From the Collection: The Wiz
Sidney Lumet’s 1978 musical The Wiz has been added to the Criterion Collection.
L. Frank Baum’s timeless story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, gets a funky reimagining in this lavish adaptation of a landmark Broadway show based on the book. Diana Ross brings her showstopping star power to the role of Dorothy, here a Harlem schoolteacher who is magically transported to a surreal fantasyland that resembles New York City, complete with man-eating trash cans and a disco paradise. Propelled by the musical contributions of Quincy Jones and an all-star cast that includes Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, and Lena Horne, this dazzling soul spectacular from legendary director Sidney Lumet reframes a beloved tale through the Black American experience, creating a powerful celebration of self-determination.
Here’s What the Disc Includes:
- New 4K digital restoration, approved by producer Rob Cohen, with Dolby Atmos soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- New audio commentary featuring scholars Michael B. Gillespie and Alfred L. Martin
- Archival interviews with director Sidney Lumet and actor Diana Ross
- Trailer
- New cover by Komi Olafimihan
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by critic Aisha Harris
Upon its release in the fall of 1978, The Wiz was met with a lukewarm response. Critics were mixed on the film, and audiences weren’t too excited about it either, making the film a financial disappointment and one of the biggest bombs of the time, which seems wild when watching the movie today. The Wiz is a glorious film. A stunning and entertaining reimagining of the Wizard of Oz embedded in Black culture, filled with beautiful songs and jaw-dropping visuals. While it can never be compared to the original 1939 film (not many films could), this is a prime example of how something can be a perfect reimagining of the source material while also feeling original.
I was blown away by the film’s visuals. Lumet, who made a name for himself in the 60s and 70s for more grounded films like 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, and Network, showed he was able to work on a bigger, broader scale and take us to a fantastical version of New York. The costumes and sets are immaculately made, and the colors pop off the screen, especially with the Criterion 4K release. The song and dance numbers are lively, well-shot, and directed, with Lumet allowing us to bask in the talents of the singers and dancers and appreciate their every move on screen. The cast, led by a sublime Diana Ross, is stellar, with Michael Jackson effortlessly stealing the show with his smooth dance moves and silky voice. The Wiz is a wonderful addition to the Criterion Collection and a film I am glad has been reclaimed over the years as an important piece of Black cinema and an overall great film.
Killer of Sheep was restored and remastered by UCLA Film & Television Archive, Milestone Films, and the Criterion Collection.
You can find The Wiz on the Criterion Collection website or wherever you find Criterion DVDs.
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From the Collection is an analysis of non-new-release movies, whether seen on DVD, streaming, or in a theater. It includes a brief history of the film, a review of the film, and content about the experience of seeing the film and/or the contents of the film’s DVD.
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