Product Details

• Actors: Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough, Joan Collins, Christopher Biggins
• Directors: David Mallet
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: March 28, 2000
• Run Time: 78 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (372 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783240503
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,635 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #9 in	Video > Musicals & Performing Arts > Broadway
  #65 in	Video > Kids & Family > Adapted from Books > Feature Films

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video
Following the successful 1998 video release of Cats comes another Andrew Lloyd Webber blockbuster musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and it's a savvy choice. It hasn't been represented on film before, it's short enough (78 minutes) to present without cuts, and it has the star power of former teen icon Donny Osmond, who played over 1,800 performances across North America. Rather than record a live performance, Cats director David Mallet conceived Joseph as a film, though one that is based strongly on codirector Steven Pimlott's 1991 London revival and relies more on camerawork than venturing beyond its stagelike sets.

Lloyd Webber's first project with lyricist Tim Rice was originally written in 1968 as a school cantata; accordingly, this film uses a framing sequence of a school recital, with an audience of clapping, singing kids and members of the faculty playing the roles. The Old Testament tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors gets a splashy, vigorous treatment with an energetic cast, Las Vegas-style glitz, and catchy, eclectic songs, including "Any Dream Will Do," "Close Every Door," the peppy "Go, Go, Go Joseph," and various bits of country, calypso, and Elvis. Osmond is perfect in the title role, with a strong voice and winning persona, while London stage veteran Maria Friedman performs well in the central role of the narrator. Richard Attenborough appears (and sings a little) as Jacob, and Joan Collins makes a brief, nonsinging cameo.

Joseph certainly isn't revolutionary musical theater, but if you view it as a kids' show, it's a silly good time (though there are poignant moments too). Parents should note, however, that this production might warrant a little discretion due to one suggestive scene and some risqué costumes. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing--- and not just in the title..., February 29, 2000

By	Sydney Head (Newport Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ever since I saw this show on stage in LA about ten years ago, I've been dying to have a copy I could watch over and over and over... Well, that day has come. I saw the video version on a recent trip to London-- and am sold on it's value. The cast is amazing, lead by Donny Osmond's unflappable vocal ability. Unlike the cats video, no songs have been cut out, and no songs have been shortened, with the possible exception of the Joseph Megamix, which has been revamped to serve as an end credit theme. The sets have been built as immersive environments, not a filmed version of the stage show. Also of note-- a preview before the show of the new production of Jesus Christ Superstar set to come to video this Easter!

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You and Your Dreamcoat, Ahead of Your Time!, April 9, 2000

By	Danielle (Deep in the Heart of Texas) - See all my reviews

The film approach to this musical was a smart move-- the "we'll tape a performance" approach is kinda cheesy. The sets were great, especially the desert scene, and the costumes were imaginative. The songs were very nice; they go from a catchy jingle-type advertisement for "Jacob and Sons" to a Western theme ("One More Angel in Heaven"), to a somewhat 1920's approach in "Potiphar," to a 1960's Austin Powers-ish "Go Go Joseph", to the bluesy Elvis-themed "Song of the King", and to the Jamaican "Benjamin Calypso."

Donny Osmond shines as Joseph: he can really sing! Richard Attenborough was very good as Jacob, who sang a few lines and was actually pretty good at it! Mrs. Potiphar (Joan Collins) was hilarious, as was Robert Torti as Pharaoh "The King." (He was my dad's favorite character; he's watched the Pharaoh's song about a million times.) The eleven brothers are really funny, too! The only character I have a minor problem with is the Narrator, played by Maria Friedman. She has great facial expressions, but her singing voice is less-than-stupendous. (Listen to some of the cast recordings, particularly the 1993 LA cast; you'll hear the difference.)

PS - As for the supposedly pornographic scenes with Mrs. Potiphar, they happen so quickly and the plot moves to Joseph in jail so fast there hardly isn't any time for questions of any sort. I'm a Christian, and I've seen worse things on network television.

All I can say is, Go, Go, Go, Joseph!

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Video Worth the Wait, April 12, 2000

By A Customer

After seeing the teaser ad for this production on the Cats video, I was looking forward to the chance to see it. I'd known about Joseph for years, but had never had the chance to see it on stage. I'm pleased to report that the video was worth the wait.

The performers are fantastic. I'd not heard anything of Donny Osmond since his teen idol days, and was pleased to find that he has an even better voice than I'd remembered. Maria Friedman (Narrator) is also a joy to see and hear. In fact, all of the music throughout is so infectious that I've found myself humming Joseph songs during lulls at work - and at home - and in the car, well, you get the picture.

The sets are colorful and imaginative (my daughter especially enjoys the large Egyptian head with the moving eyes used during the Pharoh's song (I did have to explain the heavy references to Elvis Presley, but then she's only 5 -- give her time). And the costumers deserve a round of applause for the title "Technicolor Dreamcoat" (let alone the dozens of other gorgeous outfits).

If I had any gripe at all, it would be about the copious use of flesh colored body-stockings on the female chorus members in the Egyptian sequences. True, the costuming fits the time and place of the action, but some parents might wish to view it before deciding if it's appropriate for their younger children (though I didn't have a problem with my 5-year-old seeing it).

All in all, this video is one that will be (and has already been) viewed again and again at our house.