Godspell

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, if not a little outdated..
Review: I saw this movie for the first time after I did "Godspell" in high school, and I thought it was a pretty good movie, but I was amazed how much I felt "dazed and confused" during it. First of all, my high school did not do the "clown" theme with Jesus in a Superman shirt and all that, so this was my first time seeing the original 1971 concept. I thought it was pretty good, but amazingly outdated. It just doesn't work anymore, it seems too far out of place. This taking place in the 70's, many things were funnier than they are now, and so some, actually, most, of the the comedy wasn't funny. The major thing I'm talking about is Jerry and his high, cartoonish voice that he does for 90% of the film. It just got annoying. Another character I wasn't always so happy about was Judas. David Haskell just doesn't seem really into it. He wasn't annoying, but I just didn't like him as much as I did with him just being a voice on my CD. Also, I know I'm not allowed to, but I also got annoyed with how HAPPY the cast were. I mean, except for the pharasee scene and the finale, they were always SO incredibly happy....Also, playing the Jeffery character in high school, I was really disappointed when they cut "We Beseech Thee" and "Learn Your Lessons Well" for the film. I mean, both are good, high-sprited songs, and people would of enjoyed them in the movie just as much as on the stage. But oh, well, we did get "Beautiful City" instead. These were the bad points of the film, at least for me.

But for the good points, I must say the best thing in the film is the soundtrack. I enjoyed the music much more here then with the original Broadway cast. Lamar's "All Good Gifts" was just too much, and Merrell's version was great. "Day by Day" sounds the best here, not on the video, but the SONG does. Also, Lynne Thigpen NAILS, I mean, NAILS "Bless the Lord" and she sounds GREAT on it. Also, "Beautiful City" does make you smile. Buy the CD soundtrack with this movie. You may like it better than the Boradway Cast CD. But besides the soundtrack, I also enjoyed the sense of friendship the cast has. I know I said earlier that they seem TOO happy, but it's good that they do. It shows they really are friends, and when Jesus (played almost awkwardly by Victor Garber, who will keep you thinking only about him being Mr. Andrews in "Titanic" while you watch him) dies, you'll really care, and seeing the disciples scream on the fence at the end will make you almost cry. Finally, I love the photography of the film. It's amazing how they seem to totally desert New York City for the film. I was surprised how awesome it looked. And them fitting in the Prodigal Son scene inside the Cherry Lane Theatre, where "Godspell" was first performed, is just a cool thing to do.

Overall, this IS a good movie, sadly ignored by moviegoers in 1973. If you like "Godspell," you'll like this movie. ....

Rating:
Summary: Exhilarating!
Review: Godspell is not a perfect movie, but something about the music, the silliness, the gentle innocence and the abundant feeling of love pulsing through the film just touches my soul! It's a bit dated, but I've loved it since it came out in 1973. The film helps modern-day audiences relate more to the character of Jesus, and the warmth that emanates from Victor Garber and his friendship / love for his followers really comes across in a way that speaks the real meaning of Christianity. "Day by Day" and "By My Side" bring tears to my eyes every time I hear them. Highly recommend this video for those with an open mind and an open ear.

Rating:
Summary: The Gospel According To Today
Review: I remember the first time I saw this movie...Thanksgiving Night 1974 on ABC. I fell in love with it then and I still love it! Godspell has a history...written by John-Michael Tebelak, first produced at LaMama (off-off-Broadway), off-Broadway in 1971, film 1973, broadway 1976, revival in 2000 and the touring company of 2001. All classics in their own right. The cast, led by Victor Garber (of "Titanic") retell the story of Christ all over NYC, with parables and hit songs by Stephen Schwartz. From the beginning, when John/Judas (played by David Haskell) calls forth the apostles to be baptized thru to the cruxifixion ("Finale"), you will be memorized by hit songs: "Day By Day" song with love by beautiful Robin Lamont, "By My Side" by Katie Hanley (of the original cast of "Grease"), "Bless The Lord" by outstanding actress Lynne Thigpen, "All Good Gifts" sung wonderfully by Merrell Jackson and the toe tapping "All For The Best" sung and danced by Garber and Haskell. Five of the original off-Broadway cast members are here= Ms.Lamont, Mr. Haskell, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, the beautiful Joanne Jonas. This is a must have movie for everyone: families, children, teens, people who love musicals and just anybody who wants to have that happy feeling inside.And the musical CD's are still available right here at Amazon.com!

Rating:
Summary: Lord, have mercy!
Review: To be quite frank, the only reason I would give this movie even one star is for Victor Garber's brilliant portrayal of a modern-day Jesus. But even with him, this musical is nothing but a dreary piece of Christian propoganda. The lack of subtlety disgusted me, along with the insulting way in which evil was portrayed as being jokingly punished with - oops! - an eternity of Hell. The grating giggles and irritating jolliness with which the fates of mortals were blindly decided made me wonder whether I was in Hell already. The Sunday School script was worse than an episode of "Seventh Heaven", and the simpering seventies soft-rock hymns were nauseating. It makes me wonder whether Jesus himself wouldn't have over-turned a few of their tables. Unless you feel you would enjoy what seems like an end-of-bible-camp, anti-"heathen", Christian "Rock" songfest, give this one a wide berth.

Rating:
Summary: PARABLES OF JESUS
Review: Godspell is a wonderful movie full of songs like "DAY BY DAY" and tell the story of Jesus through PARABLES. This movie is a classic and enjoyable, if you don't trip on the superman outfit or the abrupt ending. Remember these are just people play acting...and not trying to be real life Christ. Kids really love the parables such as the GOOD SAMARITAN, THE PRODIGAL SON, LAZARAS & THE RICH MAN, and many more.

Rating:
Summary: Always In The Shadow...
Review: Unfortunately, GODSPELL has always had JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR as an unfair comparison, which is a shame because in many ways GODSPELL is superior. For one, GODSPELL, as it is subtitled, is based on the gospel of St. Matthew. The story follows the biblical account pretty accurately putting it in modern time, from the calling of the apostles to Christ's crucifixion. Second, for the most part, the music is uplifting. After hearing many of these songs, you'll remember them. Third, the scenery is unique, again placing the story of the Christ in modern, and somewhat familiar territory. I used to watch GODSPELL every Easter when it was shown on TV even though I would be described as a "fallen Catholic" and it always gave me a good feeling afterwards. If you've seen JCS, do yourself a favor and watch GODSPELL, if just to compare the two musical versions of Christ's ministry.

Rating:
Summary: God Awful
Review: this musical is the pits. I saw it on Broadway and loved it because the sets were as integral as the production. But the major mistake the film makers made was to film this on location, using the actual streets of Manhattan (where I live)It was a gimmick that you couldn't forget in watching this hideous exercise in movie making. In watching the cast prancing up empty New York streets, and wondering how did they do that, you get easily bored because there's so little color. The cast is wretched. No wonder you've never heard of any of them since except for Victor Garber. "Day by Day" sounds like a bunch of bleating sheep, because the singers are so desperate to make the story come alive. I'm usually a sucker for any musical but this is one that will never find its way onto my shelf.

Rating:
Summary: It's so sweet!
Review: This such a sweet movie. Jesus and his friends dress like clowns and tell stories through NYC. The best songs are "Alas for You" and "Light of the World". Watch it to make you feel happy:-)

Rating:
Summary: Gawd!spell
Review: ...Godspell is one of the worst movie musicals I've ever seen, and everyone I know who's ever seen it has agreed. The stage show was one of the great theatrical experiences of my young life back in the early 70s. But the movie is horribly miscalculated; the characters don't connect with the viewer in any way, and the songs just sort of steamroll past without any emotional charge.

I saw it on the Navy base where I was stationed after seeing it once in a civilian theater. The base theater was inexpensive, and most of my friends went to whatever was playing, so I went back. But I told a group of Christian enlisteds who were heading in that they were in for an awful time. They actually told me that this was proof that I was not a Christian.

Two hours later, when the lights came up, they were pretty quiet, except that they apologized to me and one of them even said it "sucked." If you can't believe that review, whose can you believe?

Rating:
Summary: Great Show, Horrible Recording
Review: First, let me just say that I love this show. It is very original and the music is amazing. The perfomances are good, too, though not as fresh as the OBC. Much of the comedy comes across, even though it is very dated. My biggest problem is that this video has a lot of sound and picture problems. Sadly, there is lots of distortion that kills Day by Day and Alas For You. If you know the show and just like a reminder of it, get the video. If you've never seen Godspell before, wait until you can see it live.