[The Duchess of Mint]

Dear Godspellers,

NOTE: THIS POST IS FULL OF SPOILERS, SO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ ANY SPOILERS, THEN...well, you know what I was gonna tell you.

I recently watched the entire (?) 1973 movie version of Godspell on YouTube. The following is a list of my observations about the movie:

* I was confused, because none of the characters were ever identified by name, with the exception of Jesus and John/Judas. I finally discovered who was who when I visited the "Patches and Face Paint" site.


* I noticed that the movie's style was very avant garde, with regards to the fact that Jesus just sort of taught many lessons, etc., within the hazy confines of a sort of alternate reality.

* I realized that if I ever found a time machine, I'd want to be able to play the role of Robin, because, pardon, but she and Jesus are the closest, in a romantic, and even in a pseudo-sexy, sense; search Google for a Godspell poster which symbollically proves this fact. Garber is rather sexy!

Did Robin and Jesus have that same connection in the stage version of Godspell?

I'm now wondering if perhaps Johnny Depp would be better as Jesus in Godspell rather than as Jesus in JCS. Wild thought, but...sexy!

* Was the song "Stay With Me" left out of the movie, and which movie character was supposed to be the Mary Magdaline type who would have sung that song?

* I totally misinterpreted the death of Jesus. I know that I'll probably sound totally mean, but I couldn't take His death seriously, with regards to the Godspell movie, because I didn't even understand that the fence was supposed to be electrified. I did understand that His death was symbolic, but I thought that when the other characters were shaking the fence, they were symbolizing Jesus' own people, who had suddenly turned against Him, and who had condemned Him to death on the cross. I sort of like my interpretation of that scene the best.

I also didn't understand that someone wanted to kill John/Judas, but I like the following scenario:

Someone decides that they will kill Judas, but Jesus tells them not to do that. The others decide that if Jesus won't punish the man who betrayed Him, He must not really be that powerful anyway, and they decide that if He won't prove His strength, perhaps He isn't really that great. They kill Him, and then they realize that He wasn't so wrong after all, and they decide to follow His lessons during the rest of their lives.

Thanks in advance for your replies, and if you want to see a really good Godspell music video, feel free to log onto www.youtube.com, and search for "Godspell right beside you".

[Master Thespian]

"By my Side" you mean? Yes, it should be on there. I have the soundtrack to prove it. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_g67-0eH1I&mode=related&search=

[Robinflamingo]

Duchess -

Did you watch the same movie I did?

Yeesh.

[The Duchess of Mint]

Dear Robinflamingo,

I watched the same movie that you did, but I didn't interpret it in the same way that you did.

I even interpreted the face paint removal differently than it was supposed to be interpreted. I thought that the face paint was being removed because the future was going to be sad, and because Jesus was going to be taken away from the deciples. I read an online source which claimed that the face paint was removed because the deciples finally had a full understanding of spirituality.

I don't know why the Godspell plot is so much different within my mind than it is within the confines of its original context. I can't lie about liking my own "rendition" better, because I certainly like it much better than the original rendition. I still can't understand why I misunderstood the storyline.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

[Hortonhearsawho]

Duchess,
I'm sorry that your first encounter with Godspell was the movie, it really cannot do justice for the musical.
However here are some points
The characters disnt use there names because in the context of Godspell they are not important , they do not represent anyone in particular only a person with a distinct personality.
The song you missed is called "by my side" the person who sings it represents the lady about to be stoned for adultry , not mary magdalene. There is no representation of Mary magdalene in Godspell.
The electric fence was cheap , and looked dumb, but it was a 1970's movie effect, much the same as Jesus appearing in the ballet studio , elevator , taxi etc. at the first... very cheap , very silly....
I like your interpretation of the facepaint, Thats part of the JOy of Godspell, your allowed to understand it however you want or need to, As long as you walk away from Godspell realizing a) you are loved and b) community is important
I encourage you to watch it again and look for yourself in some of the characters actions and sayings.
Also dont be quick to interpret the relationship between Jesus and "robin" The intamacy Jesus shares is with all the characters , and all people. just in many different ways

[Robinflamingo]

Since the source material is the Gospel according to Matthew, a firm understanding of that book of the Bible, as well as the source material for the songs (various hymnbooks and Old Testament writings) helps enhance your understanding of the show.

Now before I get jumped on for alluding that you have to be Christian to understand and appreciate the show, that is NOT what I said. Like any good study of a show with source material, your understanding grows when you read the source material. For instance, one's appreciation for the humor in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" increases the more knowledge you have of the Arthurian Legends. If you know what they are referencing and satirizing, it's funnier. Likewise, seeing "Kiss Me Kate" was more entertaining AFTER I read and studied "Taming of the Shrew."

That's all.