Godspell
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Movie Reviews of Godspell
Movie Review: Refreshing Seventies View of the Gospel of St. Matthew
Summary: 5 Stars
I find the music in this movie so powerful and energetic. The first time I saw this movie was in the 1970's and I loved it then and love it now. It is colorful, refreshing and teaches the Gospel of St. Matthew. And, everything takes place in 1970's New York City. There are some great shots of The World Trade Centers, which of course are now gone. This is a great musical and very suitable for children.Movie Review: A Blast from the Past
Summary: 5 Stars
I have enjoyed the music from Godspell for years and now can watch the same movie I saw as a teen. This arrived very promptly.Movie Review: Godspell
Summary: 3 Stars
was a little strange, nostalgic look at the hippie era...my kids loved it they've watched it 10 timesMovie Review: Brilliant in Spite of the Sartorial Horrors
Summary: 5 Stars
I was born in 1963 so I was fairly young when this film came out in the early 70s. My big memories of that era are that everyone else's hair was much longer and shaggier than mine (my choice) and that the clothing styles were colorful but horrid. I was not a particular fan of rock music either. All of these factors are very prominent in this film but it is wonderful in spite of it. In fact, it is wonderful largely because of it.
The film is an adaptation of the Gospel of St. Matthew. It takes place in New York City. Victor Garber plays Jesus but does not make any effort to redo the "life" of Christ. Instead, it focuses on the teachings. He gathers a group of young followers who listen to his teachings and parables. Often, they enact the stories in a mime, burlesque or Vaudeville style and break into song. They try to make simple points and they do so quite effectively.
Part of the effectiveness lies in the style of the time. It uses the excesses of the 60s and 70s to make the simple points. It strips away all of the history and goes straight to the moral teachings. It demonstrates very well that these teaching work well at all times in all places.
The disciples are a mixed bunch. They are all young. There are not twelve of them. They are male and female and they each play more than one role. The man who plays John the Baptist also plays Judas the traitor. The emphasis in not on the persons but the teachings.
I have never been a fan of musicals but this one joins my short list of exceptions.
Movie Review: Nostalgic Shoes
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this movie as we were doing the play Godspell at our community theater. It was fun, though, to watch the movie again. I hadn't seen it in years. I found myself singing along. The pacing on this movie may seem a little slow by today's standards, but once the music starts, the movie picks up. There is also some cheesey camera work (this is a low budget piece) but I think the director gets away with it and the movie stays up. I've had friends tell me that The costumes are clownish and distracting, but I have to point out that the distraction is intentional to show diversity in society. The messages come through (Tabelek's message is the forming of a society, Gospel of Luke's message is that Jesus is the Savior, the movie's message is that religion can be fun). Good stuff.
This recording made me think that I was watching the film as a TV broadcast. Instead of being a hindrance, I think I rather enjoyed it. I also believe that this movie should be in almost every musical movie library.