Godspell (1973)

Two Geeks and a GIT Classic Movie Reviews

As we cruise into the holiday season, it felt like an appropriate time to look at movie musicals about the life of Jesus Christ as told in the bible. We begin this pairing with a unique telling of the gospels, set in (at the time) modern New York City. Directed by David Greene, "Godspell" begins with John the Baptist (David Haskell) calling together a group of individuals to leave their normal lives behind and begin following Jesus (Victor Garber, in his film debut). The story contains many parables, including "The Good Samaritan," told in narrated pantomime, dance, and choreographed numbers, with the cast costumed and made-up in a way that has had many critics throughout the years considering the cast presented as classic 70s flower children. The film features several songs, including "Prepare Ye (The Way Of The Lord)," "Turn Back, O Man," "Beautiful City," and the best-known song from the film, "Day By Day." Also starring Lynn Thigpen, Katie Hanley, Merrell Jackson, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, and Jerry Soka.