Godspell (1973)

Beautiful, moving film.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

Blistering performances.

Ew I've never seen Victor Garber in Godspell and I find it disgusting. It's like he's in drag but like drag to be young you know? I'm just so used to him looking a certain way, and he looks exactly the same except so young...it's uncanny and disturbing 1/10

When I first saw this film as a young man in a movie theater back in 1973, I absolutely loved it. This evening, some forty years later, I had an opportunity to view this wonderful Christian musical once again. Now, as back then, I found it to be just as inspiring and uplifting.In fact, there were points where "Godspell" almost brought me to tears due to the sincerity which can be felt in some of the songs. I particularly like "Day By Day", being as it represents my own heart's cry to better love and serve the Lord.Of course, this kind of Christian-themed movie is not for everyone. I suppose that there are probably even some more conservative Christians who will criticize the fact that "Godspell" takes place in a modern setting -- in New York City of all places -- and that it employs an array of modern music and dance styles. Add to that the fact that Jesus is portrayed as a clown -- as are some of the Apostles who are both male and female -- and that comedy is likewise used throughout the film, and this may possibly explain why this film doesn't have a higher rating here on IMDb.However, for me personally, because of the talented actors, the heartfelt songs, the wonderful lyrics, and the fact that much of its content is derived straight from the Scriptures of the KJV Bible, "Godspell" represents a joyous celebration of the Life and Message of Jesus Christ. One can really feel the joy of the Lord in this movie. At least I did.Some viewers have wondered about the significance of the end of the film where we see the Apostles carrying Jesus' lifeless body through the streets of New York City, while singing a medley of the songs which were heard throughout the movie. As they round a street corner, they disappear from our view, and we are suddenly met by the noisy streets filled with pedestrians again.Allow me to offer a few possible interpretations of this particular scene.First, this scene could signify the Apostles' obedience to Jesus' command to "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." -- Mark 16:15.Second, this scene could be saying that the Gospel message has been lost amongst the masses and the hustle and bustle of everyday modern life. Thus, this joyful film is an earnest endeavor to bring the message alive again.Third, while the Apostles are carrying a dead Jesus, notice that the very first song that they sing in the medley is "Long Live God", and that it occurs at sunrise. Could this possibly signify the morning of the third day when Christ arose from the dead?While they are all somber as they start singing the medley, soon we see them dancing and clapping their hands before disappearing into the crowd of people. Putting all of these points together, could this final closing scene represent their hope and belief that Jesus would arise again?There are only two reasons why I won't give this film a ten.First, I feel that the song "Beautiful City" is out of place and doesn't quite fit in with all of the other songs in the film, which highlight Jesus' teachings, as well as love for, and devotion to, Jesus.According to the lyrics, "Beautiful City" concerns building a city; "not a city of angels", but "finally a city of man". I am wondering if this particular song is purposely meant to be a nod to New York City itself.In fact, in my view, "Beautiful City" sounds more like secular humanism than the Christian Gospel, because the words "not a city of angels" seem to suggest no Divine Intervention in the building of this city. As I listened to it, I was reminded of how after slaying his brother Abel, Cain fled from the presence of the Lord and went and built a city.In short, I feel that it would have been better to write a song which glorifies the City of God -- that is, New Jerusalem -- which the closing chapters of the Book of Revelation inform us descends from Heaven. This would have been more in agreement with the other songs, in my view.My second reason for not giving "Godspell" a ten is because while the message of sin and salvation is included in the movie, I feel that it was not quite complete, because it does not overtly show the Lord's Resurrection from the dead, which is the blessed hope -- and glorious future -- of all Christians everywhere.As I noted earlier, Christ's Resurrection could be what the closing scene was supposed to represent with the "Long Live God" song. However, if that is the case, it could have been made a lot clearer to the audience, in my opinion.Because of these two points, I will give the film an eight, which is still substantially higher than its average score.By the way, if you likewise have enjoyed "Godspell", I also recommend that you watch the 1999 version of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Donnie Osmond, Maria Friedman and cast.

The story of "Godspell" is not one of the Christ's Passion, it's not about the angst among his disciples or the sexual tension he had with Mary Magdalen. It's a positive story focusing on Jesus' teachings and parables, told in a lighthearted way, with some outstanding music and spectacular location photography (particularly in the song "It's All for the Best").While the hippie-like costuming and the semi-clown makeup seem to outrage some folks, and are admittedly dated today, the movie should be looked at in the context in which it was created. Jesus, in the eyes of those in power during his life, was a radical extremist and a threat to the status quo. He taught lessons of love, empowerment, inclusion, justice--well, you get the idea. Hippie clowns were the logical vehicle to present those lessons at the time "Godspell" hit the big screen.But when you get past the period set and costume design, and to the basic show, "Godspell" is a wonderful entertainment. First, and most often mentioned by everyone, is the amazing location photography. You have to see it to appreciate it. Next is the music. Although the most commercial song in the show is the repetitive "Day by Day," the one song that most people remember from "Godspell", there are many beautiful melodies. My favourite is "By My Side", the only one with the music NOT written by the composer, Stephen Schwartz. It has beautiful harmonies, and Katie Hanley does a great job on lead vocal. The rest of the songs are nearly as good, and all are quite singable.And by the way, I'm not a Christian. But if I were, I'd like to be one as portrayed in "Godspell".You may think you have read the above review before - and yes, it's been on here since 2004, but it's every bit as valid in 2011, and better than anything I could write - especially that last paragraph.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to travel to England with a church group. I sang in the chorus as the group presented "Godspell" to audiences in the area around Birmingham. At the time I wasn't familiar with the stageplay. I found it a very powerful experience, and it clearly impacted the audiences who saw it as well. This was my first opportunity to see the movie version of the play. Frankly I prefer the stageplay (perhaps I'm biased, having been involved with a production) but still found the movie enjoyable.Based on the Gospel of Matthew and set to some wonderful songs, the story is set in modern day (well, 1973) New York City, where a group of people find themselves called out of the rat race by John the Baptist, get baptized in a city fountain and are then joined by Jesus (played by a young Victor Garber, whom I did not recognize!) in a romp through the city. Absolute purists and those who think the Gospel can only be told in King James Version style will likely not like this, and may even be offended by it. Jesus, for example, has a clown-like appearance to him, as do most of his disciples. And yet, that probably is an appropriate balance to the overly serious Jesus that many seem to picture in their minds. I like to think Jesus was in fact full of joy, and brought laughter to all those around him. Clown-like though he may be, the movie does, of course, become darker as it progresses, culminating, of course, in Jesus' betrayal by Judas and then his crucifixion. I found it interesting that David Haskell played both John the Baptist and Judas, and wonder whether the writers were making their own theological point in casting the same actor: that as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus to call his disciples, so too did Judas prepare the way for Jesus to impact the world? Maybe ...Most of Jesus' ethical teachings (revolving around love for God and love and compassion for one another) are here. I find the most moving scene to be that in which Jesus, just before his betrayal, essentially says good-bye to his disciples. Although in 1973, this would have meant nothing except a portrayal of the New York City skyline, watched with post 9/11 eyes, the repeated shots of the World Trade Centre towers perhaps serve now as a stark reminder of how necessary Jesus' message is: that love for God means nothing unless it's accompanied by love (and not hatred) for others.My biggest beef with this is the closing scene. Why go to the trouble of putting out this version of Matthew's Gospel, and leave out the most important part - not just of Matthew's but of all the Gospels - the resurrection of Jesus! Here, the disciples simply carry Jesus' body out at the end. Yes, there was a certain sense of joy as they did it, which may imply that their experience of Jesus continues to impact them, but still Jesus himself is dead. That definitely detracts from this. (Our group in England restaged the closing scene so that the resurrected Jesus celebrates with his disciples rather than simply being carried out.) That theological objection aside, overall, this is a fun presentation of the gospel message. 7/10