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IMDbPro

Godspell

Original title: Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew
  • 19731973
  • GG
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
Victor Garber, Katie Hanley, David Haskell, Merrell Jackson, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, Jerry Sroka, and Lynne Thigpen in Godspell (1973)
Official Trailer
Play trailer4:23
3 Videos
71 Photos
ComedyDramaMusical
An adaption of the musical, in a modern-day song-and-dance recreation of the Gospel of St. Matthew.An adaption of the musical, in a modern-day song-and-dance recreation of the Gospel of St. Matthew.An adaption of the musical, in a modern-day song-and-dance recreation of the Gospel of St. Matthew.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
    • David Greene
    • David Greene(screenplay)
    • John-Michael Tebelak(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Victor Garber
    • Lynne Thigpen
    • Katie Hanley
    • David Greene
    • David Greene(screenplay)
    • John-Michael Tebelak(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Victor Garber
    • Lynne Thigpen
    • Katie Hanley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 102User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos3

    Godspell
    Trailer 4:23
    Watch Godspell
    Godspell
    Clip 3:24
    Watch Godspell
    Godspell
    Featurette 5:07
    Watch Godspell

    Photos71

    1 sheet
    Insert Movie Poster
    Victor Garber in Godspell (1973)
    Victor Garber, Katie Hanley, David Haskell, Merrell Jackson, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, Jerry Sroka, and Lynne Thigpen in Godspell (1973)
    Victor Garber, Katie Hanley, David Haskell, Merrell Jackson, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, Jerry Sroka, and Lynne Thigpen in Godspell (1973)
    Victor Garber and David Haskell in Godspell (1973)
    Victor Garber and David Haskell in Godspell (1973)
    Victor Garber, Katie Hanley, David Haskell, Joanne Jonas, Gilmer McCormick, and Lynne Thigpen in Godspell (1973)
    Merrell Jackson, Robin Lamont, and Jerry Sroka in Godspell (1973)
    Victor Garber, Katie Hanley, David Haskell, Merrell Jackson, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, Jerry Sroka, and Lynne Thigpen in Godspell (1973)
    Godspell (1973)
    Victor Garber, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Jerry Sroka, and Lynne Thigpen in Godspell (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Victor Garber
    Victor Garber
    • Jesus
    Lynne Thigpen
    Lynne Thigpen
    • Lynne
    Katie Hanley
    • Katie
    David Haskell
    • John…
    Merrell Jackson
    • Merrell
    Joanne Jonas
    • Joanne
    Robin Lamont
    • Robin
    Gilmer McCormick
    • Gilmer
    Jeffrey Mylett
    • Jeffrey
    Jerry Sroka
    Jerry Sroka
    • Jerry
    Daniel Levins
    • Ballet Rehearsal Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Madden
    • Homeless Man
    • (uncredited)
    Burt Richards
    • Garment Salesman
    • (uncredited)
    John-Michael Tebelak
    • Pharisee Monster
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
      • David Greene
      • David Greene(screenplay)
      • John-Michael Tebelak(screenplay) (from the play conceived and written by) (book from the musical play "Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew")
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Victor Garber's movie debut.
    • Goofs
      At the end of "All For The Best", Joanne moves her arm the wrong way and quickly corrects herself.
    • Quotes

      Jesus: Consider the lilies of the field. They don't work. They don't spin. Yet I tell you - Solomon in all his splendor was not attired like one of these. Now, if that's how God clothes the grass, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown unto the fire, will He not all the more clothe *you*?

    • Crazy credits
      The end credits include an infinity frames effect. A sixteen second film of a busy street is shown, and then the right and bottom of the frame is frozen in a sideways capital L. This then becomes the frame for the next iteration of the film, which in turn leaves its right and bottom edges as a frame for the next film. Over the frames and film are played thumbnails of the actors, then credit cards and finally a credit scroll.
    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      We Beseech Thee
      (uncredited)

      Written by Stephen Schwartz

      Performed on tack piano in Cherry Lane Theatre

    User reviews102

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Godspell great music great message!
    Godspell reminds us of a culture long gone, peace demonstrations, flower power, "big hair", bright colours, folk rock music, and loud expressive clothing. These are the props of choice the directors use to communicate the gospel message. The film itself is dated now but viewed in the context of early seventies culture it contains a powerful and relevant message that impacted on a searching audience.

    Godspell was conceived by John Michael Tebelak, who upon reading the gospels discovered joy, - "Joy! I found a great joy, a simplicity" However a visit to a church to experience this joy was totally disappointing, he knew at once what he must do.

    Tebelak brings his discovery alive by way of the gospel of Matthew; his set is central New York City, a place over flowing with people caught in the hustle and bustle of daily routine. Out of the crowds he separates his cast, setting them free from the mundane routines of daily inner city life. They come together at a fountain where they frolic in the water seemingly without any care for the routines they have left behind. John played by David Haskell baptises each one in turn, Jesus played by Victor Garber appears and he to is baptised, rising from the water complete with superman tee shirt symbolically marking him as "master". The cast then is set apart as the "masters" disciples as each receives the symbolic mark of Jesus with face paint. Together now, dressed in flamboyant opp shop clothing, vibrant colours, face paint and "big" hair they have developed a sense of community that stands out in this over sized set, they have become a band of disciples.

    The band proceeds through the empty city stopping at significant landmarks to play out messages from the gospel. These messages are focused on the teachings of Christ mainly through the parables, interestingly the disciples participate in the teaching, this gives a sense of inclusiveness that draws the audience into the message. Most of the critical points of the gospel are covered, such as Gethsemane, the last supper, the betrayal, and the crucifixion which at first seems a little bizarre but it also gives one a sense of participation and connectiveness, however the resurrection is left out. Their teaching is supported by the use of song and music, mime and dance, coupled with comedy; this blend achieves the joyful portrayal of the gospel that Tebelak desired.

    The portrayal of Jesus as a clown may have been offensive to some, however this reviewer found it to be refreshing, the clown communicates joy while communicating the seriousness of the gospel message. He reminds us that the gospel is a message of great joy and humility, love and peace, of triumph and victory. However in saying that there are some aspects that don't fit with our understanding, for instance the betrayal scene, Jesus kisses Judas. Then it does finish with a question hanging over it, that being, why no resurrection scene? Or maybe there was, perhaps the grand finale represents the risen Jesus, carried lifted high into the crowded streets, it gives a sense of inclusiveness, that somehow Jesus lives on in each one of us.

    A fun movie that you just have to participate with, and at the same time a serious message is communicated.
    helpful•31
    5
    • stuie107
    • Mar 22, 2005

    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 31, 1973 (United Kingdom)
      • United States
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
      • English
      • Hebrew
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • World Trade Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 43 minutes
      • Color
      • 4-Track Stereo

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    Victor Garber, Katie Hanley, David Haskell, Merrell Jackson, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, Jerry Sroka, and Lynne Thigpen in Godspell (1973)
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