Godspell

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Godspell Photos

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Movie Info

Godspell began as a special acting project at the Carnegie-Mellon drama department, then blossomed into a professional production at New York's Cafe La Mama. Today it is so often produced by parochial high schools that it's hard to believe that the project was once considered sacrilegious. Essentially, this musical piece is the Gospel According to St. Mathew translated into hippie-movement terms. Jesus (portrayed by Victor Garber, who years later played the Devil in the revival of Damn Yankees!) is redefined as a gentle flower child whose message is misunderstood by the Establishment. The medium of film allows director David Greene to literalize many of the elements only alluded to in the play, thus Godspell is enacted throughout the genuine streets of Manhattan, with particular emphasis on the Times Square area. Among the better-known songs in the Stephen Schwartz/John-Michael Tebelek score are "Day By Day" and "All For the Best." The film seems more quaint than progressive when seen today, with a curious air of detachment throughout.

Rating:

G
Genre:

Classics, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts
Directed By:

David Greene, John-Michael Tebelak
Written By:

David Greene, John-Michael Tebelak
On Disc/Streaming:

Apr 4, 2000
Runtime:

102 minutes
Studio:

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

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Cast

Victor Garber
as Jesus

David Haskell
as John/Judas

Jerry Sroka
as Jerry

Lynne Thigpen
as Lynne

Katie Hanley
as Katie

Robin Lamont
as Robin

Gilmer McCormick
as Gilmer

Joanne Jonas
as Joanne

Merrell Jackson
as Merrell

Jeffrey Mylett
as Jeffrey

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Critic Reviews for Godspell

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (5)

The directors have not only recreated the story but the city itself, which throughout an hour and a half turns into something timeless. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jul 15, 2019 | Full Review…

Jesús Fernández Santos
El Pais (Spain)
A lesson in how not to transfer a theatrical musical to the big screen.

Apr 7, 2011 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Phil Hall
Film Snobbery
The peppy no-name cast take to the parables like toddlers take to Sesame Street.

Jul 25, 2007 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Calling this the "Sesame Street" version of the Gospel would be an insult to "Sesame Street."

Feb 17, 2005 | Rating: 1/5

Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Engaging Hair wannabe.

Jun 12, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Delightful piece of 1970s nostalgia; many memorable tunes

Jan 12, 2003 | Rating: 4/5

James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette
Seventies musical based on the Gospel of St. Matthew is spirited and touching.

Nov 7, 2002 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

James Rocchi
Netflix
We can be the happiest of all creatures if we will just dance to the rhythm of our comic songbook souls.

Mar 2, 2002 | Full Review…

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

View All Critic Reviews (14)

Audience Reviews for Godspell

Sep 05, 2010

This movie walks a fine line between uplifting and annoying. For the most part I found it really annoying. Maybe I'll watch it again someday to give it another chance.

Aj V Super Reviewer
Dec 12, 2008

I liked it, I thought the songs were good and it made me sad.

Marion R Super Reviewer
Feb 06, 2008

If it wasn't so obviously religious, I would suspect they were all on drugs. Shocking.

Nicki M Super Reviewer
Aug 10, 2007

Kinda cool but dated. Good music though.

Sunil J Super Reviewer