| The Wiz (30th Anniversary Edition w/ Bonus CD) |  | Actors: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne
Studio: Universal Studios
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $12.45
as of 3/22/2010 10:40 CDT details
You Save: $7.53 (38%)
New (41) Used (7) from $10.41
Seller: moviemars
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 134 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 61100348
UPC: 025195002844
EAN: 0025195002844
Theatrical Release Date: 1978
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Product Description
No Description Available.
Genre: Musicals
Rating: G
Release Date: 12-FEB-2008
Media Type: DVD
Amazon.com
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
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| Customer Reviews:
 Entertaining Remake March 16, 2010
drkhimxz (Freehold, NJ, USA)
Reading through the first dozen or two of the reviews, I see that it is not necessary to compare this version with the one made in the late thirties starring Judy Garland, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, and, with Margaret Hamilton, featured as the nasty neighbor-wicked witch, a role for which she is still remembered....by those old enough to have lived with the film but young enough to still remember anything. It seems doubtful that Lahr, Haley or Bolger are remembered either, for that matter.
At any rate, seeing this film for the first time in 2010, I found it to be entertaining, the cast talented, the songs competently written and quite well done, the dancing suitably vigorous,and the spectacle colorful. I would admonish one reviewer that we no longer consider 34 (Diana Ross' age at the time of making the film) to be middle age. Happily, she is supposed to be 24 and shy, thus, deglamorized as she is when not singing or dancing, she fits the bill. Playing a fifteen year old, however, as did Garland, would have been a stretch. Michael Jackson invested his role with some of his later famed charisma, but stayed within the confines of the role quite well. Nipsey Russell, was, what a watcher of his successful TV show would have expected, quite good.
In a different world entirely, was the Good Witch, played by the incomparable Lena Horne. Even in this walk-on role, doing her one song, she seems, to a fan of several score years, one of the very best entertainers to have emerged to prominence in the forties (though her career began earlier than that). What a loss to the public was the race barrier of the day which killed any chance she had to be one of the great stars of Hollywood. Very good to see her here, lending her spirit and voice to the film.
On two points, at least, this film fails to create the same sentimental aura which made the MGM earlier version memorable down the years: first, the score, though above average, did not have the impact of that by two of Broadway/Hollywood's best, Harold Arlen (music) and E.Y. Harburg(lyrics). When they were attuned to the setting for which they wrote, they were Hall of Famers; second, of course, the Wiz could not achieve that sentimental but
not cloying effect that the first film managed. Perhaps, it was a change in what audiences would tolerate in the forty years between the making of the first and the second.
In sum, this is an entertaining, truly FAMILY, film, in the best sense of the word. Diana Ross is an admirable star, her supporting cast, quite competent. Buy it for the kids and watch it with them.
DVD March 9, 2010
Virgoa (IL)
Product was excatly as described. Received product on time. Will purchase from this vendor again.
 Great movie! March 4, 2010
Mrs. B (California)
This was one of my favorite movies when I was young! The songs in it from when I was a child still linger with me today. I bought this movie so I could share it with my children now. On top of that MJ is in it and he will be forever missed!
 uhmmmmmmmmm March 3, 2010
Dorinda De Reese (Louisiana)
A little weird, I mostly just wanted to see Michael Jackson as a teenager doing his first movie. I loved that -seeing him sing and dance and interact. He was so talented. Why didn't we appreciate him, why didn't we reach out to him, embrace him in his later years?? Almost all geniuses tend to get a little weird when they move on from their prime and they cannot overachieve anymore, or out do what they have done. Their physical appearanace changes, new people come into the spotlight and nudge them over-it is not in their character to accept those normal life experiences. HIs brothers went on to live normal lives, but for Michael, it was not possible. Show biz WAS his link to life, he could not adapt.
This film doesn't stand the test of time. February 19, 2010
Schafe (NYC)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
It was great to see Michael Jackson's first film role, and he was great as the Tin Man, but the film as a whole doesn't stand the test of time. Some of the dance numbers just seem to go on and on and on without moving the story forward. This type of indulgence was typical of the time in which the film was made-the 70's (very over-the-top). And, for all her talent and brilliance, (and I think she's amazing) but Diana Ross was just horribly miscast as Dorothy. Also, we buy DVD's because we want the extra's and this DVD doesn't contain any, other than the theatrical trailer, (which really isn't an extra). For a 30th anniversary re-release they should have gone back to the director or producer for commentary; or at least some of the living cast members. The digital remastering did enhance the picture quality, but over-all the film as a whole was just "ok." I didn't love it, but didn't hate it.
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