Product Details

• Actors: Victor Garber, Lynne Thigpen, Katie Hanley, David Haskell, Merrell Jackson
• Directors: David Greene
• Writers: David Greene, John-Michael Tebelak
• Producers: Edgar Lansbury, Kenneth Utt
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Georgian, Thai
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• DVD Release Date: April 4, 2000
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0767827929
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,034 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #2 in	Movies & TV > Special Interests > Religion & Spirituality > Christian DVD > Jesus
  #91 in	Movies & TV > Classics > Musicals

• For more information about "Godspell" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Comparing Godspell to its near-contemporaries Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair is unavoidable, but Godspell has developed its own unique following. With their thrift-store-meets-circus-performer garb, the characters in David Greene's adaptation of the popular off-Broadway production may look more like the hippies in Hair than the biblical personages of Superstar. But Godspell isn't really about the "Age of Aquarius," nor does it adopt a dark or operatic tone towards its subject matter, the Gospel according to Matthew. The mood is, instead, upbeat and uplifting (at least until the crucifixion sequence).

The film opens with youthful city dwellers from various walks of life dropping their activities to follow John the Baptist (David Haskell from the original New York production). They sing ("Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord") as he leads them into a fountain where they are (metaphorically) baptized. There they meet Jesus (Victor Garber). Frizzy hair and mime makeup aside, the handsome young Garber (Titanic, Annie) is convincing in his film debut. Once baptized, they follow him around various scenic New York locations, singing and acting out passages from the Scriptures.

The largely unknown cast is talented and charismatic, but the film is only fitfully engaging on an emotional level because only Jesus, John, and Judas (Haskell again) emerge as distinct characters. Stephen Schwartz's pleasing pop-rock score, however, helps to smooth over the rough spots, and Robin Lamont's hit version of "Day by Day" remains a highlight. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

THE LONG-RUNNING '70S STAGE MUSICAL, BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW, COMES TO DVD IN THIS EXHILARATING BIG-SCREEN ADAPTATION. INCLUDES THE HIT SONG DAY BY DAY. SPECIAL FEATURES: SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, PORTUGUESE, CHINESE, KOREAN AND THAI, TALENT FILES AND MUCH MORE.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars still fresh and fun after 30 years, November 13, 2003

By	Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Godspell [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE this film! Please give it a chance; you'll be glad., September 19, 2002

By	MelloCello (Upland, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Godspell [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I'm a child of the 60s/70s, you'd think I would have seen this film before 2002! I didn't think I could get past the idea of Jesus with a big afro and clown makeup. As it was, I was on my second viewing of this film before it really hit me. So if you think you don't care for it after the first viewing, try again.

Once you get into the fun, innocent, tie-dyed feel of the early 1970s (or at least when it doesn't jar you so much) you can begin to see Godspell for the brilliant production that it is. The musical score is fabulous and I have heard most of it used in church over the years. The scenes of NYC are both breathtaking and poignant, considering the events of Sept. 11, 2001. And how did they get the streets empty during the daytime?

The cast absolutely shines here. Young, energetic and all very talented. John/Judas is the strongest of the supporting cast members. Some people had a problem with the same actor (David Haskell) portraying both parts, but I see it as an important reminder that no one is all good or all bad; that we all have both John and Judas within us. Each cast member is showcased in one or more of the parables, and they all express their emotions vividly and handle the comedy, along with their musical numbers, expertly. Besides the 70s feel, there is also a strong vaudevillian component (they are clowns, after all) so be prepared.

And then there's Jesus. I can't say enough good things about Victor Garber's AMAZING performance! The young Mr. Garber (later of such films as "Titanic" and "Annie") is almost painfully thin and pale, which adds to the other-worldly quality of Jesus. Yet he comes across as unfailingly human: loving, caring and joyous, but also at times angry, awkward and doubtful as events unfold, a charasmatic leader for his motley band of disciples.

As happy and carefree as is the first 3/4 of this movie, so is the last quarter depressing and tragic. The inevitable advance toward the crucifixion is heartbreaking as Jesus sits at the last supper with his disciples and then moves to each one with a personal and emotional goodbye. The song, "On the Willows," with its beautiful harmonies will make the tears brim in your eyes. If you can get through this and the subsequent crucifixion without crying, with Jesus dying while his followers writhe and scream below, you must be made of stone. Finally Jesus is gently taken down and laid across the shoulders of the disciples and borne through the empty cityscape.

While there is no resurrection scene, it is certainly implied which was enough for me. The film ends on a hopeful and joyous note, with the disciples singing softly at first and then breaking into "Prepare Ye" and "Day By Day" with mounting happiness and enthusiasm as they move down the street.

Do yourself a favor and also buy the soundtrack recording on CD; you'll want to be able to listen to the music over and over even when you can't be watching the movie. Victor Garber's clear and beautiful tenor voice conveys all of the same emotions as the visuals, from silly and fun to tragic and painful. You can hear the last breath leave him as he softly sings, "Oh, God, I'm dead." Actually, you pick up more subtle emotional nuances from every cast member as you listen. It's best with headphones!! There is an old saying that goes, "God respects you when you work, but He loves you when you sing!" God must love Victor Garber and company very much for this incredible film. Bravo to all involved in bringing this production to the screen and thank you, thank you, Thank You!!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Godspell: Great Movie - Awful Transfer to Video, December 30, 1999

By	William Szczuka "wszczuka" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Godspell [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.