The Wiz Is the Pick of the Week

There was only a matter of time before filmmakers created an African American version of the classic 1939 musical The Wizard of Oz. Sidney Lumet’s flawed but quirky 1978 adaptation of the original film and the Tony-winning 1975 Broadway show of the same name is a cult classic in its own right.

Diana Ross (in a slightly miscast but adorable performance nonetheless) plays Dorothy, a Harlem schoolteacher who is magically whisked away to a bizarre fantasyland that resembles New York City, complete with bizarre man-eating trash cans, a twisted Wicked Witch of the West (Mabel King), a sleazy Wizard (played by a hilarious Richard Pryor), and a disco paradise. As with the original film, the plot finds Dorothy seeking the Wizard to get back home, and she is joined by Scarecrow (a standout Michael Jackson), Tin Man (Nipsy Russell), and Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross) on her journey.

Despite only seeing it maybe a few times, I genuinely liked it. Yes, it’s never going to reach the heights of the 1939 film nor the 1975 play and it’s running time is too long, but it has enough unique elements (including Ross’ spunky afro) and catchy songs, not to mention the great Lena Horne playing Glenda the Good, that saves it from being as bad as many critics made it out to be at the time of its release. It’s also a history lesson for those who think black people can’t be represented in anything. The film allows the black community to see themselves in a lively and human way, and you get to witness a now-ancient New York City for how it really was back then.

Nominated for four Oscars and containing Lumet’s versatile New York sensibilities (he was one of the seminal depicters of the iconic city, after all), you have a highly watchable film that is actually better than the sum of its parts.

The new Criterion release (in both 4K and Blu-ray editions) contains a new commentary by scholars Michael B. Gillespie and Alfred L. Martin; archival interviews with Lumet and Ross; and a trailer. There’s also a new essay by critic Aisha Harris.

If you happen to be a diehard fan of The Wiz and really want to add it to your collection, then I think this release is definitely for you.

Other releases:

Lord of Illusions 4K UHD (Scream Factory): The director’s-cut-only edition of Clive Barker’s 1995 horror neo-noir starring Scott Bakula as a NY private investigator who is hired by the beautiful wife (Famke Janssen) of a famed magician (Kevin O’Connor) to protect them from a religious cult experimenting with reincarnation.

Drop 4K UHD + Blu-ray (Universal): Christopher Landon’s latest thriller about a widowed mother who goes to a restaurant to meet her charming new date. But her chemistry with him turns sour as she gets creepy phone messages from a mysterious, hooded figure who threatens to kill her family if she doesn’t do wants the figure says.

The Creep Tapes: Season One (Shudder): The new TV series spinoff of the acclaimed Creep horror franchise starring Mark Duplass reprising his now iconic role as “Peachfuzz,” a socially awkward serial killer who lures videographers to their deaths.

Borderline (Magnolia Pictures): Scream Queen Samara Weaving stars as a pop star whose home is invaded by a very obsessed fan who thinks they are meant to be together.