Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999) (V)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

David Mallet

Writer:

Tim Rice (book)

Release Date:

5 April 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Musical

Tagline:

Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's Classic Family Musical

Plot:

A humourously musical retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph.

Plot Keywords:

Brothers | Joseph | Biblical | Pharaoh | Slavery

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Donny Osmond	...	Joseph
Maria Friedman	...	Narrator
Richard Attenborough	...	Jacob
Joan Collins	...	Mrs. Potiphar
Christopher Biggins	...	The Baker
Robert Torti	...	Pharaoh
Alex Jennings	...	Butler
Nicholas Colicos	...	Reuben
Ian McNeice	...	Potiphar
Jeff Blumenkrantz	...	Simeon
David J. Higgins	...	Levi
Patrick Clancey	...	Isaachar
Shaun Henson	...	Napthali
Martin Callaghan	...	Asher
Sebastien Torkia	...	Dan
Michael Small	...	Zebulun
Peter Challis	...	Gad
Nick Holmes	...	Benjamin
Gerry McIntyre	...	Judah
Amanda Courtney-Davies	...	Apache Dancer / Wife
Nikki Belsher	...	Wife
Sandi Birch	...	Wife
Zoe Hardman	...	Wife
Jocelyn Hawkyard	...	Wife
Nicola Keen	...	Wife
Brenda Newhouse	...	Wife
Gabrielle Noble	...	Wife
Lucie Pankhurst	...	Wife
Lisa Stevens	...	Wife
Suzanne Thomas	...	Wife
Debbie Bundy	...	Additional Player
Matthew Cuts	...	Additional Player
Wayne Fowkes	...	Additional Player
Sarah Mogg	...	Additional Player
Helen Baker	...	Gogo Dancer
Suzie Boyle	...	Gogo Dancer (as Suzy Boyle)
Denise Cresswell	...	Gogo Dancer
Jason Davies	...	Gogo Dancer
Alison Jenkins	...	Gogo Dancer
Linley van Echten	...	Chorus
Nichola Filskue	...	Gogo Dancer
Paul Neanm	...	Gogo Dancer
Claire Terri	...	Gogo Dancer
Rebecca Trelease	...	Gogo Dancer
Louise Tomkins	...	Gogo Dancer
Drew Varley	...	Gogo Dancer
Bryn Walters	...	Gogo Dancer
Rob Walker	...	Gogo Dancer
Helen York	...	Gogo Dancer
Jodi Vuleta	...	Chorus
Rachel Meurk	...	Child Chorus
Anna van Echten	...	Child Chorus
Hayley Watson	...	Child Chorus
Natasha Williams	...	Child Chorus
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Danijela Duspara	...	Understudy 'wife'

Directed by
David Mallet

Writing credits
Tim Rice		(book)

Produced by
Andrew Lloyd Webber	....	producer
Andy Picheta	....	line producer
Austin Shaw	....	executive producer
Nigel Wright	....	co-producer: music

Cinematography by
Nicholas D. Knowland		(as Nic Knowland)

Film Editing by
Dave Gardener
Rose Landfield
David Mallet
Nick Morris

Casting by
David Grindrod

Production Design by
Mark Thompson

Art Direction by
Michael Minas

Costume Design by
Mark Thompson

Makeup Department
Christine Allsopp	....	personal makeup artist
Kiri Mellalieu	....	makeup artist
Sharon O'Brien	....	hair stylist
Anna Pitt	....	makeup artist
Caroline Robinson	....	makeup artist
Steven Smith	....	assistant makeup artist
Lynnette Tanner	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Joe Geary	....	third assistant director
Dez Gray	....	third assistant director
Paul Lay	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Gordon Deller	....	property master
Marj Deller	....	prop hand
Peter Flynn	....	stagehand
Tony Foster	....	stagehand
Kamael Heru-ur Smith	....	scene designer
Kamael Heru-ur Smith	....	stagehand
Cris Malcolm	....	stagehand
Michael May	....	scenic artist
Alex McKenzie	....	stagehand
Paula McLean	....	stagehand
Steve Nagy	....	stagehand
Ian Neal	....	stagehand
Jeff Paewai	....	stagehand
Bruce Rostran	....	scenic artist
Joanne Steward	....	scene designer
Alison Trotter	....	prop hand
Graeme Warrington	....	prop hand

Sound Department
Sandy Buchanan	....	foley mixer
Vicki Cooksley	....	sound
Adam Crawford	....	sound
Dene Harris	....	sound
Nick Look	....	sound
Craig Lundy	....	sound
John MacGibbon	....	sound
Stacey Pilcher	....	sound
John Spelman	....	sound

Visual Effects by
Victor Riva	....	visual effects
Costas Charitou	....	digital effects artist: Rushes Postproduction Ltd. (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Dan Fontaine	....	best boy
Charlie Forbes	....	gaffer
Stewart Hadley	....	lighting designer
Sam Osborne	....	head first assistant camera
Talya Pilcher	....	lighting technician
Chris Varga	....	dolly grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sue Orpen	....	dresser
Sue Orpen	....	wardrobe assistant
Jenny Snoxell	....	wardrobe supervisor
Lisa Stewart	....	dresser
Lisa Stewart	....	wardrobe assistant
Esmae Stroud	....	dresser
Esmae Stroud	....	wardrobe assistant
Githa Warrington	....	wardrobe supervisor

Music Department
John Cameron	....	orchestrator
Michael Cowles	....	musician: violin
Annette Haley	....	musician: percussions
Barry Jones	....	conductor
Rebekah Love	....	musician: keyboards, rehearsals
Eddie Ovenden	....	musician: guitar
Bruce Roberts	....	musician: trumpet
Peter Warren	....	musician: violin

Transportation Department
Colin Simmons	....	driver: director

Other crew
Janine Deller	....	understudy: "Wife"
Craig Dustin	....	head mechanic
Maruna Engu	....	understudy: "Brother"
Peter Flynn	....	fly hand
Tony Foster	....	fly hand
Julia Francis	....	understudy: "Wife"
Kamael Heru-ur Smith	....	fly hand
Kamael Heru-ur Smith	....	programme compiler
Kamael Heru-ur Smith	....	programme designer
Innes Jephson	....	understudy: "Pharoah"
Mendy Johnson	....	production assistant
Brian Jugelier	....	front of house manager
Cris Malcolm	....	fly hand
Dean McKerras	....	choreographer
Paula McLean	....	fly hand
Scott McLeish	....	understudy: "Brother"
Allan Nagy	....	stage manager
Carol Nagy	....	caterer
Kay Nagy	....	production administrator
Ian Neal	....	fly hand
Merryn Osborne	....	reader
Ron Osborne	....	front of house manager
Jeff Paewai	....	fly hand
Steven Pimlott	....	stage director
Leah Robinson	....	understudy: "Narrator"
Nichola Treherne	....	associate director
Anthony Van Laast	....	choreographer
Bruce Warwick	....	programme compiler
Bruce Warwick	....	programme designer
Bruce Warwick	....	promoter

Production Companies

• Really Useful Films

Distributors

• Polygram Filmed Entertainment
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (2000) (USA) (TV)
• Universal Home Entertainment

Other Companies

• Pinewood Studios  movie studio
• DeWynters PLC  video sleeve design
• RUG Ltd.  packaging design

Also Known As:

Great Performances: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (USA) (series title)

Runtime:

76 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:G | UK:E

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Really Useful Films

Trivia:

Although the English Bible describes it as a 'coat of many colors,' this was actually the result of a translator's replacing the original expression with one that he devised. In fact, it is not known exactly what made Joseph's coat so special - perhaps it bore the colors of his clan.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: During the Jacob & Sons number when each of the brothers introduce themselves, Levi says his name and accidentally bumps into the Narrator who is clearly caught off guard.

Quotes:

Reuben: When I think of his last great battle, A lump comes to my throat. It Takes a man who knows no fear to wrestle... with a goat.

Movie Connections:

Version of Joseph 2000 (2000) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Joseph All the Time/Jacob in Egypt

The old time movie musical is back!

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.