In New York City, John the Baptist arrives and calls a youthful cast of disciples to Central Park, beckoning them to "Prepare Ye, The Way of the Lord".

After this, Jesus explains to his disciples to "turn to them the other cheek", "hand over your coat" when they ask for your shirt, and walk with anyone for two miles.

The rich man dies and is sent to hell, where he begs Abraham to have Lazarus warn his living brothers about their eternal fate.

A disciple then tells a story of a man who spent a lifetime acquiring treasures, and then dies before he can enjoy them.

At the Cherry Lane Theatre, the cast performs the parable of The Prodigal Son, complete with clips from several silent films.

Aboard a vessel ship, the Pharisees ask Jesus multiple questions, including should they pay taxes to the government.

Jesus breaks the bread and shares the wine, and recites the traditional Seder blessings.

Garber, Haskell, Jonas, Lamont, McCormick and Mylett had performed in one, or more, of the original 1970 Carnegie Mellon creation or the earliest commercial productions: 1971 Off-Broadway, 1971 Melbourne, and 1972 Toronto.

The melody for "Learn Your Lessons Well" is used briefly in an early scene of the film and again as incidental music, and snippets of both "Learn Your Lessons Well" and "We Beseech Thee" are heard in the scene inside Cherry Lane Theatre when Jesus plays their melodies on the piano during the story of The Prodigal Son.

While the play requires very little stage dressing, the film places emphasis on dramatic location shots in Manhattan.

Locations include the following: Vocally, the chorus is very much in the same style, but solo parts are, at times, more lyrical.

Regarding the band, all four of the musicians from the original stage production and cast album were retained for the film recording.

Reviewer William Ruhlmann explains that by having a larger budget than had been available for the stage, Schwartz was able to expand the line-up by adding key studio personnel such as lead guitarist Hugh McCracken (on "Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord)"), keyboardist Paul Shaffer, bass player Steve Manes, a horn section, and six strings.