Product Details

• Actors: Omar Gooding, Clifton Powell, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Michael J. Pagan, Sean Nelson
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
  PLEASE NOTE: Some Region 1 DVDs may contain Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE). Some, but not all, of our international customers have had problems playing these enhanced discs on what are called "region-free" DVD players. For more information on RCE, click here.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• DVD Release Date: January 3, 2006
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000CBP02A
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,829 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #57 in	Movies & TV > Drama > Religion
  #65 in	Movies & TV > Drama > Family Life > Fathers & Sons

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Gospel is by no means a great movie, but it has enough heart, simple decency, and fine music to make it appropriate viewing for families of all kinds. Director-screenwriter Rob Hardy's story revolves around David Taylor (played in his adult years by Boris Kodjoe), a devout youngster who, disillusioned by the death of his mother and mistrust of his pastor father (Clifton Powell), leaves the fold and goes on to become a hip-hop star. But when Bishop Taylor falls ill and David returns home to find his church in dire financial straits and about to be taken over by the Reverend Charles Frank (Idris Elba), once David's best friend but now a self-promoting, money-obsessed hypocrite, well, let's just say that one needn't be an oracle to predict how things will turn out. So the dialogue is hackneyed and the story short on nuance (the title of David's big hit, "Let Me Undress You," is typical of the general lack of subtlety). What this modest film has going for it is a refreshing dearth of cynicism and pretension, not to mention a total absence of profanity, violence, and graphic sex. And in shedding light on an African-American church's place in its community, a role that is not just spiritual by financial, social, and more, The Gospel also gives us some wonderfully infectious contemporary gospel music, performed by singers like Yolanda Adams and American Idol finalist Tamyra Gray. In fact, the music might even inspire some viewers to check out the music of some of the genre's real-life giants, like the great Rev. James Cleveland. And that is high praise indeed. --Sam Graham

Product Description
A YOUNG SINGER TURNS HIS BACK ON GOD & HIS FATHER'S CHURCH. HE RETURNS YEARS LATER TO FIND THE ONCE POWERFUL CONGREGATION IN DISARRAY. WITH HIS CHILDHOOD NEMESIS CREATING A 'NEW VISION' FOR THE CHURCH, HE IS FORCED TO DEAL WITH ISSUES THAT SEND HIM ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH REDEMPTION OR DESTRUCTION.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clap Your Hands, January 7, 2006

By	D. Hupp "Hup234" (Woodbridge, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A story of redemption, pride, jealousy, and reconciliation. STRONG cast with a stirring gospel soundtrack. Although others have criticized the camera work and editing, those aspects of the movie neither bothered me nor detracted from my enjoyment of this uplifting film. I found that the acting, music, and story were engaging and enjoyable. The singing performances of the choral groups and such gospel stars as Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammonds, Mom Winans, and Martha Munizzi combined nicely with, and elegantly complemented, the fine dramatic work of Idris Elba, Omar Gooding, Nona Gaye, and Clifton Powell. AMERICAN IDOL finalist Tamyra Gray shined in her acting and singing roles and showed that she has a bright future. Not an award winning film, but very entertaining. 4 solid stars.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heart Lifting, November 20, 2005

By	S. Otey "movie lover" (Keansburg, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although the movie itself isn't the greatest, the music more than makes up for it. You will stay for the credits just to continue to hear the music. Not all will like this type of music but for those that are used to it and for others that are hearing it for the first time with an open heart and mind, it is heart lifting, toe tapping and a definite swaying in your seat. I heartily reccomend it.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting film about the church, January 17, 2006

By	Dorrie Wheeler - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Gospel, one of the most exciting movies ever released about the black church, is now available on DVD. Boris Kodjoe (Soulfood), stars as David Taylor. David, the son of a popular minister, leaves the church after the untimely death of his mother and goes on to be a successful R&B singer. After his father, portrayed by popular character actor Clifton Powell, becomes ill, David returns to the fold of the family church which is in financial crisis. Not everyone is glad to see David return. Some members of the church, particularly his former childhood friend, Reverend Charles Frank, don't know if it's such a good idea to have a well known secular singer in the fold. David finds himself comfortable back in the church and implements his ideas into rejuvenating the congregation. In addition to his new role with the church David also finds love with a church member named Rain (Tamyra Gray). David's manager Wesley, (Omar Gooding), spends his time trying to get his artist back into the lifestyle they have become accustomed to and back on the road.

The Gospel is an excellent film and includes cameos from some of the biggest names in gospel music including Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, and Yolanda Adams. Despite the big names that have small roles in the film, it's the newcomers such as former American Idol contestant Tamarya Gray and Idris Elba who offer surprisingly good performances. Boris Kodjoe also shows and proves that he is much more than just a pretty face with his performance in The Gospel.

There were just a few little things about the movie that irked me. Oscar, Tamarya Grays other love interest was always shown in his uniform for the most part. As a military spouse, I think it's a bit odd that they showed Oscar in his uniform so much even when he wasn't working. Also, there was an underlying storyline of strife/sexual dysfunction between the Nona Gaye character and her husband Reverend Charles Frank. This storyline wasn't well developed. Other than those two things it's a great film.

DVD Special Features
-Filmmakers Commentary
-Deleted Scenes
-Making-Of Featurette
-Extended Musical Performances
-Photo Montage