As a child of the 80s, I vividly remember the magical world of “The Wiz” that captivated my imagination and left an indelible mark on my heart. Growing up in a small town with limited exposure to diverse culture, this film was like a breath of fresh air, transporting me to a fantastical land filled with soulful music, vibrant characters, and a timeless message about self-discovery.
Prior to “Wicked” achieving Broadway fame and receiving its own movie treatment, another musical reimagined the timeless tale from “The Wizard of Oz.” This production, known as “The Wiz“, made its debut in 1974 and was followed by a film adaptation in 1978. Unfortunately, the cinematic version of “The Wiz” did not fare well at the box office, gaining infamy for featuring notable musicians like Diana Ross and Michael Jackson among its cast.
Regardless of its box office failure, some audience members have adored “The Wiz”, appreciating its stunning visuals, massive dance numbers, and enchanting music. Notably, renowned film critic Roger Ebert was among its few fans, taking the time to emphasize many of its positive features in his critique.
‘The Wiz’ Sets Oz in the Big City
The movie “The Wiz” is a modern adaptation of the timeless tale “The Wizard of Oz”. Released in 1978 and helmed by four-time Academy Award winner Sidney Lumet, this film is based on a musical with the same title. Notably different from “The Wizard of Oz”, “The Wiz” presents an all-Black cast as its characters.
In this version of the film, musical icons such as Diana Ross and Michael Jackson take on leading roles. Comedian Richard Pryor portrays the main character, The Wiz. Here, Diana Ross plays Dorothy, who is a school teacher in her mid-twenties. After finishing a Thanksgiving dinner with her family in Harlem, she mysteriously finds herself transported to Oz during a snowstorm.
In this reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy’s journey unfolds similarly as she walks the yellow-brick-road-turned-city-street to encounter the Wiz, with a scarecrow, tin man, and lion joining her on her adventure. However, unlike the original tale, this version presents an urban landscape with skyscrapers and alleyways, and the Wicked Witch of the West is transformed into a sweatshop owner. This unique setting was captured by filming in New York City itself, where the World Trade Center serves as the colossal Emerald City.
The film’s soundtrack incorporates various genres, spanning from gospel to contemporary pop music. Among its memorable tunes are “Ease on Down the Road,” “A Brand New Day,” and Diana Ross’s powerful rendition of “Home.” Additionally, four new songs have been added to the movie, along with one number that was initially omitted from the stage production on Broadway.
Roger Ebert Was One of the Film’s Biggest Defenders
The Wiz initially struggled to find success. Predicted to falter due to its high production costs and status as the priciest musical movie at the time, it managed to earn only about half of its budget in ticket sales. Critics were equally unimpressed; the film received harsh reviews from various quarters. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 47%, indicating a generally negative reception. Its Metascore, which averages critic ratings on a scale of 100, stands at 53. Remarkably, even Roger Ebert, one of the most revered critics in history, gave it only slightly better marks than that.
Roger Ebert, a fan of the original The Wizard of Oz and numerous other fantasy films, showered praise on this movie with a rating of three stars out of four in his review system. Despite openly criticizing its shortcomings, he emphasized the film’s captivating dance scenes and shots featuring cityscapes. In his critique, he even countered those who found the film too fantastical by stating, “Critics like that wouldn’t recognize a yellow brick road if they stumbled upon it.
On their TV program named Sneak Previews, Roger Ebert and co-host Gene Siskel endorsed the movie The Wiz to viewers, with Siskel’s review sharing the same score as Ebert. During the broadcast, after viewing a musical scene, Siskel remarked, “Diana Ross is fantastic in that part. In terms of film musicals, Barbra Streisand may have just faced some stiff competition.” Ebert also praised the movie by saying it belonged to the esteemed tradition of American musicals.
Despite Siskel and Ebert’s positive reviews, the movie struggled to gain popularity among other critics who found it less than appealing. They even acknowledged some of its weaknesses, pointing out that it was too lengthy and excessive in certain parts. As Siskel put it, “I simply can’t accept the way the film continuously emphasizes its heavy message about finding everything you desire in life within yourself.” Interestingly, Siskel’s belief that Diana Ross could match Streisand’s performance proved unfounded, as Ross didn’t star in another major film following her role in The Wiz.
The Wiz Is Remembered as More Than a Flop
Despite being labeled as a failure, The Wiz has made an enduring impression in unique manners. The movie has developed a cult following, largely due to its frequent TV broadcasts. Moreover, the film’s initial setting at Thanksgiving makes it an ideal choice for holiday viewing.
Back in the day, I got the chance to be part of a remarkable project – ‘The Wiz’. This was my first team-up with the legendary music producer, Quincy Jones. He lent his magic touch to the film’s tunes, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. After ‘The Wiz’, we collaborated three more times, and together we created some of Michael Jackson’s most iconic albums: ‘Off the Wall’, ‘Thriller’, and ‘Bad’. Those were some golden days!
Joel Schumacher’s career as a director took off following his work on the movie “The Wiz.” After writing the script for this film, he was given the opportunity to direct his debut feature film, “The Incredible Shrinking Woman,” three years later. Later in his career, he also directed movies like “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “The Lost Boys,” “Batman Forever,” and another musical adaptation titled “The Phantom of the Opera.
The movie served not only as an entertaining piece but also as a means to make the musical more well-known. Some subsequent musical performances, post the film’s debut, have drawn inspiration from this motion picture. Unfortunately, not everyone could catch The Wiz on its initial Broadway staging. However, the wide distribution of this film offered many an opportunity to explore this unique adaptation of the tale. Today, you can still enjoy it by renting it on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.
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2024-11-26 02:02