Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999)

A humorously musical retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph.

Director:

David Mallet

Writers:

Tim Rice (book), Michael Walsh

Stars:

Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donny Osmond	...	Joseph
Maria Friedman	...	Narrator
Richard Attenborough	...	Jacob
Ian McNeice	...	Potiphar
Joan Collins	...	Mrs. Potiphar
Robert Torti	...	Pharaoh
Christopher Biggins	...	The Baker
Alex Jennings	...	Butler
Nicholas Colicos	...	Reuben (as Nicolas Colicos)
Jeff Blumenkrantz	...	Simeon
David J. Higgins	...	Levi (as David J Higgins)
Patrick Clancy	...	Issachar
Shaun Henson	...	Napthali
Martin Callaghan	...	Asher
Sebastien Torkia	...	Dan

Storyline

In this filmed adaption of the long-running musical, we see the story of Joseph (Donny Osmond), son of Jacob (Sir Richard Attenborough). The favored son, he is betrayed by his jealous brothers and sold into slavery and driven to Egypt. Though beset with adversity, Joseph perseveres through wit and faith and becomes the Governor of Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh (Robert Torti). This all the sets the scene for when he meets his brothers who have come to Egypt to purchase food.

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Plot Keywords:

slavery | pharaoh | lifting male in air | lifting someone into the air | brother brother relationship | 

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Taglines:

Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's Classic Family Musical

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Genres:

Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The frame of the story being performed for children in a school auditorium is a reference to the show's origin. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice originally wrote the piece as a 15 minute 'pop cantata' for the Colet Court prep school in London, where a friend of Webber's taught music. Eventually Webber and Rice expanded the piece into a full show.

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Goofs

At the very end of "The Song of the King" Joseph is seen at the top of the steps twice with his hand at his chin and in the next shot with both hands at his side, and again later with his hand at his chin.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: Some folks dream of the wonders they'll do before they're time on this planet is through. Some just don't have anything planned, they hide their hopes and their heads in the sand. Now I don't say who is wrong, who is right. But if by chance you are here for the night, then all I need is an hour or two to tell the tale of a dreamer like you.
Narrator: We all dream a lot. Some are lucky, some are not. But if you think it, want it, dream it, then it's real. You are what you feel. But all that I ...

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Crazy Credits

Ending credits feature clips of each actor with real name listed and then of that actor in his/her character with that name listed as well. The credits of each of the 11 brothers appear in the same order as they are mentioned during the 'Jacob & Sons Song' scene: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Naphtali, Isaachar, Asher, Dan, Zebulun, Gad, Benjamin, Judah

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Connections

Featured in Lindsay Ellis' Essay Collection: Why is Cats? (2020)

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Soundtracks

Pharaoh Story
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Performed by Maria Friedman and Children

User Reviews

'Technicolor' Is Right, This Is Stunning!

This was much better than I thought it might be, and I give it a high grade in a number of areas, beginning with production. This looked good, sounded good and simply was good! For some reason, I didn't expect much from Donny Osmond. I guess the Osmond is a lot more talented than people give them credit for, and I won't make that mistake again. I'd say the same for Joan Collins, who I could not picture in a "biblical film," but she did just fine. Then again, she played the villainous "Potiphar," so it wasn't like she was playing against type!

Normally I wouldn't care for something that was akin to an opera (all the lyrics being sung) and would skeptical about any Hollywood did regarding the Bible (figuring it would be distorted) but - once again - I was surprised. The story stayed true to the Bible and the presentation was so well done - and so incredibly colorful on this DVD - that is was a very satisfying and entertaining adaptation..

What most people who liked this DVD would cite the acting, the singing, the songs and/or the story as what impressed them most but, to me, it was the brilliant, stunning color in this play. Besides being a classic Old Testament story, this is a real visual treat.

Details

Official Sites:

The Really Useful Group

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 April 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Great Performances: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Really Useful Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.55 : 1