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!"
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!"