I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

I thought the movie was hysterical. I thought William Katt was amazing as Pippin... he has a great voice. and Ben Verene? yes. amazing. I agree though- the orgy scene- oh my goodness. way too much. but seeing as they're a Broadway company I guess they're able to do that. Two of our area high schools are planning on doing this show in the next year and I cannot imagine how they are going to be able do get it approved by the school board! its a good laugh. I suggest it to anyone over the age of 13 who isn't too squeamish. I didn't know anything about Theo's duck dying. that's sad. And the bed scene is so funny... I don't see how the production could be done without it! good luck pulling that off. all in all I think it was a challenging production that was done in a creative and classy way.

I first saw this movie while I was acting in a production of the show...just to get a feel for the songs and the choreography, not really paying much attention to the quality of the performances or the show as a whole. On repeated viewings since, however, I can say that...well, frankly, it doesn't make a very strong impression on me. I suppose there are several reasons for this; first of all, there's a lot of the script missing. But which script? There were actually two different "Pippin" scripts, which shared most of the songs and basic structure, but very little else. This production seems to be a mishmash of elements form both versions.There are certain things I liked... Ben Vereen, of course, whose Leading Player was nearly flawless. William Katt did not sing as prettily as John Rubenstein, the original Pippin, but he seems to have a level of guts and passion that was missing earlier, as well, so that's okay, too. The nauseating "I Guess I'll Miss the Man" was cut (thank God). All good things.But outweighed, unfortunately, by some negative aspects. First, casting...Chita Rivera has no place in the show. She doesn't sing it well, and the dance break seemed to be so that the producers could say, "Hey, look! We've got Chita Rivera!" The editing left a lot to be desired as well...there were whole expository scenes missing, and some really unnecessary ones left in. And most of all, it was just so FAST! Everyone spoke as if they would be penalized if the show ran over two hours...Ben Rayson as Charlemagne is most indictable for this, but all of the cast (even the incomparable Vereen) are guilty of it from time to time. I also felt that the ending was WAAAY too abrupt...there's so much more to be done with one of the most powerful final scenes in musical history, and they took the easiest possible exit.All in all, I own it and watch it simply because there are way too few filmed stage versions of musicals available (the only others I can think of are Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, Jeckyll and Hyde, Putting It Together, and Sweeny Todd).I like movie musicals, but I like seeing them done on stage more than anything. I just wish there was a better reason than that for owning this one.

A very good production of the wonderful musical "Pippin". Ben Vereen is terrific in his role as Leading Player. William Katt and the rest of the cast do an equally stunning job in their roles. Even though some scenes were cut (the talking decapitated head scene and the duck death scene) and one entire song omitted (I Guess I'll Miss the Man), it doesn't detract from the overall performance, IMO. All of the other songs are included (in the DVD version anyway).*** Possible spoiler ****And to clarify one other reviewer's comments - there are officially two ways to deliver the final line in the play. Bob Fosse's approved final line (and the way that William Katt delivers it in this version) is "Trapped ... which isn't too bad for the end of a musical comedy." Pippin's author and lyricist's actual written line is "Trapped... but happy... which isn't too bad for the end of a musical comedy." Since this filmed version was supervised by Fosse, his ending line was the one delivered. *** End spoiler ***The DVD version of the film was a bit of a let down, though. The video clarity and sound are o.k., but the thing that irked me on this Special Edition DVD was the total lack of any kind of insert (liner notes and lyrics would have been nice - and maybe a performance history), and Chapter Stops that don't make sense (I wish they had chapter stops placed at the beginning of each song, but they don't and you have to fast forward to get to them). The only thing special was the inclusion of a 5 minute Fosse interview. This performance was very good to deserve something more than this Special Edition offers....Film - 8 out of 10 (because they cut out my favorite song) DVD - 5 out of 10 (for lack of 'specials' in a Special Edition)

But it still manages to capture the look, feel, and spirit of the original stage production. Great musical numbers and dance numbers compensate, IMO, for the flaws of bringing it to video (and the original "director's cut" unedited version makes up for much of the cited flaws anyway).Pippin isn't really adapted for video, but is rather simply a taping of a stage production (compare it to Cats - the video version _was_ staged for video). This is a mild flaw. Cats obviously takes advantage of F/X, close-ups, etc., while Pippin's camerawork is pretty much static.The standout is Ben Vereen, at his peak here carrying the show. Chita Rivera (Fastrada) and Benjamin Rayson (Charlemagne) are the best of the supporting player. Katt and Denniston are kinda weak, and Martha Raye, while adequate, isn't as good as Irene Ryan in the original Broadway production.Overall, Pippin is an entertaining musical which is competently captured on the (complete) video.