“Success, fame, and fortune, they’re all illusions. All there is that is real is the friendship that two can share.” – Scarecrow
If you follow Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Motown’s music catalogue, you will hear about this movie musical of The Wiz. Done in 1978, this movie is an adaptation of a successful Broadway musical conceived by William F. Brown that set the Frank L Baum novel, alongside the Hollywood classic starring Judy Garland, in New York and Harlem perspectives.
Directed by Sidney Lumet & screenwritten by Joel Schumacher, we discover a Dorothy superbly performed by Diana Ross. Working in an elementary school as a teacher, Dorothy is afraid of leaving her family and of starting a life on her own, beyond the borders of her neighborhood where she has lived for so many years. Through strange circumstances that make her end up in a land called Oz, she experiences there adventures involving many characters. All of them growing up as they walk down the Yellow Brick road leading them to the City of Oz which a powerful wizard is governing as its leader. A leader who can help them gain what they wish.
Though in The Wiz, we rediscover the city of New York through a riveting and beautiful culture of R&B music, with a nice reference to The Jacksons 2-4-6-8 song, but also to New York City’s architecture. Seen through a scope of surrealism and fairy tales, the Golden Apple has never before been rendered with such wonderment and symbolisms. Filled with many layers of readings, the visuals and the story allow viewers to obtain new perspectives on this story.
So whether or not you have already read the original Frank L Baum book, or seen the Judy Garland movie, anybody watching this production can experience the same thrills of adventures as in the other versions of this classic. Though this time, they will experience the Motown perspective. With awesome performances from its icons and of those involved in the original 1975 musical.
As the Scarecrow, Michael Jackson is a delight. Sharing his wisdom while dancing and singing beautifully down the road with Dorothy and his friends, his chemistry with Diana Ross screams on the screen. And as the character, he renders well the timid softness of that man who wants the Wizard to give him a brain, even though he already has one. And from his first performance in the song You Can’t Win, his voice and humanity catches our heart. Same thing for his duo performance of Ease On Down The Road with Diana Ross, which of course he joins in with the other actors as he and Dorothy meet them. But overall, it is definitely with Michael that the song is mostly remembered as that duo is used in the ending credits.
Furthermore, if you want to know more about Michael’s perspective on this film, do take time to read his autobiography Moonwalk. He reveals in it many details about his experience while filming. Such as his interest to work in movies, but also his delight at being applied make up every day. Something that others did not necessarily enjoy, but which he adored.
As for the Tin Man, Nipsey Russell dazzles us with his performance of a mechanical robot trying to find a heart. A great actor who catches our hearts, he is a beautiful addition to this production of The Wiz and his main entry performance What Would I Do If I Could Feel is absolutely wonderful. Especially as it is set on roller coaster in an amusement park location (Coney island by any chance?).
For Ted Ross, who launched the role of the lion back in the original 1975 run of The Wiz, he is also involved in this adventure. Roaring his wonderful song and catchy performances, I love his entrance coming out from the New York Public Library lion as he sings (I’M A) Mean Ole Lion.
Same thing for Mabel West, who does on the screen, like she did on Broadway, her role of the Wicked Witch of the West. In a frightening performance on screen. Imposing and diabolical, her actions on her slaves are frightening and her demise, thanks to Dorothy’s actions, reach a darkly comical take as she is flushed down her toilet throne. And as the song A Brand New Day is performed, an outburst of joy and liberation happens before us as the entire cast sings and performs in harmony this amazing tune.
On a visual aspect, it is interesting how through the universe of Oz, characters live in settings following certain color fashions and trends. In beautiful eccentric sets that make you realize how Joel Schumacher was influenced by his work on The Wiz to make his two Batman movies as his Gotham City is as eccentric as the Oz city. Of course, Schumacher’s Batman movies were not great as certain elements in the scripts were so-so and even he regrets the terrible decisions he pulled in Batman and Robin. But as for the script in The Wiz, his work is excellent. Same thing with Sidney Lumet, whose direction captures well the magic and wonders of Oz alongside the beauty of New York, and of Dorothy’s struggles as she evolves through her adventure.
And like my favourite movies, The Wiz is not afraid to shock and surprise audiences with scary moments. Monsters that grow out of everything and anything, such as in a superb scene in the subway. Alongside villains who ruthlessly hurt others in cruel manners. Something that certain Hollywood productions are afraid to show as they tend to doubt their viewers’ intelligence and their strength at receiving the truth about the hardships of life.
In sum, fans of musical, but also of Motown, R&B, Diana Ross, and Michael Jackson will love the marvellous movie The Wiz. A great production that I encourage everyone to see. A classic that deserved a better reception than the one it got in 1978.
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