Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999)

Admirable film.

A Masterpiece!

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

No matter how many times I watch this musical, it never ceases to inspire me, overwhelm me, fill me with emotion and make me laugh. From start to finish, it is a glorious, amazing, joyful celebration of one of the most well-known and beloved stories that is found in the Bible.There is nothing about this musical that I don't like. Every song and performance is absolutely fantastic. Donny Osmond looks and sings really great. I particularly like his rendition of "Close Every Door". Maria Friedman is likewise at the top of her game, and I love her powerful voice, funny antics, facial expressions and charm. Robert Torti as Pharaoh singing "Song of the King" Elvis style is hilarious and unforgettable. Gerry McIntyre as Judah singing "Calypso Benjamin" is also a real treat. In fact, every other singer/actor puts in a very worthy performance as well without exception.Then, of course, there are all of the happy, smiling children who both serve as audience members, actors and chorus. They add such a special, heartwarming touch to the entire production. You'll love them!In addition, the choreography is wonderful with such a variety of dance styles, as is the wide selection of song styles. The colors and costumes are bright and cheerful, and add to the excitement of watching this show. The humor throughout this musical is very contagious.I don't often give out a ten, but this video definitely deserves it. Do yourself a favor. Rent it or purchase it today!

Boy, I wish we had assemblies like this when I was in school!I was introduced to Andrew Lloyd Webber and the wonderful lyricist Tim Rice through Jesus Christ Superstar. Joseph is somewhat of a cousin to that show but it is a different kettle of fish at the same time. It is clearly designed to be accessible to school children-- which is great. Kids are an audience worthy of being catered to and it's wonderful to see them becoming involved in the arts, as the DVD extras show us that English schools host their own productions. But Dreamcoat also holds much for adults who are willing to forgo pretensions in favor of fun. This is not classical theatre but it is enjoyable lightweight popular theatre, accessible to anyone with an appreciation for the wacky and zany. In short, it is entertaining. It is good music with a good message for kids--and Tim Rice's lyrics are witty as ever. Another thing this is not, however, is a religious show. Parents, note that this isn't to the Bible for kids. It's not a Christian (or Jewish) perspective; rather, it is universal. Joseph and friends are depicted no differently than if they were figures in Greek or Norse mythology; there is no special reverence nor special disdain, although the approach is light-hearted and fun-loving. It's another story. At one point, Maria Friedman, playing narrator, stumbles and drops her Bible, telegraphing that this is a non-traditionalist, possibly off-center treatment of scripture, one that absolutely requires a taste for the whimsical.I've sadly never seen the show on stage, which m I'd love to, but I do see how this rendition could disappoint one in search of the purely theatrical. However, one of two things I like is actually dependent on the filmic medium. The story is bookended as a play children are watching in school. When Joseph emerges, it becomes a blend of reality and fantasy. The lines are blurred and the action is effectively placed in a unique realm that, I find, engages the imagination. It's a bit of a throwback to the like of the 1973 film of Jesus Christ Superstar, which similarly bookends its main story as a performance of sorts. Except Dreamcoat is presented ideally for connecting with kids. At the same time, this presentation is strongly theatrical on other ways and I really appreciate getting a bit of the theatrical experience in the living room, as I do love theatre.The other thing I really like is the sheer variety. There's '50s-style rock 'n' roll with the classic Go, Go Joseph and Pharo's Dream, an outrageous Elvis imitation. There's a faux country/western ballad as Joe's bros deliciously pretend to mourn him. And there's a wonderful calypso that will get stuck in your head for days. Webber takes a pantheon of popular music styles that people love and weaves them together in storytelling. That's pop theatre. It seems typical of Webber and it's similar to the musical brilliance that makes Superstar a classic of fantastic appeal. Dreamcoat is cut from the same cloth, dyed in different hues.As to the cast, the all-star approach seems over the top but it's always nice seeing Richard Attenborough (Jacob). And I've never followed Osmond but I crest him for a good performance, making Joe warn and radiant. Watching him with the kids is a joy. The ending Coat of Many Colors sequence is marvelous, as we see the kids form a unified body of many colors on stage, and the bookending number, Any Dream Will Do, can stand as a classic entirely on its own (more so than Joseph's slower ballad while in prison). The supporting cast is uniformly excellent, especially Judah, Pharo, the butler, and the baker. Friedman is amusing if over the top as narrator, a device that seems conceived to help kids understand the story. I recognized Englishman Ian McNiece as Potiphar, a delightful performance of a colorful characterization, not to be missed.In short, Dreamcoat lives up to its title: the characters are all colorful. The music is fun and the themes poignant. The story and music conjure and help to preserve a spirit of dreaming and daring to have and glorify dreams and hope, as well as a spirit of love and unity. Which is beautiful. This show could also serve as a fun way to introduce kids to musical theatre. The upbeat music, goofiness, and presence of kids in the story should help draw kids in. If I chose two words to describe Dreamcoat, they would be "color" and "dreams", two things children should not be short of. Everyone should sew a Dreamcoat.

This was much better than I thought it might be, and I give it a high grade in a number of areas, beginning with production. This looked good, sounded good and simply was good! For some reason, I didn't expect much from Donny Osmond. I guess the Osmond is a lot more talented than people give them credit for, and I won't make that mistake again. I'd say the same for Joan Collins, who I could not picture in a "biblical film," but she did just fine. Then again, she played the villainous "Potiphar," so it wasn't like she was playing against type!Normally I wouldn't care for something that was akin to an opera (all the lyrics being sung) and would skeptical about any Hollywood did regarding the Bible (figuring it would be distorted) but - once again - I was surprised. The story stayed true to the Bible and the presentation was so well done - and so incredibly colorful on this DVD - that is was a very satisfying and entertaining adaptation..What most people who liked this DVD would cite the acting, the singing, the songs and/or the story as what impressed them most but, to me, it was the brilliant, stunning color in this play. Besides being a classic Old Testament story, this is a real visual treat.

I've loved this film ever since it first was released in '99. Superb sets, talented singers, lively music and mind blowing dance routines. A good family film - if you don't mind your kids seeing a dozen or so women in suggestive outfits in the Joan Collin's scene. The modern twist this film gives is brilliant - true, at times it can get a bit over the top, but thats what kids love. Its not a particularly long film but fun enough if you've got 80 minutes to spare. Lovable characters all the way through - even the bad guys. Well worth a see.7, almost an 8/10.