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‘universal’ Plans No Cuts or Changes in ‘jesus Christ Superstar’

June 27, 1973
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A Universal Pictures spokesman said today that his company is satisfied with its controversial film “Jesus Christ Superstar” and does not intend to make any changes in it.

The spokesman, Dick Delson, who described himself as “a Jew,” told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that neither he nor Universal “felt concerned” over charges that the film is anti-Semitic.

Universal Films issued a statement today responding to the concern expressed by the American Jewish Committee that the film, due to be released tomorrow, is “insidious” and that it “dramatized old falsehoods about the Jews.”

The statement said the film was conceived and recorded as “rock opera” and was never intended as a “religious tract.” It did not reply to specific charges made by the AJ Committee in a study prepared by its Institute of Human Relations.

Russian dancer Rudoll Nureyev will be one of a dozen internationally known artists who will participate in the Israel Festival opening July 16 in Caesarea.

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