Godspell (1973)
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62% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
32% want to see it
(5,217 ratings)
Directors David Greene and John-Michael Tebelak collaborate with composer Stephen Schwartz to bring his wildly successful Broadway musical, Godspell, to the big screen. Told almost entirely in song, Godspell presents the gospel of St. Matthew updated to New York City of the late '60s/early… More Directors David Greene and John-Michael Tebelak collaborate with composer Stephen Schwartz to bring his wildly successful Broadway musical, Godspell, to the big screen. Told almost entirely in song, Godspell presents the gospel of St. Matthew updated to New York City of the late '60s/early '70s, featuring Jesus Christ as a wandering minstrel dressed like a circus clown. By blowing on an instrument that reaches only the ears of a select few around the bustling city, John the Baptist (David Haskell) summons nine simpatico hippies to a fountain in Central Park, where they revel in the waters of their baptism. When Christ (Victor Garber) joins the group, the free-flowing fraternal love solidifies into a desire to spread the word of God around the city. Outfitting themselves in a nearby junkyard that bursts with color, the lively group makes its way around a sparsely populated fairy-tale version of the city, re-enacting Biblical parables with great enthusiasm and flamboyance. Opting for a lighter yet more devout approach than its thematically similar Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell features an equivalent number of hummable hit songs, notably "Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord)," "By My Side," and "Day by Day." ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi
- Directed By
- David Greene
- Written By
- John-Michael Tebelak
- Genres
- Classics, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts
G,
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Phil Hall, Film Snobbery
A lesson in how not to transfer a theatrical musical to the big screen.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The peppy no-name cast take to the parables like toddlers take to Sesame Street.
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Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Calling this the "Sesame Street" version of the Gospel would be an insult to "Sesame Street."
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Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Engaging Hair wannabe.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Delightful piece of 1970s nostalgia; many memorable tunes
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Victor Garber
as Jesus Christ
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David Haskell
as John, Judas
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Jerry Sroka
as Jerry
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Lynne Thigpen
as Lynne
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Katie Hanley
as Katie
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Robin Lamont
as Robin
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Merrell Jackson
as Merrell
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Joanne Jonas
as Joanne
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Gilmer McCormick
as Gilmer
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Jeffrey Mylett
as Jeffrey
