Directed by
Sidney Lumet

Written by
L. Frank Baum (novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
William F. Brown (play)
Joel Schumacher

Produced by
Rob Cohen

Original music & Lyrics by
Charlie Smalls

additional music by
Luther Vandross
Anthony Jackson
Quincy Jones
Valerie Simpson
Nick Ashford

Jean 'Toots' Thielemans .... harmonica
Robert N. Tucker Jr. .... conductor
Grady Tate .... drums
Patti Austin .... choral coordinator
John Beal .... bass
Dave Grusin .... keyboards
Dick Hyman .... keyboards
Quincy Jones .... associate conductor

Cinematography by
Oswald Morris

Film Editing by
Dede Allen

Production Design by
Philip Rosenberg
Tony Walton

Art Direction by
Philip Rosenberg

Set Decoration by
Robert Drumheller
Edward Stewart

Costume Design by
Tony Walton
Miles White

Oscar De la Renta .... Emerald City Fashions
Ralph Lauren .... Emerald City Fashions

Special Makeup Designer
Stan Winston

Al Griswold .... special effects
Albert Whitlock .... special visual effects

Production Management
Kenneth Utt

As the family affections are shared, Dorothy is emotionally challenged. She never feels totally welcome in her Aunt and Uncle's home. Yet, she puts very little effort into branching out and changing her life. With this yearning song, she expresses her low self-esteem.

Diana Ross takes on the role of Dorothy to mixed success. Of course, her vocals are strong, but many complained of her limited range. Surprising since she had already carried a film prior.

After chasing Toto out into the snow, the two are picked up by cyclone and thrown into the land of Oz. Upon reentry, Dorothy kills the evil witch "Evermean". This action frees the "munchkins" who were under her spell. Now, free of the graffiti walls they had been subjected, they tell Dorothy the Wizard is able to help her get home. The Munchkin's leader "Miss One" gives Dorothy Evermean's Silver Slippers.

"He's the Wizard" is turned into a huge dance number filmed at the site of the 1964 World's Fair New York State exhibit. This is definitely not the MGM Wizard of Oz. the tone is extremely grim even in this party atmosphere. The extended dance numbers are very acrobatic and don't have the synchronization that is so prevalent in today's dance.

The Scarecrow is first seen being hassled by the 4 crows. And part of their torture is to have him sing their motto, "You Can't Win". If only he had a brain...

Sung by 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson, "You can't Win" sounds great but is not open to a showpiece for him. After all, he is attached to his post. If not done carefully, the number could have been a showcase for the four crows, whose limber shenanigans are of more interest. But, the camera view keeps the focus on the scarecrow. The make-up is great, the baglike head allowing full expression and the Reese's Peanut butter Cup nose and Popcorn cup hat are priceless.

Got your groove on? This song is a definite bright spot amongst the many dark themes in this film. The Scarecrow has been freed from his post and is going to join Dorothy and Toto on their trip to the Emerald City. When they discover the yellow brick road, they break into celebratory song.

The Yellow Brick Road heads across a bridge to what appears to be the Chrysler Building. Most of the song is performed on this small stretch of road. As a matter of fact, when the song finally ends, they are not that much further down the road then when they started. But, that doesn't matter. The vibrant number gives the viewer a taste of the Michael Jackson that would soon after take the world by storm.

Along the yellow Brick Road, Dorothy, Scarecrow and Toto hear a call for help. They rescue the Tin Man. He is upset you see, he was made without a heart. This song addresses his issues.

The Yellow Brick Road appropriately appears as part of the track of the"Cyclone" in Astroland, Coney Island. Here, under another fabulous costume they find Nipsey Russell, adding a touch of Vaudeville to the flick.

Don't nobody mess with the mean ole lion, "Fleetwood Coupe De Ville"... at least, that's what he wants us to think. After all his strutting and posing, a small Toto bit sends him into a tearful lump of uselessness. But, when he's singing the piece, he is the king.

The Yellow Brick Road now takes us to the front of the New York Public library. The crosswalk signs blink from "Ease" to "Don't Ease" so they stop there. Appropriately, the lion is atop a cement pedestal guarding the front entrance. The Broadway lion, Ted Ross, reprises his role with great success, easily the best casting in the film. Again, we are treated to some great costuming and make-up.

Their quest finally brings them to the Emerald City where they see the citizens in action. It seems the people are only concerned in what color they should wear, all dictated by the voice of the Wiz from the loudspeaker above. Of course, the first color is Emerald green, but then the fad moves to red and settles on Gold.

There is a bit of Unease on down the road as we find the Emerald City Town Square is located in the courtyard between the World Trade Center Twin Towers. This is another huge group number. Although, the walking camera and microphone are a bit spooky. Watch for Quincy Jones on the piano during the Gold Section.

We finally meet the witch Evilene, and its almost worth the wait. She continues to terrorize her "employees' who haven't had a lunch break in eight days. You see, she runs a sweatshop were the employees are captured and brought in wearing chains.

Deep in the heart of Shea Stadium is Evilene's sweatshop. Another coup in casting, Mabel King IS Evilene. She is surrounded by "Winkies" in horrid costumes. Her song is ironically a gospel piece and Mabel King chews it up and spits it out! No bad news here.

the good witch Glinda appears to Dorothy with the good news. Dorothy can get home all by herself just by tapping her heels together three times.

The beautiful Lena Horne is phenomenal in her brief appearance as Glinda. Her song is recorded live rather then having her lip-synch. This allows her to have the freedom with the music that she obviously takes and it is well worth it.

The film ends with its most powerful song. Home is sung by Dorothy 'at one' with the audience. We see the emotional arc that Dorothy has traveled all played out in this one song. In the end, she finds herself back home.

The entire number is done in one camera shot of Diana Ross singing. And like Lena Horne's solo, is recorded live allowing Diana Ross to live the song rather than vice versa.

THE WIZ attempted to be the grooviest movie musical ever. When looked at in that way, its hard to see it as a big success. The Broadway show itself is a simple piece presented with power and emotion. So, it was destined to make a transfer to film.

Under the direction of Sidney Lumet, the film had some interesting choices made. First and most successfully is the use of New York locations. This obviously had a big effect on the films success as well as the budget. An additional advantage was in the films casting. Involving the likes of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Sidney Lumet and Quincy Jones guaranteed the film to get a lot of attention.

But in some ways, the film is a disappointment. The film's tone is so dark that it strips the show of much of the stage show's original fun.

The crows, the winkies, the munchkins, the flying monkeys and the attacking bouncy dolls are the stuff that children's nightmares are made of. These elements are surreal enough that the viewer can't grow to attached and that hurts the film.

But, musically, the film delivers, sometimes too much. Some of the songs are redundant in most part due to a unnecessarily verbose screenplay adaptation. So, the film has elements of success but could've used a less distorted view.

The DVD