Synopsis
Dorothy Gale, a shy kindergarten teacher, is swept away to the magic land of Oz where she embarks on a quest to return home.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Diana RossDorothy Gale
- Michael JacksonScarecrow
- Nipsey RussellTinman
- Ted RossLion / Fleetwood Coup de Ville
- Theresa MerrittAunt Em
- Lena HorneGlinda the Good
- Richard PryorThe Wiz
- Mabel KingEvillene
- Thelma CarpenterMiss One
- Stanley GreeneUncle Henry
Recommendations
- 75
Chicago Sun-Times
The movie has great moments and a lot of life, sensational special effects and costumes, and Ross, Jackson, and Russell. Why doesn't it involve us as deeply as The Wizard of Oz? Maybe because it hedges its bets by wanting to be sophisticated and universal, childlike and knowing, appealing to both a mass audience and to media insiders. The Wizard of Oz went flat-out for the heart of its story; there are times whenThe Wiz has just a touch too much calculation. - 75
The A.V. Club
The Wiz is a weird, ugly film that nevertheless attains strange, fleeting moments of grace. - 70
Time Out
On the plus side are vast, brilliant sets by Tony Walton, a couple of well-staged show-stoppers ('Everybody Rejoice' in the Wicked Witch's sweat-shop, and 'Emerald City Ballet'), Michael Jackson (the Scarecrow), Richard Pryor (The Wiz), and Diana Ross who, as Dorothy, is just gorgeous. - 70
Variety
Director Sidney Lumet has created what amounts to a love letter to the city of New York, which he equates with Oz. - 50
Chicago Reader
A lot to look at, little to contemplate, and nothing to hum. - 50
Time
So much wit and talent and energy crowd the screen in this lavishly filmed variant of the Oz story that it is depressing to realize that the production never had a chance. - 50
Baltimore Sun
Whenever I see this film, Pryor's look of what-am-I-doing-here? panic echoes my feelings exactly. - 40
The New Yorker
This film brings out all the weaknesses of its director, Sidney Lumet, and none of his strengths. The whole production has a stagnant atmosphere, and the big dance numbers are free-form traffic jams.
