Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

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.

Watched this again after many years. Hated it first time as JCS was out and was more 'hip'. Now realize that this was much better and that the portrayal of Jesus is more accurate. (I think HE would probably really enjoy it). Cast was great, especially enjoyed the lovely Gilmer McCormick's portrayal of Abraham and the Good Samaritan. By My Side as a song made me cry as it's the way we should relate to Jesus, I tend to put the word death in place of dare as for me it makes more sense. This should have been released rather than Day by day. Loved the settings and the simplicity of the way the people related to Jesus. As a Christian I would recommend it highly even if bits of it are out of sync with the Gospels

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.

The story of "Godspell" is not one of the Christ's Passion, it's not about the angst among his disciples or the sexual tension he had with Mary Magdalen. It's a positive story focusing on Jesus' teachings and parables, told in a lighthearted way, with some outstanding music and spectacular location photography (particularly in the song "It's All for the Best").While the hippie-like costuming and the semi-clown makeup seem to outrage some folks, and are admittedly dated today, the movie should be looked at in the context in which it was created. Jesus, in the eyes of those in power during his life, was a radical extremist and a threat to the status quo. He taught lessons of love, empowerment, inclusion, justice--well, you get the idea. Hippie clowns were the logical vehicle to present those lessons at the time "Godspell" hit the big screen.But when you get past the period set and costume design, and to the basic show, "Godspell" is a wonderful entertainment. First, and most often mentioned by everyone, is the amazing location photography. You have to see it to appreciate it. Next is the music. Although the most commercial song in the show is the repetitive "Day by Day," the one song that most people remember from "Godspell", there are many beautiful melodies. My favourite is "By My Side", the only one with the music NOT written by the composer, Stephen Schwartz. It has beautiful harmonies, and Katie Hanley does a great job on lead vocal. The rest of the songs are nearly as good, and all are quite singable.And by the way, I'm not a Christian. But if I were, I'd like to be one as portrayed in "Godspell".You may think you have read the above review before - and yes, it's been on here since 2004, but it's every bit as valid in 2011, and better than anything I could write - especially that last paragraph.