Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

waveoid2000 I originally saw this movie when it was released, and my Dad, who moonlighted as a projectionist, took me to the State Theater in Lexington, Va. This was before the old movie theaters were cut up into mini 'cinemas'. The balcony at the State was closed to the public for who knows why...fire marshal, unruly patrons, cleaning expense, whatever. When my Dad was working I had the whole balcony, 200 seats or so to myself. The projectors were the old Carbon-Arc. Most people probably don't even know what those are. Sound and picture were amazing. Wasn't Dolby surround, but for 1973... This is a must see movie!! Amazes me still seeing the empty sets for the filming. Excellent music! "day by Day" and "by my side"...You have to hear them. The film may seem dated to many of you...a last gasp of the 60's flower child culture. That may be so. However, I still HIGHLY recommend it. Even if you're not a religious person, the music and sets are worth it. It's a long movie...stick with it. 40 years later it's still holding my attention if that tells you anything.

James N. O'Sullivan I picked up a DVD copy of this movie for 6 bucks the other day and watched it. Knowing what I know now, I would have paid 20. This movie is a wonder to behold. From the very beginning, it is musically witty, vibrantly colorful, uniquely humorous, and interestingly romantic. It is romantic in that it shows a different side of the Gospel, and that is the love between Jesus and his disciples, even when Judas/John betrays him (I warned you - spoilers!). And probably the best part about this movie is the lack of objectionable material. Aside from one profanity, a slightly burlesque number (in which the singer jokingly proclaims in a Lauren Bacall-like voice, "Ooh, come here, Jesus, I got something to show you"), and a depressing scene at the end where Jesus dies, there is literally nothing objectionable in this great musical movie. The songs are genius, the comedy is palpable, the acting is great, and the overall production value is superb. I highly recommend this movie!

eytand94 As I placed "Godspell" into my DVD player, I could feel a certain skepticism in myself that I don't normally get when it comes to movie musicals. Being a Jewish teen watching a musical based on the gospel according to St. Matthew really makes you wonder whether the film is meant for you. Thankfully, I enjoyed it immensely. "Godspell" is some kind of forgotten and underrated musical classic among the more contemporary movies and Broadway shows. It is relaxing, funny, entertaining, and heartfelt.The film takes place in NYC. Here we are introduced to eight common-folk just trying to make the best of their lives in the world. One is a clumsy waitress, another controls traffic, another is a struggling actress, etc. Then, a mystical being appears, a man by the name of John. Once he blows the shofar, the eight disciples abandon their lifestyle and meet up in Central Park, where John baptizes them in the nearby water fountain in song. That's when another person comes into the picture, a wimpy but outgoing man wearing light circus makeup and a "Superman" t-shirt with an afro by the name of Jesus. He is baptized also by John, who is rather stunned by his appearance. Jesus goes on to teach the eight other people of God's ways and his commandments.You get the point. Basically, "Godspell" is about Jesus Christ. You've probably seen this many times before. But this movie musical, based on the off-Broadway show, is fresh and original in its ways of storytelling.Of course, a heavy point of the movie is religion. "Godspell" came out in 1973, the same year as the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's "Jesus Christ Superstar." Why do I prefer "Godspell" to the latter? As beautiful as the music from "Jesus Christ Superstar" is, Norman Jewison directed the film from a Christian standpoint. Therefore, it doesn't work for everyone. Obviously, "Godspell" finds its place among Christian viewers, but it doesn't favor that specific religion. You don't have to be Christian to like it, as you can already tell from when I mentioned I was Jewish. There are even great instances of spoken Hebrew in the film.Stephen Schwartz, known best for scoring the music for shows such as "Pippin" and "Wicked," makes great music for this film. It is not too difficult for the actors to perform, but it feels like Broadway through and through. Such songs as "God Save The People," "All For The Best," "By My Side," and of course "Day By Day" make their mark here and really stand out among songs from other movie musicals.The cast is relatively, and sensibly, unknown, but everyone shines here, even if they don't have major Broadway voices. At least three of the film's cast members starred in the original stage production, and do very well adapting to film. But many of you will recognize a young Victor Garber as Jesus. With a string of performances in his Broadway repertoire("Sweeney Todd," and "Assassins" came later in his career), this was Garber's big break in the film business, and does an amazing job here. He has a great enthusiasm and love for the role, and provides the character with the wisdom and importance he deserves, as well as a great singing voice.In the end, "Godspell" is a fun and lovable musical with positive morals, a good cast, great songs, and an ending that erupts with intense rock and roll beauty and emotion. The older moviegoers who have known the show since they were young will probably enjoy the movie version as well, but it deserves more appreciation from the teenage theatre buffs who are raised on the newer form of musicals. Thank God for "Godspell!"

jimdoyle111 The story of "Godspell" is not one of the Christ's Passion, it's not about the angst among his disciples or the sexual tension he had with Mary Magdalen. It's a positive story focusing on Jesus' teachings and parables, told in a lighthearted way, with some outstanding music and spectacular location photography (particularly in the song "It's All for the Best").While the hippie-like costuming and the semi-clown makeup seem to outrage some folks, and are admittedly dated today, the movie should be looked at in the context in which it was created. Jesus, in the eyes of those in power during his life, was a radical extremist and a threat to the status quo. He taught lessons of love, empowerment, inclusion, justice--well, you get the idea. Hippie clowns were the logical vehicle to present those lessons at the time "Godspell" hit the big screen.But when you get past the period set and costume design, and to the basic show, "Godspell" is a wonderful entertainment. First, and most often mentioned by everyone, is the amazing location photography. You have to see it to appreciate it. Next is the music. Although the most commercial song in the show is the repetitive "Day by Day," the one song that most people remember from "Godspell", there are many beautiful melodies. My favourite is "By My Side", the only one with the music NOT written by the composer, Stephen Schwartz. It has beautiful harmonies, and Katie Hanley does a great job on lead vocal. The rest of the songs are nearly as good, and all are quite singable.And by the way, I'm not a Christian. But if I were, I'd like to be one as portrayed in "Godspell".You may think you have read the above review before - and yes, it's been on here since 2004, but it's every bit as valid in 2011, and better than anything I could write - especially that last paragraph.