Twentieth Century Oz (1976)

Dorothy is a sixteen-year-old groupie riding with a rock band when, suddenly, the van is in a road accident, and she hits her head. She wakes up in a fantasy world as gritty and realistic ... See full summary »

Director:

Chris Löfvén

Writer:

Chris Löfvén

Stars:

Joy Dunstan, Graham Matters, Bruce Spence

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joy Dunstan	...	Dorothy
Graham Matters	...	Wally / The Wizard / Record Salesman / Tram Conductor / Doorman / Face at Party
Bruce Spence	...	Bass Player / Surfie
Michael Carman	...	Drummer / Mechanic
Gary Waddell	...	Guitarist / Bikie
Robin Ramsay	...	Good Fairy
Paula Maxwell	...	Jane
Ned Kelly	...	Bouncer / Truckie
Lorraine West	...	Waitress
Beris Underhill	...	Receptionist
Russell Thompson	...	1st Gay
Gino Lattore	...	2nd Gay
Roland Bonnet	...	Manager
Jim Slade	...	Promoter
Martin Allen	...	1st Boy at Dance

Storyline

Dorothy is a sixteen-year-old groupie riding with a rock band when, suddenly, the van is in a road accident, and she hits her head. She wakes up in a fantasy world as gritty and realistic as the one she came from and learns she killed a young thug in the process. A gay clothier called the Good Fairy gives her a pair of red shoes as a reward to help her see the last concert of the Wizard, an androgynous rock singer. She is pursed by the thug's brother who attempts to rape her on several occasions. She also meets a dumb surfer, a heartless mechanic, and a cowardly biker.

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Plot Keywords:

concert | groupie | shoe | australian fantasy | parody | 

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Taglines:

Follow the Yellow Rock Road...

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Genres:

Fantasy | Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Twentieth Century Oz

Filming Locations:

Korumburra Drouin Rd, Poowong, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Count Features, Davis Equities Corporation Investment Partnerships, Inter Planetary

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 90 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

The concert seen at the end of the movie was actually a real concert. The footage was from a rock concert held at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The bands that were playing were The Little River Band and AC/DC.

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Goofs

When Dorothy asks Greaseball why he didn't help Surfie, the scene cuts to a close up of his face. Prior to the cut, the background shows a built up area, with houses and garbage bins by the side of the roadway. In the close-up, the background suddenly shows a long, sweeping hill on a country road.

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Quotes

Dorothy: Fame and fortune... really FUCKS YOU UP!

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Connections

Featured in Ozploitation Trailer Explosion (2014)

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Soundtracks

Our Warm Tender Love
Written by Gary Young (uncredited)
Performed by Joy Dunstan

User Reviews

A Lost Gem

Wow! An amazing, lost piece of Australiana AND a lost 70s glam-rock film rolled into one. This film warrants viewing simply to see what can be done with next to no budget but a lot of enthusiasm. As a retelling of the Oz story, the film borders on becoming too obvious but it is saved by it's eccentricities. The chance for a glimpse at how glam rock manifested in Australia will delight fans of the genre. This film used to be double featured with the Rocky Horror Picture Show, an indicator of the type of film that Oz is. While not as frivolous or well constructed as RHPS it's hard not to have fun with Oz.

Surprisingly, Oz has aged well- perhaps a by-product of how determinedly set in the real Australia of 1976 it is. The passage of history shows that many of the ideas being explored would eventually enter the mainstream. The willingness of the film to give prominence to gay characters is notable, especially as it dates to the 'revolution' period for the Australian gay rights push.

The performances range from flinchingly amateur to finely nuanced brilliance. The direction is lacking in subtlety and much of the dialogue may have benefited from an extra draft or two. Somehow, these flaws add to the appeal of the film which is mercifully unpretentious. Much like Australia in the 1970s this film has a certain naive charm.

There are several connections to the original Australian stagings of the Rocky Horror Show which will keep obsessives on their toes.

Oz is most certainly a minor classic and a potential cult favourite worthy of review. Laugh at the atrocious 70s fashion, swing along with the AusRock soundtrack, leave ANY expectations at the door and Oz is likely to delight.