Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999 Video) User Reviews

The old time movie musical is back!

[manclad · 7/10 · 25 January 2000]

Those hoping to see a direct translation of the stage show might be slightly dissapointed. It has lost some of it's wit and charm, but has replaced them with an exuberance reminisant of the old time film musicals, where everyone looked as if they were having the time of their lives. This is what shines through mostly about this video. The feeling that the people involved knew they wanted it to be special, and they have succeded.

They have opened the show up slightly, with the opening set in a school and all the main cast as the teachers. They've added some rather snazzy special effects which on this occassion don't overwhelm the whole film, but help to draw the viewer into the world which they create. There are some wonderful cameos from a few familiar faces and the largely unknown cast of Brothers and Wives shine, with a few stand out performances from some of them. One of the girls reminds me of a young Joyce Grenfell.

Then we have our Two principals Donny Osmond and Maria Friedman. There were a few raised eyebrows when it was announced that Donny would be playing the lead role, but all misgivings are swept away as he makes the part all his very own, with a mixture of playful charm and vitality. Maria Friedman is a screen star in the making, with a charisma that makes her seem a natural for the screen. She has been wowing audiences in the West End for sometime now, but I'm sure that soon Tinseltown will take her and make her the star she should be.

There is very little wrong with this production and I'm sure that it will have been in many peoples Christmas stocking. So while it may not be a gem, you can safely say it is a rough diamond, which in many cases shines much brighter.

'Technicolor' Is Right, This Is Stunning!

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 24 December 2007]

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.

Pretty Good for a Filmed Play

[LeonardKniffel · 7/10 · 2 May 2020]

This filmed version of the popular stage play stars Donny Osmond, who is very funny in the role that made him even more adored than he was as youngest of the singing Osmond Brothers. Cleverly filmed as a classroom presentation with the students as the chorus, the biblically based story of attempted fratricide and the importance of hope and forgiveness is told entirely in music, with Maria Friedman as the narrator and Joan Collins as the greedy wife of of the Potiphar, captain of the Egyptian palace guard. This is not the benign show it might appear to be at first, and it mixes up time and cultural references in dreamlike fashion. This Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber creation is not aimed at the wee ones; children are probably ready to see it about the time they are ready to learn how much violence and sex there really is in the Bible.

What can I say but WOW!

[musicalfan · 20 August 2003]

It may seem like a "just for kids" kind of show but I watch this one over and over again.

I can't say anything negative about Donny Osmond. His vocal power and his acting ability will just take you away. I've never been a fan of his work (except for one 'cause I must say he also did a great job as Shang's singing voice in Mulan) and even after watching this I still didn't go out and buy his album, but I really have to say I was so impressed with his performance here. These are my thoughts about Donny Osmond: he does a really incredible job when he sings songs for a role because he really adds passion to it(as you can also see in Mulan) but I'm not convinced when he just sings songs for an album.

Marie Friedman did a swell job as the narrator. Though she sometimes has trouble reaching her high notes, she has a powerful voice. She and Donny suit each other well. The other Narrators I've heard had tiny but irritating voices.

The over-all production was really cartoon-y, but it was great! It's a show that the whole family can watch. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

Amazing!

[Apostle · 9/10 · 29 May 2000]

I was very impressed about how everything flowed in this production. I have to admit I was very skeptical about how film captures biblical stories, and if you've had the misfortune of seeing NBC's atrocious waste of time "Noah's Ark", it's not hard to be skeptical. However, I was VERY impressed with not only the main principals (Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman) but also with the supporting cast. Any production that can make A-list stars like Lord Richard Attenborough, Joan Collins, and Ian MacNiece take such small roles you know has to be good. I was particularly impressed by the brothers. Among the best of the group were Simeon, Benjamin, Ruben and Judah. I wanted to not like them because, after all, they are the bad guys. But they made me laugh more than anything else, which I believe was the whole point. A splendid variety of music and choreography make this one a keeper. (P.S. My absolute favorite character was Pharoh played by Richard Torti. "Pharoh is in the building!"... classic!

Really good

[marazion1010 · 7/10 · 23 December 2006]

I must say how I was very surprised at how good this show actually was. I have seen it many times on the stage so thought that the video would not be very good at all. However, I was really pleased with the entire thing. The characters were just as good as on the stage and Donny Osmond fitted the part perfectly, another thing I was adamant about at first being a strong Jason Donovan supporter!! Donny did a good job. As for the special guest Joan Collins, I only wished she toured with the stage show! She was good at the small part she played and it was a shock to see her there. Fantastic. It was also very good at how they made the show so that it was like a school production type of thing. Great idea that worked well in my opinion. It is a must-see for any musical fan and a definite must have for a Donny fan. He is gorgeous in it!

Fabulous!

[irishm · 9/10 · 15 September 2015]

I had never heard of this show 20-some years ago when I went with friends to see a local amateur production because their son played one of the brothers. The witty lyrics, the catchy tunes, the sheer creativity of throwing all those different musical styles together in the same show… wow. I went right out and bought the soundtrack.

Then I saw this version in the TV listings and my first thought was: oh no, NOT Donny Osmond.

Well, I'm still not a fan of his, really, but I thought he was absolutely perfect as Joseph. In fact, I'm not an Andrew Lloyd Webber devotee either, but that doesn't stop me from loving this show. The whole thing was fabulous, all of the casting choices (with the exception of Joan Collins… ugh) were perfect, and it's so entertaining I've probably seen it 20 times. I even recommended it to my elderly father, who is religious enough to require kind of a heads-up disclaimer for something like this that treats a Bible story with less than straight- faced reverence… he enjoyed it so much he bought the DVD.

Highly recommend, but if you have little kids you might want to preview it to make sure the costumes are something you're okay with… some of them are a bit skimpy, but being child-free myself it wasn't a concern.

Alexis Colby & Donny Osmond, an item

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 21 September 2010]

I'm trying to figure out how the LDS church let one of its star members display so much flesh in this adaption of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Despite that Donny Osmond gives a good performance in the lead role.

Watching this photographed stage play I was thinking that somewhere those sets that Cecil B. DeMille made of Egypt for The Ten Commandments are laying around with nothing going on. Maybe they could have been used to give this a more cinematic feeling.

Still the singing of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice score was top rate. And I did love the casting of Joan Collins as Potiphar's wife. Think of it, Alexis Colby trying to seduce Donny Osmond, the mind boggles with the possibilities. Maria Friedman as the narrator who carries most of the vocal burden is in fine voice.

I would have liked more of a movie, still Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat works well enough for audiences of all ages.

Amazing

[star02904 · 10/10 · 19 June 2005]

Let's make it clear that Joseph is the special one: a musical that's colorful. Maria Friedman has a beautiful voice and owns the role of Narrator. She also shares a wonderful duet with Donny Osmond as Joseph. The wide variety of musical styles for each number is enchanting: ragtime, country-western, calypso, rock'n'roll ala Elvis, French chanson, etc. My favorite musical segment was the 'Poor, Poor Joseph' parts added into several of the songs with great harmony from the ensemble. The eleven brothers are fabulously diabolical and leaves the viewer wanting to see more of them. The only objectionable, albeit quick scene could be with Mrs. Potiphar (Joan Collins) where the costume and acting is quite risqué. But it's all right there in the Bible "Chapter 39 of Genesis"... Except for the part where they don't mention God, the show, in general, does stay true to the Biblical narrative. A dazzling movie of many colors!

Great music, great singing, but ultimately inappropriate for families.

[dastenhero · 7/10 · 13 July 2020]

Undoubtedly fun and creative, but disappointingly sexual, Andrew Lloyd Webber has done it again and created yet another fantastic musical that while great may cause parents to think twice before plopping down on the couch with their children to watch it.

The music itself is this movie's selling point, of course. Despite the fact that it can often be repetitive and unmemorable in a few spots, there really isn't anything wrong with any of it. It never sounds auto-tuned and most of the songs are simply fun to listen to. There are even a few that reach greatness, and each of the singers nail their parts to a "t."

The sets are also whimsical and fun. Although low budget when compared to more cinematic musical movies, the set designers demonstrate their talent during the film's fantastical "Egypt" scenes. The stylization works surprisingly well, and it's all around fun to see what the set design will pull next.

Now for the negatives. This show's biggest problem is the costumes. The wigs are atrocious and the outfits on a good 75% of the women leave much to be desired. Whoever decided that a children's musical should be populated by women wearing skin tight flesh colored suits revealing their rear ends and glitter pasties to stand in as nipples needs to be officially fired and given a harsh talk about making family friendly productions. Although there are sexual wink-winks here and there in the script itself, the sexual aspect is cranked up to 100% real fast by what basically can be described as a somewhat non-explicit orgy including the sexual harassment of a young man. Butts are touched, clothes are forcibly removed, and it's all around not appropriate for children at ALL, let alone the children depicted in the movie's young audience.

Minor smoking also occurs.

That being said, it's a fun watch. Unfortunately, it's also a sadly inappropriate one. Best to leave this for the adults and older teens to enjoy, though I would recommend fast forwarding through Mrs. Potiphar's shenanigans - trust me when I say, not many people are going to forget that sequence any time soon, and not in a good way.

Not a patch on Donovan

[jamesharrison-541-835462 · 5/10 · 28 April 2021]

This version isn't a patch on the one starring Jason Donovan.

It comes across like a school production: cheap orchestration, average singing, and lots of poor acting.

And technically, the sound levels are all over the place.

And why do the lead performers feel the need to speak/shout their way through their numbers? It's meant to be a musical.

Very average.

As amazing as it could be!

[o_levina · 10/10 · 15 February 2002]

The film dazzled me! Stage-sets and costumes and lighting are so beautiful, colourful and inventive, they are a treat to look at. The music is lovely and the text is witty. There whole performance is full of fun. Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door are the most powerful tunes in the musical, but other moments and songs are also excellent. The more I watch the film the more I enjoy everything in it – Jacob and Sons, Joseph's Coat, One More Angel In Heaven, Go, Go, Go Joseph, etc. The scene with the Pharaoh is astonishing, hilarious! However, I especially like Those Canaan Days, and Jeff Blumenkrantz (Simeon) does it stylishly. Dances are wonderful, remind of a carnival. The show is cheerful, joyous, inspiring. It really lifts me up. The cast is perfect – from Donny Osmond and Maria Friedman to the children. Donny is not only a good singer and a VERY handsome man, he's got an impressive dramatic talent. He's adequate in every scene – as young conceited dreamer, as stoic prisoner, as Brilliant Pharaoh's number two, but he is best of all in the end. He succeeded in keeping the situation tense while accusing Benjamin of robbery, and then the reunion of family is very touching. Maria Friedman is also outstanding – expressive, interesting, entertaining and strong-voiced. She attracts your attention through the entire show. Other actors, including Richard Attenborough (a fine example of a family man Jacob), Joan Collins (beautiful and wicked Mrs. Potiphar), Ian McNeice (cool and so fine Potiphar), Robert Torti (wonderful Pharaoh), all the brothers, Alex Jennings (the Butler) are excellent. I think, they enjoyed acting in the musical, so we enjoy watching them. Highly recommended.

Brilliant, if a bit risqué!

[young_for_eternity_0071 · 7/10 · 29 July 2007]

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.

Not very amazing

[lady_constance7 · 1/10 · 11 July 2002]

I was very disappointed by this version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I thought that the narrator was not right for the part. She didn't have the voice for the part. I also thought that many of the characters DIDN'T sign their parts. The costumes for the brothers were not good. I was very disappointed by this version.

Ah, a return to my own childhood

[MikeSez! · 15 June 2001]

Nearly thirty years ago, the church choir I was a member of staged an entertainment evening, the first half of which was a 45-minute 'sung story' called Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Nearly thirty years on, and I have a chance to show my own children what a wondrous musical this was and continues to be.

I also have to confess that, when I first heard of this release, I was one of those people who went 'Donny Osmond???!!??'. Again, this was coloured by memories of 30-odd years of knowing him as a 70's teenybopper, but I have to admit that I was very pleasently surprised by his performance here. The years he spent playing Joseph on stage show in his performance, and it also made me forget Jason Donovan or Philip Schofield in the part.

The film succeeds both by acknowledging the most recent stage productions, and returning to its roots. It was originally written as a school stage show, and the prologue in the assembly hall returns to it to the original setting. Having the teachers (and yes, I took a double take on Joan Collins on the piano) go on to be the singers and actors grounds the film, and the opening up of the stage setting is done without ever letting you forget it was a stage show.

The support cast are all good - it's especially satisfying to see the likes of Richard Attenborough and Christopher Biggins doing musicals again after nearly 30 years as well. Joan Collins has a whale of a time as Mrs Potiphar, and Pharaoh gets down and rocks with the best of them. Maria Freidman as the narrator shows her vocal range to perfection - currently she is the main attraction in the stage show of Witches of Eastwick.

All in all, good family fun, and worth watching with your kids.

This is one of the best musicals I have ever seen!

[limacrew · 10/10 · 27 October 2005]

I was reluctant at first to see this. I have a great deal of respect for the story of Joseph in the Bible. However I must admit that I was greatly surprised. The cast was perfect, and the music was great. The comedy that was created was incredible. The manner in which the characters were portrayed and the flow of the plot was a stroke of genius for these men. I was totally enamored with Joan Collins portrayal of Potiphar's wife. As usual she was sexy and beautiful. Then there was the Pharoh. His magnetism and presence was amazing. I think his scene was the best played out in the show. I could not take my eyes off of him. Even Donnie Osmond's presence seemed diminished in his presence. Overall I would say that this show was rated among the top 3 musicals that I could watch over and over. I would place this in the same category as The Sound of Music, and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. All are my favorite musicals.

Humour and wit abound in this Webber classic!

[Richpq-2 · 9/10 · 15 January 2000]

What a gem this new version of Joseph is - a sparkling, lively version of the Lloyd-Webber classic. The songs are performed to perfection and the sets and choreography are brilliant. A strong cast of the famous and the not-so famous (the best of whom by far is Maria Friedman, who, as the Narrator, has a wonderful voice and great stage presence) make the production a delight to watch and sing along to! Children and adults alike will adore its great songs, funky choreography, and humour, making it one for all the family. Donny Osmond doesn't half make a good Joseph too (much to my surprise!).

:)

[bossie_jocie · 10/10 · 22 April 2006]

Excellent movie! I'm 14 and hadn't seen it, i got it out one day and watched it, and loved it! Donny Osmond and Maria Friedman are perfect! they perform it so well! my personal favorite song is the coat of many colors! the singing is perfect (did you know that maria Friedman was reading the colors off a sheet) and my other favorite is the Pharaoh's song the brother and Jacob are wicked! great movie, great costumes, great props, great scenery!..i recommend it to everyone who likes Andrew Lloyd Webber's works such as Cats, Evita, Jesus Christ superstar and Phantom of the Opera! even kids will love it!!

*****/5 stars!

Fails To Live Up To The Actual Show...

[elzbone · 5/10 · 9 February 2005]

I was fortunate enough to see the Donny Osmond in the role of Joseph when it was on stage. I was blown away. The musical is campy and fun.

What I like about the movie was that it starred a predominately British cast. Since that is where it got it start I thought that was only fitting. Where casting went wrong was bringing in huge names like Joan Collins and Richard Attenborough. They just seemed to be there to prove that they could be. They didn't really sing (or well), and they didn't contribute anything except for their names in the title credits.

I also felt that sets took away from the musical numbers. Perfect example is the "Close Every Door To Me Scene". The Circular Jail Cell felt wrong, and the power of that song was almost completely lost.

Overall I was very disappointed in this adaptation of the rock opera. Webber could have done a much better job.

Incredible Music That Never Gets Old

[zkonedog · 8/10 · 5 March 2017]

Though usually seen as a play, this version of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" allows you to experience the magic of the performance right in your home. While nothing is quite like experiencing the phenomenon live, this production is excellent in its own right.

For a basic plot summary, "Dreamcoat" follows the biblical story of Joseph (played by Donny Osmond), the youngest of the 12 sons of Jacob. Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, is betrayed by his jealous brothers and sold into Egyptian slavery as a young man. After languishing in prison for years in the Pharaoh's palace, Joseph is called into duty due to an incredible God-given talent for dream interpretation.

There are two reasons why this production (in all its shapes and forms) has stood the test of time:

1. The music is absolutely timeless. It pulls from all genres (ballads, rock-and-roll, country, etc.) and has something for everybody. The kids will love the silliness, while the adults will appreciate the vigor to which the actors approach their roles.

2. The story is also one-of-a-kind. Whether you are a biblical scholar or not, this story can resonate with any of the classic tales ever told. It contains such seminal themes as betrayal, family dynamics, jealousy, repentance, and redemption.

Overall, "Joseph" is just a really fun experience for all involved. I can't really imagine anyone walking away from it severely disappointed.

Dire. An affront to God. To music. To film.

[edhuxt · 1/10 · 26 January 2019]

To call this a film is an insult to all other films, even the Wicker Man remake or Manos: the Hands of Fate.

To call this a musical is an insult to the very concept of sound itself.

There is nothing redeemable in this hour and twenty of atrocious garbage. The songs, if you can even call them that, are tinny and boring. The staging is an absolute mess. The framing device of the school is at best troubling, at worst truly disturbing.

This is a worse affront to God than, well, burning the Bible.

Wonderful Adaptation

[swiftsailing · 10 January 2004]

This is one of the best musicals on video that I have found. Unlike some film versions of Broadway greats (such as the Fantasticks), the producers of this film maintained, as far as I know, the lyrics and music from the stage show, and presented it in an enhanced theatrical manner. The frame story and visible stage lights kept a live feel to the film, and many live-theatre conventions made this a joy for a theatre buff to watch.

I felt that the kids were a wonderful addition. Their voices (especially in Any Dream Will Do) provided a chillingly beautiful dimension to the sound, which was, without exception, superb. The narrator was great, and, I must say, just the sort of teacher I would have like to have had in grade school. The frame story tied the show to its roots as a childrens' production, which helped. The film works on several levels, as a kids show, and as an adult show, for those who care to consider the issues at hand.

The sets were fabulous, especially the transformation of Potifer's house and the jail cell by the addition of colors in the walls and floor. Stunning.

The formatting, too, must recieve a mention. A full-fledged DVD release with extra features, full widescreen, and immaculate sound were very welcome indeed.

Nicely done on the whole.

G Rated Wholesome Family Fare. Hip, Groovy, Christian Pop.

[johnstonjames · 10/10 · 29 March 2010]

i've always felt that music was the best way to proselytize the Christian Bible. rather than seeming scary or intimidating(it sometimes is) music gives it a softer touch and gives it the feel of 'the good book' concept we are taught in Sunday school. you catch more flies with honey...or something like that.

that's pretty much what this film is. Sunday school for children. adults can enjoy it's youthful exuberance too, but there is absolutely nothing racy or edgy about it in anyway.

one reviewer here, who liked the show, thought the costumes were too revealing for young people. nice she liked the show but...ARE YOU CRAZY?!!! have you ever seen a Ballet? wake up!in Ballet theater the dancers wear tights and often what may seem revealing to anyone that has no culture. the outfits in 'Joseph' are not risqué in any way at all. anyone saying that has obviously never been to any real theater. the Bible does not say Christians should be poorly educated and repressed. i mean really, your lack of culture is showing with that one.

this is wonderful wholesome entertainment and should be seen by families at Easter time. great film. GREAT COSTUMES.

Wow! Our new favorite movie!

[cyndib · 10/10 · 17 July 2001]

Actually, I wasn't first to see this movie...my mom gave it to my four-year-old daughter. My daughter loves it so much we had to make a cassette of the movie for the car. We're on our third tape. She knows all the dialogue and sings the songs at the top of her voice. We got rid of Barney and he was replaced by "Joseph". Donny Osmond was great. Brittany thinks Maria Friedman is the only one suited to be Narrator. Robert Torti as Pharaoh? Well, there can be no other. She will sing his "Bop Sha Wada Wada" song by request any time. Wonderful movie, fun pace. Buy it...and buy a spare! We've seen it about a thousand times...I'm not kidding. :D

Wonderful everything!

[cgflames · 10/10 · 10 February 2006]

First I'll admit I am a huge Osmond fan, doesn't matter which one, I just am (and always have been). Second, this is the best Broadway musical I have personally seen, I am sure there are a lot more shows out there that are better, I just haven't seen them yet.

The costumes, music, voices and dancers are all so perfectly chosen for this film. I was amazed when I first watched it. The story is quite close to the Bible story, without going into too much detail. I love the use of many of the actors as multiple characters.

I knew this movie was a hit when I showed it to my husband, daughter and son and all three loved it immediately. It also helps, for those of you who may not like the Osmonds, to know that when Donny auditioned for this part, Andrew Lloyd Weber asked him where he has been all this time. Andrew personally chose Donny to take on the film role. From what I understand there were several well seasoned former Joseph's who could have done this role, but Andrew wanted Donny.