Godspell
Director: David Greene
Year: 1973
If you aren't ready for camp, vaudeville shtick and heavy doses of direct Bible verses, do not bother with this film. It makes no bones about it's intention or drive. This is the book of Matthew put to music, broad costumes and a stunningly vacant New York City in 1973. For all its cynics, who wrote things like "A lesson in how not to transfer a theatrical musical to the big screen" (Phil Hall, Film Snobbery) or "The peppy no-name cast take to the parables like toddlers take to Sesame Street", (Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews) and "Calling this the "Sesame Street" version of the Gospel would be an insult to "Sesame Street." (Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) - say it with me, "Who?"), my retort is simple: Jesus loves you.
Now before you click the browser button on me writing me off as a Jesus-Freak, let me list my biases and background when it comes to Christ. I was raised in the Catholic Church. I believed what I was told very strongly. I considered becoming a priest in my teens. I left the faith during my undergraduate years, stunned by the history of mythology and it's depth that pre-dated the Bible. Since then, I've revisited the Bible and gone to church a few times. I've added a strong faith in what I've learned of Buddhism and Taoism along the way, going so far as to write my own version of the Tao Te Ching. I am currently in preproduction with a Christian-based short for my film partner, Jeremy Settles. I'm rewriting the script and will be Directing. And, insomuch as that's a project on my radar, I'm studying Christian themed movies.
That explains "The Last Temptation" and "Godspell". "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Jesus of Nazareth" are coming up - among a few others.
I am a big fan of musicals. I love New York. I also love silly, over-the-top comedy when it has a good heart. This movie is the definition of those elements. Placing the apostles and Jesus on a romp through a vacant New York City and it's tremendous sky scrapers (including a scene where they stand and sing on top of one of the World Trade Center Towers) brings tremendous depth and interest to the story. "The Greatest Story Ever Told" meets "The Greatest City Ever Built" -- highly subjective opinions, of course, but apt. The music is familiar, fun and sweet. It is, perhaps, that message above all else - of Christ as a kind, loving, sacrificial leader that has me singing the praise of this film. It is common to see Jesus suffer. It is common to see him rage or question what others are doing - how dare they? He flexes his muscle all well and good in many other productions. But when is he seen as a gentle, colorful, children's playmate? And what's wrong with that presentation if the messages still get across? Love thy neighbor. Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There's nothing wrong with it - and so much right.
Year: 1973
If you aren't ready for camp, vaudeville shtick and heavy doses of direct Bible verses, do not bother with this film. It makes no bones about it's intention or drive. This is the book of Matthew put to music, broad costumes and a stunningly vacant New York City in 1973. For all its cynics, who wrote things like "A lesson in how not to transfer a theatrical musical to the big screen" (Phil Hall, Film Snobbery) or "The peppy no-name cast take to the parables like toddlers take to Sesame Street", (Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews) and "Calling this the "Sesame Street" version of the Gospel would be an insult to "Sesame Street." (Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) - say it with me, "Who?"), my retort is simple: Jesus loves you.
Now before you click the browser button on me writing me off as a Jesus-Freak, let me list my biases and background when it comes to Christ. I was raised in the Catholic Church. I believed what I was told very strongly. I considered becoming a priest in my teens. I left the faith during my undergraduate years, stunned by the history of mythology and it's depth that pre-dated the Bible. Since then, I've revisited the Bible and gone to church a few times. I've added a strong faith in what I've learned of Buddhism and Taoism along the way, going so far as to write my own version of the Tao Te Ching. I am currently in preproduction with a Christian-based short for my film partner, Jeremy Settles. I'm rewriting the script and will be Directing. And, insomuch as that's a project on my radar, I'm studying Christian themed movies.
That explains "The Last Temptation" and "Godspell". "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Jesus of Nazareth" are coming up - among a few others.
I am a big fan of musicals. I love New York. I also love silly, over-the-top comedy when it has a good heart. This movie is the definition of those elements. Placing the apostles and Jesus on a romp through a vacant New York City and it's tremendous sky scrapers (including a scene where they stand and sing on top of one of the World Trade Center Towers) brings tremendous depth and interest to the story. "The Greatest Story Ever Told" meets "The Greatest City Ever Built" -- highly subjective opinions, of course, but apt. The music is familiar, fun and sweet. It is, perhaps, that message above all else - of Christ as a kind, loving, sacrificial leader that has me singing the praise of this film. It is common to see Jesus suffer. It is common to see him rage or question what others are doing - how dare they? He flexes his muscle all well and good in many other productions. But when is he seen as a gentle, colorful, children's playmate? And what's wrong with that presentation if the messages still get across? Love thy neighbor. Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There's nothing wrong with it - and so much right.
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