Product Details

• Actors: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King
• Directors: Sidney Lumet
• Writers: Joel Schumacher, L. Frank Baum, William F. Brown
• Producers: Berry Gordy, Burtt Harris, Kenneth Harper, Rob Cohen
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: March 1, 1992
• Run Time: 134 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (195 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1558801235
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,098 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Video > Music Video & Concerts > Artists > Jackson, Michael
  #27 in	Video > Drama > By Genre > Musicals
  #37 in	Video > Music Video & Concerts > Pop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't win!, June 14, 2001

By	A* (New York, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wiz (DVD)

That's the song that introduces Michael Jackson's Scarecrow in The Wiz! I love this movie. It's cheesey as hell and a camp classic the songs are top notch fair and in some cases beat out the lyrics from The Wizard Of OZ! Just listen to Ms. Ross belt out "Home" or when michael and her team up for "Ease on down the road"! The plot is also fun it takes the premise of the original and places it in New York. The dialogue is great with slang and refrences to black pop culture. Lumet paints the film with a colorful glaze of magic and distress by making the colors pop off the screen and the use of glow in the dark images is astonishing. The soundtrack is also a must buy this film is a complete child's fairy tale and it's beautiful. After hearing "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News" you'll be easing on down the road and humming the tunes for days!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievably Fun, June 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wiz (DVD)

Boo, hiss to all the naysayers of the one and only 'Wiz'. A few of my friends got together at the DVD store the other night and out of all the available titles settled on this one, primarily for nostaligic reasons. Once we got home and popped it in, well, it was more than just simple sentimentality that carried us off to another world. This musical is awesome. The story is timeless, the songs are unforgettable and the widescreen transfer is excellent. One only wishes for more goodies on the disc.

I often scratch my head at why Sidney Lumet directed this, but knowing that he is one of the top five directors ever who understands New York City, it now makes perfect sense. The location shots are amazing, especially with the massive Albert Whitlock visuals. And as hard as it may be to watch Diana Ross play a 24 year old single woman, she achieves it with simple gestures and that pure, honey voice.

It's a huge treat to watch this movie and I look forward to repeat viewings.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "So...u wanted to meet the Wizaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrd!!!!", July 1, 2001

By	Clarissa Bolding "clbzone" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My brother and I used to say that line over and over and laugh ourselves silly. I LOVE THIS MOVIE! The Wiz wasn't made to mirror the Judy Garland classic, although the theme and plot are the same. The Wiz is a funkier, head-bobbing, get up and dance movie that is filled with heart warming and uplifting messages with a universal theme we all can relate to: "Home".

There are so many wonderful things to love about The Wiz. The costumes. The songs. The scenes. The dance numbers. The characters. The location (filmed in New York city? now that's cool!) Nipsey Russell's sassy dance number at the carnival site as he croons, "slide some oil to me!" Then there's Michael's soulful lament, "U Can't Win". It was the ultimate jam that had everyone singing the catchy hook. The bouncing puppets in the subway chase scene is still eerie to this day.

I absolutely LOVED the color schemes at the Emerald City, green to red to gold & the walking Mike was too cute! The score was !beautifully done and Quincy Jones makes a cameo appearance at the keys, all froed-out.

Its funny how people try to compare and criticize this film, when its clear that it was done with music and choreography at the forefront. The styles and time periods are totally different. You can not compare the two which is why this film is called The Wiz and not The Wizard of Oz.

I was nine when I first saw The Wiz and recently saw it again. After all this time it makes me laugh, cry and dance. When Lena Horne sings "If U Believe" it pulls tears from my eyes every time, and who can forget the sweatshop scene. That number is so uplifting it will have you jumping out your seat singing, "Can't you feel a brand new day?" I also loved Ted Ross's poignant number.

In all, The Wiz is a must have for your collection of oldie but goodies. It's timeless, still jams, AND you have to give Miss Ross some credit for being able to "Ease on Down the Road" in those high-heeled si!lver slippers, sporting that curly "blowout"!

Peace. CLB.