Pippin Pippin is a musical comedy loosely based on a book, by Roger O. Hirson, written in 1891. Although historical events are mentioned within Pippin they are not an accurate representation of those events. Pippin is the oldest son of King Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great. The musical is centered around Pippin's ambitious search for a place where he belongs, but he also wants his life to be extraordinary. Even though the subject matter can be quite serious they have found a way to tell the story in a comical almost absurd, at times, way.The main story line touches on a very basic human need, "to find where we belong." Within the story, they also explore many other emotions that are felt by people in general, to some degree or other, such as jealousy, greed, lust, envy, and love. Pippin was sent to the university, because his father values education, even though his father is not educated and can't even write his own name. While at the university Pippin became a scholar, but that was not fulfilling, and so he leaves the university and returns home. This is where the story begins.There are many times within Pippin's search where I can see how this story represents everyday people, and their needs and wants. He joins his father and half-brother in war to try to win his father's approval, but finds that fighting a war, to further the spread of Christianity, "Even if we have to kill all the non-believers," does nothing but leave the stench of blood on his hands. He does not understand the "glory" his father and brother feel. Just like many of us don't understand the feelings of others when we disagree with what they are doing.His grandmother tries to explain to him that he will find his "corner of the sky" by finding the simple joys in life. She explains that he doesn't want to be, "A man who never learned to be free until he was underground." So, he takes this advice and goes after what he considers the "simple things" sex, drugs, and alcohol, but this just leaves him feeling, "empty and vacant." Just like in real life these "simple joys" are never the answer. People think at the time it is helping, but soon find out that they have just embarked on a whole new set of problems.Just like many of us, he then complains about how someone else is doing a job, thinking we can do it better. He sees his father as an unjust, prejudice, tyrant. He tries his hand at being king, but finds he can do no better, because you can't please everyone. He tries many other avenues such as art and the church before he encounters a widow and her young son. He tries to run from love, because, "nothing ever turns out how you think it will." He is then presented with the fact that there is only one perfect act, "The Finale." The conclusion that "The Finale," represents death is stated when he is told, "The final affirmation of life is death." For many people who spend their lives looking, and never finding what it is they are looking for, this is a true statement, and can be a very sad life. Pippin does finally come to the conclusion that, "If I am never tied to anything I can never be free." This musical touched on many things I see within life, and how people relate to the world around them. It was good to see a comical way of addressing the feeling that seems to be popular right now that, "I want such a little thing from life, I want so much." We seem to always be looking for something better, but when we get it it's not what we want. Everything is flawed in one way or another. It's like the old saying, "The grass always seems greener on the other side." Pippin was a great representation of this feeling. It also comically addressed societies' constant search to find happiness.I really enjoyed the musical compositions, and actually found myself singing along. The dancers were wonderful. Ben Vereen's stage presence as the leading player was remarkable, and William Katt was an excellent choice to play Pippin. The part of Pippin's grandmother has beautifully portrayed by Martha Raye. I watched the DVD and now I can't wait to see it live.

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.

I'm in a production of Pippin (Player, Girl, Beggar, Courtier), and one day, my director sat us down and screened this movie for us. Well, Ben Vereen is fantastic!!! And Chita Rivera IS Fastrada. I don't think that anyone else can pull off being sexy in the same way that she does. The only one who blew it in my book was William Katt. He was a HORRIBLE Pippin. And what the heck was he doing bouncing around the stage like that yelling the line "GLORY'S IN THE AIR!" And the only thing that didn't tickle me like the rest of the movie did (the bedroom scene was HILARIOUS)was the cuts. They cut out Theo's duck dying and most of the lines when Pippin was made King. Some of the adlibs, I admit, were pretty funny, i.e. when the leading player yells at Catherine about flubbing the line ("But he touched my hand, they don't normally do that!" "I don't care WHERE he put his hands!"), but others were just really dumb. And the orgy scene made me blush furiously. Now, I admit, my production is cutting the bed scene and the duck dying, but it would've been better if we hadn't. The same applies for this. But other than that, this is a great movie.