Aysecik ve sihirli cüceler rüyalar ülkesinde (1971)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Tunç Basaran

Writer:

Hamdi Degirmencioglu (writer)

Genre:

Fantasy

Plot:

A young girl named Aysecik lives on her parents' farm, when an animated tornado carries her and her...

Plot Keywords:

Munchkin | Sequel | Based On Novel

Cast

Zeynep Degirmencioglu	...	Aysecik
Süleyman Turan	...	Korkuluk (Scarecrow)
Metin Serezli	...	Teneke Koruadam (Tin Woodman)
Suna Selen	...	Kötü Cadi (Wicked Witch of the South)
Ali Sen	...	Korkak Aslan (Cowardly Lion)
Mine Sun	...	Melek
Cemâl Konca	...	The Great Wizard Keskin Zeka
Sitki Sezgih
Ilhan Hemseri
Mürvet Issever
Aüszük Çudidifer	...	Babekler (Doll)
Semra	...	Kardesler (China Sister)
Seda	...	Kardesler (China Sister)
Seyhan Gümüs	...	Misafir Sanatkâr (Guest Artist)
Ferdi Celep	...	Keloglan

Also Known As:

Aysecik and the Bewitched Dwarfs in Dreamland
Aysecik in the Land of the Magic Dwarfs (USA) (literal English title)
The Turkish Wizard of Oz (USA) (video box title)
Turkish Wizard of Oz (USA) (bootleg title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Turkey

Language:

Turkish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Hisar Film

Movie Connections:

References Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Not as insane as "Turkish Star Wars" but still pretty wacky

I'll just say that this film isn't as much of a revelation as Phil Hall builds it up to be. That being said, it still is a very bizarre experience. I prefer "Turkish Star Wars", but this is still an entertaining re-visioning of the Hollywood classic. Camp and surrealism are always at their best when the filmmaker had other intentions. I haven't delved too deep into the sub genre of Turkish rip-off cinema, but if there all like this, my further endeavors will no doubt provide a treat.

Other reviewers have said the film is faithful to Frank L. Baum's original source (I have never read the original novel, so I can not comment on this factor). It seems close to the story told by the 1939 classic except with notable compressions of time. The first half of the Hollywood version detailed how Dorthy made it to the land over the rainbow and how she met her companions (Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man). Both of these considerably important plot details are told in about ten minutes in this version. She than proceeds to go to the Wizard in attempt to make it back to her home. Along the way she has to battle the Wicked Witch. Several characters from the original version, notably the Good Witch, are absent.

This is purportedly an attempt to make a family film. There are several details though that makes me question the nature of the filmmaker. For one, you will never see as much of a sexpot playing Dorthy. As many other reviewers have noted, there seems to be many instances in this film to show off the actress' physique. But hey, maybe they were trying to appeal to Dad in addition to the kids.

Another interesting aspect of the film is the portrayal of the Scarecrow. In the original he was a slapstick buffoon. In this version, his character is the most ludicrous example of a homosexual "pansy" stereotype shown on film. He represents the average high school boy's imitation of a homosexual. Constantly prancing and lisping, one must wonder if this was all intentional. Seriously, he makes any of the guys from "Queer Eye" look like John Wayne.

Probably due to budget restraints, there are only seven munchkins in the film. Also, the first visit to the Wizard involves Dorthy and he companions staring at a skull on a table. When he finally reveals himself, the Wizard looks more like Merlin than Frank Morgan in the original adaptation. Also, the Witch has a rubber Halloween mask on instead of any makeup. This makes for an unintentionally eerie appearance. However, she doesn't seem to be doing much harm to the residents of Oz in this one. She just sits around all day looking evil.

This is certainly one of the most bizarre examples of psychotronic cinema out there. Even though it begins to drag a bit towards the end, it is for the most part jaw-dropping. The musical numbers seem to be taken out of a Bollywood film. If you enjoy K. Gordon Murray's kiddie flicks or the other Turkish rip-offs, than this is recommended. (4/10)