Godspell

Director: David Greene, John-Michael Tebelak

Overview

"The chances are pretty good that Columbia Pictures would never have put up the money to acquire Godspell had it not been for the earlier mega-hit status of Jesus Christ Superstar as an album and Broadway show. Godspell was a livelier, somewhat lower-rent

Product Details

Release Date:	02/28/2006
UPC:	0043396224193
Original Release:	1973
Rating:	G
Source:	Sony Pictures
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[monaural]
Language:	English
Time:	1:43:00
Sales rank:	5,300

Special Features

Digitally mastered audio & anamorphic video; Production notes; Interactive menus; Audio: English [mono]; Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai; Musical Highlights: Direct scene access to musical numbers; Talent files; Bonus trailers; Scene selections

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Victor Garber	Jesus
David Haskell	John/Judas
Jerry Sroka	Jerry
Lynne Thigpen	Lynne
Katie Hanley	Katie
Robin Lamont	Robin
Gilmer McCormick	Gilmer
Joanne Jonas	Joanne
Merrell Jackson	Merrell
Jeffrey Mylett	Jeffrey
John-Michael Tebelak	Composer
Stephen Schwartz	Composer
Sherrie Sucher	Composer

Technical Credits

David Greene

John-Michael Tebelak

David Greene	Screenwriter
Edgar Lansbury	Producer
John-Michael Tebelak	Screenwriter

Scene Index

Side #1 --
0. Scene Selections
1. Start [1:15]
2. Prologue [6:16]
3. "Prepare Ye(The Way Of The Lord)" [3:04]
4. "Save The People" [11:54]
5. "Day By Day" [8:04]
6. "Turn Back,O Man" [11:05]
7. "Bless The Lord" [4:24]
8. "All For The Best" [4:34]
9. "All Good Gifts" [4:23]
10. "Light Of The World" [10:35]
11. "Alas For You" [4:59]
12. "By My Side" [3:15]
13. "Beautiful City" [3:57]
14. "On The Willows" [7:11]
15. "Finale" [7:46]
16. End Credits [6:04]
Side #2 --
0. Scene Selections
1. Start [1:15]
2. Prologue [6:16]
3. "Prepare Ye(The Way Of The Lord)" [3:04]
4. "Save The People" [11:54]
5. "Day By Day" [8:04]
6. "Turn Back,O Man" [11:05]
7. "Bless The Lord" [4:24]
8. "All For The Best" [4:34]
9. "All Good Gifts" [4:23]
10. "Light Of The World" [10:35]
11. "Alas For You" [4:59]
12. "By My Side" [3:15]
13. "Beautiful City" [3:57]
14. "On The Willows" [7:11]
15. "Finale" [7:46]
16. End Credits [6:04]

Menu

Side #1 --
Play Movie
Subtitles
English
Spanish
Portuguese
Chinese
Korean
Thai
Subtitles Off
Special Features
Musical Numbers:Highlights
"Prepare Ye(The Way Of The Lord)"
"Save The People"
"Day By Day"
"Turn Back,O Man"
Talent Files
David Greene(director)
Victor Garber
Katie Hanley
David Haskell
Bonus Trailers
Bye Bye Birdie
Oliver
Side #2 --
Play Movie
Subtitles
English
Spanish
Portuguese
Chinese
Korean
Thai
Subtitles Off
Special Features
Musical Numbers:Highlights
"Prepare Ye(The Way Of The Lord)"
"Save The People"
"Day By Day"
"Turn Back,O Man"
Talent Files
David Greene(director)
Victor Garber
Katie Hanley
David Haskell
Bonus Trailers
Bye Bye Birdie
Oliver

Editorial Reviews

Those who prefer their religion served with a side order of skepticism may find themselves feeling uncomfortable during Godspell -- at times, it's a lot like going to church. Conversely, those with an earnest view of faith will find joyous celebration in this giddy, straight-faced musical that has no place for irony. Unlike Jesus Christ Superstar, which is superior storytelling but inferior recitation of chapter and verse, Godspell floats along with little forward momentum, using only the lesson-intensive gospel of St. Matthew for its minimal plot. While not quite preachy, it's still arcane enough to lose viewers unfamiliar with the Bible. Godspell is full of color and a dear hippie mindset, but it is often too quirky for its own good, full of characters acting so goofy that it seems they've been brainwashed rather than willingly converted. Steadfastly unhip, the movie has to get by on its nonstop energy and enthusiasm, which is neither as contagious as it should be, nor satisfying enough to those looking for a satirical undercurrent. Directors David Greene and John-Michael Tebelak do get thematic resonance from making New York City into an additional character, but it remains on a surface level. The songs of Stephen Schwartz lack the incisiveness of those of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, but they have a totally different agenda and are equally rousing on their own terms. The hit singles ultimately provide the movie with its winning buoyancy, forcing even the cynics to indulge in unself-conscious toe-tapping.