Godspell (1973)

An adaption of the musical, in a modern-day song-and-dance recreation of the Gospel of St. Matthew.

Director:

David Greene

Writers:

David Greene (screenplay), John-Michael Tebelak (screenplay)

Stars:

Victor Garber, Lynne Thigpen, Katie Hanley

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Victor Garber	...	Jesus
Katie Hanley	...	Katie
David Haskell	...	John / Judas
Merrell Jackson	...	Merrell
Joanne Jonas	...	Joanne
Robin Lamont	...	Robin
Gilmer McCormick	...	Gilmer
Jeffrey Mylett	...	Jeffrey
Jerry Sroka	...	Jerry
Lynne Thigpen	...	Lynne

Storyline

A modern-day version of the gospels, opening with John the Baptist calling a disparate group of young New Yorkers from their workaday lives to follow and learn from Jesus. They form a roving acting troupe that enacts the parables through song and dance, comedy, and mime. Jesus' ministry ends with a last supper, his Crucifixion in a junkyard, and, the following morning, his body being carried aloft by his apostles back into the world of the living on the streets of New York.

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Plot Keywords:

song | singing | singer | kicked in the butt | based on stage musical | 

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Taglines:

The Gospel according to today.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Two members of the original cast, Peggy Gordon and Sonia Manzano, were unable to participate in filming and had their roles shared between members of the cast. Manzano was committed to working on Sesame Street, which left her role being split between Joanna Jonas and Lynne Thigpen. Gordon had intended on doing the film, until she developed tonsillitis that required surgery. She was replaced with Katie Hanley.

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Goofs

During the baptism scene on Bethesda Terrace, a man on Central Park Lake is visible in 3 separate shots, frantically trying to row his boat out of the scene.

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Quotes

Jesus: Did I ever tell you I used to read feet?
Jeffrey: You used to... what?
Jesus: Some people read palms or tea leaves. I read feet. Look what it says!
[looks at Jeffrey's foot]
Jesus: Ahh, it says "Rejoice."
Jeffrey: [looking at his foot] It says "Keds."

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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.

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Connections

Remade as Godspell (2017)

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Soundtracks

Save The People
(uncredited)
Music by Stephen Schwartz
Lyrics by Ebenezer Elliott (uncredited)
Performed by Victor Garber and Company

User Reviews

joyful

I remember seeing this film a very long time ago with my father when it was released in theaters. I just recently saw it again on TV and was just as dazzled as I was the first time (although I admit, to fully appreciate this movie, it is best seen on a large screen). The film is gorgeous to look at, and the whole feel is carnival-like. The songs are as fresh as they were in 1973, catchy and light-hearted, and yet touching. The young cast seems to be having a great time--and it's interesting that their characters (except for Jesus, played by Victor Garber) all use their real names.

Titanic fans will be interested in seeing the 23-year old Victor Garber (who played the ship's builder Thomas Andrews) as Jesus, and not only is he gorgeous to look at, he has a beautiful singing voice as well. It mystifies me why Garber never got more leading roles in movies. Far superior to the dreary opera that came out the same year, "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew Spanish

Release Date:

31 May 1973 (UK)

Also Known As:

Godspell

Filming Locations:

68th and Park Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1