Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spend some time with this movie, April 17, 2003
This is a marvelous work in every area of attempted endeavor: the music is rich, the jokes are humorous without detracting from the emotional impact of the performance, and the presentation of the core elements of Christian faith as presented in the gospel of Matthew are reasonably accurate and incredibly accessible. It's simplicity can be deceptive: it may be tempting to write this presentation off as overly simplifying the message or the content of the Cotton Patch sermons, but repeated viewings reveals that the simplicity results not from a lack of depth, but rather from focus and clarity. This work feels like a heartfelt attempt to communicate the richness and joys of Christian faith, and it does so wonderfully. Despite the age of the show, the jokes still feel relevent and fresh, the fools it pokes fun at familiar, 20 years later. The humor is a well presented moral admonition: while it's easy to laugh when we recognize the character who resembles someone we know, the presentation is so frank and gentle that one often sees the fool in oneself: the best accomplishment a satire can claim. The music is simply wonderful. The performers are accomplished musicians (incidentally, this group is STILL on tour with this show), the lyrics alternately witty and poignant, and the melodies are memorable and beautiful. This is what folk/old country is meant to be: musical communication. This is not a film to rent, or to see once then pass along (although it is certainly worth sharing). While the first viewing may be sentimental and amusing, the potence of the message grows each time it is viewed. Much like reading scripture, I come away with a new insight each time I watch it.
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very well done, perfect for anyone!, June 28, 2001
By A Customer
I've seen the Cotton Patch Gospel twice now and, as awesome as it was the first time, it's gotten better. This video is a must-have for any Christian looking for a good laugh and a touching rendition of the Gospel. Tom Key is excellent; he bounces back and forth between the different characters he plays flawlessly and gives each their own unique personality. The backup band is exceptional, both as singers/players and as actors. Harry Chapin's music is top-notch as well.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exactly as advertised - the greatest story ever retold, September 17, 2005
As a Southern Baptist fundamentalist, I don't generally like people fooling around with the Gospel - I'm a KJV-only kind of guy - but I think Cotton Patch Gospel is just fantastic. It moves the story of Jesus from Israel to the American South and retells the story in the Southern vernacular, but it still tells the Gospel story - and it does so in an immensely entertaining, surprisingly powerful way. The roots of this musical really extend back to man named Clarence Jordan, a Georgia native and social activist who translated the Gospels of Matthew and John into the Southern vernacular as a means to extend the reach of the Gospel story. Later, Tom Key (who stars in this production) wrote a play based on Jordan's Cotton Patch Gospels, and then Harry Chapin supplied the music that turned the play into a full-blown off-Broadway musical.
The story follows Jesus from his birth in an abandoned trailer in Valdosta to his lynching in Atlanta, resurrection, and ascension. Mary becomes Mary Hagler, Joseph Joe Davidson, while the disciples include Rock, Tad, Andy, etc. - and Judd. At twelve, Jesus stays behind to discuss the Lord with leaders of the Baptist Sunday School Conference in Atlanta. He's baptized by John the Baptizer in the Chattahoochee River, he gives his Sermon on the Mount on Stone Mountain, and his appointed hour comes not during Passover but during the Believe in the Bible Society Convention in Atlanta. His teachings reinforce the Gospel message, and, in this updated form, prove especially relevant to the social and cultural problems of our own time - including racism. Tom Key has emphasized the fact that he wanted to show audiences just how radical Jesus' message was - and I think he succeeds wonderfully. The show strips bare the glitzy, too-often selfish façade of televangelism, challenges believers to refocus and make sure they are living truly Christian lives, and reminds us that we should never let ourselves become complacent but should remain permanently excited about Jesus and His great love and sacrifice for us.
And it's funny. I daresay even atheists would enjoy this show despite its message. There are numerous jokes and funny lines along with plenty of fun, toe-tapping, hand-clapping songs from the musicians. The music is mostly bluegrass, but you don't have to like bluegrass in order to enjoy yourself here, especially since several of the songs feature entertaining lyrics. Christians should be the happiest people on Earth, and Cotton Patch Gospel truly does make joyful sounds unto the Lord.
This production is really a tour de force by Tom Key. While four talented musicians play a part and furnish a number of songs, it's really a one-man show by Key, as he portrays a whole cast of characters: Jesus, the disciples, John the Baptizer, angels, Judd, Dr. Caiaphas, Governors Herod and Pilate, and others. Besides the musician's instruments (two guitars, a banjo, and a bass fiddle), the props consist of little more than a table and chair. This is a stage production of the show before a live and very appreciative audience - simple and spare for the most part, it also features some really effective camera angles that add wonderfully subtle power to the whole performance. Key is a consummate actor with incredible range. The power of Jesus' sacrifice and the terrible events surrounding his death are delivered with great emotional depth, and that's when you really know that this entertaining performer is truly a great actor. Key truly brings the Cotton Patch Gospel to life.
It does help to have some familiarity with the Gospel, but this show is really for anyone and everyone. It's apparently as popular in the North as it is here in the South, and I would let my fellow proud Southerners know that the play is in no way condescending to Southerners. Cotton Patch Gospel is a video you will want to watch time and time again.
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