The Wiz (1978) [VHS] starring Diana
Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey
Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King
The Wiz
Though it may be thought of as sacrilegious to remake a classic such as
The Wizard of Oz, this 1978 film directed by Sidney Lumet (The
Pawnbroker, Serpico) is a vibrant and entertaining retelling of the modern
fable, featuring an all black cast in the familiar story of a rural small-town
girl whose dreams transport her to a magical world where the battle
between good and evil gives the real world a sense of perspective.
Rendered in the style of a musical (based on a successful Broadway run),
the film benefits from using new contemporary music from stars Diana
Ross (Mahogany, Lady Sings the Blues) as Dorothy and Michael Jackson
as the shy Scarecrow, with music arranged by Quincy Jones. This visually
and musically exciting film is less a remake than a reinvention that stands
and dances very well on its own. --Robert Lane
The Wiz gave the Wizard of Oz a new musical life with its jazzy R&B and
soul-inflected score,along with an African-American cast. The songs are
catchy, especially Ease on Down the Road. Its a Quincy Jones classic.
Diana Ross is Dorothy,a schoolteacher in the ghetto of NYC. She
magically finds herself in Oz, traveling down the yellow brick road with the
help of Glinda the Good (a luminous Lena Horne),the tenderhearted Tin
Man (Nipsey Russell) and the wise Scarecrow (Michael Jackson,then
starting out as a solo artist)
The Wiz is incredibly campy. Its premise--an inner-city schoolteacher
seeking out the Wizard (Richard Pryor)makes the story at once adult and
childlike. Quincy Jones is famous for knowing his musical audiences. He
made Michael Jacksons Thriller the bestselling album in history. But with
The Wiz,he didnt know if he should appeal to adults or children. Its a dark
fantasy,an urban dystopia until Dorothy comes to the Emerald City (t he
plaza that was once between the Twin Towers of the W TC) The fantasy is
melancholy now in retrospect.
The Wiz was revolutionary in 1978. After three decades,its still an
underrated classic. Ease on down the road...
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
The Wiz (1978) [VHS] starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross,
Mabel King - 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!