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I love this movie so much

The Worst Film Ever

Sorry, this movie sucks

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

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.

It is ironic that one of the financial capitols of the world would be used metaphorically to draw out the last days of Jesus with an ensemble of outcasts and freaks, world-weary in early 70's Manhttan, and brought together by the blast of an ancient trumpet to the song "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord!" When Jesus does appear, it is ironically in Central Park's notorious Ramble, facing the Angel which graces Bethesda Terrace's fountain.Everybody who watches this movie is going to look at it in a different way, and for me, it is like Jesus coming to modern times for a day, gathering up young followers craving something to believe in, showing them how he suffered and died, all to remove the sins of the world. Unlike the same era's "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Godspell" is told without pretension, and thus remains an easy-going look at a subject that sometimes becomes taboo because of the political correctness atmosphere which has taken over freedom of speech and the simple joys which was the bulk of the message of Jesus in his real time on earth.David Haskell seems to be playing an amalgamation of both John the Baptist and Judas, seen baptizing young Victor Garber, clad in Superman T-Shirt with suspenders and frizzy afro. This Jesus is like a late-day flower child, filled with love, yet overcome with anger only briefly when his message is not taken seriously. Jesus takes his followers all over Manhattan and to the delightful songs of Stephen Schwartz, tells them what is expected of them. The message is simple: Love your neighbor as yourself, don't worship God AND money, and when wrongs are done to you, turn the other cheek and forgive.A recent Broadway revival failed in the critic's eyes because of its overly simple manner, but any version of "Godspell" is going to have to thrive on its innocence, rather than the pretentious revivals that have been done of "Jesus Christ Superstar". This revival did still have a fairly lengthy run in spite of the reviews, showing that there is still a vast atmosphere of innocence, while the simultaneously running "JCSS" didn't have similar success as far as a lengthy run was concerned.One of the best moments has the cast literally going across town in a matter of seconds from being at Grant's Tomb down to the World Trade Center and back to Central Park. Haskell and Garber have a great moment where they dance on a skyscraper in Times Square that seems like something out of the 1940's. A new song, "Beautiful City", is as potent to me as both versions of "New York, New York" in what makes New York City exciting. This film not only doesn't hide the sinful side of Manhattan's obsession with fiancé, but also pays tribute to the joy that comes out of its creative and sometimes hidden spiritual side as well.Of the remainder of the cast, only Lynne Thigpen has any familiarity, the rest being delightfully obscure yet talented young performers who never became headliners even on the Broadway stage. For that, this film is unique in its presentation, and is a very worthy record of what the original Broadway production tried to reveal to its audience in its very spiritual message. The film does become a downer towards the end, but there is a sense of irony as the shot of the crucified Jesus is replaced by Park Avenue crowds just before the credits roll.

I'm a longtime fan of this movie; go buy it, rent it or borrow it! It preserves the spirit of the stage musical while using settings that would of course be impossible on stage. The songs are great and you'll be humming them all day. The story reminds all of us, whether Christian or not, that Jesus taught forgiveness and compassion. Once in a while a reviewer says this movie seems dated; one one hand, yes, most movies made 40 years ago seem dated, but on the other hand, have you seen the stage show? Usually it contains current-day pop culture allusions, and I don't see that in the film version. The DVD has the potential for lots of great extras -- interviews and comments and "where are they now" ... They really need to move on this and put together a beefed-up DVD, possibly a double DVD set, before any more of these talented performers die. Why hasn't this been done yet? I think it'd be very popular.

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.