VHS - The Wiz

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The Wiz

starring: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King
directed by: Sidney Lumet

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Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 0044004496636
Format: PAL
Languages: English (Original Language), Analog
Number Of Discs: 1
Theatrical Release Date: October 24, 1978

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Editorial Review:
Directed by Sidney Lumet (Serpico) and penned by Joel Schumacher (Batman and Robin), this lavish 1978 adaptation of the Broadway hit The Wiz was the biggest production filmed in New York City up to that point, utilizing the newly revamped Astoria Studios and locations around the city. Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross (reprising his Tony-winning role as the Lion) star in this Academy Award-nominated musical for the whole family.
The Wiz is probably the grandest take on L. Frank Baum's classic tale The Wizard of Oz. The production team created sets with a sense of urban magic and spectacle: a New York subway station literally comes to life, and the massive plaza between the World Trade Center towers is transformed into the Emerald City, featuring nearly 400 dancers with three costume changes. Like all good musicals, the Quincy Jones arrangements are highly hummable long after viewing (especially the funky "Ease On Down the Road" and the inspirational "Brand New Day"). In an era before MTV, the camera stays nearly stationary as Ross and Lena Horne vocally soar through their numbers. Their stage-like performances successfully make the leap to film, making The Wiz a testament to their singing talents and star presence. The then-thirtysomething Ross raised some eyebrows playing the traditionally teenaged Dorothy, but she and her supporting cast (including Richard Pryor as the Wiz) carry the tunes with an infectious verve that will appeal to folks of all ages. --Shannon Gee

Customer Reviews

Average Rating:

Rating:

- "Ease on Down the Road!"
"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." It's 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 ... Read More

Rating:

- One wizzer of a movie
I remember seeing this movie when I was younger and I think I liked it then. Looking back on it now, I can't remember why I liked it. I thought the movie was very draggy and boring and at some points a bit creepy. The whole scene where they're running through what looks like an abandoned parking garage and are being chased by garbage cans and columns still creeps me out. I agree with some of the other reviews that said the songs in this movie were out of place. They did not advance the plot or give ... Read More

Rating:

- funny
It was a great movie. I loved the singing and the cute doggy Toto.

Rating:

- A Classic of the Twin Towers
A Classic in my book for the muscial, plot, how the story unfolds, colors, famous actors, actress, and famous singers. I love the songs the words have deep meanings that uplifts my spirit and soul. I also like how Twin Towers were used to make the. Behind the Twin Towers was the location.

Rating:

- Black Hollywood
I love it. The song track is good, and it is a creative swing from the original. They did a good job with updating and modernizing the old fairytale. The don't bring me no bad news dance sequence is my favorite.

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Kids & Family > Video > VHS > Genres > Family Films