Godspell (also known as Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew) is the 1973 film adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical Godspell created by John-Michael Tebelak. Directed by David Greene with stars Victor Garber as Jesus and David Haskell as Judas/John the Baptist, the film is set in modern-day New York City. John-Michael Tebelak is credited as co-writer of the screenplay and served as the creative consultant, although director David Greene said Tebelak did not write the screenplay.^[1][2]

Plot[link]

The structure of the musical is, in large part, retained: a series of parables, from the gospel of Matthew, interspersed with musical numbers. Many of the scenes take advantage of well-known sites around New York City. John the Baptist gathers a diverse band of youthful disciples to follow and learn from the teachings of Jesus. These disciples then proceed to form a roving acting troupe that enacts Jesus's parables through the streets of New York. They often make references to vaudeville schtick.

Cast[link]

• Victor Garber as Jesus Christ
• David Haskell as Judas Iscariot / John The Baptist
• Robin Lamont as Robin, a window shopper
• Joanne Jonas as Joanne, a ballet dancer
• Lynne Thigpen as Lynne, a college student
• Merrell Jackson as Merrell, a garment trader
• Jerry Sroka as Jerry, a parking attendant
• Gilmer McCormick as Gilmer, a model
• Jeffrey Mylett as Jeffrey, a taxi driver
• Katie Hanley as Katie, a diner waitress

Musical numbers[link]

1. "Opening"
2. "Prologue: Towers of Babble"
3. "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord" - Judas
4. "Save the People" - Jesus
5. "Day by Day" - Robin
6. "Bless the Lord" - Lynne
7. "All for the Best" - Jesus, Judas
8. "All Good Gifts" - Merrell
9. "Light of the World" - Jenny, Gilmer, Jeffrey
10. "Turn Back, O Man" - Joanne
11. "Alas for You" - Jesus
12. "By My Side" - Katie
13. "Beautiful City" - Jesus
14. "Day by Day" (Reprise)
15. "On the Willows"
16. "Finale" - Jesus

Differences from the musical[link]

The song "Beautiful City" was written for and first included in the film, while the songs "Learn Your Lessons Well" and "We Beseech Thee" were omitted. The melody for "Learn Your Lessons Well" is used briefly in an early scene of the film and again as incidental music, while "We Beseech Thee" is heard in the scene inside Cherry Lane Theatre where Jesus plays its melody on the piano during the story of The Prodigal Son.

The film is deliberately less staged than the stage version, with more dramatic emphasis put on the location shots, including the following:

• The Brooklyn Bridge, where John the Baptist walks down the pedestrian walkway while humming "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord" in the opening sequence;
• Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, in which the new disciples are baptized by John while singing "Prepare Ye";
• The Andrew Carnegie Mansion, in which they sing "Turn Back O Man";
• Times Square, where Jesus and John are silhouetted by a screen of lights as they dance to "All For the Best";
• The central fountain at Lincoln Center, where Jesus and Judas dance on the fountain's stone lip as they sing "All for the Best";
• The top of one of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, which was nearing completion at the time of the film's production;
• The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument on Riverside Drive;
• A bird's-eye view of Fifth Avenue from above and behind St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York), looking down on the Tishman Building, street address 666 Fifth Avenue during "Beautiful City";
• The Hell Gate Bridge on Randall's Island, where the disciples carry Jesus' body through the arches, creating a barrel-vaulted cathedral effect, after his crucifixion on a chain-link fence.

However, except for the opening scenes and the very last scene, the city appears devoid of people other than the cast.

While the film still presents the group in the form of a roving acting troupe, the characters overall are made out more as flower children and less as edgy social rebels.

While not visible, John-Michael Tebelak voiced the Pharisee Monster in the "Alas For You" song sequence.

Vocally, the chorus is very much in the same style, but solo parts are, at times, more lyrical. Notably, in "All Good Gifts", whereas Lamar Alford had used a dramatic tenor voice, Merrell Jackson uses a lighter voice and falsetto for the high ornament which creates a joyous effect.

Reception[link]

The film was entered into the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.^[3]

Godspell received generally positive reviews in 1973. Allmovie Guide currently gives the film a three out of five rating. Various bands have covered songs from the film/musical.

See also[link]

• Godspell (album)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Godspell at the Internet Movie Database
• Godspell at AllRovi
• Godspell at Rotten Tomatoes
• Patches and Face Paint- A Godspell Fansite
• Godspell: From Stage to Screen
• Kelly's Godspell Playground