Pippin
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Movie Reviews of Pippin
Movie Review: Pippin
Summary: 5 Stars
Pippin takes me on a trip down memory lane. When I was little, my big sister (in high school) was a musical theater buff. She always had at least half-a-dozen musical scores from Broadway shows strewn all over the piano at our house. For some reason, Pippin was one of the most memorable for me. Then in middle school, my chorus teacher showed this movie (on VHS) one day and I was hooked. I think I had a little bit of an 11-year-old crush on William Katt, what with his curly blond hair, blue eyes, sweet tenor voice... The music is good, the production is flawless and the staging is superb.
Now on a moral level, this movie is not appropriate for children. My chorus teacher should not have shown this to a classroom full of 6th-graders. It has mild bad language, drug use, murder, pre-marital sex, lies, and a rather vivid orgy scene. I didn't get it at the time, thankfully, but now I do and I would never show this movie to anyone under 16.
On a trivial note, this production of Pippin was the first time a Broadway musical was made for the sole purpose of putting in on video. This cast was not the Broadway cast (except for Ben Vareen, I think). We've seen plenty of Broadway shows on video since then, so that was kind of ground-breaking.
Movie Review: The cast is better than the CD
Summary: 5 Stars
That's right! I said it! John Rubinstein's voice is not strong enough to play Pippin. He sounds like Henry Gibson singing...anyone? Henry Gibson? "Laugh-In"? He was the voice of Wilbur in "Charlotte's Web?" No one? Okay, moving on...William Katt however not only sings "Corner of the Sky" he relishes it. He savors every note, and that's the way it must be sung. You wouldn't sing "Do You Hear the People Sing" unless you can handle it and you shouldn't sing "Corner" without some serious chops....or props...or snaps, or whatever the hell else it is that means "talent, abilities." I also think that Ben Vereen does better live than in the studio. That's right, I think Ben Vereen gave a better performance than Ben Vereen! Not even Ben Vereen could've matched Ben Vereen as a...no, this is silly. Look, the CD's fine, but the movie's better. The arrangements, the performances, and the fact that they cut my least favorite song "I Guess I'll Miss the Man."Movie Review: A truly wonderful show
Summary: 5 Stars
A few years ago, I took part in a local production of Pippin. I not only had a great time, I fell in love with the show. Pippin has beautiful music, wonderful characters and clever dialogue. The show captures a time of unrest in the Holy Roman Empire while also reflecting the feelings and issues we deal with today. The character Pippin may be the son of Charlemagne, but he appeals wonderfully to any modern audience. The plot follows Pippin as he desperately searches for fulfillment: as scholar, soldier, lover, revolutionary, and ruler of an empire! Enchanting songs like "Corner of the Sky" and "Morning Glow" set a wonderful mood for the musical. And on DVD, Pippin is something to own forever. Great digital sound and high picture quality could make the recording almost as good as the seeing it live! A show of Pippin's originality and intelligence deserves to be captured in the best possible way: digitally!Movie Review: Bad production values, good performance
Summary: 5 Stars
Lots of fun musical numbers and good dancing. Martha Raye really lets loose as Pippin's grandmother. Unfortunately, the camera work is atrocious, and the sound could be better. The story and performances make up for it -- it's kind of like Percival on LSD, starring "Greatest American Hero" William Katt as Pippin, instead of Percival. Composer Stephen Schwartz puts together some of his most sensual, surreal lyrics; for instance, in "Magic to Do:"
"Oh, I didn't know if I should've stalked you afterward.
The steak sauce seat didn't help clear the matter.
Less afraid meeting someone who writes books on crazy people.
Than someone who I've admired for twenty years. I think the CIA is after me."
Anyway, the disc also features a seven minute short detailing Bob Fosse's career, and an interview with him at the 1980 Cannes film festival.
Movie Review: Heights of Innovation
Summary: 5 Stars
"Pippin" was first created and staged during a wondrous time in the history of music theatre - a time when writers were using the medium to explore different kinds of themes and stories and stories and utilised different stylistic influences. The great pieces of this time could be performed on an empty stage with good actors, and did not need the scenic distractions that we are used to today.
Fosse's production of Pippin is a great example. The scenery is minimal and the actors drive and tell the story. Clowning and commedia del arte style performances are employed with Fosse's choreography to tell the tale in broad, entertaining strokes. The filming of this production is a great gift to afficionados who were not there to see it. The glorious performances and costumes create a sideshow feel that is not to be missed!