<P> The apostles and Mary Magdalene remember how things began and wish that they had not gotten so out of hand ("Could We Start Again Please?"). Jesus is flung into a cell, where he is seen by Judas, who runs to tell the priests that he regrets his part in the arrest . He hurls his money to the ground and curses at the priests before running into the desert . Filled with regret for betraying Jesus, he blames God for his woes by giving him the role of the betrayor and hangs himself ("Judas' Death"). Jesus is taken back to Pilate, who questions him; Herod is also present . Although he thinks Jesus is deluded, Pilate realizes that he has committed no actual crime and has Jesus scourged; Herod is gleeful at first but eventually sickened . Pilate's bemused indifference turns to a frenzy of confusion and anger, both at the crowd's irrational bloodthirstiness and Jesus' inexplicable resignation and refusal to defend himself . Pilate realizes he has no option but to have Jesus executed or the masses will grow violent ("Trial Before Pilate (Including the Thirty - Nine Lashes)"). After Pilate washes his hands of Jesus' fate, Jesus' appearance transforms, the heavens open, and a white - jumpsuit clad Judas descends on a silver cross . Judas laments that if Jesus had returned as the Messiah today, he would have been more popular and his message easier to spread . Judas also wonders what Jesus thinks of other religions' prophets . He ultimately wants to know if Jesus thinks he is who they say he is ("Superstar"). Judas' questions go unanswered, and Jesus is sent to die ("The Crucifixion"), with ominous, atonal music, with Jesus saying some of his final words before dying . </P> <P> As the film ends, the performers, now out of costume, board their bus . Only the performers who had played Pilate, Mary Magdalene and Judas notice the actor who had played Jesus is missing . A shepherd and his flock cross the hillside beneath the empty cross ("John Nineteen Forty - One"). </P> <Ul> <Li> Ted Neeley as Jesus Christ </Li> <Li> Carl Anderson as Judas Iscariot </Li> <Li> Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene </Li> <Li> Barry Dennen as Pontius Pilate </Li> <Li> Bob Bingham as Caiaphas </Li> <Li> Kurt Yaghjian as Annas </Li> <Li> Josh Mostel as King Herod </Li> <Li> Philip Toubus as Peter </Li> <Li> Larry Marshall as Simon Zealotes </Li> <Li> Richard Orbach as John </Li> <Li> Robert LuPone as James </Li> </Ul> <Li> Ted Neeley as Jesus Christ </Li>

Who played pontius pilate in jesus christ superstar