Rating: 
Summary: A Beautiful City
Review: I'd been dying to get hold of a copy of this musical (very scarce on DVD in the UK!) - and I certainly wasn't disappointed. I've never seen any production of Godspell, just listened to various recordings of the score. It isn't for everybody - this is the embodiment of the hippy God-rock musical, as a group of what seem to be overgrown kids get groovy and follow a big-haired Jesus around early-70s NYC. What it lacks in technical merit and characterisation (with the exception of Jesus, who is unsettlingly good, and Judas/John) it makes up for in sheer, big-hearted energy. I've always been a big fan of the score and it's done full justice in a vibrant re-orchestration. Where this film comes into its own though is when the pantomime gives way to more reflective moments, like "On the Willows", "Day by Day" and "By Your Side". The crucifixion finale is raw and powerful, with tremendous violence implied rather than displayed openly. Whatever its faults - and there are a few - this will make you think. An admirable movie version!
Rating: 
Summary: Nice film version of my all-time favorite theatrical musical
Review: While in high school (circa 1973), a group of us went to see a local college theatrical version of Godspell and I totally fell in love with the play, the music, the wit and parables, everything about it. So much so in fact, that I went to see the play every chance I got (three different stage productions). Then I saw the movie version and thought that it was a wonderful rendition of the play. Yes, it did lose a little bit in the translation, particularly the fun-loving audience participation of the play, but hey, it was a movie. I especially LOVED how the movie "used" an almost desolate-looking New York City as a visual backdrop... amazing set direction and cinematography. Also, Victor Garber did a great job as Jesus. He reminded me so much of the stage version. Godspell still lives on as my all-time favorite musical.
Rating:
Summary: When.. you.. feel.. sad..
Review: My sister and I have been fans of this movie almost since it came out. It is by far my favorite musical.I love most of the musical numbers, except for "Alas For You", which scared me when I was a kid... but, I'm over it now. No, really, I am. :) There aren't too many bonuses on the dvd (which is my reason for four stars instead of five): a couple of short text bios of a few of the stars and some trailers of the movie. The scene selection choices were well done, so if you have one favorite song from the movie, you can go straight to it. The only two stars from this, that I know of, that have had a long lasting acting career, are Victor Garber who plays Jesus (I still can't believe this is the same guy that plays Sydney's father on Alias) and the late very great Lynne Thigpen. Out of my dvd collection, this one has the strangest list of foreign language subtitles: English, Spanish, Portugese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai. I'm guessing the movie wasn't all that popular in Europe. Soooo, when you feel sad or under a curse, this movie should definitely lift your spirits. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: still fresh and fun after 30 years
Review: This colorful hippie romp through the Gospel According to Matthew is a classic for kids of all ages, with its attractive, talented cast, and Richard Heimann's wonderful cinematography, with great vistas of New York City as the backdrop; many have the eerie beauty of the World Trade Center as its focus, with one scene taking place on the roof of one of the towers, with the city spread out beneath it.
The music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz are delightful, though my favorite song, "By My Side", was written by Peggy Gordon and Jay Hamburger.
The comedy is broad, and of the many parables told, the story of the Prodigal Son is hilarious, using clips from silent films to illustrate it. The energetic, gifted ensemble have a wide range of talents, and though this film did not propel any of them to stardom, some have had good careers (mostly with TV work) since this film was released in 1973, especially Victor Garber, who is so marvelous as Jesus, with his lovely, sweet tenor voice and angular movements, Lynne Thigpen, the effervescent bundle of joy who sings "O Bless the Lord My Soul", and the very funny Jerry Sroka.
As a group, they are all equally strong in their vocal, dance, and comedic skills, and are a large part of why this film works so well.
The Last Supper scene is a great piece of staging, and I especially like the added touch of blessing the bread and wine in Hebrew, and the subtle, though gripping handling of the darker portions towards the end keeps this an excellent family film, as even very young children will enjoy the slapstick humor and clever costumes.
This film is one of the best stage to screen adaptations, and is a jubilant celebration of life and God's love.
Rating: 
Summary: Godspell: Great Movie - Awful Transfer to Video
Review: I waited more than a decade for Godspell to be released on video. When Columbia finally released this they obviously didn't spend a whole lot of money on it. I was a little unhappy to see that it was not in stereo, but I could accept that considering that's how the movie was originally released to theaters. I think the movie is great. Others find it boring or bizarre. If you haven't seen the movie, it's a modern day (circa 1973) telling of Jesus' last days according to the gospel of St. Matthew set in NYC. (Unfortunately, the movie ends before the most important part of the gospel.) There are great scenes of the Manhattan skyline. Classic 70s fashions are in place. The songs are some of the best from any musical, which brings me to my worst complaint. Three songs, including the hit "Day By Day", have a terribly annoying amount of wow and flutter (inconsistent speed) to them. Instead of buying the video, I'd recommend waiting for it to air on TNT.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Religious Musical Ever!
Review: I am in a production of "Godspell" myself at my high school as John the Baptist. The movie was the perfect way to really see how David Haskell performed it. Not only that, but the power of the final scene made realize just exactly what I'd undertaken. The music, the characters, and the scenery made this a very moving show. The only bad comment that I would have to make is that the sound quality on some of the songs deteriorates, which made me a little edgy. However, I cannot believe that someone could call it a mockery of the New Testament. I consider it one of the best. Suddenly we can see Jesus, in a modern-day situation, and relate to him. The songs add more brilliant color to the movie, with songs varying from jubilant (Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord), to sad (By My Side, On The Willows). I would say that even if you aren't a religious person, the music and the acting is worth watching.
Rating: 
Summary: THIS MUSICAL IS TERRIBLE!!!
Review: THIS MUSICAL DOSN'T MAKE SENSE! IT'S STUIPED! WHY DID THEY PUT JESUS ON A BASEBALL GATE INSTEAD OF PUTTING HIM ON A CROSS?!?! THIS MUSICAL CAN NEVER BE MADE SO IT WOULD BE BETTER. THE FIRST SONG IS OK, BUT I'M STILL CONFUSED WITH THE WHOLE SUPERMAN SHIRT THING. I CAN HARDLY REMEMBER THE OTHER SONGS. I SAY IF YOU WANT TO SEE A GOOD BIBLE BASED ROCK OPERA, YOU SHOULD SEE !HERO OR JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.
Rating:
Summary: When.. you.. feel.. sad..
Review: My sister and I have been fans of this movie almost since it came out. It is by far my favorite musical. I love most of the musical numbers, except for "Alas For You", which scared me when I was a kid... but, I'm over it now. No, really, I am. :) There aren't too many bonuses on the dvd (which is my reason for four stars instead of five): a couple of short text bios of a few of the stars and some trailers of the movie. The scene selection choices were well done, so if you have one favorite song from the movie, you can go straight to it. The only two stars from this, that I know of, that have had a long lasting acting career, are Victor Garber who plays Jesus (I still can't believe this is the same guy that plays Sydney's father on Alias) and the late very great Lynne Thigpen. Out of my dvd collection, this one has the strangest list of foreign language subtitles: English, Spanish, Portugese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai. I'm guessing the movie wasn't all that popular in Europe. Soooo, when you feel sad or under a curse, this movie should definitely lift your spirits. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: God hasn't been this painful since the old testament
Review: The only reason I hesitate to give this a lower rating is I revel in how incredibly trite this film truly is. The true value of this film is New York City. In fact, after about the first few minutes you'll find yourself blocking out the gregarious costumes and horrid choreography and staring at the backdrop of Skyscrapers, parks and other wonderful landmarks and locales. From silly sing-a-longs to a sad, trumped-up garbage beast (ooh, the depth... the meaning...) this film serves as a wonderful slice of American pop culture as long as that culture is middle class and painfully white. I'm sure we've all remembered bits of the songs here and there as little earworms that catch us in the line at the deli muttering under our breath "Day by Day" or other such nonsense as the clerk behind the counter stares on in confusion trying to make change; but besides the rather ridiculous time capsule it serves as now little else can be said about this valiant effort to bring Jesus and awkward, lanky movement together. Not quite as blasphemous as Jesus Christ Superstar, but almost there, this homogenized, ridiculously suburban-serving film and its messages of love and faith are nothing more than laughable today. As one reviewer put it nicely, "it's an acquired taste" much like lutefisk or drywall. The moral of the story is: Sing praise to Jesus, but don't let clowns pretending to be Jesus sing praise.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie
Review: Godspell is a wonderful expirience. I found it quit interesting and exciting. I heard of parables in the movie that I never heard of before. I find it educational for those who believe. Its a great way for kids to learn about the parables and Jesus.
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