. also Ben sounds incredible!!
To be fair, that would probably have been how Jesus would have felt, were he not God, knowing perfectly well that his death (as a perfect sacrifice, paying the price for all sin), resurrection (defeating death itself), and anscension (reuniting with his father in heaven) were the only way to provide mankind with a way back into God's presence after we were seperated from him by eating of the forbidden fruit. I'm actually fairly certain that he felt those feelings, because he was human. But he was also God, and knew the bigger picture. Jesus did have a say, and he decided to go through with this out of love for you and me, and because he wants to spend eternity with us.
He was probably my personal favorite bc of the way he humanizes him so much. He conveyed every emotion you would feel in that moment while also giving a phenomenal vocal performance.
@@franktranks9445 Yeah, I gotta say, Ted's "WHYYYYYYYY" is better than Ben's in my opinion, there's... I dunno how to describe it, but it has a lot more grit to it than Ben's, but good lord does Ben actually portray the character's inner anguish and turmoil perfectly through his song, while Ted just comes across as just... singing the song.
@@KyleKatarn145 To be fair there’s a lot of vocal cleansing put in afterwards on all of these JCS recordings so there’s not much grit in anyone’s voices because it’s been removed. My personal favourite is Steve Balsamo he’s just incredible and a super lovely man but anyone that can play Jesus deserves praise because oh my gosh is it a tough role!
the changes to the lyrics " God thy will be done, take your only son...." is very very powerful....Ben Forster and Steve Balsamo are my favorites....they always afford to give me tears almost feeling the pains our Jesus are feeling!
@@bradhuskers Cause it doesnt fit the rhyming scheme, and is a terrible line. It is a sign of forfetiure of his human half. The line "Take your only son" instead allows Jesus to express his human side of resentment for the stupid plan "God" made, and how dumb it is that he has to follow through with it
@@andrewknickerbocker314 The problem is that it's not a "stupid" plan as you so stupidly stated. It's a plan of pure perfection. If you had an ounce of intelligence, you'd understand that fact.
I'm loving the small bursts of anger in his performance, especially the part leading up to "die". Ben defines what a modern Jesus would be like to me, and I think this song really shows off his vocal potential in contrast to the others he sing.
No for me both Ted as Jesus and Carl as Judas in the 1973. Maybe because that was the one I grew up with (didnot have a record player and vids were not in vented yet) it was on every easter so I love seeing now on the netflix channel. I do love the passion Ben puts in... Be nice if he can still hit those notes like Ted did in 2021 at age 78. To me Judas in this Tims version is good but for me too hateful unlike carl in 1973 and the guy in the 2000 dvd, his name slips me.... They are both acting upset and anguish talking and touching Jesus. If you have not seen the 1973 movie I suggest a look. Words have been changed over the years, I suppose to keep up to date.
A bit late here, but I'm the same. Every time I come across this performance I have to replay this song several times before I feel I can move onto the next, haha. Always completely blown away by it
Ben Forster's falsetto is absolutely heart wrenchingly good. His rendition of Jesus is just heartbreaking. And that really gives the feeling rather than the "rock god" Jesus, you feel this young man feeling betrayed, confused, scared, and then that surrendered to his fate. Gethsemane I always felt was about the high notes it hit, but Ben changed my mind, the falsetto in this is like this sobbing wail of fear and frustration and just so spot on
Listen, I know this is a very serious and heart-wrenching song, but when he whispered to wake his disciples up at the beginning, all I could picture was Jesus calling for James, waiting a second, then removing a sandal and beaning James in the head with it to wake his lazy ass up
I don't know if this makes sense, but I like how ordinary he looks. All of the other Jesuses I've seen in some way look like the traditional Catholic depiction of Jesus, or at the very least have that air of divinity about them. Aside from the longish hair, I don't see that in Ben Forster. Instead of seeing Jesus as he is remembered in the modern imagination, we're forced to see him as he was: a person. A normal, nice young man with the weight of the world on his shoulders and expected to do far more than anyone should have to- and that makes this all the more heartbreaking.
I had never thought about that, but you are absolutely right! He's the most mundane Jesus I've seen, and that brings another layer to the story. Really cool observation.
@@procomxt Yes! It is a wig, I fr didnt think it was until i found out that Ben had short hair the whole time. i only thought it was his real hair since Tim has his real hair for the play. also Mel C i dont think thats her real hair either
Just incredible, how Ben reaches those endless high notes is just shear joy to watch. I wish I'd been in that audience to witness him. I loved it when he won Joseph. I adore this song.
My sentiments exactly!!! I believe the other line is "God thy will is hard, but you hold every card" I listen to this almost exclusively because of that one change. I believe the original story gravitates away from this sort of thing in order to secularize the play. After all, there is nothing overtly religious about the original "Jesus Christ Superstar". Nothing supernatural, nothing to indicate that Jesus is divine. Case in point: look at the words chosen for the last supper. "For all you know, this "could be" my body, as opposed to "this is my body." The first line is merely a metaphor, wheras the second indicates that his body is sacred, divine and will lead to salvation.
This is without a doubt my all time fave version of this entire thing. Ben does an amazing job in general but this song is so powerfully done is breathtaking!! The emotion he’s portraying to is amazing he knows exactly where and how to have the emotion to get maximum affect 100% achieved!! Totally mind blowing
He is by far the beat Jesus in my opinion, his voice is on point especially with the high notes. His way of portraying Jesus is incredible. He’s so convincing with his acting and shows true struggle and anger, especially in this song. Absolutely brilliant performance from Ben Forster in this show. No one better
Louise Reynolds I get you but the song is about Jesus talking to god saying why do I have to die so it’s natural to be angry. I personally think Ben has better vocals and acts it better but it’s personal preference
I watched this for the first time yesterday, and immediately fell in love with Ben's portrayal of Jesus in the film. He portrays the character so well, with the high notes, the emphasis and dedication. Absolutely marvellous
HERE WE GO AGAIN I just settled on Michael Ball's version being my favorite and now I'm reminded of how amazing Ben is in this song.. Like.. Why do they all have to be so different yet fantastic each in his own way?!
My problem with Michael Ball’s version isn’t that it doesn’t contain high notes (although it loses brownie points) but that the vocal line is so repetitive. I recently bought a piano and vocal book for JCS and the melody for Gethsemane is similar to Michael Ball’s and it’s nowhere near as satisfying to play and sing as other versions. However Michael Ball does have an amazing voice and it works amazingly.
@@mhand00 It's very good technically and nice to listen to - that note he holds, wow - but the version above with Ben Forster is my favourite because not only does he hit that massively high note (twice!) but he infuses so much emotion into every second of the performance. I BELIEVE the anguish in a way that I don't with Michael Crawford's version.
I really like the change they made to the original lyrics from "God your will is hard/But you hold every card" to "God thy will be done/Take your only son". It just seems even harder to hear, kinda cruel, but so very beautiful.
I much prefer the original version. In the Bible, Jesus never actually says he's the son of God so the new version doesn't fully make sense. I wonder why they changed it.
@@alexr137 Probably because it's risky if the actor pronounces it wrong as "God, thy willy's hard" But I agree with you, I prefer the original lyrics too
I INSTANTLY hit pause when I heard the line change. I think it's much weaker in this new version - "God, thy will is hard..." was always one of my favourite lines as I felt it captured perfectly the conflict of Jesus in what is essentially a negotiation he knows he can't "win". The singing in this is pretty good but the acting for me is just okay - comes off a little more whiny teenager than I like. I prefer a slightly more maturely agonized and desperate take on Jesus than most performers do. Ted Neeley still #1 for me.
This is by far the best performance fo this song. I've watched so many other performances and there isn't even a close second. Ben is absolutely amazing here!
Ben Forster and Tim Minchin really understood the assignment and made so many little, interesting, fantastic acting choices. there's something mesmerizing in how in the very beginning Ben absent-mindedly yet frantically rubs the stair with his hand, the beginning of his absolute nervous breakdown that is this song.
I fell in love with this song the first time I heard the song on the original LP brown album and have seen many live productions of the show since. However, I haven't ever cried until I watched this production and Ben Forster's performance of this song. He made it his own. Well done.
I've seen three clips of this show and already think it's a fascinating version. The chemistry, the actors, the vocals. Yeah I grew up on the og Ted Neeley version and saw the anniversary tour this year lol but the way they and the actors are so different. I can't even explain it. Just... chills watching this one.
Oh My Gosh............wonderful.........I saw Superstar when I was a teenager on Broadway in NYC this is my favorite musical of all time. I love this rendition and Tim Minchen is great also as Judas
Love this production of JCS! My Easter tradition is playing this DVD! The awesomeness of Ben, Tim & MelC. How it so brilliantly brought it into current times! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Jesus I only want to say If there is a way Take this cup away from me For I don't want to taste its poison Feel it burn me I have changed I'm not as sure, as when we started Then, I was inspired Now, I'm sad and tired Listen, surely I've exceeded expectations Tried for three years, seems like thirty Could you ask as much from any other man? But if I die See the saga through and do the things you ask of me, Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, nail me to their tree I'd want to know, I'd want to know, my God I'd want to know, I'd want to know, my God Want to see, I'd want to see, my God Want to see, I'd want to see, my God Why I should die Would I be more noticed than I ever was before? Would the things I've said and done matter any more? I'd have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord Have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord Have to see, I'd have to see, my Lord Have to see, I'd have to see, my Lord If I die what will be my reward? If I die what will be my reward? Have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord I'd have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord Why should I die? Oh why should I die? Can you show me now that I would 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 to keen and where and how, but not so hot on why Alright, I'll die! Just watch me die! See how I die! Then I was inspired Now, I'm sad and tired After all, I've tried for three years, seems like ninety Why then am I scared to finish what I started What you started, I didn't start it God, thy will is hard But you hold every card 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
He is amazing! I just found this clip a few days ago; I have watched it at least 30 times. It truly speaks to me after the year we have gone through. I am tired, but I realize how blessed I am too. Peace to Everyone in the new year ahead of us.
Ben foster is a man of many hats. The characters he portrays he fits so well within them and yet unless you know who he is it’s hard to put the fact he is the same person together. Such as him playing Brad from Rocky Horror. His voice, look, and mannerisms are very different. An amazing actor
I've not seen this until now. What a powerful performance. Ted was brilliant but Ben really has it. Seriously I was so captivated. Towards the end I was crying because Ben projects it in such a moving performance. Loved it
I love how subtitles are "quiet sobbing" and I'm just starting to cry as well. Ben Forster nailed it. One of my two top of "Gethsemane" together with Marcin Franc❤
A few years ago I saw Phantom of the Opera for the first time, Ben Forster was playing the part of The Phantom. I heard that in a lot of people's opinions his performance in Jesus Christ Superstar is proof as to why he was a fantastic choice for that part. And I can honestly say that after seeing him perform this song alone, I wholeheartedly agree. And to think Simon Cowell said no to him.
ALW saw him play Migaldi in Evita and invited Ben to go and sing phantom at his home, he got the part. Have you watched the phantomgreece clips on youtube, he is phantastic
Having seen this God of a man as both Jesus and Brad Majors (with Oliver Thornton as Frank 🤤), I can confirm he could perform the phone book and still make you cry
Also I get the tiniest tinge of homicidal rage whenever I hear Ben’s ABSOLUTELY perfect singing voice get tweaked by auto tune. I honestly think whoever was in charge of that was the wrong person for that job. Sorry I’ll calm down 😆😆😆
@@MrPARKERSBIRD the singing sort of has an electronic sound to it. (It's more obvious on Heaven On Their Minds) Also, it kind of sounds too good to be true
@@MrPARKERSBIRD at 2:25 when he's singing the last "wanna see, I wanna see my God" on the word "God" you can definitely hear it a bit, and 4:34 when he sings "then, I was inspired" the "was" is definitely tweaked a bit with autotune. Also in "Everything's All Right (Reprise)" when Ben sings "let the world turn without me tonight" there's auto tune on the word "world". I'm frustrated that they couldn't leave Tim alone with the auto tune, because he can DEFINITELY sing but they also couldn't leave Ben alone either, cause both of them were doing fine when it came to vocals and didn't need any tune-ups in the edit at all.
@@mariahevans6940 I got the ‘was’ at 4.34, I’ll have to keep listening to the rest together it. I can hear a missed or a slipped note with any professional singer but I’m not so good with auto-tune. I’ve got strange hearing levels. Thanks.
Really love the anger he puts into this performance, the indignation, the defiance. A lot of the actors play Jesus as this calm stoic character, when there's so much potential for the humanity of him in this play. And Ben really taps into that.
In the end jesus is basically like "fine, if I'm going to die then I'm going to be the BEST dead person you've ever seen god!". Probably one of the best songs of any musicals and ben forster killed it in the role
Thank you Universal for making this film, I never got the chance to see it live, so the dvd was my only chance. It is a totally awesome production and most of the comments here are positive. Ben Forster is absolutely awesome, love this performance. Thank you again
Ben is my fav version, he's an amazing singer and actor. This is the last chance to change his destiny, we can see fear, frustration, sadness, and finally acceptance. No one has looked all those emotions at the dame time.
John Legend was a good vocal performance, but the acting was meh when it was there at all. Jesus in JCS is a really meaty role for a rock tenor and I think people get hung up on Jesus's divinity while forgetting his humanity.
This is...unbelievable. This is my exposure to Jesus Christ Superstar and the feelings the performance conveyed and evoked from me. Absolutely phenomenal.
I saw this version at the Birmingham Arena. The atmosphere live was outstanding. Ben Forster was brilliant and so were all the cast including Tim Minchin and Mel C.
Incredible, just astounding! Ben just knocks this way out of the park. His version is in my opinion the best of the best. Amazing voice and beautiful young man. Bravo Ben👏👏👏💖👍🙏😊
I know Steve Balsamo, Drew Sarich (sometimes), Luke Kennedy and Ted Neely all did it too, while Ian Gillan (and many others) didn't. I love it. It's like the flip-up in On My Own on "I've only been PRETENDing" - it just adds that little extra frisson of feeling for me. Steve and Drew are two of my favourite Jesus' aside from this cast.
Ben is just the best Jesus for me, alltime. For me, no one else expresses despair, anger and resignation in such a way. Everytime I hear and see him i have to cry.
Apart from of course the breathtaking performance by Ben, I also loved the lyric change from the original: “God thy will be done; take your only Son”. (The original being “God they will is hard but You hold every card.”) Just a really great point of difference that he surrenders out of choice, and not just because god ‘holds all the cards’.
