Godspell Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf, April 24, 2020

It all started with an idea from writer John-Michael Tebelak, who wanted something more than the usual when it came to a celebration of faith. He dreamed of a way to reinvent such love, to give the story of Jesus and his teachings a different spin, helping to reach a new audience understandably bored with the rigid ways of Christian storytelling. Tebelak eventually teamed with composer Stephen Schwartz, coming up with "Godspell," a musical that proved its worth during its 1971 off-Broadway debut, even inspiring a 1972 production with a cast that included Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, and Andrea Martin (Paul Shaffer was the musical director). While enjoying popularity and profit, it didn't take long for the show to hit the big screen, with 1973's "Godspell" hoping to share its unique take on faith and love with a larger audience. It's a film that's eager to please, with director David Greene working to retain the theatrical presence of the material while unleashing it on New York City, setting his cast free to romp around hop spots as they emphatically deliver a hippie gospel for a new generation of believers.The ideas driving "Godspell" are found in the Gospel of Matthew, with Jesus (Victor Garber) arriving in New York City to share his teachings with his apostles. John the Baptist (David Haskell) has gathered the group, presenting Katie (Katie Hanley), Merrell (Merrell Jackson), Joanne (Joanne Jonas), Robin (Robin Lamont), Gilmer (Gilmer McCormick), Jeffrey (Jeffrey Mylett), Jerry (Jerry Sroka), and Lynne (Lynne Thigpen). Eager to be part of the Jesus movement, the gang hangs on his every word, working out the details of his parables as they confront their own issues of faith, hitting the streets to act out the stories and get in touch with their feelings as the Son of God inches toward his destiny."Godspell" is loosely plotted, basically nothing more than a greatest hits of bible stories handed to a collection of young people opening themselves to the possibilities of Jesus. To increase the theatrical nature of the material, Tebelak turns the characters into clowns, heightening their innocent spirits and musical theater elasticity, with John the Baptist recruiting the team from all around NYC, blowing a shofar to send a special message to those willing to listen, separating them from extreme urban frustrations. "Godspell" isn't a Biblical movie, but it uses the book for teaching purposes, with Jesus looking to share his view of humanity through the gospel, giving the writing a formal foundation, while the rest of the endeavor tears off into multiple directions, becoming a tour for Jesus and the apostles as they act out the particulars of the parables.New York City actually plays a major role in "Godspell," and part of the film's appeal is the chance to explore empty areas, as the producers managed to clear out populated sections of the town to build a playground for the characters. There's definitely a time capsule aspect to the viewing experience, which finds the gang jumping around Central Park, visiting Lincoln Center, dancing around signage in Times Square, and even reaching the top of the World Trade Center during one precarious musical number. Greene labors to push "Godspell" beyond the stage, handing the production an open-world feel that's fantastic, giving the actors environments to interact with, adding liveliness to their performances. Even if one doesn't respond to the picture, the images presented here are memorable, lifting the movie up when it needs the boost.The songs in "Godspell" have their purpose, telling stories within stories, going beyond the bible to explore human connections. The endeavor produced one big hit with "Day by Day," and there's a reason for that: it's a fantastic song. It's memorable, offering a group effort, and it's returned to on more than one occasion in the film. The rest of the numbers have their intermittent appeal, but Schwartz can't replicate his home run, keeping consistency elusive as the material finds a few clunkers, especially when it aims for a sillier level of engagement. Thankfully, nothing stops the cast from giving it their all, offering broad work that fits Greene's bright vision for "Godspell," committing wholeheartedly to the experience, which does wonders for the endeavor.