Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Kinley This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

robgst Ew I've never seen Victor Garber in Godspell and I find it disgusting. It's like he's in drag but like drag to be young you know? I'm just so used to him looking a certain way, and he looks exactly the same except so young...it's uncanny and disturbing 1/10

Charles Herold (cherold) The message of Godspell is basically, hey kids, Jesus is a groovy cat who wants you to treat people good. This was my idea of Jesus as a pre- atheist kid: not the miracle Jesus, or the gory bleeding Jesus, or the Jesus sending folks to hell, or the Jesus that requires nothing except unfailing belief, but that fellow who talked about the Good Samaritan and not throwing the first stone. I'm also a fan of hippies and prefer the folk-rock of Hair to the traditional Broadway of Rogers and Hammerstein, and I had the original cast recording as a kid and was a big fan. So really, this movie is the sort I would expect to like.The movie is wonderfully joyous, with a talented cast prancing and singing and running and painting their faces. It's fun, although it also can feel a little like something you'd get from a Christian group doing skits at the local high schools.One of the movie's great strengths is its New York locales. The movie begins with a bunch of young, multi-racial folk living their frustrating city lives only to be visited by someone bringing a message of joy. Then they run through the fountains and take over the vacant lots and, now ironically, sing "All for the Best" on top of the World Trade Center.The movie finds many imaginative ways to tell bible stories, including using old silent movies, but this is still basically a movie in which people tell bible stories, one after the other. There's little in the way of story or character, so the whole thing begins to feel like a review. For a while my attention flagged, although the darker last third revived me somewhat.The music is terrific, including Day by Day and the honky tonk Turn Back Oh Man (but not, alas, Learn Your Lessons Well, which was cut), and the cast - pulled from early stage productions, is talented and fun and attractive, even if the funny voices occasionally seem overdone.Overall, this is a tremendously fun movie. I may not believe in hippy Jesus anymore, but I still like the fantasy.

WordWeaver777 When I first saw this film as a young man in a movie theater back in 1973, I absolutely loved it. This evening, some forty years later, I had an opportunity to view this wonderful Christian musical once again. Now, as back then, I found it to be just as inspiring and uplifting.In fact, there were points where "Godspell" almost brought me to tears due to the sincerity which can be felt in some of the songs. I particularly like "Day By Day", being as it represents my own heart's cry to better love and serve the Lord.Of course, this kind of Christian-themed movie is not for everyone. I suppose that there are probably even some more conservative Christians who will criticize the fact that "Godspell" takes place in a modern setting -- in New York City of all places -- and that it employs an array of modern music and dance styles. Add to that the fact that Jesus is portrayed as a clown -- as are some of the Apostles who are both male and female -- and that comedy is likewise used throughout the film, and this may possibly explain why this film doesn't have a higher rating here on IMDb.However, for me personally, because of the talented actors, the heartfelt songs, the wonderful lyrics, and the fact that much of its content is derived straight from the Scriptures of the KJV Bible, "Godspell" represents a joyous celebration of the Life and Message of Jesus Christ. One can really feel the joy of the Lord in this movie. At least I did.Some viewers have wondered about the significance of the end of the film where we see the Apostles carrying Jesus' lifeless body through the streets of New York City, while singing a medley of the songs which were heard throughout the movie. As they round a street corner, they disappear from our view, and we are suddenly met by the noisy streets filled with pedestrians again.Allow me to offer a few possible interpretations of this particular scene.First, this scene could signify the Apostles' obedience to Jesus' command to "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." -- Mark 16:15.Second, this scene could be saying that the Gospel message has been lost amongst the masses and the hustle and bustle of everyday modern life. Thus, this joyful film is an earnest endeavor to bring the message alive again.Third, while the Apostles are carrying a dead Jesus, notice that the very first song that they sing in the medley is "Long Live God", and that it occurs at sunrise. Could this possibly signify the morning of the third day when Christ arose from the dead?While they are all somber as they start singing the medley, soon we see them dancing and clapping their hands before disappearing into the crowd of people. Putting all of these points together, could this final closing scene represent their hope and belief that Jesus would arise again?There are only two reasons why I won't give this film a ten.First, I feel that the song "Beautiful City" is out of place and doesn't quite fit in with all of the other songs in the film, which highlight Jesus' teachings, as well as love for, and devotion to, Jesus.According to the lyrics, "Beautiful City" concerns building a city; "not a city of angels", but "finally a city of man". I am wondering if this particular song is purposely meant to be a nod to New York City itself.In fact, in my view, "Beautiful City" sounds more like secular humanism than the Christian Gospel, because the words "not a city of angels" seem to suggest no Divine Intervention in the building of this city. As I listened to it, I was reminded of how after slaying his brother Abel, Cain fled from the presence of the Lord and went and built a city.In short, I feel that it would have been better to write a song which glorifies the City of God -- that is, New Jerusalem -- which the closing chapters of the Book of Revelation inform us descends from Heaven. This would have been more in agreement with the other songs, in my view.My second reason for not giving "Godspell" a ten is because while the message of sin and salvation is included in the movie, I feel that it was not quite complete, because it does not overtly show the Lord's Resurrection from the dead, which is the blessed hope -- and glorious future -- of all Christians everywhere.As I noted earlier, Christ's Resurrection could be what the closing scene was supposed to represent with the "Long Live God" song. However, if that is the case, it could have been made a lot clearer to the audience, in my opinion.Because of these two points, I will give the film an eight, which is still substantially higher than its average score.By the way, if you likewise have enjoyed "Godspell", I also recommend that you watch the 1999 version of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Donnie Osmond, Maria Friedman and cast.

johnstonjames for anyone that knows and loves 'Godspell', they know it to be truly inspirational and a joy. to others it's just a bunch of Christian gibberish with a bunch of corny pop tunes. even though i really love this film musical i can understand the latter somewhat. even for Christian gospel, 'Godspell' is pretty watered-down and inordinately wholesome and harmless. usually that approach seems cornball to me most of the time, but not here. especially when associated with a certain amount of piety. a truly pious person shouldn't ask for too much controversy or decadence in entertainment.'Godspell' is also a nice and friendly way to approach the gospel and teachings of Jesus without being too intimidating or scary. Gibson's 'Passion' teaches novices that sacrifice is a bloody, violent, horror show straight out of 'Texas Chainsaw'. Pasolini's 'Matthew' is way too dry and cerebral and feels like a lecture at some commie kingdom hall. even the musical 'Superstar' can feel a little too somber at times. 'Godspell' is one of those experiences, like 'Technicolor Dreamcoat', that makes the gospel seem friendly and fun, and inspiring in a positive way. let people discover the scary side to Christianity once they become more initiated and stable with it. i mean you don't want to creep anyone out when they're right out of the gate.the music by Stephen Schwartz is lyrical and lilting and of his usual top-notch accomplished quality. not to mention just plain cute and fun.the ensemble cast led by 'Annie' star Vic Garber is funny and lively with lots and lots of creative and inspired injection. their creative enthusiasm effortlessly sustains a full length work like this.the photography of New York city remains some of the most beautiful cityscape panoramas in film. even by the standards of today.i can't imagine anyone, especially Christians, being offended by any of this. i can understand if you're not a Christian and can't stand gooey wholesomeness like this, but if you are a Christian and you get uptight with this, then you probably should lighten up a little and join the human race.a wonderful experience for all that are interested in the gospel. i couldn't recommend this more. just great.