Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- playful
- sincere
- family movie night
- musical movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film an engaging but uneven contemporary musical adaptation of Gospel material, with its energetic performances and songs outweighing its occasional mannerisms.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jesus and his followers enact Gospel parables in recognizable New York streets and modern dress.
The young followers form an acting troupe that uses song, dance, comedy, and mime to stage the parables.
The film balances Christian teaching and the Passion narrative with jokes, mime, dance, and upbeat ensemble numbers.
Disparate young New Yorkers leave their workaday routines to learn from Jesus and perform together.
Films like Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, and why
Jesus Christ Superstar
religious parable storytelling transformed into an accessible song-driven musical with playful theatricality
The Gospel Road
faith-centered musical drama using contemporary performance styles and a charismatic central biblical figure
The Wiz
stage-derived musical film combining stylized performance, ensemble camaraderie, and spiritual themes
Movie Details
- Director
- David Greene
- Release Date
- 1973-03-21
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (47)
Cast
- Victor Garber
- Katie Hanley
- David Haskell
- Merrell Jackson
- Joanne Jonas
- Robin Lamont
- Gilmer McCormick
- Jeffrey Mylett
- Jerry Sroka
- Lynne Thigpen
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew about?
- A buoyant urban musical retelling of Jesus’s teachings, staged through song, mime, comedy, and communal theatrical play.
- What is Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew as mild.
- What did critics think of Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew?
- Critics generally found the film an engaging but uneven contemporary musical adaptation of Gospel material, with its energetic performances and songs outweighing its occasional mannerisms.
- Which films are like Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew?
- Films with a similar feel include Jesus Christ Superstar, The Gospel Road, and The Wiz.
- How long is Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew?
- Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew?
- In United States, Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.
