The Wiz (1978)
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A teacher from Harlem is transported to a magical urban-fantasy Land of Oz and must journey to the Emerald City to find a powerful leader.
The story
Dorothy Gale, a 24-year-old teacher from Harlem, finds herself transported to the magical urban-fantasy Land of Oz after her dog, Toto, is caught in a snowstorm. While navigating this strange new world, she encounters a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion. Together, the quartet embarks on a journey along the yellow brick road toward the Emerald City. Their goal is to seek the help of the powerful Wiz to help them find their way home and fulfill their individual desires for a brain, a heart, and courage.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After Dorothy's dog Toto is swept into a snowstorm, Dorothy is transported to the Land of Oz, where she accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East. Guided by the Good Witch of the North, she travels the yellow brick road with a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion. They reach the Emerald City, where the Wiz—a man named Herman Smith—demands they defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, Evillene, to grant their wishes. After a battle involving a swarm of Flying Monkeys, Dorothy uses a fire sprinkler to defeat Evillene. They discover the Wiz is a fraud, but Dorothy helps her friends realize they already possess the qualities they sought. Finally, Glinda the Good Witch helps Dorothy use her magic slippers to return home.
- First release year
- 1978
- Runtime (minutes)
- 133
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Sidney Lumet
- Writers
- Joel Schumacher · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Diana Ross · Dorothy Gale; Michael Jackson · Scarecrow; Nipsey Russell · Tin Man; Ted Ross · Cowardly Lion; Lena Horne · Glinda; Richard Pryor · The Wiz
- Genres
- musical; contemporary fantasy; fantasy adventure
- Themes
- the black experience in America; slavery; identity
- Tone and mood
- urban-fantasy; dark
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; fantasy; adventure; adaptation
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (novel) and the 1974 Broadway musical.
- Reception
- The film was a critical and commercial failure upon release, but it has since become a cult classic, particularly noted for Michael Jackson's performance.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 53 · scale: 100 · review count: 11
- Production trivia
- Michael Jackson's only feature film role; The film was the most expensive film musical ever made at the time of its release; The film's production was influenced by the 'est' movement
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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