The Wiz
1978
Dorothy, a young African-American kindergarten teacher leaves a large family dinner one night to chase after her dog during a New York City snowstorm and gets swept up by a cyclone and transplanted to the urban version of the land of Oz. Read more
| Starring | Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, Lena Horne |
|---|---|
| Director | Sidney Lumet |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
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The Wiz
Dorothy, a young African-American kindergarten teacher leaves a large family dinner one night to chase after her dog during a New York City snowstorm and gets swept up by a cyclone and transplanted to the urban version of the land of Oz.
| Starring | Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, Lena Horne, Luther Vandross, Roberta Flack |
|---|---|
| Director | Sidney Lumet |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 8 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 26 Jul 2004 Production year: 1978 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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A 34-year-old Diana Ross plays Dorothy in this all-black version of The Wizard of Oz, which casts a pall over memories of the 1939 classic. It's easy to see why director Sidney Lumet's clunker ranks as one of the most expensive movie flops of all time. While the Tony Walton sets are fabulous, the famous plot is immersed in a dark inner-city impressionism, the quasi-rocker songs are lacklustre, and diva Ross is just ludicrous in the Judy Garland role. Michael Jackson is surprisingly good as the Scarecrow, though, and among the songs is the hit Ease on down the Road.
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Dorothy and her entourage of malfunctioning under-achievers move on from rural Kansas to face the contemporary perils... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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12 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Absolutely brilliant
A modern (well, 1970s) version of The Wizard of Oz, this film has it all. Excellent acting, great special effects (considering the year it was made) and a great storyline to boot.
The Wiz has many variants on the original Wizard of Oz, making it more up-to-date and more appropriate (if you see what I mean).
Michael Jackson is superb as the scarecrow - when he falls over he actually makes it look like he really is made of straw. Wonderful acting from him, definitely. Diana Ross as Dorothy is good too.
For a bit of escapism, watch this movie. Great for a Saturday afternoon with a tub of popcorn and flares (well, it is from the 70s). -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
A forgotten gem
A fantastic screen adaption of one of the greatest of the Black American stage musicals. Visually fantastic, on occasions surreal. Brilliant performances by all (but one) of the principals, sure it's a little dated/retro now - its awash with the disco-lamé glamour of the 70s and it evokes a time when the World Trade Centre was Manhattan's most striking film location, and when one looked at Michael Jackson one saw only stunning talent (and the original face). The quibbles: it's a bit too long as stage-to-film musicals always are, and Richard Pryor is a disgrace as The Wiz, doing that Stoned Mumbler thing - plenty of esteemed Black actors of the time could have done much more with such an important cameo. But forget about that, put it on, turn the sound up and let the sheer joy of it carry you away!
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