I must admit that I didn't expect to like this movie at all. It's a bit hard to accept as a movie about Jesus at times. I mean he's portrayed as a clown with a red heart on his forehead. The character for John the Baptist shows signs of also being Peter and Judas.
In the end Jesus is "crucified" on a chain link fence and all of his disciples sing "God, you are dying.... God, you are dead". It's a little hard to take in but by the end of the movie you just might find yourself really enjoying the music, the characters, and the translations of the parables in general.
It's a musical from the 1970's if that tells you anything. The movie certainly touches on some powerful messages but even then leaves you feeling good about it all in the end just because Jesus is THAT cheerful. Well, that and there's a lady running around with a tiger puppet on her hand which I think is also supposed to be a disciple.
Jesus and his disciples run all over "modern" day New York City during this colorful, high spirited, musical showcasing what Jesus may have been like if he would have come here today rather than ~2000 years ago.
****
For sheer amusement I give Godspell a 4 out of 5