The Wiz (1978)

An adaption of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African American experience.

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writers:

L. Frank Baum (novel), William F. Brown (book),

Stars:

Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Diana Ross	...	Dorothy
Michael Jackson	...	Scarecrow
Nipsey Russell	...	Tinman
Ted Ross	...	Lion / Fleetwood Coupe de Ville
Mabel King	...	Evillene
Theresa Merritt	...	Aunt Em
Thelma Carpenter	...	Miss One
Lena Horne	...	Glinda the Good
Richard Pryor	...	The Wiz (Herman Smith)
Stanley Greene	...	Uncle Henry
Clyde J. Barrett	...	Subway Peddler
Derrick Bell	...	The Four Crows
Roderick-Spencer Sibert	...	The Four Crows
Kashka Banjoko	...	The Four Crows
Ronald 'Smokey' Stevens	...	The Four Crows

Storyline

Dorothy, a twenty-four-year-old kindergarten teacher born, raised, and still working in Harlem, is celebrating Thanksgiving with her extended family, but she doesn't seem to be thankful for much in life. She lives a self-imposed sheltered life; she is shy and unfulfilled. Things change for her when she is caught in a snowstorm while chasing after her dog, Toto. They are transported to the mysterious Land of Oz, where she is informed that the only possible way to find her way back home is through the assistance of the powerful wizard in the Emerald City. As she goes searching for him, she befriends some creatures who are facing problems in life just like her. In their quest to find and get help from the wizard, they also face Evillene, the equally evil sister of Evermean, the wicked witch whom Dorothy inadvertently killed when she arrived in Oz, and who may be their biggest obstacle in achieving their goals.

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Plot Keywords:

wizard | teacher | dog | melancholy | new york city | 

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Taglines:

The Wiz! The Stars! The Music! Wow!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

El mago

Filming Locations:

Astroland Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$13,000,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Motown Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min 136 min (uncut) 118 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Simultaneously with the release of the film, Congoleum, the flooring company that designed the look of the Yellow Brick Road for the film, also marketed the same design (also called Yellow Brick Road) for home use.

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Goofs

The shadow of a boom mic is visible on the door through which Aunt Emma walks as she and Dorothy enter the dining room to collect the dirty dishes from the table.

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Quotes

The Munchkins: [after the Witch is killed, the Munchkins turn from graffiti back into children] Two, 4, 6, 8! Who do we appreciate?
Dorothy: [terrified] No! No!

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Crazy Credits

Fitzstephens, Jack ... Music Editor & Guru

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Connections

Referenced in Scrubs: My Overkill (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Home (Finale)"
Written by Charlie Smalls
Performed by Diana Ross

User Reviews

a favorite childhood movie of mine

...And favorites don't always have rhyme or reason. I can just say that this movie always struck a chord with me. I know that it is dark. I agree that Diana Ross's acting is overwrought with some unknown neurosis. But the music is soulful and the vocal performances make me cry every time. The urban setting (in contrast to the farm that never "clicked" with me) is almost comforting, though not in the parking garage. I agree with the more intellectual reviewers that Lumet's direction could have been better. I'm just a sucker for the gospel-style singing in "the feeling that we have", "believe", and "brand new day". I find this movie much more of an emotional release than the Wizard of Oz.