3/5 Great show, mediocre adaptation
  by Denzel Lockheart (Edmonton, Canada)
My school is currently doing the production of the show "Pippin" as our 2008/09 season play this year. Now I am fortunate enough to have seen a video of a professional production floating around on the internet somewhere, and it was really well done. Then I saw this movie... I'll break down this version of the movie.

THE GOOD: We have a version of Pippin out on DVD finally. Ben Vereen is in it and gives a very good performance, after all he IS the Leading Player, nobody else can hold a candle to him. The set is FANTASTIC, Most of the cast are really good (William Katt ESPECIALLY), and not to mention this video was shot in Canada!

THE BAD: Several songs are cut down here. For example, half of Spread A Little Sunshine is cut out, therefore making it confusing to anyone who has not seen the show on stage already or have had any experience with Pippin whatsoever. The second (and most essential) verse of "War Is A Science" is out, "Glory" is extremely missed opportunity. The slow-mo battle scene is cut out! This isn't no G-rated happy-go-lucky play. And What happened to I Guess I'll Miss The Man??? Pacing problems also ensue; some fast songs are too slow, some slow songs are too fast (Simple Joys is ruined by this), and the cast seems to be rushing it at times, as if they have somewhere to be after the show. EVerybody, even the incomparable Ben Vereen is guilty of this (Glory is a sign of this). And the final line (cutting out "But Happy") is a total WTF moment.

THE UNFORGIVABLE: THe social Commentary/political overtones of the show are missing, and elements like Pippin not being used to life are gone and replaced with happy-go-lucky family version themes. This is a show that kids shouldn't watch. And the band of players didn't really come off to me as creepy, not to mention as much as Ben Vereen is an amazing actor and singer, he seems to be a tad psycho in the last 20 minutes. I felt like I was watching a demented lunatic serial killer have a freakout. Martha Raye's performance was PATHETIC (what's with the microphone????), and the guy who plays Charlamagne YELLS a lot, which did get on my nerves after a while. At times I wondered if Fosse even saw a production of the original production. Lastly, the camerawork is not the best- the audience shots on "No Time at All" make me cringe. THe blame for this falls squarely at the feet of Bob Fosse, who apparently had the wrong ideas.

In short, I give this 3 stars for Ben Vereen and William Katt, and the sets. I'd say purchase it, despite its flaws, because this is the best version we'll currently get on DVD.

5/5 Saw William in person!!
  by SLD (Lakewood Colo.)
In April 2009, I actually met William Katt! I had him autograph my copy. He was suprised someone actually remembered this play/movie. Heck, remember it, I can recite most of the lines!!! I have seen this in person also. Ben Vereen is amazing in person!! Pippin was played by 1 of the boys from the old tv show, "My 3 sons," but I don't remember which son it was.
The music are espically the story are one you won't forget!!

5/5 Love PIPPIN
  by Gayleen R. Beyers (Irvine,)
I absolutely love this musical! I also happen to really like the staring actors...especially William Katt. I've seen other productions, but none as good as this one. It is a must have!

4/5 Dance, Song and History
  by K. Dargan (Maryknoll, NY)
The DVD of Pippin makes available to a new audience one of the great musicals. The staging is wonderfuland Ben Vereen is at his best. The numbers move well and the story line is easy to follow. It is nice to have something from ones past that is enjoyab;e today.

5/5 The Great Fosse at his very best
  by Julio Lopez (Santiago, Chile)
Catchy songs, nice story and spectacular choreographies by the masterful Fosse. William Katt is better in the title role than Rubinstein himself: much more vital and convincing. Vereen and Rivera do not surprise us: they're so good that need no comments. If you saw the Broadway show and want to recall it, this is a sure bet. Get it: technically good, it has the entire show and will help you reexperience the live show.