Godspell (1973)

62% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(6,272 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 '70s,… 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

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: David Greene
Written By: John-Michael Tebelak
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

On DVD: Apr 4, 2000
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Phil Hall, Film Snobbery
A lesson in how not to transfer a theatrical musical to the big screen.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The peppy no-name cast take to the parables like toddlers take to Sesame Street.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Calling this the "Sesame Street" version of the Gospel would be an insult to "Sesame Street."
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Engaging Hair wannabe.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Delightful piece of 1970s nostalgia; many memorable tunes
James Rocchi, Netflix
Seventies musical based on the Gospel of St. Matthew is spirited and touching.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
We can be the happiest of all creatures if we will just dance to the rhythm of our comic songbook souls.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

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.
Nicki M

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

Cool idea, to have a hippy version of Jesus running around the streets and landmarks of New York City with his co-ed disciples, but everybody acts like complete idiots, most of the songs (except for "Day By Day") are dreadful, and they tell boring stories. It's… More
Cool idea, to have a hippy version of Jesus running around the streets and landmarks of New York City with his co-ed disciples, but everybody acts like complete idiots, most of the songs (except for "Day By Day") are dreadful, and they tell boring stories. It's pantomime throughout. There's not much drama or conflict. I tried watching several times, and always got bored.
Michael G

I can't give you one reason in the world why I watched this but I did. It's the Book of Matthew set in 70s Manhattan. I cursed Godspell for the first hour or so then I didn't mind and even liked some of the rest of it. The music got better and the thought of Jesus… More
I can't give you one reason in the world why I watched this but I did. It's the Book of Matthew set in 70s Manhattan. I cursed Godspell for the first hour or so then I didn't mind and even liked some of the rest of it. The music got better and the thought of Jesus getting crucified always excites me a little. It's like the car accident you can't look away from--horror you have to see. File with 9/11, Nazis and the ensuing holocaust. Bad transition here but it's equally frightening and hilarious. The Goodwill outfits, the Jew fros and the fact that you're supposed to forget that several million people live in New York as a hippie theater troupe cavorts around the deserted city adds up to the theater of the absurd. But absurd in a very twisted and entertaining way. (Oh... and being under the influence helps...)
Sunil J

Kinda cool but dated. Good music though.
Marion R

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