The Wiz Joins the Criterion Collection- Page 2

[tomorrowBIGLITES]

Posted: 6/29/25 at 1:19pm

Production design and Quincy Jones- just wonderful on this. And the songs are all fantastic

 

the rest? God it’s just so bloated and kinda dull after a while.

 

Lena Horne in a shower cap with shower cap babies floating all around her is absolutely insane

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/29/25 at 4:12pm

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 6/29/25 at 7:04pm

I have thought for years and years that this was the worst movie ever to result from a Broadway musical.  I do not think there is even a close second. 

I remember going to see it in Boston its opening weekend.  The line into the theatre for a late showing was long and everyone was young, and there was a general excitement.  Then we had to watch the movie...I don't recall ever seeing so many people leave before the movie was over.  Admittedly, a really bad movie at a midnight showing is asking for a mass exodus.  From my vantage point, the NY setting was visually interesting, but it serve to make the movie totally depressing.

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/29/25 at 10:07pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Yes, I’m sure everyone would prefer the terribly photoshopped covers of previous releases, or the overused 1978 standard one.

It’s different, it evokes feelings you get when watching the film, and isn’t terrible just because you don’t like it. Just like the film itself."

The 1978 poster is not overused, and yes, would be vastly preferable. It's quite stunning. Whatever the shortcomings of the movie itself, I'd say that poster is, in its way, as perfect as that for The Sound of Music. Perfectly captures the feel of the work in a visual presentation. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/29/25 at 10:12pm

Whatever things are wrong with The Wiz, Lena Horne singing "Believe in Yourself" is by no stretch of the imagination one of them.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 6/29/25 at 11:28pm

The Wiz is a movie that I really want to like, but it's just such a snooze fest. We saw it around a moth ago for it's return to movie theaters and we were just so bored. I could get over Diana Ross being miscast if it weren't just so slow.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 5:38am

joevitus said: "Whatever things are wrong with The Wiz, Lena Horne singing "Believe in Yourself" is by no stretch of the imaginationone of them."

Lena’s interpretation of the song is indeed soul stirring if a bit over the top. I much prefer Dee Dee Bridgewater’s more soothing rendition on the Original Broadway Cast album. 
 

La Chanze’s performance of the song in the City Centers Encores production back in 2009 was also a winner. She brought down the house. 

[tomorrowBIGLITES]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 8:30am

I do think Diana Ross’s tearful one shot take of Home has really grown on me (also cause of Quincy’s arrangement) and I like watching that clip.

Also pre orgy “Brand New Day” is delightful 

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 10:46am

CarlosAlberto said: "Lena’s interpretation of the song is indeed soul stirring if a bit over the top.I much prefer Dee Dee Bridgewater’s more soothing rendition on the Original Broadway Cast album."

I can't choose between them. Two very different renditions, but they both work. I love wacthing YouTube videos of Bridgewater singing "A Rested Body is a Rested Mind" in concert.

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 10:59am

I probably won't buy the Criterion unless they do a recall and present an audio track with the dialogue restored, but last night, I got out my old DVD. I'm surprised how thoroughly I enjoyed the movie. I just meant to watch a few scenes, maybe skip forward to "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News," and wound up watching the whole thing. I stand by my criticisms, but overall the infectious numbers and the good jokes and terrific performances made most of my complaints seem rather trivial. I don't mind Ross' "Home" being sung directly to the camera (she thought this was her "My Man" sequence, didn't she?) but I wish her physical performance was less raw/intense. I'll never understand why the second half of "Brand New Day" gets so much criticism. It's so stunning to see the Winkies shed their hideous outer "skin" to reveal the beauty underneath. It's such a powerful image. Ted Ross' breakdown before "Be A Lion" and Pryor's strung-out peformance in the final scene are probably the only things I consider to really hurt the movie. The other problems, while unarguably there, just don't get in the way of a good time for me.

[MagicalMusical]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 4:51pm

Thank you TotallyEffed for bringing this to our attention!  I may have never known!

The Wiz is one my very top favorite movies, ever since I rented it a lot as a kid. I always loved the story of "The Wizard of Oz", and I LOVED the way this film did it. I actually think it is a truly good movie. I enjoy it every time i watch it. Is some of it cringey? Yes, But I don't think that makes it a bad film.

I love the feelings this movie gives. The weird. The eerie. The warmth of the friendships and Dorothy learning she has to not be afraid to go out into the world. I especially love when the Tin Man dances and the barber shop faces behind him seem to sing. I also love the imagination of this movie. And the wide shots, The scope! And the acting. I think Diana Ross killed it. Everybody pretty much did. And the singing! And it still has a great score and story, so, I think the film is good.

I think my only gripe is the "self help" stuff from Werner Erhard that got into the film. Leave that **** out!

I unfortunately will not be buying this until they fix the audio issues, though. And they left out one of my favorite lines, "She'll find you"! Another example of how creepy the film is! I do love the cover though. The execution is ugly, but I love that they did something new and different and I love the concept.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 5:00pm

joevitus said: "CarlosAlberto said: "Lena’s interpretation of the song is indeed soul stirring if a bit over the top.I much prefer Dee Dee Bridgewater’s more soothing rendition on the Original Broadway Cast album."

I can't choose between them. Two very different renditions, but they both work. I love wacthing YouTube videos ofBridgewater singing "A Rested Body is a Rested Mind" in concert."

Oh yes! I love watching clips of Bridgewater singing in concert. She just released a new EP of jazz songs entitled, ELEMENTAL. She is in fine form. 

"A Rested Body is a Rested Mind" was sadly not included in the film. Ditto "Tornado" which is such a great R&B/Funk/Disco track. I still have the 12" extended cut of it. 

 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 5:09pm

MagicalMusical said:  Diana Ross killed it. 

Yes. she did. She absolutely did. Her neurotic, over-the-top histrionic performance in this buried not only the film but her movie career in the process.

Instead of exuding any kind of wonder and curiosity upon crash landing in Oz she goes into tortured and anguished screams that one would think she was about to get raped. 

I couldn't then and cannot now understand why a grown up woman would behave in this way. It was like she was afraid of her own shadow! 

One of my friends questioned whether her character was on the spectrum. 

I can understand being introverted, shy-even but Diana Ross' interpretation of this character is that of a tortured soul. It is completely wrong on so many levels. 

The only time her character shows any kind of joy is during the "A Brand New Day (Everybody Rejoice)" musical number. 

Lumet was out of his depth directing this. The musical numbers should have been more immersive, but no, he chose to shoot them 1,000 feet away from the camera. 

 

 

Updated On: 6/30/25 at 05:09 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 5:33pm

joevitus said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Yes, I’m sure everyone would prefer the terribly photoshopped covers of previous releases, or the overused 1978 standard one.

It’s different, it evokes feelings you get when watching the film, and isn’t terrible just because you don’t like it. Just like the film itself."

The 1978 poster is not overused, and yes, would be vastly preferable. It's quite stunning. Whatever the shortcomings of the movie itself, I'd say that poster is, in its way, as perfect as that for The Sound of Music. Perfectly captures the feel of the work in a visual presentation."

Agreed! Victor Gadino was in his 20s when he illustrated it.

if you have Instagram you can view his other work. 
 

https://www.instagram.com/victorgadino/?hl=en

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 5:36pm

You know what, if Ross’ Dorothy had been intended to be on the spectrum her performance would make a lot more sense.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 6:14pm

CATSNYrevival said: "You know what, if Ross’ Dorothy had been intended to be on the spectrum her performance would make a lot more sense."

Agreed, LOL.

If you listen to “Soon As I Get Home” from the OBC and then the version on the movie soundtrack they sound like 2 completely different songs.

The way Stephanie Mills sings it she is full of awe and wonder at where she is but still wants to go home.

For the movie the song was slowed down and Miss Ross sings it as if she is on the verge of slitting her wrists. 
 

The energy/vibe/intent are miles apart. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 6:22pm

So happy I made this thread 😂 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 7:01pm

TotallyEffed said: "So happy I made this thread 😂"

Me too! I’m your biggest fan now! 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 7:41pm

CarlosAlberto said: "TotallyEffed said: "So happy I made this thread 😂"

Me too! I’m your biggest fan now!"


😚 

[morosco]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 8:44pm

What became extremely noticeable in the movie theater were the many completely silent pauses throughout the film. It’s bizarre. I think the pacing is what truly kills this film. Pauses like that might work in a drama, but they absolutely do not work for a fantasy musical comedy.

I think you've put your finger on exactly what has bothered me with the film for years. Your description is exactly what has been bothering me. Until now I couldn't figure what it was.

[MagicalMusical]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 12:16am

CarlosAlberto said: "MagicalMusical said: Diana Ross killed it.

Yes. she did. She absolutely did. Her neurotic, over-the-top histrionic performance in this buried not only the film but her movie career in the process.

Instead of exuding any kind of wonder and curiosity upon crash landing in Oz she goes into tortured and anguished screams that one would think she was about to get raped.

I couldn't then and cannot now understand why a grown up woman would behave in this way. It was like she was afraid of her own shadow!

One of my friends questioned whether her character was on the spectrum.

I can understand being introverted, shy-even but Diana Ross' interpretation of this character is that of a tortured soul. It is completely wrong on so many levels.

The only time her character shows any kind of joy is during the "A Brand New Day(Everybody Rejoice)" musical number.

Lumet was out of his depth directing this. The musical numbers should have been more immersive, but no, he chose to shoot them 1,000 feet away from the camera."

I think you make very valid points. But I still love Diana's performance. She's not a happy person in her life before she gets to the end of the film when she finally does become happy after her journey. I also love the direction.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 10:13am

I have thought for years and years that this was the worst movie ever to result from a Broadway musical.  I do not think there is even a close second. 
 

For me, the CHORUS LINE movie still holds that distinction.

[joevitus]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 11:52am

MagicalMusical said: "CarlosAlberto said: "MagicalMusical said: Diana Ross killed it.

Yes. she did. She absolutely did. Her neurotic, over-the-top histrionic performance in this buried not only the film but her movie career in the process.

Instead of exuding any kind of wonder and curiosity upon crash landing in Oz she goes into tortured and anguished screams that one would think she was about to get raped.

I couldn't then and cannot now understand why a grown up woman would behave in this way. It was like she was afraid of her own shadow!

One of my friends questioned whether her character was on the spectrum.

I can understand being introverted, shy-even but Diana Ross' interpretation of this character is that of a tortured soul. It is completely wrong on so many levels.

The only time her character shows any kind of joy is during the "A Brand New Day(Everybody Rejoice)" musical number.

Lumet was out of his depth directing this. The musical numbers should have been more immersive, but no, he chose to shoot them 1,000 feet away from the camera."

I think you make very valid points. But I still love Diana's performance. She's not a happy person in her life before she gets to the end of the film when she finally does become happy after her journey. I also love the direction."

I mostly love Ross' performance, too. Pauline Kael remarked that her determintation to play Dortothy represented "a whim of iron," and I get a kick out of that line, but honestly, I think an adult Dorothy works, and I can buy Ross as a 24 yearl old (even though she was actually mid-30's at the time). I also don't think she telegraphs ego or a diva attitude. She seems to completely fold herself into this character who is afraid and insecure. Maybe it just comes down to having been 9 when I first saw it--in first release--and so having no concept of "Diana Ross" nor baggage due to knowing the production history. I just accepted in this story the character's an adult who needs to move forward in life rather than a child who needs to be home. There are a few specific moments where I feel she's overwrought, but overall, I think she does well. 

Updated On: 7/1/25 at 11:52 AM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 12:29pm

morosco said: "I have thought for years and years that this was the worst movie ever to result from a Broadway musical. I do not think there is even a close second.


For me, the CHORUS LINE movie still holds that distinction."


Unspeakably horrendous. Although A Chorus Line would be so difficult for almost anyone to adapt for film, they really botched it. I think the ideal movie version of that show is to simply shoot a top notch stage production with the original design, choreography, and direction.
 

And while RENT has a pretty rockin’ soundtrack, the movie is abysmal. Who seeks a director for a film adaptation of RENT and settles on the Home Alone guy? It boggles the mind. Should have been Spike Lee or someone with an iota of edge and vision. I hope one day we can get a proper film version.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 12:31pm

I’m so sorry, Joe, but Diana Ross reads about forty to me in The Wiz.